35 In Tyres

[jonnyjon05]

Good Evening Gentleman,

Currently fitted to the 18 inch wheels in the L322 are 275/65 R18 Nitto Tera graplers that have a outer diameter of 32 inch.

I want to fit a set of 35/12.5's to either my 18 inch wheels or to the spare set of 20's that came with the car:

Has anybody done this?
Has anybody mounted 12.5 inch wide tires to these wheels? If so do they extend past the guards? Scrub the inside plastics? clear the plastics on full lock?
Has anyone seen any guard mods?
Best program for raising with out the speed restriction?

For people who have run 35's on any car before, is the the additional height gain over a 32 or 33 worth it?

The idea is to have one expedition set and one normal set for round town.

Regards,

[Homestar]

I really doubt they would fit without extensive mods to the guards, but I sure would like to see it done.

On the other hand, what advantage would you look to gain? They have very good clearance in standard form and skid/bash plates all the way under the vehicle. I've gone some very interesting places with standard 20" road tyres - not ideal, but a set of 18" AT's would get you almost anywhere on one of these.

Get the grinder out and show us what you end up with - it would probably look pretty tough.:)

[CBH25]

My 32inch Nittos scrape already, wouldnt think 35's would be achievable.....:eek:
Especially on the airbag strut on the inside.

[jonnyjon05]

My local tyre shop have ordered me one to test fit and take some measurements.

If I have to I will get around the inner clearance issues by getting rims with 25mm less offset then the current ones, as for the height and the fact that they may extend past the guards.. we may have to get "creative"...

I'm thinking a L322 version of this, but with 35's not 33's.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/08/974.jpg

Looks like there is plenty of room

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[chaybra]

I too am tossing up the possibilities of 35's over 33's, I have planned to fit the 33'sx 12.5 but with as far as im going with bull bars etc, it may be more worth while with the 35's.

When the time comes (Aka finally sell the bloody VW touareg) Ill be going down this road. I have sourced a tyre place here in melb that claims they have 18" steel sunraysia rims they can get with the correct 5x20 pattern (Yet to confirm) The offset is +20 or close to that rather than the +45 i think off the top of my head and therefor kill any worries with strut clearance but the wheel arches now become the issue.

Another question is how will this affect the offroad traction control? has anyone with 33's noticed a reduced performance of the breaking systems with the increased loads of the tyre size?

[jonnyjon05]

I too am tossing up the possibilities of 35's over 33's, I have planned to fit the 33'sx 12.5 but with as far as im going with bull bars etc, it may be more worth while with the 35's.

When the time comes (Aka finally sell the bloody VW touareg) Ill be going down this road. I have sourced a tyre place here in melb that claims they have 18" steel sunraysia rims they can get with the correct 5x20 pattern (Yet to confirm) The offset is +20 or close to that rather than the +45 i think off the top of my head and therefor kill any worries with strut clearance but the wheel arches now become the issue.

Another question is how will this affect the offroad traction control? has anyone with 33's noticed a reduced performance of the breaking systems with the increased loads of the tyre size?

Rims sound ideal if they are 20+ offset, nice find. The test tyre is coming in on Tuesday, ill post some photos and discuss what needs to be done :)

I do not see any reason for the TC to be affected. The operation of the system is the same under any load condition.

[chaybra]

Rims sound ideal if they are 20+ offset, nice find. The test tyre is coming in on Tuesday, ill post some photos and discuss what needs to be done :)

I do not see any reason for the TC to be affected. The operation of the system is the same under any load condition.

That is if they actually exist, I am hoping he wasnt saying that just to get me in the shop.

Cant wait for the photos, if it even remotely possible ill be going 35"s over 33"s any day

[33chinacars]

Just be aware that anything over 2" increase in type size will make your car unroadworthy & therefore also not covered by insurance. Just saying :wasntme: Correct me if I'm wrong

[Homestar]

Just be aware that anything over 2" increase in type size will make your car unroadworthy & therefore also not covered by insurance. Just saying :wasntme: Correct me if I'm wrong

You're not.:)

If you can get an engineer to sign off on them and get the vehicle to pass a swerve test, you can make them legal, but not too many bother.

