255/85/16's

[weeds]

after socialising with the cape york boys last night its got me back to thinking about my next set of tyres

how much do 255/85/16 take out of the 300tdi defender, buying six will be painfull as i have plety 235/85/16's and 7.50/16 laying around

do i just stay with the 235/85/16's

inc, have you had your 255/85/16's on your defender or have they only been on your county

[incisor]

on my fender, come take it for a spin.....

steeltreks are on the county as it isnt moving muych while i rebuild what i need to rebuild...

[justinc]

Kelvin,

I would do it, the only drawback is heavy loads and towing, getting off the mark. Once you are up and going, it'll be OK. It also may mean that the odd long hill where you were once holding 5th, it'll be back to 4th gear, especially in a headwind etc.
I've just leant my rims and 255's to a 110 Td5 owner to try out this weekend, and he says the vehicle was transformed in all aspects compared to his 235/85/16 BFG A/T's. (Chipped Td5 and Tdi's are a fair bit different I know, but the handling and on road revs (Gearing)etc were what he was happy with)
They make the 'fender even better than it is already off the road though:cool:


Go for it!!

JC

[PAT303]

I found that my truck doesn't have any problems turning them as with 235's I could easily take off in second.Going up to that size also means you can run lower pressure,I went from 40psi down to 34 and it rides way better on road and off.Off road the ground your 235's would find hard the 255's find easy and I realised that very early on.For me they are the best tyre for defenders.Once you try them you will never look at another 235. Pat

[weeds]

just noticed driving in this morning that an extra width will cause troubles mounting the spare on the bonnet

does anybody have a 255 on there bonnet

inc....might need to try your spare on my bonnet

might just have to build that spare wheel carrier......something else to add to the list

[markb]

What brands and tread patterns are available in a 255/85/16. I am thinking of putting them on my 87 classic rangie.

[incisor]

maxxis bighorns and bfg muds in MT and a silverstone in AT if my memory serves me correctly..

[justinc]

maxxis bighorns and bfg muds in MT and a silverstone in AT if my memory serves me correctly..

And Cooper ST also. Not in the STT though I believe:confused:

I would choose the Maxxis or BFG mudders personally.

JC

[incisor]

coopers dont enter my line of thought, sorry

[omy130]

While my truck is in the panel shop for a few weeks, you are quite welcome to drive on my 255/85 Cooper St's.

[wayne]

What size rims do I need to run 255 /85/16 tyres.
I have wolf rims on a 130 defender

[dobbo]

What size rims do I need to run 255 /85/16 tyres.
I have wolf rims on a 130 defender


8 inches, should fit them

Weeds a few of us capies are looking into a bulk buy of Maxxis muddies in this size just before the trip, try Inc's out and tell us if you are interested?

[incisor]

i run them on std 7" disco rims

[PAT303]

I've got my boners on 8''. Pat

[cal415]

you can run 265s and even 285s on 7in rims without a problem, so 255 should fit no worries :)

[Tombie]

you can run 265s and even 285s on 7in rims without a problem, so 255 should fit no worries :)

Only certain 285s are legally allowed on 7" rims

[markb]

maxxis bighorns and bfg muds in MT and a silverstone in AT if my memory serves me correctly..

Thanks Guys. This may have been discussed before but what are the advantages if any of 255/85/16 over 285/75/16.

[PAT303]

255's stay inside the flares and don't rub on full lock. Pat

[rick130]

What size rims do I need to run 255 /85/16 tyres.
I have wolf rims on a 130 defender

They go straight on standard 130 6.5" rims.
I've run BFG's in that size for years, and went to the Maxxis Big Horns a few months back and find them really good.
Have to use more pressure in the Maxxis (40psi vs 34-36 for the BFG's) as the case is more supple.
I've been giving them a caning over the dirt roads here (generally crushed shale) and they are holding up very well, no chipping at all so far.
The Big Horns are also a touch wider than the BFG's in the case and tread by about 8mm or so.

[isuzurover]

I have 255/85-16 Bighorns on 7" disco steels modified for +20 mm offset. they work well, and don't rub anything (110 county with HD king springs)

I have 285/75-16s on +30mm disco rims as well. They rub on articulation - where the flares join the body. IMHO 285s work better on a 7" rim, but not necessarily 100% legal...

[JohnR]

Mickey Thompson MTZ Radials 265/75R16's on 8" rims with a 1" offset. AWSOME!!!

:woot:

Cheers,

[rick130]

Mickey Thompson MTZ Radials 265/75R16's on 8" rims with a 1" offset. AWSOME!!!

:woot:

Cheers,

'cept they aren't 255/85's.......

you gain at least another 15mm under the diffs with 255/85's

[weeds]

argh...this is doing my head in....if i goany wider than 235 i will need to fit a spare wheel carrier and my bonnet mount will no longer be usefull

having two 255's on the roof rack will take up all my space......

reckon i might just have to stay with 235's:(

[Slunnie]

Cant you just shim the bonnet mount up? It would only be 10mm max.

[weeds]

Cant you just shim the bonnet mount up? It would only be 10mm max.


spose....i cannot see bugger all now so it could not get any worse

[1103.9TDI]

Slunnie: Cant you just shim the bonnet mount up? It would only be 10mm max

Either that or offset your rims and get a better turning circle.....

[leeds]

Am running 255/85R16 BFG M/Ts on black modular rims (Black Modulars do not appear to be available in Australia) Am carrying two spares one of which is bonnet mounted.

The bonnet mounting bolts have some washers which sit on top of the steel wheel to ensure that it is securely fasterned down. Any bonnet mounted spare cuts down forward visibility especially on the front nearside corner. This is only a problem when manourvering in tight spaces which is easily overcome by leaning in towards centre of LR so that I can see top of N/S wing.

So far I have done 3 trips (50,000+km) with a bonnet mounted spare and had no real problems.

I certainly would NOT put one let alone two spare wheels on a Defender roof rack. Depending on what figures you want to use the maximum weight on a Defender roof is either 75 kg (UK figure) or 150 kg (South African figure). This includes the weight of the rack!

Regards


Brendan