Thread: Legality of aftermarket 17" rims for D3

OE 17x7" rims are as fitted to D3 S model. Bolt straight on, same wheel nuts, offset 53mm (18" are 52mm I think).
So if you can get'm, go for it. Hard to get, though. Some LR specialists import them, when they can find them.

Originally Posted by rmp

Spoke to Performance today, then emailed them VSI8 and VSI26 and excerpted the wording.

Seems the LR nut is a barrel nut, designed such that the rim rests on the body of the nut itself. Apparently the industry is moving away from that design, and Performance followed suit, and their testing has worked. However the issue is not the safety of the wheel per se -- it is compliance with the regulations. Pointed out the BB-6 is is not legal on D3s.

I'll post here when I get a response.

This has not been forgotten, am talking to Performance...will update when discussions have finished.

Nearly finished. Expect to have some interesting news soon and a good solution.

Originally Posted by rmp

Nearly finished. Expect to have some interesting news soon and a good solution.

G'day RMP, thanks for informative Tyre Talk pt2 in the Oct Overlander 4WD (that has just landed on my London doorstep and been read cover-to-cover in one go). I can see you're busy collecting and collating info for the D3/D4 and look forward to the reading the result of your efforts

When I get back to Oz and get another Disco to fit out I will be getting an extra rim/tyre set to put on for trips. They will need to go straight on with NO MODS and be LEGAL.

Would you also mind addressing why smaller rims are better than larger ones for 4WDing (other that tyre availability)? And looking at vehicles in the Vic High Country it seems like 32" tyres are 'small' these days! Crikey...

Smaller rims give taller side walls.
Tyre diameter can remain the same.
Larger diameters give greater clearance but affect the gearing and speedo.

Originally Posted by Hooroo

G'day RMP, thanks for informative Tyre Talk pt2 in the Oct Overlander 4WD (that has just landed on my London doorstep and been read cover-to-cover in one go). I can see you're busy collecting and collating info for the D3/D4 and look forward to the reading the result of your efforts

When I get back to Oz and get another Disco to fit out I will be getting an extra rim/tyre set to put on for trips. They will need to go straight on with NO MODS and be LEGAL.

Would you also mind addressing why smaller rims are better than larger ones for 4WDing (other that tyre availability)? And looking at vehicles in the Vic High Country it seems like 32" tyres are 'small' these days! Crikey...

All that is covered in the November issue out soon and that is also the start of a three-part listing of just about every tyre for 17s and greater. But in brief; the greater the distance between the rim and the road the better for various reasons including rim damage, and also to do with ride quality over rough roads. There are downsides but not relevant to offroad touring. Larger diameter tyres are IMHO not required for a D3 to navigate HC tracks; they aren't legal and you can't go very much greater anyway without rubbing. If people want large-tyred toys buy an old Patrol, Disco and have at it, the D3 isn't for that use again for various reasons such as clearance, effect on the electronics. I have driven stock-standard cars all over the HC for years and had no problem driving tracks.

Robert, excellent advise, thanks. I also like to keep a car as standard as possible.

I headed into a wet, gnarly section of Vic HC the first weekend I had my white, V6 S in 2005. It ended hung up on ruts (caused by huge wheels) and being 'assisted' up a particularly slippery rutted section by a Patrol (lets keep that between us!!!). I groaned every time the bottom of the vehicle dragged over rocks in the middle of the rutted tracks. Ouch.

Of course the 'S' had no air suspension. So when I got home I gave the car to Pedders who stopped normal production and used my car to design new +2" springs. Top mob. These worked well on the Hay River track shortly afterwards. It would have been irresponsible to attempt the trip without the lift. Now I've bitten the bullet and had air suspension models since and they are ace (regardless of electronic blips). And luckily all models have air now.

Two more question though RMP in case you've already got the answers:

It's my belief that the D4 has new braking package (Oct OV4WD article). (Does this include the 2.7lt?) If so, will I need to start a whole new search if I want after market wheels?

I suspect the smallest wheels for the D4 are 18"s? Is the hub the same as the D3? (I'll keep an eye on topic 'D3/D4 after market WHEEL OPTIONS' too)

FYI people: From RMP in Overlander 4wd forum: 'As for the D4...the TDV6 2.7 takes the same rims as the D3, unlike the 3.0.'

Talk about a can of worms. I know I'm not the smartest kid on the block, but

The search for perfection continues

D4 3.0 will only take 19 inch rims.