new tires

[stephn]

Just coming up to replacing my tires on my 2004 Disco 2, V8. Mainly road driving with a bit off road, any recommendations for replacements. Stock rims

[McDisco]

Hey mate

I have a set of Yokohama HT's for arouind town and muddies for offroad. You could go for an all terrain tyre like the BFG AT, General Grabber AT2 or Mickey Thompson ATZ if you wanted a tougher construction and a bit more offroad grip. While these are better offroad there is an onroad compromise. The wet weather grip is not a good and the the tyre walls are usually stiff, giving a slightly harder ride.

If you due 90-95% onroad and then occasionally go off road on the weekend, I would look at an Highway Terrain (HT) construction in a slighly more open tread pattern as opposed to a full all terrain. Wont be as puncture resistant, but you are unlikely to need really tough tyres.

However, if its more toward 70-80% onroad and the rest offroad, then maybe an All Terrain (AT) is the go for you. I have had BFG ATs and I think they are a bit old tech. I would try the Mickey Thompson ATZ - apparently very nice on road still.

Now you have the type sorted. You have to think whether you should go up in size a bit. Only do this if you want better clearance offroad. Stick to the standard 235/75 size. If your into touring and a bit of desert,gibber road work etc, then maybe go for 245/75/r16. Slightly higher and they look better with a lift.

My 2 cents worth...

Angus

[ytt105]

Fitted 4 General Grabber AT2 's to my P38 yesterday. The standard Michies were over 6 years old but no where near worn out. They must have been really hard though because the ride is better and there is no extra noise over the Michies. Sure, I've only done 40 odd kms, but I'm happy so far. They look so much more agressive!! Can't wait to to try the quarry again, (Brindabells). Got 80% up on the Michies and am sure these tyres will just walk up it.

Will report back when more miles covered.

[rar110]

AT2 rated pretty well on the

www.tirerack.com (http://www.tirerack.com) survey page. I went for Goodyear Silent Armors on the 110. Not tried them off road yet.

[davros]

There's plenty of info if you run a search on this forum. I recently did the Gibb River Road, started with 4 Toyo 235/75 16's, finished with one and a $700 bill for two BF Goodrichs', unbalanced and with a workshop-floor-rim-scouring/scratching thrown in for free at Drysdale Station. I must say though I was lucky they had any that size in stock!
I would say it depends on what your planning. I see Toyo's everywhere here in the south-west of WA, but the rocks are mostly rounded laterite or it's sand work. Up north I was advised that BF Goodrich had a better name than Cooper's, but then again that Aussie cut-down-tall-poppies thing may apply to Coopers as they have so many adds and devoted followers. I have also been warned that Goodrich do not honour warranties as easily as Cooper (?) I've also seen a few Department of Environment & Conservation vehicles here in Katanning fitted with (from memory) Wrangler "Silent Armor" tyres.
You may also find to that some tyre sizes are available as a "light truck" rated construction, while other aren't (Light Truck carry a higher load rating).
As for changing to bigger sizes, take the time to compare the tyres side-by-side; you'll find with all the sizes Land-Rover list for the D2, there is not a whole lot of difference in the rolling radius, just the width, unless you want to go for something out of spec and raise your diff clearances (and also throw out the speedo and gearing fractionaly, and need a 6th tyre for a spare).
My vote would be for the three tyre brands I've mentioned, or at least look for as many plies as you can find -remeber that the sidewall is important here too (printed on the sidewall) and the higher load ratings.
Lastly, of course, the use of the tyres is very important. You don't wear thongs for a hike through the spinefex (ok some tougher than nails Indigenous folk can handle it, and they can also drive a Kingswood station wagon from Newman east to Alice springs, but when I work out how I'll post it here too!), or wear army boots to play basketball! Same goes for a tyre. Me, I'd like to say I drive over rocks and mud all day, but truthfully it's 95% good plain jane roads, so I always choose an all-round tread pattern, not an "extreme mud guaranteed to howl at speeds over 40kph" type.

In the end though, get whatever looks cool!!! :)

Dave