Defender Rims - Disco Alloys vs ROH Alloys vs BLACK Disco Steel Rims-Which is better?

[Robmacca]

I had my Disco Alloy Rims with some 235/85/16 M/Ts sitting in the shed for a while now, so I thought I might fit them to the Defender to see how it would look.....

The Wife & Kids don't like the Alloy's, they prefer the look of the Black Disco Steel Rims. I, myself don't mind the Alloy Rims, but when the time comes for new tyres, I've got a spare set of ROH Alloy Rims sitting in the shed collecting dust (the one sitting by its own in the photo) that have a different/better offset. Currently, the Disco Steel Rims have a +33 offset, whereas the ROH alloys have a +20 offset which would suit better if I were to go with 265/75/16 size tyres.

I'm looking for people's thoughts on either the ROH or Factory Disco Alloys? Which looks better - ROH or Disco Alloy or the Black Disco Steel Rims?

(I'm guessing most will be like my Wife & 3 Kids and say the Black Rims, but I thought I'd throw it out there for a 5th opinion.... )



Here's a photo with the current BLACK Disco Steel Rims. The tyres are the std 235/85/16 but I have noticed that they can rub on the rear spring tower as well.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/05/113.jpg




Here's some photos of the factory Disco Alloy Rims fitted with 235/85/16 tyres
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/05/114.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/05/115.jpg


Photo comparing the Disco Alloy vs the ROH alloy
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/05/116.jpg


Disco Alloy Rims +33 offset
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/05/117.jpg


ROH Alloy Rims +20 offset
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/05/118.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/05/119.jpg

[weeds]

Steelies

[Landy Red]

Steels look tough but those roh alloys are cool i reckon!

[Robmacca]

I found on the web some pics with the ROH alloys fitted to a Defender

[Robmacca]

Steelies

I do like the black steelies in the fact that they are easy to touch up if scratched, etc but they do rub slightly on the rear spring perches under upwards wheel travel. It's not bad and u wouldn't know unless u looked, but if I was to go to a 265/75/16 which is still the same rolling circumference as the 235/85's but obviously that bit wider which I reckon would that much more in the rear....

[Tombie]

13mm outwards with a 30mm wider tyre won’t help you either... will run as much if not slightly more than the 235s on the +33s

[Robmacca]

13mm outwards with a 30mm wider tyre won’t help you either... will run as much if not slightly more than the 235s on the +33s

but isn't that really an extra 15mm of tyre either side of the rim?

[Tombie]

but isn't that really an extra 15mm of tyre either side of the rim?

Yes.

So you get rubbing with 235s at +33
You then move the rim out +13
Then you stick 15mm of overhang rubber so that’s now -2mm

On top of that the sidewall will bulge on the 265 a bit more than the 235 so it’s likely worse...

[Ranga]

Steelies > ROH > Disco [thumbsupbig]

[Sly]

Come on , your not 21 any more , steelies all the way !!!

[Robmacca]

Yes.

So you get rubbing with 235s at +33
You then move the rim out +13
Then you stick 15mm of overhang rubber so that’s now -2mm

On top of that the sidewall will bulge on the 265 a bit more than the 235 so it’s likely worse...



Sorry... my mistake, I've should have written in my initial comments above this way..... I should have said "-"33 Disco Rims and "-20"ROH alloy rims which would put the rim further away from the car....

sorry for the confusion..... :(

[Tombie]

No confusion. And your initial numbers are correct as +

It moved the wheel out. But your tyres are going to rub more if you go 265s!

[Beery]

Sell em all! Get some proper Defender steels and 7.50/R16 tyres ;-)

[86mud]

In my honest opinion - there are only two types of rims that should be on a defender - Landrover Wolf rims powder coated in satin black or Dynamic steel 16 x 8 with a zero offset once again powder coated in satin black [thumbsupbig]

[Landy Red]

In my honest opinion - there are only two types of rims that should be on a defender - Landrover Wolf rims powder coated in satin black or Dynamic steel 16 x 8 with a zero offset once again powder coated in satin black [thumbsupbig]


I totally agree with this. Especially on a white Defender. However, I just wish someone in Australia would make a round-hole steel wheel in a zero offset! the -25 Dynamics look great, perform great, but require extended flares which I reckon just don't quite look right in my opinion! There are some in the UK that make ET0 round hole wheels in 7 and 8 inch, but cost of shipping is about 100 per wheel!!

[86mud]

Do you have something against triangles?

You could modify a wolf rim....

[DieselDan]

The black disco steelies every time!

Although I admit the other pics of the ROH alloys do look good.

At the risk of opening a can of worms, are the disco alloys actually weight rated for a Defender 110?
I'm sure I read somewhere on here that the GVM of a Deefer was too high for those rims.

