15 Inch Rims

[PTC]

I've had a search around but unable to find info on rims and offsets for my Defender 130.

I've just moved over to the Defender from a GQ Patrol which has a near new set of MT Baja Claws on it. 33 12.5 on 15x8 inch rims. GQ Stud pattern.

And if possible i am wanting to move them onto my new truck when i go play in the bush. Also so i don't have to sell my good tires cheap.

Reading up here Tyre Sizes and Mods Required (http://www.lrautomotive.com.au/contents/en-us/d713.html) i have found out that i can fit the 33" under the car with no mods other than flares to enclose them. Though i don't know about the width of the tires if they will fit and what offset is needed. As it also mentioned that the turning circle will be affected.

If anyone here has some advice that would be great thanks.

[Drover]

I had 31x9x15 tyres on 15x7 rims on my PUMA 110 for a while. So 15's will clear your brake calipers etc.

I am now running 285/75x16 (33x11.5x16), rims are King rims 16x8 neutral off set.

They were sticking out side of the stock flares by about 30mm. I fitted FlatDog +50mm flares and now they are under by 20mm.

Your tyres should be fine, But those GQ stud patern rims are just not going to work.

And just one other thing, they are big tyres for stock rover shafts/CV's.

[frantic]

There are 2 schools of thought for a 12.5 wide tyre, one is to go zero , but it may still touch your spring mounts or affect turning circle, the other is to go -25mm offsett which some say could put more stress on the bearings. Personally I'm thinking of heading down the -25 route with 35/12.5 r15 as I currently have 255/85 r16 (33.4in) that where rubbing on the rear spring mounts under flex, but no longer as I put illegal in oz but legal in uk sourced spacers that moved the original boost alloys out from -30 to zero. In my head -30 is touching, moving it out 30mm to a zero offset ,but widening the tyre by 60 mm (going from a 255 width to a 315 or 10-12.5in)puts you back where you started.

[PTC]

Thanks for the advice. Looking around at other peoples Defender and tyre ideas. I might just leave them on the Patrol when i sell it and go for some narrow 33's to put on the car.

Seeing as i would have to get a set of new rims anyway i'll just go a whole new set. Also to change the tyres over i would need to buy some second hand tyres to put back on the GQ then.

Still a lot for me to learn and work out though. So will keep reading here to get more info.

[Judo]

My 110 came with 15" rims and (from memory) 32"x11.5" wide tyres - I could check if needed. They're still on it but I will be putting 16" wheels on it, then I will be selling the 15" rims. Rough measuring says they are 0 offset rims. They don't fit under the standard flares.

[PTC]

How did they run under the car. Other than sticking out the side a bit. Rubbing on anything while flexing or full lock? As that is about the size i am looking at upgrading too. Or even a little bit higher but skinny.

Anything so i can have an offroad set to keep good traction and more clearance and then the smaller AT's for touring and camping.

[Judo]

Have only driven them on road, so no flexing. Full lock is fine, but the steering stops may have been adjusted. I didn't notice the turning circle being particularly bad, but then I'm use to my Disco which has a horrible turning circle after adjusting for bigger tyres...

I believe I've read that 255's fit on +33 offset rims without rubbing and 12.5" wide = 317.5mm. So in theory:

255mm/2= 127.5 + 33 offset = 160.5mm inwards.
317.5mm/2 = 158.75 + 0 offset = 158.75mm inwards.

So I can't see 12.5" tyres rubbing on 0 offset rims.

Happy for someone to check my maths. :)

Re: 255's on +33 fitting without rubbing:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/87630-more-tyres-rims-2.html

[Jeff]

I have a set of 33/12.5-15 KM2s on Dynamic 15 x 8, -25 offset rims. I have a 98 TDi Defender with a two inch lift, and the tyres don't rub, except on full lock at full compression they touch the standard flares slightly. I don't have wider flares, as I only put them on for short periods and have small tyres on the rest of the time.

Strangely the turning circle seems smaller, due to the offset and the steering lighter, but a touch twitchy.

Jeff

:rocket: