Have I done right with BFG's?

[81stubee]

Ordered my tyres for the disco last night after umming and arring about sizes. In the End I settled for BFG A/Ts 255/70 R16. Wanted to get the biggest size I could fit without gearing etc...

Then my mate starts telling me how their too small :mad:, i wont be able to come Driving with them. To top it off he starts telling me that the new BFG's are crap because of some manufacturing change in the rubber.

Have I done the right thing? Mind you he does drive a pootrol with 36's, while i'm ranting, Why do people always bag us because we drive landies. grrr

Stu

[ak]

Ordered my tyres for the disco last night after umming and arring about sizes. In the End I settled for BFG A/Ts 255/70 R16. Wanted to get the biggest size I could fit without gearing etc...

Then my mate starts telling me how their too small :mad:, i wont be able to come Driving with them. To top it off he starts telling me that the new BFG's are crap because of some manufacturing change in the rubber.

Have I done the right thing? Mind you he does drive a pootrol with 36's, while i'm ranting, Why do people always bag us because we drive landies. grrr

Stu

Well if his patrol is a 3l diesel let him know they are starting to explode like there is no tomorrow. Just check out the overlander fourm at the moment. As for the tyres size wise, 245/75/16 would give a bit better clearence but as you said it changes the gearing slightly which means you would be down on power a little. As for BFG changing the compound have not heard that but would be interested to know what others have heard.

[Utemad]

There is stuff all difference in the theoretical height between 255/70 16 and 245/75 16.
763.4 vs 773.9
Since that is diameter there is only a 5mm height gain difference.

I had BFG KO on my Rodeo and now on my Disco. I don't know what it is but I don't think the ones I have now are as durable as my last set. They were bought about 5 years apart.
Maybe the Disco shows up their weak points more than the Rodeo did or my expectations have changed. Either way I'm not planning on getting them again for offroad work. However the ones I have now will be around for a while as the last set lasted 75000kms (now on camper). Unless these ones blow out or something.

[loanrangie]

You speedo and odo are most likely out, running 245/70 or 75 /16's will correct it in most cases.

[Utemad]

while i'm ranting, Why do people always bag us because we drive landies. grrr

It's human nature to bag out what you are scared of such as the unknown.
I doubt many of them have even been in a Land Rover. Geez I used to pay out on the guys at work for owning them (although that was just to get a rise out of them :angel:).


Yes I forget to mention the speedo thing. As Loanrangie said the bigger tyres would correct your factory incorrect speedo. When I bought my Disco it had 255/75 16 tyres and the speedo was spot on.

As for gearing I didn't notice much difference if any when I went back to stock height tyres in my V8 manual. I don't know about the diesel with taller tyres.

[discowhite]

Then my mate starts telling me how their too small :angry:, i wont be able to come Driving with them

if your that annoyed with your mate maybe you should find some new ones?

dont stress too much, as a disco has smaller diff pumpkins than a poo troll you dont need such big rubber to show your a man ;)
just dont get suckered into driving like they do.:twisted:

cheers phil

[Blknight.aus]

yep anywhere you can put a pootrol you can walk a disco. Even if its on road rubber..

as for the BFG's I made my final decisions based on a coin toss... The rubber I wanted was more expensive but the BFG AT's I could have right then and there and they were cheaper...

Glad that coinflip worked out how it did.

[Slunnie]

Yep, a patrol or LC need tyres that are 31" for the same clearance as a Disco on 29" tyres. There are other benefits from a big dia tyre though.

[waynep]

Your choice of tyres is fine ...you just need some new "mates" ....

[walker]

It will be interesting to see how your BFG's go. When I bought mine I had nothing but trouble with them.
Your mates are partly correct, the compound did change a couple of years back but it depends on where they are manufactured. Mine were made in Asia and I staked or cut the sidewall everytime I took it bush. Only kept them 6 months before I bought new ones. But some people I know have the BFG's which are made in USA and they never have a problem with them. The sidewalls on the USA tyres seem to be a lot stronger.

[B92 8NW]

Mine were made in Asia and I staked or cut the sidewall everytime I took it bush. Only kept them 6 months before I bought new ones. But some people I know have the BFG's which are made in USA and they never have a problem with them. The sidewalls on the USA tyres seem to be a lot stronger.

You have made the right choice Stu, they will look after you quite nicely. Interesting you mention the Asia/US thing walker, because mine have made in USA written on them and they have been fantastic. But I have known of not so good performance, that could account for problems people have been having. Blame the Asians!!

By the way, a mate of mine has just rebuilt his D22 Navara with ZD30 engine for a cost of $4,500.

[81stubee]

I Feel Better now,

Never thought about the pumpkins being smaller. Right about the crawling thing, they will go flat out at anything and make dust or water every where, yet you can get just as far by crawling over obstacles.

Looking forward to picking her up on tuesday with the tyres, then doing a trip cup weekend near mt stirling, so can try them out then.

Cheers

Stu

[Xtreme]

Members of the Forum may be interested in the following Product Test (edited to avoid naming any specific business) I wrote up for the club recently.
I don't know if this is the correct spot for it but here goes -


B F Goodrich Tyres - Product Test


While planning for our double crossing of the Simpson Desert via Warburton Crossing, The Rig Road and returning via The Madigan Line, Hay River and QAA Line, I insisted on good quality tyres with at least 70% tread. As a number of the participants indicated that they would need to replace their existing rubber, a number of dealers were approached including those advertising in The LROC News. The one who stood out from the rest and ‘went the extra mile’ for us was an independent tyre outlet at Baulkham Hills in NW Sydney. They not only offered unbeatable prices on a variety of tyre sizes and tread patterns but also on the wheel alignments, wheels and spare patches, valves etc. Also, everyone who took advantage of the offer/s commented on how professional and efficient the operation was. I would name and highly recommend them but this Forum is probably not the place for that.
Now any tyre is a compromise and although this was basically a sandy desert trip, neither the AT’s or the MT’s are the best tread for sand. Both have fairly square shoulders and the more aggressive tread of the MT’s tend to dig into the sand instead of rolling over it. Additionally each one of us had to consider our extended use that we would be putting our tyres to, and with a country such as Australia we knew that this would entail a very wide range of terrain.
So, how did the tyres perform? In a word …….EXCELLENT
We had twelve vehicles on the trip, nine of which were wearing BGF tyres – six were using All Terrains (AT’s) and three were using Mud Terrains (MT’s). Each vehicle traveled close to 6,000kms over bitumen, high speed rocky ‘Development’ roads, Sturts Stony Desert, in excess of 1200 sand ridges, salt lakes, 100’s of kms of spinifex ‘moguls’, untracked desert areas strewn with hidden mulga and gidgee stakes and even a bit of mud etc etc. In spite if all this varied terrain, only one flat tyre was experienced, which, when reinflated, no leak could be detected and it stayed up for the remainder of the trip.
I have been in touch with groups that traveled this area both before and after us and both groups had six or seven punctures each. I’m not sure what tyres they were using or what pressures they were running but I’m quite convinced that our trouble free run was due to a combination of both good tyre choice and correct pressures for each area traveled. We frequently adjusted pressures and speeds as the terrain changed from the extremes of sharp rocks to soft sand. We also experienced very little ‘chipping’ of the tyres and overall wear was minimal. Tread depth was measured before and after the trip, revealing only 0.9mm of wear for 5820kms – and only about 2000 of that on sealed roads. If that wear rate was maintained, the tyres should last around 80,000kms.
Roger
Madigan Trip Leader

[JohnE]

great tyres, had two fitted to the front a couple of years ago, no noticable wear after about 50k, had two more put on the back last month, no complaints they are a good tyre.


john

[mcrover]

I have 235 85 16's on my D1 and Im more than happy with them.

They have prooven them selves over a GU on 33" road type tyres and GQ on 33"MTR's on several occasions as well as another GU that Im not sure what they were he was running but all 3 got hung up on diffs where mine drove it no worries.

The larger diameter does lose you a bit of power but then when you put it in Low range it doesnt matter anymore anyway.

The ones that are more likely to stake sidewalls are the 6ply ones that also squirm around on the road but the 10ply ones are as tough as anything else.

Your mates obviously not the sharpest tool in the shed if he needs a poo on 36"s to enjoy 4wding and I bet he's probably one of those hoons that most other 4wders complain about so I wouldnt worry too much about what he thinks.

BTW put your location up in your CP so people can invite you on their trips.

[dungarover]

The BFG all-terrians have a god rep although I've had ther MT's and I wouldn't waste my money again. There's plenty of cheaper options out there now in the MT depatment.

I've had the AT's and got about 60K out of them before they were knackerd (plenty of hard off-road kms as well). Regards to idiot Pootrol drivers, mosty of them are hoons and couldn't drive if there dick depended on it (flat to the floor type thing).

I agree with others on another topic you mentioned, if your 'mates' are like that, find some new ones I say. Nobody should have to put up with that sort of crap :mad::mad::mad:

Trav

[Slunnie]

I've got to say though, I have driven tracks that I've thought smaller tyred 4WD's are going to have sweet bugger all chance of getting through... and they do. Likewise unlocked vehicles. I recall sitting at the bottom of Farrells one day spinning big fat twin locked 34/35" Simex tyres with 4" lift, bending bits and unable to get up. Disco Dave just drove straight up with 2" lift, unlocked and 31" muddies. Very very impressive in my books, and I most definately had my tail between my legs.

[dungarover]

I've got to say though, I have driven tracks that I've thought smaller tyred 4WD's are going to have sweet bugger all chance of getting through... and they do. Likewise unlocked vehicles. I recall sitting at the bottom of Farrells one day spinning big fat twin locked 34/35" Simex tyres with 4" lift, bending bits and unable to get up. Disco Dave just drove straight up with 2" lift, unlocked and 31" muddies. Very very impressive in my books, and I most definately had my tail between my legs.

Can't win 'em all sadly. Been in the same situation myself :confused: one or twice.

Trav

[ak]

I've got to say though, I have driven tracks that I've thought smaller tyred 4WD's are going to have sweet bugger all chance of getting through... and they do. Likewise unlocked vehicles. I recall sitting at the bottom of Farrells one day spinning big fat twin locked 34/35" Simex tyres with 4" lift, bending bits and unable to get up. Disco Dave just drove straight up with 2" lift, unlocked and 31" muddies. Very very impressive in my books, and I most definately had my tail between my legs.

How is that possible Simon? What do you put it down to?

[leeds]

It is interesting to see the same sort of discussions down under as in the UK. Some people love BFG some people hate BFG (mainly for reason of cost). Colway remoulds are normally cited as an alternative at about half the price. But when you compare wear rates BFG are more economical to run over 50,000 miles/80,000kms.

It is a bit of a bummer when you slice the sidewall of a new BFG after about 100 miles so it is unrepairable (legally). They cost about 250 AUS$ here in UK. Damage to tyres goes with the territory though!

Thanks XTREME for such a useful article. Saves me posting questions about which tyres to put on my 110 when I ship it out. Will stick to the BFG's M/T. Max useage on tyres when ship the 110 out will be less then 8,000 miles/12,000 km


As for what vehicles is best, recently in heavily laden 110 I was clearing sections in about 30 seconds whereas Jeep drivers were taking 5+minutes. Difference was that I looked at the terrain and picked a slightly different route through obstacle route rather then following the herd which had gone before me.

Regards

Brendan

[Slunnie]

How is that possible Simon? What do you put it down to?
Disco Dave driving very well and myself being out of the seat too long (driving poorly).

Lockers also sometimes don't help.

[Xtreme]

Thanks XTREME for such a useful article. Saves me posting questions about which tyres to put on my 110 when I ship it out. Will stick to the BFG's M/T. Max useage on tyres when ship the 110 out will be less then 8,000 miles/12,000 km


Sounds like a trip 'down under' is in the air.
However, if you're planning on 'less than 12,000 km', while in Aust, then you won't see much of what we have to offer down here.

[mcrover]

How is that possible Simon? What do you put it down to?


It's all about the line you take, and how you attack the track ahead.


Stay in the ruts or straddle them?

Follow the same line as the vehical in front as it may have been cleared a bit by them or pick a different line?

There have been times where myself and Sschmez who have nearly identical vehicals either take different lines or attack things in a different way.

Sometimes he gets stuck and then I pull him out lol:wasntme:

Realy though I have gone places in my unlocked Disco that locked vehicals have struggled but more often than not I have got stuck for stupid reasons of taking the wrong line and crossing up or dropping into a hole or running out of track etc.

It is all trial and error, normally more error than anything lol most of the time :D

[aclo]

I swear by BFG... for their price and versatility i reckon they cant be beat - never had a problem

[leeds]

Sounds like a trip 'down under' is in the air.
However, if you're planning on 'less than 12,000 km', while in Aust, then you won't see much of what we have to offer down here.

Hi Roger,
Think you may have misunderstood what I meant. Tyres will have about 12,000km on when they leave the UK. i.e. well over 70% tread on them. After 6 months in Oz I would expect a lot higher mileage on them.