[33chinacars]

Was just the simple version Gav. Maximum lift of 3" including tyres, body & suspension. That's before an engineers certificate. If you can get one.

Gary

[jonnyjon05]

Just be aware that anything over 2" increase in type size will make your car unroadworthy & therefore also not covered by insurance. Just saying :wasntme: Correct me if I'm wrong


You're not.:)

If you can get an engineer to sign off on them and get the vehicle to pass a swerve test, you can make them legal, but not too many bother.


Was just the simple version Gav. Maximum lift of 3" including tyres, body & suspension. That's before an engineers certificate. If you can get one.

Gary

I would like to refer you gentleman to the original questions.

I am going in to the tyre shop tomorrow for some more measurements. I can confirm at this stage that I will need new wheels with 25mm smaller positive offset and it looks like it will rub the wheel arch plastic at full lock.

Grinder time:twisted:

I did however find something in the ACT Legislation I did not know

"If a solid axle from another manufacturer is used, the wheel track may be increased by 50mm beyond the maximum specified by the vehicle manufacturer for that particular axle, provided all other requirements such as clearances and the tyres do not protruding outside of the vehicle bodywork.

Note: This clause does not apply to passenger vehicles that are four wheel drive or all wheel drive and certified as MA ADR category."

This means I do not have to flair the guards, provided they tuck under and not hit the guard when compressed.

[33chinacars]

We are not talking about width but height. If you can get an engineer to sign off on a 5" increase in tyre size good luck to you. Even 33" tyres would be illegal under current laws.

Gary

[jonnyjon05]

We are not talking about width but height. If you can get an engineer to sign off on a 5" increase in tyre size good luck to you. Even 33" tyres would be illegal under current laws.

Gary

I know :)

[BigJon]

I did however find something in the ACT Legislation I did not know

"If a solid axle from another manufacturer is used, the wheel track may be increased by 50mm beyond the maximum specified by the vehicle manufacturer for that particular axle, provided all other requirements such as clearances and the tyres do not protruding outside of the vehicle bodywork.

Note: This clause does not apply to passenger vehicles that are four wheel drive or all wheel drive and certified as MA ADR category."

This means I do not have to flair the guards, provided they tuck under and not hit the guard when compressed.

I am not quite sure what you are getting at here.

Live axle legislation doesn't mean a thing for an L322.

The tyre / wheel can't protrude past the bodywork regardless of live axle / independent suspension.

[Homestar]

I ran a tape measure over mine last night - I simply don't know how you intend getting them in there - there isn't enough room without carving out a huge amount out of the metal work and the inners. Even then, there isn't a huge amount of width to the air strut, so I still think you are going to end up with flares to cover the tyres that will be sticking out about 50mm.

[jonnyjon05]

Well we tested it out, present was my tyre guy and co, an engineer and myself.

The good:

They fit!!
Although they are 2.5 cm outside the wheel arch when the suspension articulates they find themselves clearing the wheel arch so I will cut the small metal flanges inside the wheel arch and hope it does not hit the guard on articulation at wheel lock.
The left hand rear fits perfectly
Engineer is happy it will pass a swerve test and is happy with the TD6 diff ratio to tyre size (not the V8 diff ratio) provided the tyres do not interfere with the body work (scrub anywhere).
The wheels appear to clear everything at normal suspension height (not road tested due to not being able to turn...)

The bad:

It will need new wheels that are somewhere between 10+ and 20+ offset (Pref 20).
It will need a bull bar as the front bumper and the associated front part of the plastic liner are in the way at even slight rates of turn, because of this we have no idea if it will hit the arches at lock on articulation (which will lead to a chopped guard).
The fuel filler hose and the protrusion on the rear right hand side wheel arch is very in the way and will need to move/ be removed.

