Hello and New Defender 90 Wheels/lift questions

[RickD90]

Hi all, new to the site, and will soon be owning my first Defender. I've always wanted one, and my time is running out, so I'll be purchasing a new 2015 early next year :)

I have been doing a lot of research - my girlfriend sure seems to think too much...

My focus is on tyres and suspension at the moment. I'm wondering a few things:

1. Can 255/85/16 KM2s be fitted without lift, and how do they perform under articulation and how much does it affect the turning circle? (pictures would be awesome)

2. If a lift does have to be done, what is the minimum, and what brands/options are recommended? (car will have a winch bar eventually, roof rack, rock sliders, and various camping stuffs)

3. With the lift, what else needs to be changed, and does it affect the factory warranty - should I wait to customise such things for later?



Sorry those questions got a bit more detailed than I expected.. but any information and answers would be wonderful!

Thanks in advance,

Rick :D

[rijidij]

Welcome to the forum Rick.

If you want one early next year you might want to be ordering now, have you talked to a dealer about delivery time and model availability ?

Cheers, Murray

[Wildcard8]

Rick,

Loads of online info on tyres on this and other sites. But your immediate issue is that 255/85 will void your drive train warranty as they are a bigger rolling diameter than the 235/85 or 265/75 tyres.

Check with your dealer but thats what i have learnt from my research. I have a new 110 wagon and putting 265/75's KM's on it. Mate just got over 120k out of a set.

Im not looking for a lift yet so cant help you much on that subject.

[AndyG]

Rick,
There is a strong view on these pages, that I am sure you have seen, do nothing ! The 90 is so capable, plus you don't endanger your warranty.

Get a Nugget recovery point, look at options from APT & others for bars & winches.

[DJK90]

Hi Rick,

I'm new as well i have recently brought a D90 and took it out last weekend. Had no problems with doing the stuff that a lifted Nissan Patrol was doing. You can get an option of an Off-Road tyre from the factory when you order the car which have been doing well.


DJK90

[cccp53]

Hi , just to give you some interesting ideas of what you can do :

Land Rover Defender 4x4 Offroad Tuning - YouTube

Lend Rover Defender Tibus - YouTube

[noyakfat]

Hi Rick,

For new vehicle under warranty, I would also recommend sticking to either 235/85R16 or 265/75R16's for the already stated reason of rolling diameter.

My 110 has 265/75R16's on 16x8 rims ("0" offset) and I am very happy with its performance on low range tracks.

I think you're initially better off sourcing a good set of toughly constructed tyres and a reliable portable air compressor (also a good pressure gauge). These accessories (and a bit of knowledge on how to best use them) will get you a lot further along a track than some people realise.

Either way, I think the best advice is to get your truck and start enjoying it. I will bet that you will be pleasantly surprised at its ability in stock form, and then after you work out the kind of driving you will mostly be doing, then perhaps you can think about which modifications (if any) may make it better for your personal situation.

Have fun, and don't forget to wave :D

Cheers,
Nige

[RickD90]

Thanks Nige and Wildcard! Would have not known it would have voided the warranty. Looks like 265 it is.

Yes I've seen some of APT's work, great stuff! I'll be contacting him soon enough to see about some Roof racks, Side steps and underbody protection. Possibly a winch bar if I can decide on a design.

Yeah cccp53, pretty awesome mods can be done. All depends what your willing to spend really!

Thanks so much for the warm welcome guys! ...and no worries Nige, I'll throw a wave here and there :cool:

[whynot]

Hi , just to give you some interesting ideas of what you can do :

Land Rover Defender 4x4 Offroad Tuning - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3nAdeAm00I)

Lend Rover Defender Tibus - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P_zrSZnWjA)

It's just missing one of Rijidij's rear wheel carrier(s) - what's on there is a toy in comparison!!!!

[Wildcard8]

So what is it with the stock spare carrier that is so rubbish? Is it just for lots of rough stuff or in general it will wreck your hinges in no time. Its not on my shopping list but keen to know if it should be.

Will search some threads also.

[n plus one]

So what is it with the stock spare carrier that is so rubbish? Is it just for lots of rough stuff or in general it will wreck your hinges in no time. Its not on my shopping list but keen to know if it should be.

