18" Tyre Choices

[grumpybastard]

Well theres still rubber left on the tyres at present but sometime this year its looking like i will need new rubber so have began the research.

Now the D2 is currently running Goodyear Wranglers 255/55/18 which are prob fine for street and the occasional dirt track but not much more.

But as always in life its filled with compromises and to be honest she does mostly street driving so there is little point in running anything really aggressive, if i had the $$$ i would just purchase a 2nd set of 16" rims for days out.

So this is what i am thinking keep the 18"s drop a set of 265/60/18 on her which gives me the magic 30.5" diameter which i've read is the max for the D2 without mods?

But which tyre?

Cooper have the Cooper H/T Plus (http://www.coopertires.com.au/tyres/ht_plus.htm) and Cooper Zeon (http://www.coopertires.com.au/tyres/zeon.htm)

http://www.coopertires.com.au/images/discovererHTplus_medium.jpg
http://www.coopertires.com.au/images/zeonXST_medium.jpg


Dunlop have the Grand Trek (http://www.dunloptyres.com.au/TyreDetailAction.do?website=DUN&mtpcode=00302&from=3PerPage) which is nothing exciting

http://www.dunloptyres.com.au/images/spt_supplied/Grandtrek%20200x200%20.jpg


Yokohama have the Geolandar A/T-S (http://www.yokohama.com.au/ourtyres/tyre.aspx'tyreid=204) (I get a good price for Yokohamas)

http://www.yokohama.com.au/media/G012_main.5154.gif

Goodyear and BFgoodrich have nothing...

Suggestions?

[Nigger]

I went for the General AT2 tires as they have a decet AT pattern and fit perfectly and also have the high speed rating as per the Wranglers. Far less noise, better on bitumen, not to mention dirst. I have found them to be brilliant and the only AT tyre to replace the Wrangler 255/18/55

[Robbo]

I am waiting for the AT2's 255/60/18 to arrive in OZ. They should be OK. About 1" larger in Diameter than the 255's.

[Gavin]

I've got the at2s on done over 35k so far and found them to be great on and off road,they still have60% tread left

[stevo68]

Ditto as above, General Tire AT Grabber 2, link to site here, http://www.simex4x4.com/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?id=139&nav_cat_id=128&nav_top_id=55&dsb=38 this is what I would be looking at for the D3 if I get 18 inch rims for it,

Regards

Stevo

[Loaded]

I have run the H/T plus on my D2 and they where a lot better on all road conditions than the Goodyear on and off road. If you can like I have try and spend the extra $ on getting some 16" rims and from then on your tyre choice expands hugely and the cost of tyres will drop hugely from the 18" prices.
Plus you can pick what ever tyre you like for that cheaper price. I currently run BGF Muddies and they are a lot cheaper tyre with more grip and mileage than you will get with looking for another set of 18" tyres.

[grumpybastard]

Seems like the General AT2 is popular what sizes are you guys running?

[jik22]

I had the AT2's on my TD5 D2 back in the UK, and thought they were excellent and significantly cheaper than any other decent AT pattern. However, that was 80% tarmac and 20% grass/mud/track work on farms and the like, so no idea what they're like on sand.

[Nigger]

255/55/18, H109, exact same spec as the factory Wranglers but with a really nice AT pattern. I love them! Those Wranglers were crap and made my Disco steer all over the place etc

[grumpybastard]

I am waiting for the AT2's 255/60/18 to arrive in OZ. They should be OK. About 1" larger in Diameter than the 255's.

Any idea when they will hit our shores?

[Robbo]

They should be here about now.
Simex are the importers. They are in Bayswater. Give them a ring and they will let you know.

[grumpybastard]

Well it looks like there isn't much left on the current tyres so i started ringing around for prices.

I contacted Simex in Bayswater but as im not a wholesaler they will not sell to me.

Best price i have is $340ea ..... has anyone found a better price than this?

[Redback]

Personnally i would go with 16" rims and new ATs, because new 18s will set you back $300ea +, for around $50 to $70 more the 16" rim and tyre in the long run will work out much cheaper, you'll get back that extra next time you get new tyres as the 16s tyres are $50 to $70, even $100 + less than 18" tyres in some brands.

16" rims can be sort for around $100 in alloy and steel now.

Just my opinion.

Baz.