what tyre size for defender?

[LoveB]

hey all, my ZU wheels have arrived and as such I'm now shopping for tyres. I know this gets asked time and time again but I thought I would make a thread for myself as I have a few other questions too

from what Ive found 255/85/16 is apparently the size to go for which is a 33' and the speedo reading will be correct?

what tyre do you suggest in that size>? was deciding between bfg km2 and wrangler MTR kevlar however Ive asked around and I dont think goodyear make them in 255/85/16.

was told they are easily available in 265/75/16 but thats too wide isnt it? and I think that comes to 32' in size? the wheels are only 16x7 so I cant go too wide ( dont really want to either as I previously put 33x12.5 and it was fun but so sluggish)

what sizes are people running on stock deefers and what brand? I'm not doing super hardcore rock crawling etc. probably a few bogholes here and there. I've read that the bfg have a tendency to get chunked etc but I've also read they are great which is expected. Just not sure which to get.

So far my local tyre place can get BFG for me but they wont arrive till a month (longest wait to put my wheels on ever)

I have the old style MTR and I really like them. good in mud,wet,road etc. 77tkm and still have 7mm on them. but cant get them anymore apparently :-(

[rick130]

The only tyres available in 255/85 in Australia are;

BFG KM2
Maxxis Big Horn 762
Cooper ST Maxx
Toyo Open Country MT (through a couple of specialist importer/dealers)

I've run the old BFG's (two sets) and Maxxis (on my second set)
If I can, I'll be going Toyo next.

[austastar]

Hi,
Very happy with my Toyo MTs.
Cheers

[The Cone of Silence]

I have 265/75/16 BFG ATs on 16x7 King Wheels with 0 offset on my Puma 110.

Not too wide at all. Not that it matters...the turning circle is hilarious even at full lock.

I've found the BFG ATs chunk too easily but I've heard very good things about the structure of their mud terrain tyres and a higher resistance to damage like this. I'm sure there are plenty of people on the forum who will be able to offer some sage advice from experience on this matter. The tyre discussion is one that's been debated many, many times.

[LoveB]

my tyre guy just emailed me and said after shopping around he seems to have found wranglers in 255/85...hmmm I thougoht they werent even made!!!

I'll wait for his confirmation before I order. otherwsie I'll go the bfg muddies.


bobby do you have a photo of how the tires look/sit on yours? I've had the steering lock on mine adjusted so on the 235s it works fine. When I put 33x12.5 last time it was turning fine too.

but just not sure if i should hold out for the 255 or get 265 but not as tall

********
edit:

sorry he just meant he could get me the BFG without the long wait!

[Summiitt]

I'm running 265/75/16 mickey Ts,ATZ p3 on blindo rims on my 130, for me, they are spot on size and a great all round tyre, I've had 235/85/16 BFG muddies on the other 130 with terrible results, now trying general grabbers, the other ute is running standard 750/16 michelins but they ain't ideal in soft country and heavy loads.

[deesse]

I've got 265/75 BFG All Terrains on ZU's, on my 130, were on when I bought it. They look quite ok to me. Make sure you let everybody know how you get on re balancing & lock. I've had four 130's now & this is the worst. Yep, I've adjusted the locks as far as poss.

[tact]

but just not sure if i should hold out for the 255 or get 265 but not as tall


Hold out for 255

The 265/75 is actually slightly smaller diameter than stock 235/85. Why would you want to go smaller. ;). Smaller diameter drops your diffs closer to the ground.

[rick130]

BTW, I can post up a photo of the 255/85's mounted on the rims that the ZU's are a knock off of. :D

[LoveB]

Went for 255/85. Now just awaiting arrival of the zus to put the tyres on

[The Cone of Silence]

Here you go mate. Not sure how helpful they are but you get the idea of clearance.

