D4 19" wheel & tyre offroad suitability

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Originally Posted by LukeO

I have recently purchased my first ever Discovery, a 2014 D4 SDV6. The thing has enjoyed a very easy life thus far having barely seen a dirt road since new (previous owner didn't like getting it dirty apparently).
I am currently preparing for a trip to Cape York (ex Brisbane) in August this year and am putting together a list of upgrades required before we start our journey north.
My shopping list includes all the usual items including under body protection, roof rack, diagnostic tool etc. however where I can't seem to make a decision is with the wheels and tyres.

It's currently rolling on the standard 19" wheels with 255/55/R19 All Terrains (Pirelli Scorpion) and I'd like to know if this size tyre is equipped to tackle parts of the old telegraph track? Or any rutted, rocky track for that matter.

I have priced up some 18" steel wheels (Tuff Ant) and tyres to match however I would essentially only use these for this trip then be stuck with 5 used wheels and tyres. The Disco is used mainly to tow a boat on the highway and do the occassional run up the beach so I'd see little need for the 18" wheel set outside of this trip.

Can anyone shed some light on the suitability of the standard wheels for my trip (with brand new AT's) or if I really do need to bite the bullet and shell out a l ittle over $3K for the 18" wheel & tyre set.

Cheers

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I've got 6,000 klms on 19" Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs and am very pleased with them. Couldn't justify going to 18" rims. Very slight hum at low speeds but not annoyingly so, have to listen hard to hear. I'd run with what others are saying and stay with the 19" Pirelli's and possibly another spare. Could also consider a Tyre Pressure Management System which will give you early warning of a leak thus hopefully preventing total tyre destruction. Also tyre plugs which work well. I recently had one in a tyre for over 40,000 klms until changing to the Duratecs and no probs at all.

Thank you all for the responses, suggestions & offers to borrow gear. It really is appreciated!

I've decided to stick with the 19's albeit with new rubber (they will be due by August) and I'll also keep a 6th 'carcass' on the roof for Justin....

Now all I have to do is decide on which rubber to choose. A light truck AT seems to be the concensus but which one?
It has been suggested to try the Maxxis AT980 but I've since been told these are horrible in the wet. Can anyone confirm this?
I have used the Bridgestone AT697 on my previous vehicle and found these to be a capable tyre for what I throw at them but open to suggestion moving forward.

Cheers again [thumbsupbig]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LukeO

Thank you all for the responses, suggestions & offers to borrow gear. It really is appreciated!

I've decided to stick with the 19's albeit with new rubber (they will be due by August) and I'll also keep a 6th 'carcass' on the roof for Justin....

Now all I have to do is decide on which rubber to choose. A light truck AT seems to be the concensus but which one?
It has been suggested to try the Maxxis AT980 but I've since been told these are horrible in the wet. Can anyone confirm this?
I have used the Bridgestone AT697 on my previous vehicle and found these to be a capable tyre for what I throw at them but open to suggestion moving forward.

Cheers again [thumbsupbig]

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Good move .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LukeO

Thank you all for the responses, suggestions & offers to borrow gear. It really is appreciated!

I've decided to stick with the 19's albeit with new rubber (they will be due by August) and I'll also keep a 6th 'carcass' on the roof for Justin....

Now all I have to do is decide on which rubber to choose. A light truck AT seems to be the concensus but which one?
It has been suggested to try the Maxxis AT980 but I've since been told these are horrible in the wet. Can anyone confirm this?
I have used the Bridgestone AT697 on my previous vehicle and found these to be a capable tyre for what I throw at them but open to suggestion moving forward.

Cheers again [thumbsupbig]

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Depending on general useage (apart from the impending Cape Trip), you may find that sticking with the Pirelli ATR+ is not such a bad idea - they are certainly on my consideration list when the time comes, and I was very happy with the previous model Scorpions on my D2a doing the CSR.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LukeO

Thank you all for the responses, suggestions & offers to borrow gear. It really is appreciated!

I've decided to stick with the 19's albeit with new rubber (they will be due by August) and I'll also keep a 6th 'carcass' on the roof for Justin....

Now all I have to do is decide on which rubber to choose. A light truck AT seems to be the concensus but which one?
It has been suggested to try the Maxxis AT980 but I've since been told these are horrible in the wet. Can anyone confirm this?
I have used the Bridgestone AT697 on my previous vehicle and found these to be a capable tyre for what I throw at them but open to suggestion moving forward.

Cheers again [thumbsupbig]

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You only have 1 choice of LT tyre, the Maxxis. I have not had a problem in the wet & I am now on the second set. If pushed, they will let go but need to be pushed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LukeO

Thank you all for the responses, suggestions & offers to borrow gear. It really is appreciated!

I've decided to stick with the 19's albeit with new rubber (they will be due by August) and I'll also keep a 6th 'carcass' on the roof for Justin....

Now all I have to do is decide on which rubber to choose. A light truck AT seems to be the concensus but which one?
It has been suggested to try the Maxxis AT980 but I've since been told these are horrible in the wet. Can anyone confirm this?
I have used the Bridgestone AT697 on my previous vehicle and found these to be a capable tyre for what I throw at them but open to suggestion moving forward.

Cheers again [thumbsupbig]

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Hi Luke

As per other responses, I have kept the 19" wheels, and got myself a 2nd spare for emergency use on long trips. Haven't needed it yet, but it's good to have!

Rubber:
I've had 3 sets of the Cooper Zeon LTZ's, and really like them. No problems at all, no flats (maybe 1 in Karijini?)... Used them on Fraser towing a camper (low pressures) and up to the tip of Cape York (in the gravel, rough, very deep Nolan's crossing and Gunshot!).
Currently have a set of Maxxis 980AT's on, as they were quite a bit cheaper than the Coopers and had lots of good reviews on here. Done about 15k kms so far (wet, dry, gravel, sand) and have no issues with them what-so-ever.

I'd have no hesitation in using either of these tyres - I still really like the Coopers, but they're $$$... No complaints on the Maxxis so far. :-)

Rob

Cheers again everyone.

In the interest of closing out a thread it looks like I'll stick with the standard 19" wheels and secure myself a set of Maxxis AT980's.

[thumbsupbig]

Can you fit 275/75 aspect ratio tyres under your guards?

they are available......Toyo do them. I saw 4 different brands available in 75 aspect. let duck duck be your friend.

just in case you don't understand , 275 is tyre width.....the 75 is the aspect ratio measured as a %age. ie the sidewall height is 75% of the tyre width.

you can work out the sidewall height on any tyre you choose to fit now that you know that and compare it to what you already have.

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Originally Posted by Micha

Sorry, cannot stand him.. I'll take your word for it.

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..so fast forwarding this video and the next one I found he put 3bar (43.5 psi) front & rear.
The sticker on the door says 36 & 42 psi for a loaded car.
Well I guess no harm trying 43 to test the degradation in comfort and grip.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LukeO

Cheers again everyone.

In the interest of closing out a thread it looks like I'll stick with the standard 19" wheels and secure myself a set of Maxxis AT980's.

[thumbsupbig]

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Not so fast...[biggrin]How about these for added sidewall: GOODYEAR WRANGLER DURATRAC 255/65R19 114Q Tyroola.com.au