Defender tyre sizes

[Phoenix]

So as not to hijack anothyer post I thought i'd start this one. There has been plenty of discussion as to what sized tyres will fit under a range rover or discovery, and need x mods to fit, but not so much for the defender.

Obviously the stock 235/85R16 and 750R16 tyres fit, but what other sizes.

To start the ball rolling, this is what i've noticed so far.

235/85R16 - Stock
245/85R16 - Will fit, and are a little taller
255/85R16 - Will fit stock (just, or need a 2in lift?), taller

265/75R16 - Wider and shorter than stock. Needs adjustment of bumpstops
285/75R16 - I have seen on a defender, and are similar height to 255/85's, but wider

Those are with the stock rims and no lift. What about 15inch rims though? what offset is needed on 15 in rims?

Just thought i'd start some discussion https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[Rosco]

All the advice I've received to date is that 235.85 are the largest you can legally fit on the std 7" rims.

Cheers

[JamesH]

I have been worrying (and posting) about this as I need to replace the Michelin XPCs before I go on the next trip in July.

I am pretty broke and have to get the timing belt done. I can't face the prospect of buying 6 235/85s so I am going to get 4 Dunlop Road Gripper Fs in 750R16 and use the best remaining XPCs as spares.

The impression I am gathering here is that most of you have moved over to 235/85s and I wonder why. Is it because most of you have Td5s and maybe they are the stock tyre? My 300Tdi has had 750R16 on it since new.


The guy I spoke to says 750R16 is still a highly used tyre size and will be around for a good while. I believe a 235/85 would assist in curing my speedo inaccuracy but they don't sit so well on the bonnet mount.

[LRHybrid100]

Originally posted by Rosco
All the advice I've received to date is that 235.85 are the largest you can legally fit on the std 7" rims.

Cheers

265/75R16 were fitted from the factory on 7" Freestyle alloys on the D90 - just not for the Aussie market!!!

[Rosco]

[quote=Rosco]All the advice I've received to date is that 235.85 are the largest you can legally fit on the std 7" rims.

Cheers

265/75R16 were fitted from the factory on 7" Freestyle alloys on the D90 - <span style="color:blue"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">just not for the Aussie market!!!</span></span>

Yep .. that's the one I was talking about https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[LRHybrid100]

you can fit some 255 / 85 x 16's on Disco steel rims - for example BFG MT's

LRH

[DaveS3]

It is possible to fit a 25mm larger and 25mm wider rims than what was available for that model. So if these 7 inch rims existed, than 8 inch rims should be no prob, but you just need a tyre to suit.

[George130]

Usefull info. I'm not keen of the price of replacing my 285/75 R16 BF Goodrich muds. PS my rims are 7.5 inch with a slight offset but the tyres still rub on full wheel lock.

[DEFENDERZOOK]

Originally posted by George130
Usefull info. I'm not keen of the price of replacing my 285/75 R16 BF Goodrich muds. PS my rims are 7.5 inch with a slight offset but the tyres still rub on full wheel lock.



<span style="color:blue">sounds like it might be just your bumpstops needing adjustment.....</span>

[George130]

[quote=George130]Usefull info. I'm not keen of the price of replacing my 285/75 R16 BF Goodrich muds. PS my rims are 7.5 inch with a slight offset but the tyres still rub on full wheel lock.



<span style="color:blue">sounds like it might be just your bumpstops needing adjustment.....</span>

I couldn't find the bump stops last time I went to adjust them. Gave up and just left it.

[hiline]

[quote=George130]Usefull info. I'm not keen of the price of replacing my 285/75 R16 BF Goodrich muds. PS my rims are 7.5 inch with a slight offset but the tyres still rub on full wheel lock.



<span style="color:blue">sounds like it might be just your bumpstops needing adjustment.....</span>

I couldn't find the bump stops last time I went to adjust them. Gave up and just left it.

your just a slacky https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ :wink:

[septimus]

I've got 235/85R16 Firestone ASR LT on mine. Good large tyre that seem to be pretty robust with decent road handling as well as off road. Funny thing though is that in all the posts I have read on this forum about tyres the Firestones have never been mentioned?

[tombraider]

I'm running 305-70-16s FCII-s

Ran them on +26mm offset 16 x 8s with no rubbing (but with extended flares)

Now running them on 16x10s and theres some light contact on the outer edge at full compression. Soon to be fixed by a 10mm bumpstop extension.

Personally, I like a nice wide tyre/rim but will be getting some more (matching) rims in 16x8 again for road tyre and using the 16x10 with a 305-70-16 Claw for playtime https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Disco rims, even with a 255-85-16 will cause slight rubbing of rear spring top mounts. Offset rims avoid this issue.

I can get great Heavy Duty (1400kg per wheel load rating) Alloys for the Defender in 16x8... They look the goods IMHO 8) and cost bugger all for a decent alloy.

Cheers
Mike

[hiline]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>I can get great Heavy Duty (1400kg per wheel load rating) Alloys for the Defender in 16x8... They look the goods IMHO and cost bugger all for a decent alloy. [/b][/quote]

got any pic's ???? https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[Belly]

I run 34 jt2's on disco rims with + 30mm offset
they only just hit the front radius arms on full lock.
Rears no problem.

cheers Jeff

[tombraider]

Originally posted by hiline

got any pic's ???? https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Gimme till tomorrow morning and I'll post some in my gallery...

You can probably see the 16x10s ok in the Tombraiders Toys Gallery (Gallery Page 9)

Cheers
Mike