Thread: 18 inch AT's vs 16 inch All Terrains

Yes 16" rims will be a bit better but i don't think so much better, it's worth spending $90/ rim plus new wheel nuts for steel rims and new tyres. Particularly if I've read your usage correctly.

If it was me, when your exisiting tyres wear out, get a good set of AT rubber fitted and if possible LT spec. Tyres are a very personal thing and the source of many a spirited difference of opinion, but any reputable brand will be fine in my opinion.

cheers

Steve

Ive also been trying to decide the exact same thing.

bought some 17" steels with 30.5" LT tyres. It feels a bit more sluggish and made worse by the center bore not matching causing excessive steering vibration.
Not the mention the increased offset (+30) may rub during articulation.

Reading this forum has suggest a tyre under 150mm sidewall is not the greatest for off road but over that amount is fine. I'm probably going to run 265 60 18 (30.5") which gives a 160mm sidewall height. 20mm increase over the stock 255 55 18.

If you are going 16" definitely get a used disco wheel. At least and fits and uses the same wheel nuts.

I did this swap with my 2002 TD5.
I bought some rims which were 38A rims. One thing to be a bit careful of is that some 38A rims and later Disco rims are 8 inches wide not 7. The minimum recommended tyre width for 8 inch is 255.

I have 255.70x16 AT KOs on mine and am very happy with them, although they have a high load rating which makes them pretty harsh on a D2. I would have preferred 245.75x16 as they tend to ride better . This option is available with 7 inch rims. 255.70x16 is also the standard tyre on many Jeeps, Fords, Mazdas etc so there is good availability.

My tyres have been around Australia twice and have not had a puncture or any other problem. 255.70 is a good size as it just fits on the rear bumper.

Regards Philip A

Thanks

Anything under 255 wide would look a bit sad under the HSE i think

What does the LT refer to?

AT being all terrains like the BFG ATKO etc

I thought LT was Light Truck

Originally Posted by land864

Thanks

Anything under 255 wide would look a bit sad under the HSE i think

What does the LT refer to?

AT being all terrains like the BFG ATKO etc

I thought LT was Light Truck

Yep LT is light truck. Tyres with this rating will be more solidly constructed, with a higher load rating compared to P (passenger) rated tyres.

Cheers

Steve

The 16's ride much nicer on road and lengthen better in the sand, they just dont go round corners as well!
I doubt many D2 owners buy on the cars cornering ability..
Having said all that, coming from a '93 D1(with no swaybars at all!) I like my ACE very much!

ACE is the bees knees of handling. The D2 with a very good set of springs and shocks handles very well without ACE and absolutely kills Nissan Patrols of the same era, Land Cruiser etc (and in fact modern utes...). Cheers

Originally Posted by ozscott

ACE is the bees knees of handling. The D2 with a very good set of springs and shocks handles very well without ACE and absolutely kills Nissan Patrols of the same era, Land Cruiser etc (and in fact modern utes...). Cheers

Aceless D2's kill modern utes in ride/handling on most all surfaces.

I was thinking about the 18" vs 16" thing as I really like the on road handling of the D2 and 18s would be better than 16's but it's all on the back burner as I have the ****s with it atm.