Fitting 7.5x16 on 231601 rim, anyone have larger rims? Any Divided Wheels/Split Rims?

[Hebe]

Hi Evereyone,

I found someone who is offering NOS ex AU army 7.5 x 16 all terrain tires (Melbourne area). I would need six, 4 to drive, 1 spare on bonnet, and 1 behind seats. Let me know if you want some as well.

On my 1958, 88" S1 I currently have tractor type 6 x 16 (6ply light truck Bridgestone) tires. Most of my rims are marked 231601 Australian made.

As I need six new tires and am considering these 7.5x16 I wonder if I should go for it. In the many posts here, and elsewhere, I read that many people did this. However, not many mention which rims these are on.

Does anyone have experience putting 7.5x16 on the 231601 rims (I believe these are the 5" rims)?

I understand the issues with gear, turning circle and adjustment so wheels don't touch. I just want to know about possibility, safety, damage and risk.

Alternatively I get the 5.5" rims as well. Does anyone have six Series One 5.5" rims as a gift or for sale?
I would also be interested in the Divided Wheels/Split Rims. What are the benefits or negatives of using/having Divided Wheels/Split Rims? Are they difficult to find/get?

It may all be too difficult/expensive to get/organise. Maybe I should just try to find some all terrain 7 x 16 tires. Anyone can recommend any (Melbourne area)

Thanks,

Kris
LRSOC UK Area Representative for Victoria
www.land-rover-series-one.org

[B.S.F.]

Under certain conditions,under full lock and with the spring compressed the lower front mud guard catches on a 7.5-16 tyre.That's because on a S1 88/109 the mud guard is only 1" longer than on a 80/86 /107 and therefore 1"closer to the tyre. No such problem with 7.00-16. .W.

[Hebe]

Hi,

For those who sent me a message regarding the tires, I will ask the questions and let you know soon.

Just to be clear about my own questions, briefly:

Will the 7.5 x 16 have any risk of coming off the 231601 rims (I believe these are the 5" rims)?

Does anyone have 6 series one 5.5" rims on offer?

Thanks,

Kris

[B.S.F.]

I had a tyre shop refuse to fit 7.50 on 231601. ( too narrow.) As far as I know all S1 rims are 5" apart from the *very early ones which were 4.5" * * Not first hand knowledge *! .W.

[Lost Landy]

I would be going a later 5.5" rim to fit a 750 x 16, to be totally honest.
We have fitted a set of 750 x 16 tyres to my brothers series 3 SWB and the tread part of the tyre has a prnounced curve and looks like the tyre is way over inflated but it only has 28 psi so were going to change them from the 5" to the 5.5"

[numpty]

Series 3 rims should already be 5.5".

As a previous post stated, early S1's had 4.5", all later S1's had 5" and S2's up to Defender (pre alloys and excluding 130's) had/have 5.5"

[gromit]

Here is an old thread on rims & tyre sizes.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/series-i-land-rover-enthusiasts-section/64972-tyre-size.html


Colin

[dfendr]

I could supply you with a set of defender rims
But more important I am in Bentleigh 3204 and they have tyres on them you try them on your vehicle to see the pros and cons

[series3]

When I got my SWB 2a it was shod with Sime Frontier 7.50 16's on the original 5" wheels.. I did a fair bit of 4wding, road kilometres and sand driving on them and didn't have an issue until i got a stake in low range with low pressures.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/01/1013.jpg

In the tyre's defence, they were very worn and the sidewalls were peppered with cuts, lumps and bulges at this stage so I find it hard to say that they (or the tyre/rim combo) let me down, they were fighting a losing battle.

They did scrub a little on full lock and the tops would scrub the bottom of the tub under articulation.

Sam

[Landy Smurf]

wouldn't bigger tyres scrub on the rear tub?

[Lost Landy]

wouldn't bigger tyres scrub on the rear tub?

Yes they will, i had 750 X 16 custom extra grips on my 88" series 1 and the tyres would rub on the inner section of the rear tub when the suspension was fully compressed :o

[JDNSW]

To summarise a few points.

All Series 1 had 5" rims (except very early ones as noted) - but the lwb 2/2a/3 rims fit

7.50 tyres have been fitted to 5" rims ever since Landrovers have been sold, although this size really needs the wider 5.5". I have never heard of any significant problems, however. Whether the tread catches on the mudguards will depend on the tread type and tyre manufacturer - tyres of the same nominal size vary quite a lot in actual overall size. If the tyres in question are Steeltreks, these are among the largest ones!

Split rims have the advantage of being easier to change tyres with no equipment (provided the tyre is not rusted on). They also represent a significant risk to ignorant users removing tyres without fully deflating them. Landrover split rims were never fitted as standard, only as an option (at least up to Series 2), and are very rare.

5" rims remained standard on swb Landrovers until late Series 3 production, but 5.5" was optional from Series 2 on. 5.5" was standard on lwb from Series 2 on.

All Series Landrover wheels are interchangeable. Offsets of the 5.5 rims vary a little, but not enough to be concerned about.

John

[gromit]

Kris,

What happened regarding the guy with the ex-army tyres. Have PM'd you but no reply.

Colin

[Brad110]

Kris

I run 7.50 x 16 and they are too tall in my experience. I feel that 700 are the optimum (metric equivalent 215R 85 16.

There are many options using the equivalent metric size. If you use the old designation the monkey at the tyre store will enter the size into the computer and it/ he will tell you that they are hard to get and very expensive for some crap made in and for a 3rd world country.

My 750's do rub now that I have freed the rust off my springs and have some articulation.

Regards Brad