Will search some threads also.

Its not the wheel carrier bracket thats the issue, it's the door itself. They have a reputation for cracking when subjected to corrugations while bearing the load of the spare.

I suspect this is actually less of an issue with Pumas as the door is now all steel - but only time will tell. Larger tyres/steel rims obviously exacerbate the issue.

As much as I hate playing a conservative game, my recommendation would be to get yourself some more aggressive 235 or 265 tyres, possibly on a second set of rims, and leave any further wheel/suspension/drivetrain mods until you're out of warranty and know the vehicle better.

At that time I'd suggest a quality 2 inch lift, DC front prop, lockers/ATBs, replacement trailing and radius arms and a set if 255/85 MTs.

[debruiser]

Hey, I've got a 2013 D90 and I should go out for a 4x4 soonish... I"m in need of a fix so if you wanted to tag along that'd be cool. I'm running it stock but it's still pretty impressive. Although I don't get too excited out in the bush cause it's my main car.

[RickD90]

Hey, I've got a 2013 D90 and I should go out for a 4x4 soonish... I"m in need of a fix so if you wanted to tag along that'd be cool. I'm running it stock but it's still pretty impressive. Although I don't get too excited out in the bush cause it's my main car.

Yeah absolutely, I'm out of town at the moment but I'd certainly love a ride. :D

@n plus one, yeah, I'll have to wait.. as much as I woúld love to do that all now! What tyres would you recommend? road noise isn't an issue. Being that I live on the coast beach driving is bound to happen. Mostly rainforest 4x4 tracks and I'll probably steer clear of mud mostly - but the last thing I want is to get stuck in it.. so tyres to suit would be great haha.

[Wildcard8]

I have done a lot of reading and everyone has good and bad experiences with all brands of tyres. So have to objectively look at peoples reviews and see if they:
- Rotate
- Properly aligned (and re-aligned if necessary)
- Tyres balanced properly
- Towing / load
- Driving style
- tyre pressures
- WHERE THE TYRE IS MADE

I have just ordered a set of 265/75 BFG all terrains. I friend is a diligent land rover lover and has had coopers, conti's but found these BFG all terrains the best and has been using them for the past 10 something years. So i take his word for it.

He did press that they should be the USA made tyre and not the Asian made rubber. I think (dont quote) that some tyres BFG make are asian and some USA. the 265/75s are made in the states and i made sure with tyresales.com and JAX that they were USA made.

Thats my bit of tyre advise anyway. I've just done 2 weeks research so its fresh in my mind. Again, heaps of forums and posts on tyres. The UK sites are all full of AULRO like sites so just keep reading and talking face to face with other landie guys.

[debruiser]

Yeah absolutely, I'm out of town at the moment but I'd certainly love a ride. :D

@n plus one, yeah, I'll have to wait.. as much as I woúld love to do that all now! What tyres would you recommend? road noise isn't an issue. Being that I live on the coast beach driving is bound to happen. Mostly rainforest 4x4 tracks and I'll probably steer clear of mud mostly - but the last thing I want is to get stuck in it.. so tyres to suit would be great haha.

No worries, PM me when you are thinking about it.

[RickD90]

I have done a lot of reading and everyone has good and bad experiences with all brands of tyres. So have to objectively look at peoples reviews and see if they:
- Rotate
- Properly aligned (and re-aligned if necessary)
- Tyres balanced properly
- Towing / load
- Driving style
- tyre pressures
- WHERE THE TYRE IS MADE

I have just ordered a set of 265/75 BFG all terrains. I friend is a diligent land rover lover and has had coopers, conti's but found these BFG all terrains the best and has been using them for the past 10 something years. So i take his word for it.

He did press that they should be the USA made tyre and not the Asian made rubber. I think (dont quote) that some tyres BFG make are asian and some USA. the 265/75s are made in the states and i made sure with tyresales.com and JAX that they were USA made.

Thats my bit of tyre advise anyway. I've just done 2 weeks research so its fresh in my mind. Again, heaps of forums and posts on tyres. The UK sites are all full of AULRO like sites so just keep reading and talking face to face with other landie guys.


