17" on 3.0 D4 legal in NSW due to placard

I've only found the BFG AT in that size but wonder if you have uncovered others. I'm not particularly impressed with the BFG case in the tread area, as well as being larger in diameter and wider than I'd like. I hear another story of buldges (pending blow-outs, or actual blow-outs at 110 kph in the case of my daughter with another on its way) every so often directly from owners who are real fans of the BG AT and even though the tyre history is unknown to me, the fact that it happens makes me want to not use them.

Graeme, I too had a bad experience with BFG's. I have always used Cooper Discovery ATR's on my Landcruisers. They are excellent in the wet, good in the mud (for an ATR) and outlast most tyres.

The Cooper ATR is 275/65-18 though.

Yeah I know Graeme. These obviously wont fit the Disco, unfortunately

I know of a D3 that has Cooper ST in that size, although its owner has commented that they're too big. It looks really mean though.

The lack of 18" LT tyres excepting for 275/65-18 is my reason for seriously contemplating 17". There's no sense in getting special order 18" rims if appropriate tyres are not available. Its not the extra sidewall itself, but the LT construction that I'm wanting. The 255/55-19 aquaplane more than enough (again today several times) so going wider is not my preference. LT245/70-17 is what I'd like to run as a best compromise.

Hi Graeme, you may find that the more open pattern tyres don't aquaplane as much as a more closed pattern if you're worried about the width. As you know I'm running 285 on the D2 and so far it has been fine, but that said Johns 275's on the D3 look like they have a much wider treadface.

Graeme

I have not found the MTR's to aquaplane at all.
In fact their grip in the wet surprises me.

Following your other thread would it not be better to trial the 17's rather than change shocks.

BTW I drove a 200 series on Friday & the ride is definitely not as good as a D3especially as mine has 19" MTR's & the 200 series had OEM 17's. I have to admit the power was pretty good though.

Regards

Chuck

I have no doubt that a more open pattern wont aquaplane as much and have considered using MTRs in 275/65-18 if 18" rims were to become available, retaining the 19" for general use. MTRs appear to not be as wide as some other brands and therefore may not rub as much. However its not just the rubbing, its the width causing higher fuel consumption and giving a generally bouncier ride.

The aquaplaning of the current tyres would be lessened if run at higher pressures than what I use for the gravel and rough roads that I traverse regularly.

I suspect the ride difference between 19" passenger tyres and 17" LT tyres is going to be minimal and insignificant compared with the effect of stiff shocks compared with softer shocks. I ran my LT D2 tyres at lowish pressures for a softer ride and would do the same with 17".

Edit: The 275/65-18 MTR are only LI 113 & max 50psi so might not have a harsh ride yet tough sidewalls. Duratracs have a more general-purpose tread but not the Kevlar sidewalls.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chuck

Following your other thread would it not be better to trial the 17's rather than change shocks.

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In Overlander's 2.7 D4/Prado comparison its noted that the 2.7's ride in 18" is better than that of the 3.0 on 19" & 20".

I'd like to fit the 17" if they are to be fitted before resorting to changing shocks but want to be sure there are no suitable alternatives before removing the larger front discs and don't think the shocks can wait that long.