The solution:

We are going to get the new wheels with an appropriate offset and fit 33 12.5 R18's and see if we can get the inside clearance right and do what needs to be done on the wheel arches in preparation for the 35's.
Hopefully the bull bar is released by then and the troublesome front plastic can be removed and we can retest the metal wheel arch clearance at articulation with steering lock.
Provided all is well replace the 33's with 35's when the 33's are past there useful life and keep the 32's handy for registration:)

I forgot to take any pictures with the wheel on but i grabbed a 15 inch version of the 35's and took a photo with it next to the car. They are alot bigger then the photo when they are pumped up on a rim.

https://scontent-a-hkg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/q83/p720x720/10527795_10152656995398454_6144295788454699791_n.j pg?oh=ae40e4f5baa5156f7a5155d820593f3f&oe=5469527D
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/p720x720/1380778_10152656995423454_4445904848236641707_n.jp g9%2F1380778_10152656995423454_4445904848236641707 _n.jpg&size=960%2C960[/IMG]

[Homestar]

Well done. I admire your perseverance. Still not sure if you can make it work, but it certainly will look like a weapon if you can. Watching with interest.:)

Keep the pics coming,:)

[rar110]

Jon are you concerned about extra stress on the drive train and steering from bigger tyres?

[rick130]

Jon are you concerned about extra stress on the drive train and steering from bigger tyres?


I'm wondering how well the CWP's, drive shafts and CV's will hold up to 35's.

Earlier Landy drivetrains don't, so I can't see why the IS versions will be any different, particularly with CV's on drive shafts.

[Homestar]

I'm wondering how well the CWP's, drive shafts and CV's will hold up to 35's.

Earlier Landy drivetrains don't, so I can't see why the IS versions will be any different, particularly with CV's on drive shafts.

I would rate them a better chance than early stuff as these run BMW dirvelines. There are no known issues with the diffs, CV's and driveshafts, I don't think that will be an issue. The transmission however is another story.

[rick130]

I would rate them a better chance than early stuff as these run BMW dirvelines. There are no known issues with the diffs, CV's and driveshafts, I don't think that will be an issue. The transmission however is another story.
Except no one has ever gone bigger than stock with them.

How big are the CWP's and how much pinion offset ?
How big are the CV's and shafts ?

35's are a big leap up from stock, that's a lot of extra load on the driveline.

I would think gearing, both on and off road would be an issue too ?

I know nothing of the independent suspension Landy drivelines but know that when we change one thing it has a lot of (potential) repercussions.
Nothing is ever simple.

[jonnyjon05]

Jon are you concerned about extra stress on the drive train and steering from bigger tyres?

No, I own the car, the car does not own me. While I love my rover I am not about to let fear of a potential repair cripple me into an overly conservative use of the car *gearbox. If premature wear is evident due to the tyre choice I will change the tyres one step down to the slightly narrower 285 75 R18 and if required, repeat to get the best performance with adequate life of the associated components.

[Homestar]

Except no one has ever gone bigger than stock with them.

How big are the CWP's and how much pinion offset ?
How big are the CV's and shafts ?

35's are a big leap up from stock, that's a lot of extra load on the driveline.

I would think gearing, both on and off road would be an issue too ?

I know nothing of the independent suspension Landy drivelines but know that when we change one thing it has a lot of (potential) repercussions.
Nothing is ever simple.


Yeah, but stock old land rovers break stock axles. Stock L322's don't break them, so if I was a betting man, I'd say strong enough, but I have nothing to support that. Looks like Jonny will find out for us.:)

[justinc]

The drivetrain is pretty tough on the L322, as mentioned even with std tyres etc and conservative use the trans in the diesel is a weak point....


JC

[rar110]

How did this go Jon?

[chaybra]

Any further development with the rim choice?

[4x4instyle]

Ive got cooper 33's on my 03 L322 on the STD 18" rims (PS VY Commodore rims fit 120 x 5 stud patern) and 17" steel rims will fit over the STD brakes but not the Brembo.

But with my AT3 275/65R18 Coopers they do scrub a bit but only just, and its mainly on severe bumps or if on the lowest height setting, No dramas off road height. And NO road noise from the tyres, love them.:D