Tyres for Defender 90

[Thomas]

Hi,

A few months ago I took delivery of my new Defender 90. Truly a superb vehicle and something I always wanted and it lives up to form just fine. The only fly in the ointment are the Conti Cross Continental rubbers which came with the vehicle. They collect tonnes of small stones on gravel roads which makes for an unpleasant (and very noisy) ride on gravel roads (not to mention the 'bullets' coming off the tyres when you hit the hard stuff again). I have tried to get the tyres changed via the dealer, but no luck, so decided to invest in a new set.

Reading reviews on the net makes one's head spin (rather unhealthily.....) and everyone seems to have a different opinion. I would therefore be very grateful if members have some suggestions on appropriate tyre choice. My driving is about 70% on road and the rest a mix of gravel roads, a few bush track and beach/sand.

Some "contenders" are listed below, but this is merely a rather theoretical selection from trawling the net.

Michelin LTX A/T 2
MICHELIN LTX A/T 2 4WD Tyres | Michelin Tyres Australia (http://www.michelin.com.au/AU/en/tires/products/ltx-a-t-2.html)

BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A K02
All-Terrain T/A KO2 4x4 Tyre | Recreational Tyres | Products | BFGoodrich Tires Australia & New Zealand (http://www.bfgoodrich.com.au/product-range/4x4-tyres/4x4-suv-tyres/all-terrain-ta-ko2/)

Bridgestone Bridgestone Dueler A/T 697
https://www.bridgestonetyres.com.au/dueler-at-d697

Muddies (as a somewhat non-sensible choice given noise issues mentioned in some posts; others reckon though it is not much of an issue?)
Bridgestone Dueler M/T 674
https://www.bridgestonetyres.com.au/dueler-mt-d674

Mud-Terrain T/A KM2
http://www.bfgoodrich.com.au/product-range/4x4-tyres/4x4-suv-tyres/mud-terrain-km2/

[Pickles2]

Yeah, well tyres are like oils aren't they,....everybody's got an opinion!
Personally, I reckon the standard Contis are very good,.....as far as flicking up stones into the wheel arches,...yeah, it's a terrible noise ain't it, but that's part of Defendering,...all tyres will do that.
So, for me,...no complaints with the Contis.
Pickles.

[loneranger]

Give it enough time and you won't even hear it. In the meantime use the dash mounted noise suppressor and turn the volume up.

[Xtreme]

Under body coatings will quieten it down a bit but may not last too long.

I've also heard of people who have fitted rubber inside the wheel arch.

Either of these would be cheaper than replacing your tyres in the hope that maybe the alternatives don't also throw stones around. :o

[debruiser]

I have a set of Conti's on my 90, I know what you mean by the stones, but after a few kms either they stopped doing it as much OR i just got so used to it I hardly notice it.

Those conti's are worth something like $440 a pop, seems a waste to take them off with hardly any milage. and then have to pay another ~$400 a pop for something else. Or is that just me being a tight arse.

I've got a set of KM2's on my series, (yet to be driven) was thinking of trying them on the 90, but haven't gotten round to it yet....

[PAT303]

Go to Rhino linings and get them to spray under sealer in the wheel arches,all tyres throw rocks,not just conti's,and conti's are a superb tyre. Pat

[frantic]

If your considering muddies you could also think a bit bigger, go 255/85r16 which fit standard rims. There are 3 in oz who make that size, bfg km2, maxxis bighorns and Cooper.
Personally I have the bighorns as they are cheaper the bfg and I didn't like the older 235 coopers.on it when I bought my 110. I got about 65,000 out of my front tyres, being a bit lazy not rotating and the rear are still at 50%.
The 255's are 33.3 in tall and legal. They may just touch the rear spring mount at full compression one side with full drop on the other. This is only in slow cross axle situations so. At worst would take off the paint on the Mount.
Cost wise maxxis are under $300 sometimes as low as 260-280. Bfg are usually over 320, not sure on coopers.

[Thomas]

Good idea - have bought some rubber matting from Clark's rubber and will try and clue inside the back wheel arches

[PAT303]

If your considering muddies you could also think a bit bigger, go 255/85r16 which fit standard rims. There are 3 in oz who make that size, bfg km2, maxxis bighorns and Cooper.
Personally I have the bighorns as they are cheaper the bfg and I didn't like the older 235 coopers.on it when I bought my 110. I got about 65,000 out of my front tyres, being a bit lazy not rotating and the rear are still at 50%.
The 255's are 33.3 in tall and legal. They may just touch the rear spring mount at full compression one side with full drop on the other. This is only in slow cross axle situations so. At worst would take off the paint on the Mount.
Cost wise maxxis are under $300 sometimes as low as 260-280. Bfg are usually over 320, not sure on coopers.

How is fitting bighorns going to be better?,not only will they throw even more rocks underneath the bodywork by up the sides also,defenders need front mud flaps and under sealer to fix the hammering from rocks. Pat

[ramblingboy42]

the 697's throw stones very well , so much the fronts will damage the rears and anything else damageable underneath.

[DiscoMick]

Anyone using Hankook Dynapro ATs? Very well priced and some good overseas reviews. Toyo Open Country ATs recently fitted by my BIL to his Triton also seem good value for money.

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[frantic]

How is fitting bighorns going to be better?,not only will they throw even more rocks underneath the bodywork by up the sides also,defenders need front mud flaps and under sealer to fix the hammering from rocks. Pat

Pat logic is a friend and OP asked about Mt , muddies with big gaps will mainly grip bigger rocks on which your hopefully going slower so they hit with less force, an AT or road tyre will grab more pebbles and gravel, pepper spraying underneath. As rambling boy said about the 697's, this will be at much higher speed, doing more damage to both vehicle and eardrums. To pick up nothing you need steel wheels with a smooth face.
The 255's fit well within the standard arch and only throw stuff up the side, like standard rims, on turning. Or with different Offset/spacers.

[KarlB]

Anyone using Hankook Dynapro ATs? Very well priced and some good overseas reviews. Toyo Open Country ATs recently fitted by my BIL to his Triton also seem good value for money.

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I have Hankook Dynapro MT RT03s on my Iveco and will fit them to the D90 some time very soon. Very good tyres, especially for the price.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[DiscoMick]

All tyres will flick stones to some degree. I noticed it at first, but over time, and after fitting rear drawers, I don't even think about it.
Land Rover seems to choose long-wearing original tyres for its vehicles, so if I were you I'd give the Contis a chance. They are a quality tyre.
The original General Grabber TRs on our Defender have now done 70,000 ks and are still in good condition considering their age. I've had MTs on a previous vehicle and the small advantage in mud was not worth the much greater noise generated and the much longer braking distances they caused.

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