BFG km2 lt 255/85 r16 For 130

[juddy]

I have some new rims arriving for the 130, and I was going to keep the XZL's, however I have seen a friends Defender and hes got the BFG Km2's fitted, and I think they look really good, as in they look chunkier than my XZL's and suit the vehicle very well.

Whats the go with this tyre and looks aside, is it a good replacement for the XZLs.

[n plus one]

I have some new rims arriving for the 130, and I was going to keep the XZL's, however I have seen a friends Defender and hes got the BFG Km2's fitted, and I think they look really good, as in they look chunkier than my XZL's and suit the vehicle very well.

Whats the go with this tyre and looks aside, is it a good replacement for the XZLs.

Hopefully the 'go' is that they'll be awesome on six black Terrafirma alloy wheels :D

Coz that's pretty much where I've landed as a replacement for my Wrangler MT/Rs - my research suggests that they're a good thing, with the main alternate contenders in that size MT being the (cheaper) Maxxis Bighorn and the incredibly tough (but grey import) Toyo Open Country MT.

[juddy]

I think they would look rather good on those Dakar rims...

[Deefa]

I would be interested in what size they are actually. I have been measuring tyres just to get an idea of size for my Defender. The manufactures measurements don't make sense to me as different brands have wildly different sizes in the same tyre size. And to add to the confusion there stated sizes are different when actually fitted to a vehicle. So for a start I have made a list as below simply measured on the horizontal through the centre of the wheel and the width. I have currently silverstones and at 840 h they effect the gearing to much for my liking. I think th 255x85x 16 would be even higher again?
This may make your car to high geared, but you may be aware of that and live with it, or go and change diff ratios to lower it back again. It just means that towing is a pain and off road low range 2nd is too high and you need first gear to climb hills etc. As for the km2s my brother in law has them on a Rodeo and they look really good, are quite and seem to wear well. (at least after 12 months so far) At least much better than a set of tyres I have seen that start with C and end with S (great big marketing budget)



235x85x16 BFG all terrains (exist) 785x235
285x75x16 Silverstone (exist) 840x290
285x75x16 Federal Couragia 820x 255
265x75x16 BF MT (Dans) KM2 810x230
235x85x16 BF MT (marks s2) Pre km2 800x220

Brian

[Slunnie]

Are they 285/85-16 or do you mean 255/85-16?

[newhue]

I have some new rims arriving for the 130, and I was going to keep the XZL's, however I have seen a friends Defender and hes got the BFG Km2's fitted, and I think they look really good, as in they look chunkier than my XZL's and suit the vehicle very well.

Whats the go with this tyre and looks aside, is it a good replacement for the XZLs.

They are far better in my view. Better side biters, better even wear, better milage, easily as tuff. I got 40k from my XZL and they were stuffed. My BFG's are looking very healthy at 30K. I'd say the BFG are a tad quieter as well.

[Babs]

They are a good mud tyre, but thats it.

I bought them new did 13,000 klm and had enough, sold them and now put the Cooper ST Maxx on.

I found the Km2 handled terrible, you could feel the vibration from the nobs as you drove, and were bloody noisy. That's all on road I'm referring to.

Off road they are brilliant, they will do everything you ask them to. But IMO its a huge sacrifice to ask for when I'm sure the coopers will perform close enough off road.

Anyways I won't go on about them it's up to you, yes they are an awesome looking tyre, but looks are not everything. :)

BTW I had the Cooper STT Muddies on my Hilux previously and they were a lot less noisier and smoother on road, just something to think about. Oh and they have a 5000 denier 3 ply sidewall compared to the KM2's 3000 denier sidewall.

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[roverrescue]

Also as I said a little while ago - direct comparison on southern cape roads

KM2 chip out more than Toyo Muds which chip out more than Bridgy muds.

Its that nice sexy soft compound that suffers a little on the hard fast dirt.

But Deefa I totally agree with you. What the manufacturers write on the side wall is largely irrelevant
Only way is to run a tape measure.

Steve

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Juddy,

I have those same tyres on the 110.

In not sure about the rear arrangement on the 130's as I have no direct experience.

As for the fronts, unless you have offset rims they'll catch in the radius arms, unless you turn them out a bit and reduce that turning circle even more:)

As for performance. Stick Em on and don't worry. Great all round tyre. Sure they are noisier and less smooth/round on the black stuff than an AT tyre, but then you have to expect that. They handle predictably on the wet bitumen and braking is still pretty good.

As for gearing, if the 130's remapped you'll be fine and gearing won't be too much of an issue, especially with the 6 speed box.