Tyres are 255/85/R16 BFG M/T. I am quite happy with them both on and offroad. What are peoples considered opinion A/T or M/T for touring Aus?

I have no qualms about buying a new set of tyres for trip to Aus as it will be small beer in the overall budget


Regards

Brendan

[goiridh]

I noticed that 4WD Monthly has rated the Pirelli Scorpion as the top AT tyre in a test they ran (not sure how long ago). Has anyone had experience with them on a disco?

[mcrover]

I think Hiline has Pirellis on his 130.

I dont know how good they are, Ive only been out with him a couple of times and only on 1 occasion was it 4wding but he only had problems due to external influences so to speak :D.

[Xtreme]

Hi Roger,
Think you may have misunderstood what I meant. Tyres will have about 12,000km on when they leave the UK. i.e. well over 70% tread on them. After 6 months in Oz I would expect a lot higher mileage on them.

Tyres are 255/85/R16 BFG M/T. I am quite happy with them both on and offroad. What are peoples considered opinion A/T or M/T for touring Aus?

I have no qualms about buying a new set of tyres for trip to Aus as it will be small beer in the overall budget


Regards

Brendan

Sorry for misunderstanding - all clear now.
Have had experience with overseas visitors earlier this year.
Will PM you as I don't wish to hi-jack this Thread.

[rovercare]

BFG's are like Holley carbs;)

[mcrover]

BFG's are like Holley carbs;)

Yeah every one has had one at some stage lol

Do you mean they are only as good as their name?

I have tried heaps of different tyres but the BFG's have been the only ones that I get a good life out of.

Hankook
Goodyear
Bridgstone
Dunlop
Maxis
Nankang

I have had over the years, most didnt last more than 10 to 15000kms, BFG's 100 to 120000+, 130 out of the last set on the Disco.

The Triton used to chew out tyres and seems it used to get driven up and down Mt Buller everyday during winter doing the mail run (they used a Subi Brumby in summer) It went through tyres but the BFG's always lasted upwards of 50000 on Buller.

Worst was the Nankang AT's, 3000kms and they were bald, but they hung on the best out of all of them.

Tried Pirelli once on the front but they didnt last a couple of weeks until 1 separated so I dont even count that as being used but it may have been due to the use of chains so Im not knocking the tyres.

I have only had BFG's on the Disco and Goodyear Grand Treks (the older ones) on the 2a.

[rangieman]

BFG's are like Holley carbs;)
:Rolling::Rolling::imwithstupid:

[cookiesa]

Can't say on a Disco but was very unimpressed with the Scorpion's on the father in laws Jackaroo. They were replaced with a set of cooper AT's that transformed the vehicle in terms of grip and they didn't suffer the chipping/cutting that the scorpions did (Father In Law has trouble grasping the concept of backing off of the throttle)

I still prefer narrow tyres, they seem to act more like a caterpillar track when you drop the pressure but others swear by wide tyres, personal choice thing.

I have a friend with a GQ with rear diff lock and lift, gone everywhere he has without trouble.

Looking at a 2" lift but only because the shockers are stuffed so may as aswell.

I had BFG's on my old Jack and was happy with them, they lasted well and were good on and off the road. Have heard the same about US made V Asian and that seems to be the difference between those that love and hate them. For me I think it is a bit like the Cooper ST's they are a good tyre but not that much better that they are worth the extra $$$

[2 rocks]

Sorry to wind back to some of the early posts, but I'm putting new set of Cooper S/Ts on this weekend and they didn't have my current size (265/70x16s) so am going with 265/75 x 16's.

Anyone tell me how close to a 31" that would be. They said the 265/70's were equivalent to a 31. What would the difference in OA diameter be between the two?Reason for question - am i going to notice my acceleration/economy drop off, or is the difference too slight?

Cheers
Mike

[Slunnie]

The 265/75 is close enough to 32", being about 31.8 or 31.7. I don't think you'll notice any significant difference between 265/70-16 and 265/75-16.

BTW, what is your avatar?

[Redback]

Disco Dave driving very well and myself being out of the seat too long (driving poorly).

Lockers also sometimes don't help.

Reminds me of the first time i did Slippery 2" lift 31s standard side steps (that where bent beyond help) and got up easier than last time 32s, 4" lift, locker:mad:

Oh hum:(

[2 rocks]

Cheers Slunnie!

Er...that's my old TD Pajero...been waiting for a decent day to get a pic of the D2, oops!

Mike :-)