Note: I do have a 50mm lift and the additional weight between the axles would account for some of the reduction of that, as well as additional weight from bullbar, winch and steering guard in front of the front axle. probably doesn't have a huge effect on droop but worth mentioning anyway.

As you can see there's heaps of room for these tyres. I've heard of people going up to 33s and then coming back again for the next set. Put it this way, I haven't had any issues caused by the size of these tyres.

Pre Pop-top
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=97369&stc=1&d=1438815772

With Pop-Top and very loaded (Simpson trip)
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=97370&stc=1&d=1438815772

With pop-top and unloaded
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=97371&stc=1&d=1438815772

[LoveB]

Thank you. I imagine overall they would be ok. I do plan on a 5mm lift in the future and mroe flex but that wont be for a while. ive decided to get the 255/85/16 muddies as I would like something slightly taller. I'll post up pics when its finally on!!

[tact]

Thank you. I imagine overall they would be ok. I do plan on a 5mm lift in the future and mroe flex but that wont be for a while. ive decided to get the 255/85/16 muddies as I would like something slightly taller. I'll post up pics when its finally on!!

A little more, rather than a little less, ground clearance would be a good thing on some of the tracks up the Brindabellas.... ;)

[Iain_B]

]I have 255/85 on the standard rims for my touring set. I've had the BFG KM2 and found them OK, but prone to chipping.

The rear tyres only lasted about 30,000km before they were basically unusable. We had to change the rear tyres over before crossing the Great Victoria desert - just not worth the risk. We could only get a pair of Maxis Bighorn MT's in Carnarvan and so far they have been great, done over 20,000km on pretty bad roads with them now with the the same load and no evidence of chipping or any excessive wear. These are what the KM2 looked like.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/08/744.jpg

The front tyres are still OK, so basically my experience has been that the KM2 seem to be good for lightly loaded situations, but are prone to excessive chipping when heavily loaded.

The 255/85 seem like the perfect size for the Defender, pity there are only limited tyre choice options

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/08/851.jpg

[rick130]

Here's the 255/85 762 Big Horns on Matt Lee's 7" Mach V rims about a week after fitting a bit over two years ago.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=97393&stc=1&d=1438857417

[n plus one]

toyo Open Country MT :angel:

[LoveB]

Getting pretty keen now. I wont really do any touring with the BFGs but I do a lot of insterstate driving so fingers crossed they go ok. I dont load the deefer heavy though unless I tow cars.

wheels arrive today but tyres not till monday.

Leaving my car in sydney for a week from tonight so I cant install it till week after anyway. CRY

[n plus one]

Getting pretty keen now. I wont really do any touring with the BFGs but I do a lot of insterstate driving so fingers crossed they go ok. I dont load the deefer heavy though unless I tow cars.

wheels arrive today but tyres not till monday.

Leaving my car in sydney for a week from tonight so I cant install it till week after anyway. CRY

I know Ian had issues, but my KM2s have been fine - 40k of heavily loaded touring (Simpson, Cape, Fraser, High Country) so far and only normal wear.

Staked a sidewall early on, but repaired fine and still in service.

[RVR110]

]I have 255/85 on the standard rims for my touring set. I've had the BFG KM2 and found them OK, but prone to chipping.

The rear tyres only lasted about 30,000km before they were basically unusable. We had to change the rear tyres over before crossing the Great Victoria desert - just not worth the risk. We could only get a pair of Maxis Bighorn MT's in Carnarvan and so far they have been great, done over 20,000km on pretty bad roads with them now with the the same load and no evidence of chipping or any excessive wear. These are what the KM2 looked like.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/08/744.jpg

<snip>

I've had similar issues with chipping on my 235/85/r16 KM2's. And my 255/85/r16 KM2's. I'm not planning to buy KM2's again...

[LoveB]

What sort of driving did you do on them?
Sent from my HTC_0P6B using AULRO mobile app

[RVR110]

For me it was a mix... outback/desert, high country, lots of day trips with rock steps, loose shale etc.