285/75/16 or 255/85/16 on a Defender

[matt39788]

Hi I am tossing up what tyres to go for next on my Defender I have a slight lift around 30-40mm, can you run 285's without fouling the flares on articulation and full lock. I will be going for Maxxis Bighorns but don't know what size to go I am after more diff height and i know both tyre sizes are around 33 inch so that should be enough. Any feedback would be great

[rijidij]

255/85/16's are quite a common size tyre used on County's and Defenders, but it's best if you use off-set rims to avoid hitting the radius arms on full lock. Steel Disco rims with a 25mm off-set work well. The extra width of a 285 might present more of a problem.

[rick130]

The Big Horn is a wide 255, about 10mm wider than the BFG in the same size.
It also measures near enough to a true 33.3" tall when new. (I ran a tape around them before fitting)
Pretty sure isuzurover had 285's on his 110 and I recall him saying they touched under full articulation. Ben runs the Maxxis in 255 on it now.

[isuzurover]

As Rick said. I have run 285/75-16 MTRs on +30mm disco rims. They rubbed on the rear offroad (where the flares attach to the body - and removed a few of the plastic plugs which hold the flares on) - but this was more the rims than the tyres.

I now have 255/85-16 Bighorns on +20mm disco rims. They don't rub.

265/75s on stock disco rims will rub on the (rear) coil towers.

285s are OK - you just need to get the rim offset/backspacing right. 255s though, will work on anything from +10 to +30mm disco rims. (can't comment on other rims)

[jimbo110]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/53859-who-has-285-tyres-there-defender-7.html#post847354