Thread: Please read: Posts on 19" rims

Hi guys,
New to forum. I have D4 3.0lt on order and tried to get the smaller brakes and wheels fitted but LR would not oblige. Have found this thread fascinating as I have been researching why I cannot have the smaller sized brakes. Some of the reasons I have been given by LR do not make sense to me. More power and torque and insurance and rego problems were quoted to me.
When I compare specs on the 2.7 lt model vs the 3.0 lt model I note that they both have exactly the same gross vehicle weight of 3,240 kg, top speed of 180kph on each and towing capacity the same.
My understanding is brakes should be designed for the vehicles maximum speed and weight. Acceleration and torque should be irrelevent if both vehicles are travelling at max of 180kph.
Australian Design Rules do allow modification of brakes and the application form asks about gross weight and maximum design speed. No mention of accelaration. Can't see how they couldn't approve the smaller brakes as the weights and speed are identical.
Any car that has ADR aproval can be registered. Not sure how insurance companies handle this but should be no different to any other authorised modification.
ComLaw Legislative Instruments - Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 31/02 - Brake Systems for Passenger Cars) 2009 (ADR 31/02)

If anyone has done this modification please contact me as I am ineterested in any tecnical or other issues experienced.
My main reason for wanting to fit 17" wheels to the smaller brakes is availability of replacement tyres outside of capital cities and sidewall clearance when aired down.
sean

Hi Sean, gghaggis is in the process of getting together an order for 18" specially made rims. He needs 15 sets for the company to produce them. So far he has 7 sets (including mine).
This way, you do not have to touch the brake arrangement. Sourcing 17" rims is impossible.
Should jump on the band wagon and put your hand up for the 18's
Cheers, Craig

Sean

Typically manufacturers and dealers will make anything up to make you go away. In some cases they may believe what they say and in some cases they may be correct.

The ADRs do permit brake changes and there are a series of tests to be performed which are easily passed by modern vehicles. You can try jumping those hoops, let us know how you get on.

If you really want 17s I'd change your order to a 2.7L. If you want the 3.0 then keep the 19s and get the best offroad rubber you can, then get out there and enjoy. The car will still go a lot of places even on 19" rubber. But don't take the stock tyres out too far in the bush.

And support GGH's initiative!!!

LR would not have approval for the import of 3.0L spec with the small er brakes. the range would be based in marketing not ADRs but they would need to get approval to supply you with a different spec. from LR head officeand DOTARS probably. Too much hassle for them really. But no reason why you can't change them depending on your state laws you may need an enginerrs approval though.

Just thought i would revive this thread with the following.Coopers are testing tyres in 18,20 & 22" rim size.The are very robust ,not quite an A/T.
Shame there appears to be no 19" in the line up at the moment.
The tyres are specifically for US spec D3/4,& RR which probably don't have 19" rims.

There is more on their web site.They may be available shortly.

Hope the above isnt a repeat of another post.

Hi All,

I recently posted a D4 Beachwork thread. On that I talked about an unplanned creek, wash-out incident. This is now an insurance claim as both front wheels were buckled and I want to get my D4 checked to ensure that there is no other damage.

I have to ask, after reading threads about the suitabilty or robustness of the standard Goodyear tyres, are there any genuine reports of rim-pinch or blow-outs etc?

I've had mine in gravel and rocks on several occasions and was surprised to note that there were no scollops taken out of them...in fact there was no damage at all.

During my washout experience, I hit a wet sandbank so hard that I've written off two wheels....yet the tyres...which were at low pressure for the beach, remained unscathed.

I realise that a more aggresive tread pattern would help in a lot of circumstances but are the tyres really so bad, inaffective?

Regards,

Kev.

Tyres are rubber so they bounce back into shape. You can have a flat and drive on it a short distance, reinflate and all's good. Rims...not so much. Tyres tend to suffer most from rips and sharp stuff, you don't find that in sand.

If the rims were both buckled I'd be most worried about the vehicle. Wheel alignment check would be a good place to start.

Aggressive patterns don't help in sand but do everywhere else except for bitumen.

Originally Posted by rmp

Tyres are rubber so they bounce back into shape. You can have a flat and drive on it a short distance, reinflate and all's good. Rims...not so much. Tyres tend to suffer most from rips and sharp stuff, you don't find that in sand.

If the rims were both buckled I'd be most worried about the vehicle. Wheel alignment check would be a good place to start.

Aggressive patterns don't help in sand but do everywhere else except for bitumen.

Thanks Robert, working on getting everything checked underneath...shame LR weren't interested in helping. Sort of stupid as anything that gets missed now will probably bite them later on warranty .

I guess the point I'm making is the fact that the tyres took a really hard hit and didn't smash against the rims...thus causing a puncture. After the gravel work that I've done, still no tears or scollops either. Has anybody on this site reported destroying a standard 19" under non-crazy driving circumstances?

Regards,

Kev.