Oh yeah, finally you must run a 7-8.5" rim (8.5" is from memory). I know a 7" is defo the minimum. I run 16x7 and have never had a problem.

Hath
Jon

Sent using Forum Runner

[juddy]

They are far better in my view. Better side biters, better even wear, better milage, easily as tuff. I got 40k from my XZL and they were stuffed. My BFG's are looking very healthy at 30K. I'd say the BFG are a tad quieter as well.

Jason

Did you have to change gearing etc?

[Wortho]

With 255/85/16 tyres your gearing should be fine and your speedo should read accurate. 16x8 rims with a 0 offset will sit nice right on the edge of the flares and allow you a slightly better turning circle.

[juddy]

Thanks wortho

Will 7 x16 with 33 offset be ok

[Deefa]

Are they 285/85-16 or do you mean 255/85-16?


Sorry I put 85 instead of 75 they are 285x75x16- edited the post.

[n plus one]

Thanks wortho

Will 7 x16 with 33 offset be ok

They'll likely rub the radius arms and/or the rear spring towers at that offset.

My calcs suggest a Wolf offset rim (20.6mm positive) is the minimum required for no interference without tweaking suspension/steering stops.

[redneb72]

I am out at Hail Creek, and all of the light vehicles have BFG KM2 tyres all round. In all honesty, I can't verify if they purchase them because they get a bulk purchase deal or anything like that.

But what I will say is that they take a stunning amount of punishment. The vehicles are used 24hrs a day, day in, day out on both graded roads and anything else that comes to your imagination in a mine site.

To me, this is a very good testing ground and they take a lot of punishment.

[rick130]

Oh yeah, finally you must run a 7-8.5" rim (8.5" is from memory). I know a 7" is defo the minimum. I run 16x7 and have never had a problem.

Hath
Jon

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Unless BFG have changed their tyre chart in the last twelve months, a 6.5" rim is the minimum legal fitment and has been forever. ;)

[rick130]

With 255/85/16 tyres your gearing should be fine and your speedo should read accurate. 16x8 rims with a 0 offset will sit nice right on the edge of the flares and allow you a slightly better turning circle.


8" rim on a 255 ?

No way, miles too wide, you expose the sidewall far too much off road, try and stay near the minimum rim width for a 4WD tyre IMO.

[rick130]

Thanks wortho

Will 7 x16 with 33 offset be ok


They'll likely rub the radius arms and/or the rear spring towers at that offset.

My calcs suggest a Wolf offset rim (20.6mm positive) is the minimum required for no interference without tweaking suspension/steering stops.

33mm offset rims would be plain bloody awful, nay impossible to live with.

We're talking a 130 right ?
Something that has the turning circle of a Manly ferry.
Stick 255/85's on the 6.5" HD rim and it suddenly has the turning circle of The Queen Mary.

IMO stick to either 20.6mm offset rims, or for a much better turning circle, 0 offset, but your balance needs to be absolutely spot on as torque steer is slightly increased from the increase in scrub radius.
Not noticeable for the most part with well balanced wheel/tyres, it is noticeable on loose surfaces when powering hard if the wheels are borderline out of dynamic balance.

I've gone from 6.5 HD rims to 0 offset 7" rims and I'm not going back, the increased manoeuvrability offsets any slight torque steer increase from my perspective.

[newhue]

My experience with cutting up a BFG is only when you have the tyre pressure wrong. I did a good 3000km on dirt during an inland trip last year. Some of the roads had rocks like cricket balls. It wasn't until perhaps the last 300km I got lazy and didn't go down in pressure. The tyres didn't chip just got cut up a fair bit. They have since done another 20K and are set to go back again this year. I guess I will see if they fail or sail.

I think for me you find 95% of people are happy with BFG, where as Coopers it's more 50/50. Maxxis also do a decent tyre in 255's which most people are happy with, but there your 3 choices.

The 255's on standard 6.5 rim fits inside the flairs, but rub on full lock on the radius arms. left hand down more so than right for some reason.
Juddy those Dakar rims are nice. I once had a notion of a set, but your only buying a look. No lighter or stronger than the trusty standard steel rim. Take the wife on a holiday, forget the rims. I'll show and tell you what I mean at the end f the week.

[juddy]

I think the 65 would suit better.

I know what mean Jason about the looks and the pros of keeping the steel rims.

I don't run any where near the load limit of the hd rims, so I will be fine, I did some research into this rim and terrafirma supported a 130 recently on some Dakar kind of event, fitted with there rims and xzl's.

And it's the wife who wanted them, and she's got going on holiday soon, so everyone's happy.

