Which size BFG for a D1 V8? 225/75 or 265/75?

[Utemad]

Hi all.

I am after new tyres and I already have the following (all 16in)

Two unused 225/75 BFG KO
Three used but good nic 265/75 16 BFG KO

I had planned on getting a full set of 245/70 BFG KO but since I have these I'd rather use them.

My Disco had original fitment of 205R16 and I thought that 225/75 was the same diameter but if you put my unused BFG 225/75 against my unused (spare) Michelin 205R16 the 205R16 is noticably taller.
So I'm not to keen to go to a smaller than standard tyre.

So I was thinking of getting a used to match 265/75 BFG. I know this is naughty in Qld and that I will have to cut the rear guards but I ran 31in on my Rodeo before the Disco and never had any Police trouble so willing to take the gamble.

The BFG website has the following diameters.
LT225/75 16 - 733mm (1mm less than the BFG 225/70 16 which is odd)
LT235/70 16 - 749mm (should be same diameter as 205R16 so you can see it is bigger than the 225/75)
LT245/70 16 - 764mm
255/70 16 - 764mm (what was fitted when I bought it but were Firestone so maybe different diameter)
LT265/75 16 - 820mm

All this info is from http://www.bfgoodrich.com.au/index.php?a=tires.technical_details&name_copy=off_road_suv.74

Does anyone have a D1 V8 manual with 265/75 16 that they can comment on in regards to dulled performance and fuel economy. Most of my driving is highway. I also apparently have an upgraded ECU in place from the previous owner. I also tow a camper about once a month that should weigh less than 750kg but not really sure.

Also does anyone know why the 225/75 size is so much smaller than expected?

[byron]

I just went to www.tirerack.com and compared the dimensions for Michelin Synchrones [ 205/80x16 and their Ht = 29.4", W = 8.3" ] and BFG A/T KO 's [ 225/75x16 Ht = 29.3", W= 8.9" ] so cant understand what you're seeing/saying.....

Why don't you check out the BFG M/T's in a 235/70x16.......they'll fit a standard suspension set up and give you all the advantages of an aggressive off road tyre without having to raise you height either suspension OR body.......

I've had both BFG A/T's and M/T's and can tell you that (pretty obviously) the MT's are way ahead off road and, on road in the wet there's NO difference between them that I noticed......of course Michelin Synchrones, or better still their XPC's, are fantastic on a wet paved road [in either 205/80 or 235/70 or 255/65]

[Utemad]

I don't have the Synchrones but XM+S244 and they are definately taller than my 225/75 BFG KOs. Although I couldn't find the XM+S244 on the site you suggested or on the Michelin site I did find this on http://www.lrfaq.org/RR/FAQ.RR.RangeRoverC_US.html
1989 Range Rover
Chassis and Suspension Changes:Tires were now Michelin XM+S 244 205 R16 radials, on the same 7x16 inch three spoke alloy wheels. Wheel centers were painted body color on County model.

The main reason for sticking with the KO and the not KM or anything else is that I have them already so only need to actually buy one or two more. Plus I don't want MTs as DD as with all the highway work they take away from the nice drive that the Disco gives. I've had MT/Rs before and didn't like them for DD. I plan on getting MTs on steel rims for play when I can afford to.

I already have a 2in spring lift as well.

[McDisco]

Utemad

I run 265/75's on my D2 and had thought they are nearly a 32" tyre, not 31 inch. I had thought they were too big for the d1's. But then again if your happy to chop the guards that should fit.

Check thought for any rubbing against steering arms etc due to the extra width...

Angus

[Utemad]

Utemad

I run 265/75's on my D2 and had thought they are nearly a 32" tyre, not 31 inch. I had thought they were too big for the d1's. But then again if your happy to chop the guards that should fit.

Check thought for any rubbing against steering arms etc due to the extra width...

Angus

What engine/gearbox combination do you have? How did it effect things?

I'm not worried about chopping the guards as I'll have to do it for my bigger muddies whenver I get some anyway.

According to http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html 265/75 16 is 31.6in. Depending on manufacturer of course.

[Pavo]

I don't know why BFG's 225/75s are smaller in the BFG range (I noticed the same thing when I did the research), but surely money is coming into the equation? You've got 2 brand new 225s. You could yuy 2 more brand new ones and search around for 1 or 2 second hand ones and you've got a brand new set of 4 with spares for around $550 or so.

The 265s will be quite large and will really affect gearing? I'm no expert on all this so can't give an opinion here.

Also, how important is the extra height under the diffs from the larger tyres? For me it wasn't crucial as I like camping but don't do much extreme 4wding. I bought 4 brand new 245/70/16s BFGs a few months ago, by the way. (Went up from 235/70/16s Michelin XPCs).

And finally - you mention you've got a camper. What size tyres does it have? Can you match all of them up?

Pete

[Utemad]

You could yuy 2 more brand new ones and search around for 1 or 2 second hand ones and you've got a brand new set of 4 with spares for around $550 or so.

It will cost $460 for the two tyres plus fitting of the other two.


Also, how important is the extra height under the diffs from the larger tyres? For me it wasn't crucial as I like camping but don't do much extreme 4wding. Not important at all once I get the new muddies but I don't know how long that will be. I might not even do it at all if I fit the 265/75 tyres even though they are only A/Ts.


