Tyres - R18's - LT or AT

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Originally Posted by Ozzy119

Hi,

Can anyone confirm the BFG 265/65/18 fits ok in the spare wheel undercarriage and no issues with the tow hitch?

(D4 2.7)

thanks

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Hi there Ozzy,

I can confirm that the BFG A/T 265/65 R18 does fit in the spare tyre location. It did take some work however;
- Tyre must be fully deflated
- Heat shield must be removed
- I got the angle grinder out and just put a champfer on the edge of the shield bracket that kept catching on the tyre lugs. (with some more perseverance or if the tyre was not brand new - this may not be necessary)
- I put a ratch strap around the circumference of the tyre to slightly pull it in (not sure if this was required after champfering the heat shield bracket)
-Also, to aid the process, I put some soap on all the surfaces that the tyre touches as it is pulled up into the spare tyre well.

It does sound like a lot of work, but for me it was worth it. From all my research the BFG A/Ts are the largest, most aggressive tyre that I could fit on my D4, while still maintaining normal suspension heights on road and most important - the largest size that is still legal (no more than 50mm increase in diameter).

The increase in road noise is minimal and I have not noticed any significant deterioration in ride and handling in dry weather. The cost was $396 per tyre (September 2014)

I hope that helps.

Cheers,
Russ

i may have the largest tyre fitted to a D4, and they're legal!:p

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Originally Posted by Muskie

i may have the largest tyre fitted to a D4, and they're legal!:p

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Muskie,

Your tyres are about 793 diameter. The tyres that some of us have are 285x60 R18, which are 799 diameter and just pip yours. Gordon also has had larger again on his RRS.

bugger! i lose out!
;)

Settled on the Bridgestone D697 in the end. Price up here was a big factor for me. (One of the disadvantages of paradise)

They went on yesterday and I'm so surprised to notice they are very noticeably quieter than the replaced Coopers. Very pleased about that.

So I am currently waiting on my PD 1881 wheels to turn up in March and I have been researching which tyres to shoe on. I ended up re ordering an extra as I originally ordered 4 wheels, as Gordon said the 19 spare is only good for 255/60R18 size.
I have Hancook ATM RF 10s on ATM and I rate them, but they dont have the sidewall I want, read - not tall or tough enough. I destroyed 2 in one hit on the border track days after having new tyres installed which just deflated my confidence in the 19s. I have another mate with 19s as well and every time he has been offroad, he has done a tyres ( he does have the Cooper LTZ, which I wouldnt $iss on). I was lucky enough to be able to patch my tyre to get out of the desrert, to this day I dont know how this lasted.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

I have come down to 2 tyres.
The General Grabber AT2s in 285/60/18 which has a 10 ply rating, albeit with 2 plys and a load of 122 E. Similar tread to BFG AT.
The other I really want to fit is the Hancook MT which only comes in 275/65/18. 10 ply and 123 E.
As these wheels will be a second set, I did want to fit a much more aggressive tyre, but the larger size of the Hancooks may prove to be more trouble than they are worth, just over legal and suspension fault going to the bump stops will stop the car. I am not worried about legality as it is 1mm over and I can work around the bump stop issue by having a EAS emerg. inflation kit from GOE as well as using the IIDT to clear a fault, reset, hopefully inflate and then pull the EAS fuses.
I put the BFG in the same hat as Toyota, people paying too much for a name and on a product that is, well, widely accepted and mediocre, so they arent an option.
I would love to hear from anyone that is running the 275/65/18 with success. '
Paul.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wheelan

So I am currently waiting on my PD 1881 wheels to turn up in March and I have been researching which tyres to shoe on. I ended up re ordering an extra as I originally ordered 4 wheels, as Gordon said the 19 spare is only good for 255/60R18 size.
I have Hancook ATM RF 10s on ATM and I rate them, but they dont have the sidewall I want, read - not tall or tough enough. I destroyed 2 in one hit on the border track days after having new tyres installed which just deflated my confidence in the 19s. I have another mate with 19s as well and every time he has been offroad, he has done a tyres ( he does have the Cooper LTZ, which I wouldnt $iss on). I was lucky enough to be able to patch my tyre to get out of the desrert, to this day I dont know how this lasted.
http://wheelan.smugmug.com/Quick-sha...SCF2988-XL.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

I have come down to 2 tyres.
The General Grabber AT2s in 285/60/18 which has a 10 ply rating, albeit with 2 plys and a load of 122 E. Similar tread to BFG AT.
The other I really want to fit is the Hancook MT which only comes in 275/65/18. 10 ply and 123 E.
As these wheels will be a second set, I did want to fit a much more aggressive tyre, but the larger size of the Hancooks may prove to be more trouble than they are worth, just over legal and suspension fault going to the bump stops will stop the car. I am not worried about legality as it is 1mm over and I can work around the bump stop issue by having a EAS emerg. inflation kit from GOE as well as using the IIDT to clear a fault, reset, hopefully inflate and then pull the EAS fuses.
I put the BFG in the same hat as Toyota, people paying too much for a name and on a product that is, well, widely accepted and mediocre, so they arent an option.
I would love to hear from anyone that is running the 275/65/18 with success. '
Paul.

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Ask someone who has worn out numerous sets and travelled all over the countryside,done thousands of k's on them,over the last 12 yrs or so.Including two long Cape trips,tele track up and back twice,numerous desert trips,etc.

Never had to change one.

Sure,they do chip badly on high speed rocky dirt roads,but so do many other brands.

Some say they are not good on wet bitumen,but i have never had an issue.

I would rather pay a bit more,and have no issues,particularly in remote areas.

You only have to wreck one cheaper tyre,and the more expensive set become the cheaper option.

Sure luck plays a part with tyres as well.

Each to their own,good luck with your choice.

Just my two cents worth..:D

I actually need a set now,hopefully mine will hang out until the KO2 arrives.

I am a big fan of BFG ATs. Had two sets on my 150 Prado, only one flat and that was a bolt.
Did the Gibb, Oodnadatta, Birdsville etc towing a van without a hitch.
They wore evenly and were relatively quiet.
I suppose I will have to go the general grabbers for my next trip!


Cheers

Not really bagging the BFs guys, I have had 2 sets on previous vehicles, 20 years ago, they were fantastic then, I cant justify the price that BF demand, much like Toyotas!

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Originally Posted by scarry

Ask someone who has worn out numerous sets and travelled all over the countryside,done thousands of k's on them,over the last 12 yrs or so.Including two long Cape trips,tele track up and back twice,numerous desert trips,etc.

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We must be doing something wrong, Paul. ;)

Cheers,
Jon