[2stroke]

8" rim on a 255 ?

No way, miles too wide, you expose the sidewall far too much off road, try and stay near the minimum rim width for a 4WD tyre IMO.
I got sucked in by the stupid Maxxis chart that caused the tyre shop to refuse to fit them on my 6.5s or even a 7". Chart said 7.5" to 9 or 9.5" or something. Though the Maxxis looks a little wider than the BFG.

[rick130]

I got sucked in by the stupid Maxxis chart that caused the tyre shop to refuse to fit them on my 6.5s or even a 7". Chart said 7.5" to 9 or 9.5" or something. Though the Maxxis looks a little wider than the BFG.


I think we've discussed this before ;)

[Deefa]

Can anyone tell me what the actual size is of a BFG mud terrain 285x75x16 KM2 is on a 7 inch rim?

IE measured width and horizontal through centre of wheel.

There are tyre size calculators around but they do not actually state the correct size in reality. Brands can vary 40 mm in height.

[rick130]

Can anyone tell me what the actual size is of a BFG mud terrain 285x75x16 KM2 is on a 7 inch rim?

IE measured width and horizontal through centre of wheel.

There are tyre size calculators around but they do not actually state the correct size in reality. Brands can vary 40 mm in height.


BFG claim 840mm or so OD (from memory) on an 8" rim.

The only way to know for sure is mount one and run a stagger tape around the OD of the tyre.
That's what I did with my first set of 762's and surprisingly they measured exactly as per what was claimed in the Maxxis tyre book, as tyres can vary batch to batch, not just between makes.

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Can anyone tell me what the actual size is of a BFG mud terrain 285x75x16 KM2 is on a 7 inch rim?

IE measured width and horizontal through centre of wheel.

There are tyre size calculators around but they do not actually state the correct size in reality. Brands can vary 40 mm in height.

840 x 252, on a Performance Alloy TX1, 16x7

HTH
Jon

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[stayawayski70]

So do the BFG km2 lt 255/85 r16 For 130 sit on factory rims (without rubbing) or do I need to look at aftermarket rims? Almost 70k on the XZL on the 130 and need new tyres.....not keen atm to buy rims as well so wondering what tyres are available for the factory rims?

[2stroke]

Also are 300 Tdi rims the same offset as the Td5 and later rims on 130's? I'm considering going back to the older style 130 (tube type) 6.5s with my 255/85s as I'm not sure the 8" King rims are strong enough for a desert trip later in the year and I do know the original rims are.

[n plus one]

So do the BFG km2 lt 255/85 r16 For 130 sit on factory rims (without rubbing) or do I need to look at aftermarket rims? Almost 70k on the XZL on the 130 and need new tyres.....not keen atm to buy rims as well so wondering what tyres are available for the factory rims?

I think you will just be ok with the Wolf's ET 20.6 (assuming this is what you have).

I have 255/85/16s on 16X7 ET 10 rims and they're all good for clearance.

[2stroke]

I put a 255 on an older style 130 rim, with 20,6 stamped on it to see how it sits.
The first is the 130 rim the second is a 16x8 king. Unfortunately the angles aren't identical but near enough for comparison.
As for clearance, I haven't tried it on the vehicle yet but the tyre sits 10mm further inward on the 130 rim..

[TonyC]

So do the BFG km2 lt 255/85 r16 For 130 sit on factory rims (without rubbing) or do I need to look at aftermarket rims? Almost 70k on the XZL on the 130 and need new tyres.....not keen atm to buy rims as well so wondering what tyres are available for the factory rims?

Yes they will go on 130 wheels. Yes they will rub on the radius arms at full lock unless the steering stops are adjusted out.

They will not fit (legally) on 110 steel wheels.

Other sizes that will work are 7.50R16, obviously:angel: or 235/85R16, the standard 110 size, but again they are wider in the tread then a 7.50 so may or may not also need the steering stops adjusting.

Tony

[frantic]

I have 255/85 r16 maxxis bighorns on my defender 110 with standard alloy 16x7 +33 from memory, rims. They did not rub at the front but did touch and rub the back spring mount after I fitted dislocation cones/longer travel shocks. I then fitted some spacers from a U.k supplier that moved the wheels out 30mm and problem was solved. Before you say it yes I know not 100% legal but they are approved in both u.k and Germany and are a lot cheaper than a new set of wheels. The bighorns i have are now at 35k's and are getting fairly noisy at higway speeds and will need to be replaced in about 10-15k's. One had a strange wobble at 75-85kph but is better now its been rotated to the rear?
The bighorns replaced cooper st's when i first got the defender and are in another world for both grip and ride they are so much better. Most people I have spoken to who have had bfg's and bighorns would take the BFG's again but the cost sometimes means they go the bighorn as they both perform very similarly on and off road just the BFG mt is quieter, actually i think one of roothy's mags did a comparison of the maxxis,bfg, cooper and several other mt/at brands and it came second overall.

