what wheels fit

[marc]

g'day all i have just had a tyre fixed and asked how much for 2 new tyres for the rear of my 55 107 he said about $250 upwards as that size is hard to get, now thinking patrols and cruisers were 16'' didn't think this was a problem, spoke to 2 other tyre dealers got similar results, although the last guy suggested that i change the narrow rims to something like sunraisure or the like and my options would be a lot better maybe $120 a rim and tyre options from $100 upwards keeping the same rolling diameter, ??? what have people managed to get under there guards make and offset of what you have fitted thanks. markus

[gromit]

g'day all i have just had a tyre fixed and asked how much for 2 new tyres for the rear of my 55 107 he said about $250 upwards as that size is hard to get, now thinking patrols and cruisers were 16'' didn't think this was a problem, spoke to 2 other tyre dealers got similar results, although the last guy suggested that i change the narrow rims to something like sunraisure or the like and my options would be a lot better maybe $120 a rim and tyre options from $100 upwards keeping the same rolling diameter, ??? what have people managed to get under there guards make and offset of what you have fitted thanks. markus

Correct tyres are difficult to find, wider ones will increase rolling resistance and make the steering heavier.
Sunraysia's will spoil the look but you can fit later LWB rims.

It's worth an internet search and phoning around to see if 7.00 X 16's are available (I think yours would have 7.00 X 16 rather than 6.50 X 16)

Colin

[JDNSW]

Your options depend on what you want to achieve - wheels are pretty much interchangeable from Series 1 up to last of the real Defenders, although most alloy wheels may have issues.

A concern with fitting wider wheels is not only that they will increase the steering effort, but unless the width is entirely outwards, they will also increase the already pretty terrible turning circle.

A search may find 7.00x16 tyres or something close in a metric size, although I suspect the closest fairly common size is 205x16, which is an inch wider, although it will fit on 5.5" rims, which I think you should have. If you find 7.00x16 tyres, expect them to be expensive.

Unfortunately, if you change the tyre size, you really should replace all four!

[mox]

I have a '61 S2 LWB. It now has 6.5 inch wide Wolf rims used on many 130 and military defenders - fitted with 7.50X16 Michelin XZL's. I had these before acquiring vehicle from estate of a late relative. Main advantage of them over the standard 5.5 inch wide rims is that with the different offset, the inside of the rim is about an inch further out from the chassis. So could screw the steering stops on swivel housings right back to allow improved turning circle - without limiting factor of inner tyre rubbing on chassis. . Limitations with this improvement now travel of steering box as well as undesirable for swivel housings to turn any sharper.

The old wheels fitted with worn out recaps with tubes - (that don't go flat) are now on a "dead" Disco 1 to keep it a rolling chassis. Worth noting that the distance from the inside of rim to chassis is the same with 5.5 inch wide Series rims and 7 inch wide standard steel Disco 1 rims. So do not want the latter if your want improved turning circle. Also do not want rims from Disco 2 or Range Rover. which are different with smaller studs and smaller pitch circle stud pattern and centres.

My defender 130 is also fitted with Wolf rims but with 2.35/86X16 Goodrich Mud Terrains. Appears would be okay to mix with 7.50'sm on same vehicle as same height. Would not want to bigger wheels or tyres for most conditions. Reckon if they were overall better, militaries would have used them and they did not. Note how in muddy conditions, often tall narrow tyres work better than ones which are wider and lower. Dig in lengthways more to grip, slip sideways less and climb out of ruts better.

Worth pointing out for those not aware that the only thing regarding wheels that are not interchangeable between early series and late Defender are wheel nuts. Early ones are 9/16 inch (about 14 mm) diameter with BSF (ie British Standard Fine) threads. Some time - I think in late 1960's this was changed to M16X1.5 which gather is also a Metric conduit thread. ie 16mm (about 5/8 inch) diameter with 1.5 mm pitch threads. Then I gather later Discos and Rangies have smaller 14 mm studs and presumably pattern the same as more other vehicles.

[gromit]

If going for a modern tyre you have to consider the aspect ratio, low profiles look odd on an old Land Rover.
Also be careful of the number of plies in the tyres as truck tyres are possibly available in the 7.00 X 16 size but the 12/14 ply rating makes them a bit harsh on something weighing much less than a truck.

Worth Googling military Jeep parts suppliers.
Antique tyres list Firestone NDT (non-directional tread) but they will be expensive.
16700 | Antique Tyres (https://www.antiquetyres.com.au/16700)

Here we go....7.00 X 16 NDT $170 each
T-Tyres (https://www.milspares.net.au/index.php?route=product/category&path=1_26&sort=p.model&order=ASC)


Colin

[JDNSW]

Just to add to the above, the change from 9/16"BSF to metric studs on Series Landrovers was with the very last of the Series 2a in 1971, although the timing depended on where it was built - I suspect that it changed later in Australia. Complicating the matter is that the parts are interchangeable as assemblies from Series 2 to end of Series 3 production, so what you have is not necessarily what it left the factory with.

The metric wheel studs were introduced with the first Rangerover in 1970 and the RRC retained these and the same PCD, as did Discovery 1.

Later Rangerovers and D2 do not have the same PCD or studs/nuts.