And finally - you mention you've got a camper. What size tyres does it have? Can you match all of them up?Well the camper actually has three BFG KO 225/75 16s on steel Disco rims. They are the other three of this set (originally were 6) so I did think of that. In fact I bought these three 265/75s to use on the trailer for when I got some 265/75 muddies :D It just irks me that the 225/75 BFGs are smaller than standard. It goes against everything I believe in ;)

[Pavo]

"It goes against everything I believe in "...

I understand completely.

Peter

[waynep]

265/75 you will need to trim the rear quite a bit.

[McDisco]

Utemad

I have a td5/manual. The larger tyres really does affect the gearing and is especially noticeable when in low 1st. Its just not as low as comfortable sometimes...thats why I have been thinking about going to 4.11s in the diffs.

Around town and offroad isnt too bad but I have a tunit chip. The power helps offset the gearing problems.

I think unless you really need the bigger tyres for clearance or harder core driving then I would go for somethings that fits easy.

And I had thought the 265's where a 31 point something inch...it is 32 when you round up?! lol

Angus

[Utemad]

Having driven a petrol Rodeo for nearly 6 years I am used to having dodgy low range gearing and that was before the 31s:D

I used to have to ride the brakes down many hills. Still getting used to the Disco with how you can just take your feet off the pedals and drive down the hills.

I know I should just use the 225/75s even though they are smaller but it just gets to me. At least I'll have great acceleration!

[mcrover]

265 75 16s in BFG AT KO dont fit without flares and off set rims as I just found out.

You also lose steering lock unless you fit the offset rims.

I also have a full set sitting here 3 are nearly new and 1 is a little more worn that I got off a mate with a pootrol when he went to muddies.

The maximum without doing major cutting of the guards is about 245 80(85,R) 16 but its not all that common so im more likely to go for 235 80 16 which is more common as it is basically a 750 R 16.

If you dont mind the look of the LRA flares (or the like) and you dont mind cutting the crap out of your truck you could fit the 265s.

Mine is currently running a set of 100,000km old BFG AT KO in 225 75 16 but I find them way to short off road.

Ive got mates that have the flares that run 35" simex's with hugely offset rims that still go well towing etc but can be a bit slow off the line occasionally.

One is a '96 300tdi manual and the other is a 4.6V8 auto but even with the 3.9 it went well on 35's.

[cartm58]

Well l'm interested in this thread as lm looking at changing the tyres on the rangerover currently Korean Roadstone 235/75/16 was on the rangie when l bought her in 2005. Done 22,000 km on them the local tyre supplier when inspecting some small nicks in the sidewall said the tread was good for another 40,000 km at least.

The tread on the Roadstone are All Terrain type similar to the old Dunlop Adventure tread, good on the road in terms of grip and reasonable off road but not as good when she gets muddie and slippery.

Have had BFG AT on the 1998 2.8 TD Patrol in the past, which were excellant in terms of tread life and grip on road did over 100,000 km on them before selling the Nissan.

Interested in the BFG Muddies but wonder about their on road ability and noise factor.

Mainly 80/20 road around town and in WA well its sand or mud depending on where you go, very little rock climbing required.

Would like to raise the Range Rover at least an inch by raising tyre size to help with clearance, not that l have ever had a problem off road with the car belly, did sevrely break the front air dam once goign down sand dunes fast.

[Utemad]

265 75 16s in BFG AT KO dont fit without flares and off set rims as I just found out.

You also lose steering lock unless you fit the offset rims.

I also have a full set sitting here 3 are nearly new and 1 is a little more worn that I got off a mate with a pootrol when he went to muddies.

The maximum without doing major cutting of the guards is about 245 80(85,R) 16 but its not all that common so im more likely to go for 235 80 16 which is more common as it is basically a 750 R 16.

It is good to hear from someone who has tried it. Bad to hear it is so much trouble though. I'm not keen on fitting flares as then standard tyres would look dodgy if I went back to them and the flares would leave screw holes if I took them off no doubt. Plus flares are very pricey if you want decent looking ones.
Do you have raised suspension?

I think it is the 235/85 that is the same diameter as 265/75. 31.7 vs 31.6 from the calculator I posted above.


Mine is currently running a set of 100,000km old BFG AT KO in 225 75 16 but I find them way to short off road.I had these on my previous Rodeo which is where the ones I'm talking about came from. The three worn ones are on my trailer. They had done 70000kms on and off road and are now too worn for off road use but still roadworthy.
Do you mean too short height wise or gearing?


Ive got mates that have the flares that run 35" simex's with hugely offset rims that still go well towing etc but can be a bit slow off the line occasionally.

One is a '96 300tdi manual and the other is a 4.6V8 auto but even with the 3.9 it went well on 35's.It's good to hear the motor has the power to push them.

Decisions decisions.

[Utemad]

Well after these responses and reading through the Outerlimits archives I have come to the conclusion that 265/75 16 is too big for a daily driver Disco 1. Especially in Qld where they aren't legal therefore changing your high range gears or diff ratios is too painful when you could be told to go back to original size tyres any time. That is if I chose to change ratios which I probably would have done at least the high range transfer gears.

So I just bought 2 more 225/75 16s and had all four fitted up. I'll get either some 235/85 16 or 245/75 16 on steel rims another time for play. Less cutting so the 225/75 16 won't look so silly with cut guards.

I'd forgotten how nice the Disco is to drive with good tyres. The worn MT/Rs were really noisy and a bit lumpy.

Thanks all.

[DiscoMick]

My 95 Disco 300tdi came standard with 235/70/16s. Currently BFG AT KOs. Its had a 50mm lift but the tyres have plenty of life left so I haven't thought yet about going larger.