[2stroke]

Since the 255s seem to fit nicely on the 6.5s I decided to get the 6.5s sandblasted and painted. Anyone know where I might get one more old style (with no holes) 16x6.5 rim? As I'd like a 6th so the second spare can come off the 8" as well.

[juddy]

Well after much thought, I have for the time being decided to stick with the tyres I have, they might not be wide and chuncky, but they do the job, and are still rated as avery good all round tyre.

Dakar on the XZL, with the Beadlock.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/06/512.jpg (http://s856.photobucket.com/user/juddyburton/media/Screenshot2013-06-18at91837PM_zps236284fc.png.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/06/513.jpg (http://s856.photobucket.com/user/juddyburton/media/Screenshot2013-06-18at91849PM_zps31de0039.png.html)

[Shingleback]

Since the 255s seem to fit nicely on the 6.5s I decided to get the 6.5s sandblasted and painted. Anyone know where I might get one more old style (with no holes) 16x6.5 rim? As I'd like a 6th so the second spare can come off the 8" as well.

Hi, don't know where you live but I have a spare 6.5" rim with no holes you can have for 50 bucks if you want it. Easier to pick up but could post if you organize the freight. We are NE vic. Cheers, Andrew.

[noogie]

love those rims Juddy.
Bloody awesome.
Also love km2s and I personally don't find them noisy on the blacktop. Awesome offroad.
K run 255/85/16s & no offset rims. They don't rub on front radius arms and only occasionally rub on Rear spring mounts. personally feel you don't need the offset rims.
And that size tyre is a little over 33"s.

[2stroke]

Hi, don't know where you live but I have a spare 6.5" rim with no holes you can have for 50 bucks if you want it. Easier to pick up but could post if you organize the freight. We are NE vic. Cheers, Andrew.
Thanks mate, if you would like to PM me your location, I can track down your nearest courier depot, get a transport quote etc. I can do a bank transfer or something.

[MLD]

8" rim on a 255 ?

No way, miles too wide, you expose the sidewall far too much off road, try and stay near the minimum rim width for a 4WD tyre IMO.

to throw a cat among the pigeons and to spark a new way of thinking about things. In cycling in particular MTB it is accepted engineering that a for a given tyre width a wider rim holds the tyre rim better, is more forgiving and more comfortable than a narrower rim.

so much so that the engineers in the lycra brigade are now touting a 22mm rim width (19 mm was standardised) is the way of the future.

MLD

[n plus one]

to throw a cat among the pigeons and to spark a new way of thinking about things. In cycling in particular MTB it is accepted engineering that a for a given tyre width a wider rim holds the tyre rim better, is more forgiving and more comfortable than a narrower rim.

so much so that the engineers in the lycra brigade are now touting a 22mm rim width (19 mm was standardised) is the way of the future.

MLD

Meh, I run 38mm rims on my mtb.

Juddy, stop putting piccies of me beadlocks on the net, every bugger will end up with a set...

[juddy]

I had to have a sneek view, they look a lot better in the flesh, they are a cool looking rim. You lucky man.;)

[rick130]

to throw a cat among the pigeons and to spark a new way of thinking about things. In cycling in particular MTB it is accepted engineering that a for a given tyre width a wider rim holds the tyre rim better, is more forgiving and more comfortable than a narrower rim.

so much so that the engineers in the lycra brigade are now touting a 22mm rim width (19 mm was standardised) is the way of the future.

MLD


Wider rim on a 4x4 = much more sidewall exposed = much bigger risk of staking/slicing/junking a tyre and also a greater possibility of getting crap jammed in the bead at ultra low pressures.

I'd bet pounds to a peanut that the % carcass volume increase between a 6.5" and 8" rim with a 255/85-16 is a lot less than a 19mm vs 22mm rim with a 2.1, 2.2 or even a 2.35" mtb tyre too.

My Nobby Nic's cost a bucket load less than the 762's on the Deefer too ;)

High performance road/race tyre the opposite holds true, generally greater sidewall stability with the wider rim unless the tyre is designed as a cantilever construction tyre. We don't have to worry about staking on the road or track.

[2stroke]

I found mud in the bead became a problem for the first time (on my 130) when I combined 255s and 8" rims.