[MarkM]

To speak against the practicality of the ROH option, if you don't already have wheel nuts or you loose one, I found them to be unobtainable, at least when i tried.

Mark

[Robmacca]

The black disco steelies every time!

Although I admit the other pics of the ROH alloys do look good.

At the risk of opening a can of worms, are the disco alloys actually weight rated for a Defender 110?
I'm sure I read somewhere on here that the GVM of a Deefer was too high for those rims.


I think that only applies to the 130 Defender.....

[Landy Red]

Do you have something against triangles?

You could modify a wolf rim....

Haha na I just like the look of round holes and wolfs on a Defender. Haven't considered modifying wolf, I suppose I could modify the dynamics a bit too the other way. Be interesting to know the costs though.

[Mark130]

Haha na I just like the look of round holes and wolfs on a Defender. Haven't considered modifying wolf, I suppose I could modify the dynamics a bit too the other way. Be interesting to know the costs though.

I really had my heart set on black round hole steelies, than gave up and settled for triangles. I'm really happy with them and reckon the heartache of finding round holes isn't worth the grief. (or expense)
Another vote for your black disco rims Rob.

P.S. I thought Dynamic had a 16 x 8 round hole option . looks like -25 only.

[Tombie]

Have you considered selling some of your wheels and getting some nice Heavy duty custom stuff from EWW?

[Landy Red]

Have you considered selling some of your wheels and getting some nice Heavy duty custom stuff from EWW?

Sorry to hack the OP's thread here, but is EWW Easter Wheel Works Tombie? Any idea on their prices for custon steel wheels?

[BadCo.]

I didn't think they still made Rover rims...

[mox]

In my honest opinion - there are only two types of rims that should be on a defender - Landrover Wolf rims powder coated in satin black or Dynamic steel 16 x 8 with a zero offset once again powder coated in satin black [thumbsupbig]

I reckon a better option for Wolf rims than powder coating - especially for the uses Defenders are intended for is galvanising. So far I have had a dozen done after first applying paint stripper and "elbow grease". Also, note standard 7 inch wide Disco 1 rims are not well suited to Defenders because the inside is about an inch closer to the chassis than Wolfs. Turning circle is limited by tyre on inside of turn rubbing on chassis.

The common 272309 5.5 inch wide Series LR rims also have about the same unsatisfactory inside clearance. Have fitted Wolf rims to the 1961 Series 2 LWB I acquired from a relative's estate a couple of years ago. Screwed the steering stops right back. Travel is now limited by the full range of the steering box and about as far as would want to go anyway with inside tyre of turn just clearing chassis on full lock. Also about limit of angle acceptable for swivel housings. With the improved turning circle, would not want to go back to standard Series rims or use ones of standard Disco 1 type.

I have noticed reports on aulro of Disco 1 steel rims which have had the centres reversed. Am interested in cutting and rewelding a couple without tyres I have for a start to achieve improved offset. Presently am not sure by how much. As is necessary to remove some paint for the welding, may as well take the lot off to start with. Then when job finished, get them galvanised too. For me is no problem delivering rims to and collecting from galvanisers. Use Furphys, Shepparton, which is one of my nearest major centres.

Seems to me would be a major step backwards for functional purposes fitting alloy rims to a Defender. Overall only gives a small percentage reduction in unsprung weight. Especially note that a tyre weighs about twice as much as a Wolf steel rim anyway. Then the alloy rims would almost certainly have a lower load rating. Last but not least, if rim hits something hard, an alloy rim is prone to break while a steel one can still be useable while noticeably bent. Note that if wheel hits something hard side on, sometimes rim can suffer significant damage while tyre is relatively unscathed.

[Tombie]

Sorry to hack the OP's thread here, but is EWW Easter Wheel Works Tombie? Any idea on their prices for custon steel wheels?

Yes Eastern Wheel Works..

He’s made a few custom sets for me..

No idea what the pricing currently is..

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/05/170.jpg

[Tombie]

I didn't think they still made Rover rims...

Still on their web site...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/05/169.jpg

[strangy]

Sorry to hack the OP's thread here, but is EWW Easter Wheel Works Tombie? Any idea on their prices for custon steel wheels?
Careful their wheels are not egg shaped....[bigwhistle]

[BadCo.]

Still on their web site...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/05/169.jpgWhen was your last purchase from them? Ive seen posts from poeple being turned away, even if it is on the website...

[Tombie]

When was your last purchase from them? Ive seen posts from poeple being turned away, even if it is on the website...

Was talking to them a couple of months ago...

I think I’ll give them another call Monday; confirm my plans can still be done [emoji736]

[Disco-tastic]

These have been my favourite defender rim:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/05/189.jpg

Not much help to the OP, sorry.