Oh really? I'll have to ask about where they're made then.

So far I've been looking and fellow defender owners seem to love BFG KM2s and Goodyear Wrangler MT/R's. I think I like the KM2's most. I'll start my experiences with a set of those, and see what I think of them.

[Mr Rover]

Rick,
Loads of online info on tyres on this and other sites. But your immediate issue is that 255/85 will void your drive train warranty as they are a bigger rolling diameter than the 235/85 or 265/75 tyres.

I must be lucky then, I just had the rear half-shafts replaced on my 2012 90, they mustn't have noticed my 255/85s! :D

My 90 is standard height and the rear wheels brush ever so slightly on the underside of the body at full articulation. She will eventually get a +2" lift which I expect will solve that.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/08/676.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/onw9ht)DSCF4018 (https://flic.kr/p/onw9ht) by aaron.porebski (https://www.flickr.com/people/118593965@N06/), on Flickr

[n plus one]

Yeah absolutely, I'm out of town at the moment but I'd certainly love a ride. :D

@n plus one, yeah, I'll have to wait.. as much as I woúld love to do that all now! What tyres would you recommend? road noise isn't an issue. Being that I live on the coast beach driving is bound to happen. Mostly rainforest 4x4 tracks and I'll probably steer clear of mud mostly - but the last thing I want is to get stuck in it.. so tyres to suit would be great haha.

Goodyear Wrangler MT/R Kevlar of BFG KM2s - either are good mud tyres with good on road characteristics.

[RickD90]

Update if you're interested guys, got my defender far quicker than anticipated!

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php?p=2208236#post2208236

[Pickles2]

I must be lucky then, I just had the rear half-shafts replaced on my 2012 90, they mustn't have noticed my 255/85s! :D

My 90 is standard height and the rear wheels brush ever so slightly on the underside of the body at full articulation. She will eventually get a +2" lift which I expect will solve that.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/08/676.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/onw9ht)DSCF4018 (https://flic.kr/p/onw9ht) by aaron.porebski (https://www.flickr.com/people/118593965@N06/), on Flickr
Is that the Landrover crash plate you have fitted?
If so, how have you fitted those recovery rings?...can't see how I can fit anything like that there with mine?
Thanks, Pickles.

[frantic]

255/85 will touch/ rub on the rear springs mount if you get longer travel suspension, like a kit from gwyn lewis in Wales. With zero offset wheels this is solved. If you fit bigger tyres /steel wheels it can have an impact on the door hinges, newer models are supposed to be stronger but my 2002 has an aftermarket one.
Being a puma you need to look at a DC propshaft if you want to lift it as there are threads on gearboxes being damaged.
If you get zero offset and stick with factory size tyres, you will be able to fit the 255's after warranty. Alternatively get -25 wheels and go 315 /75 /16 when your warranty is up.
Lockers and axles/gears/pinion look at hytuff-qld, ashcroft uk, lucky8 USA, GBR USA/utah, to name a few.
Welcome and good luck.

[Mr Rover]

Is that the Landrover crash plate you have fitted?
If so, how have you fitted those recovery rings?...can't see how I can fit anything like that there with mine?
Thanks, Pickles.

Hi Pickles,
That is the LR bash plate, and the recovery points are JATE rings using the standard chassis mounting points. In order to fit them in, I had to "modify" the bash plate slightly with an angle grinder. :) I'll post a close up photo for you after work.

[Mr Rover]

Here we go.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/08/581.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oy2xQT)20140821_180728 (https://flic.kr/p/oy2xQT) by aaron.porebski (https://www.flickr.com/people/118593965@N06/), on Flickr

[Pickles2]

Thanks for that.
Pickles.

[Mr Rover]

Being a puma you need to look at a DC propshaft if you want to lift it as there are threads on gearboxes being damaged.
What kind of lift are we talking about? This has piqued my interest as I'm planning on giving my 90 a 50mm lift. Is the double cardan a must for a 50mm lift, or are Pumas having issues with 3"+ lifts? Cheers.

[AndyG]

Havent done it, but from all the posts, its a must