Tyres sizes to suit the Defender (Puma)

[SVX37]

Hi guys! I know eveyone has an opinion on what type of tyres to buy. From what I have read, there are now many quality tyres on the market to suit everyone's needs.
My question is tyre sizes. Originally come into Oz with General Grabbers 235/85/16. I would prefer to have something a little more off-road biased with stronger side walls.
I want to know does 265/75/16 fit without fouling the guards? My understanding is these will be 2mm smaller in circumference so will have very little impact on speedo reading. How about 255's? Or any other suggestions welcome.:burnrubber:

[Blknight.aus]

dont forget to keep your eye on the 16 inch light truck range...

I doubt you can find a much tougher or more agressive tread than whats on some of those....

[dmdigital]

235/85R16 is fine with me. So far the GG's are holding up very well after 11,000km. I haven't had an issue with them to date, fine in mud, rocks, dust and sand. I'll probably swap them for something more aggressive when they wear out, but it will be the same size.

[SVX37]

Thanks Blknight_aus! I definatley will head down the road of Light Ttruck range but do you know whether 265/75/16 fit without fouling the guards? Cheers...

[SVX37]

Just thought I would go for something more agressive upfront while they are new. Should be worth more to trade in for BFG's or something like that.
I pick up the car from the dealer later this month - pretty excited as this is my 3rd Landrover, but my very first Defender!!!

[Psimpson7]

I'd go for 255/85's but they will rub a bit at standard height.

[weeds]

JohnR will pop in soon, i think he is running 265's

[Blknight.aus]

should do, you can just sneak the 255's in under a normal deefer but you can loose some of the steering lock on full articulation and they'll rub if you run heavy loads and frequently hit full articulation at the rear.

Im curious as to why you want that particular size, theres plenty of options in the standard sizes and if you play the tyre pressures right theres not to many places you'll get a 265 that you wont get a 235.

Fair enough if you're doing gobs and gobs of sand work but if you just want them cause they "stand" better in the carpark I think, functionality wise, your wasting your money....

[Treads]

We're running 255/85 Muddies at standard height. They rub occasionally on articulation, so we plan on getting a 2" lift soon. They bring the speedo a lot closer to actual road speed, it feels like a much better ride and we've got an extra inch clearance under that Salisbury ;)

We're running them at 34psi all round :BigThumb:

[Scallops]

Both John R and myself are running Mickey T MTZ's in 265/75 on 16 inch steel rims on our Pumas. These tyres (265/75) will go on your alloys too - they won't rub or foul ya guards. We got 265's cos the MTZ doesn't come in a 235.

Dan.

[marting]

A couple of questions Treads:
I assume you are running the 255s on one of your 300TDi's. Did you notice any drop in performance when you went to the bigger size? If you have done any performance mods what were they? Also, what rims are you running?
BTW: beatiful part of the world you live in. We are in the process of moving back to SE Qld from Victoria and that northern rivers area is one of our favourite destinations.
Cheers

[Rugrat]

I would prefer to have something a little more off-road biased with stronger side walls.


Have the STD height puma (well less since dropping in the winch and bar) but i kept the Standard size but went for Coopers STT. The grabbers would have been fine for most of my offroading but when you hit the Otways or Toolangi mud you want something that will grip.

I may consider the 265/75's next time but I am more than happy with the 235/85's.

Considering a lift or swap out to HD springs but i doubt i'll go bigger in the tyres...

[sashadidi]

Hi guys! I know eveyone has an opinion on what type of tyres to buy. From what I have read, there are now many quality tyres on the market to suit everyone's needs.
My question is tyre sizes. Originally come into Oz with General Grabbers 235/85/16. I would prefer to have something a little more off-road biased with stronger side walls.
I want to know does 265/75/16 fit without fouling the guards? My understanding is these will be 2mm smaller in circumference so will have very little impact on speedo reading. How about 255's? Or any other suggestions welcome.:burnrubber:
tried 285/q6 pirelli scorpions but not enough room at the back for the space between the tower and the tyre to fit chains (snoe mainly here in New Zealand!!)
got the 235/ 16s pirelli scorpions, improved lock and plenty of space and brillent in the mud which we have lots of here

[SVX37]

Can someone help me that has the new Defender (Puma) 2.4 TD.

I am wanting to know what tyre sizes are on the tyre plaque which shows what can legally fit on this 4WD.

I rang Landrover head Office and was put through to their Customer Assistance centre...answer..."they don't know, ring the dealer" Good grief!:mad:
I rang the service department of a well know dealer in Melbourne - they also "didn't know but said they will get someone to ring me who might know?" Grrrrrrrrr!:mad:
I rang the dealer where I am purchasing the Deefer but my car is currently off site having the windows tinted and they only have a 130 in stock.

As stated before, I am looking to change from the General Grabbers to something else like a BFG or MTZ and need to let the tyre place know what size I want. Without the info, they have suggested to stay with the LT 235/85/16 but I am thinking 265/85/16.

Appreicate the help from other Defender 2.4L (Puma) drivers just in case there was a difference from the TD5.

Cheers...

[Psimpson7]

This link:

Road Vehicle Descriptor (RVD1) (http://rvcs-prodweb.dot.gov.au/perl/9419_809095R_RVD_05Sep2008083609.cmd)

would suggest 7.50 r16 or 235/85 r16

[dmdigital]

From the placard (on driver's B-pillar):

7.50 R16 108N/116N

235/85R16 120Q

[SVX37]

Both John R and myself are running Mickey T MTZ's in 265/75 on 16 inch steel rims on our Pumas. These tyres (265/75) will go on your alloys too - they won't rub or foul ya guards. We got 265's cos the MTZ doesn't come in a 235.

Dan.

Thanks Scallops! Much appreciated. By the way, I grew up in Ipswich and know it very well. I might check availability on either BFG vs MTZ as this may lead to be the ultimate decision. Thanks again!

[SVX37]

From the placard (on driver's B-pillar):

7.50 R16 108N/116N

235/85R16 120Q

Thanks dm_td5. Appreciated.

[SVX37]

I found the following tyre calculator which shows that I should be able to go up in size. The tyre supplier states this is definately legal.:)

Original TyreReplacement TyreTread Width (mm)235Tread Width (mm)265Sidewall Aspect Ratio85Sidewall Aspect Ratio75Rim Diameter (in)16Rim Diameter (in)16 Tyre Diameter (mm)805.90Tyre Diameter (mm)803.90Tyre Diameter (in)31.73Tyre Diameter (in)31.65Sidewall Height (mm)199.75Sidewall Height (mm)198.75Sidewall Height (in)7.86Sidewall Height (in)7.82Tread Width (in)9.25Tread Width (in)10.43Tyre RPM @100 kph658.03Tyre RPM @100 kph659.66Tyre RPM @ 60 mph635.39Tyre RPM @ 60 mph636.97Speedometer 60.15Error @ 60 mph Speedometer 100.25Error @ 100 kph Difference -0.25%

[SVX37]

This attachment will be easier to read...