[QRS40]

Just bought 4 new tyres (7x16s), $250 and up is standard cost these days...

[B.S.F.]

g'day all i have just had a tyre fixed and asked how much for 2 new tyres for the rear of my 55 107 he said about $250 upwards as that size is hard to get, now thinking patrols and cruisers were 16'' didn't think this was a problem, spoke to 2 other tyre dealers got similar results, although the last guy suggested that i change the narrow rims to something like sunraisure or the like and my options would be a lot better maybe $120 a rim and tyre options from $100 upwards keeping the same rolling diameter, ??? what have people managed to get under there guards make and offset of what you have fitted thanks. markusOn my S1 Lwb I have been using 2 sets of tyres, both 7.00x 16 12Pr rags on standard Series one 5" rims. Unless you've got the stronger S2a steering components, I'd stick to the size recommended by L/R. I know a lot of people have been using bigger, wider, tyres on S1s without any ill effects, just like a lot of people have been exceeding the speed limit, crossed double lines, gone through red lights etc.
.W.
Sorry, the highway tyre is radial 7.00R

[aussearcher]

Markus,
To add to the discusion - your rims are designed for tubed tyres. Modern rims are designed for tubeless tyres. Many people fit tubeless tyres to "tubed type" rims without issues. Others suffer catastrophic consequences. Your call, but if you want to move to a tubeless tyre I'd be finding a set of later wheels. If you do get some tubeless rims, you can fit 225/95 R16 Dunlop Road Grippers which are factory fitment to Land Cruiser 70 Series utes. They are very close to 750 R16 in size (a bit taller) so look the part. The wheels and tyres are often swapped out at the dealers. Donnelans in Melbourne are selling the tyres (effectively brand new) for $125 each on eBay, and will give you the Toyota rim. You should be able to find someone doing similar in Sydney.
Good Luck!
Alan

[JDNSW]

Further to the above about tube vs tubeless rims. The difference between these is an extra "ridge" on the inner edge of the shelf the tyre bead sits on, which is intended to ensure that a flat tyre stays on the rim (and make it harder to change the tyre). The utility of this is pretty much equal for tubed and tubeless tyres - if the tyre pressure is so low that the bead can pull off the rim, the tube will not make much difference as the tyre will slip on the rim and tear out the valve (personal experience!).

The change in rim design started in the late 1950s, and was not associated with tubeless tyres. It did not become 'normal' until probably the late 1970s. Tubeless tyres (of a type that actually worked) were introduced in 1946, and were fairly common in some markets by the mid 1950s.

The important factor in using tubeless tyres on Series Landrover wheels is ensuring airtightness. Later wheels were all welded construction, but well into 2a production some wheels had the rim rivetted to the wheel disc. These rivets may or may not be airtight! And regardless of the construction, rims for a tubeless tyre (and the valve hole) must be smooth and not rough.

[marc]

thanks guys for the info haven't made my mind up which way to go yet will post somthing here when i do cheers

[Tins]

The rolling diameter thing is also important. The 109 had these on it when we got it. 33x12.50 R15, 0 offset 8" rims. Turning circle issues aside, the poor old Series could hardly turn the things, and the deleterious effect on the brakes was quite scary. But they fit and looked "tough".
168921
168922

[5380]

g'day all i have just had a tyre fixed and asked how much for 2 new tyres for the rear of my 55 107 he said about $250 upwards as that size is hard to get, now thinking patrols and cruisers were 16'' didn't think this was a problem, spoke to 2 other tyre dealers got similar results, although the last guy suggested that i change the narrow rims to something like sunraisure or the like and my options would be a lot better maybe $120 a rim and tyre options from $100 upwards keeping the same rolling diameter, ??? what have people managed to get under there guards make and offset of what you have fitted thanks. markus


i have Hankook Dynapro MT03 LT 215/85 R16 tyres on standard 5.50" x 16 1990's Defender steel rims on my 80". This size is the moden equivalent of the old 7.00 x 16 crossply tyres fitted as standard to 107"s and optional on 80" models. The on and off road performance is brilliant at 25PSI all round. I also have a set of 6.00 x 16 crossply mud tyres on the oringinal # 231601 5.00" x 16 wheels. They look the part when on display at a show etc. but are bloody awful to drive on road. I would highly reccomend chasing up a set of '90s Defender 5.50" steel rims and a set of LT 215/85 R16 tyres in either M/T, A/T or H/T tread styles to suit your anticipated use. Other alternative sizes are 205R16, 225/75 R16 or 7.50 R16. Most Series / Defender 5.50" wide rims should work as a matching set, but make sure that the rim offset is suitable. The 235/85 R16 will fit, but will likely foul on your front springs and wheel arches in off road driving situations. Most 107s were fitted with semi road pattern tyres such as Dunlop Fort originally. Modern radials are a a massive improvement on the old crossplies and I would hesitate to fit crossplies for anything but static displays and short local runs.
Don't forget, whatever size you end up fitting, don't forget to jack up the front end and adjust the swivel housing lockstop bolts to clear the spring leaves on full lock, otherwise they make a fearsome noise on full lock turns and frighten the crap out of the co-pilot! Good luck, tyres are expensive, especially if you make the wrong choice and have to start again, like I did!

5380