Thread: Tyres for 5.5" rims

Originally Posted by Warb

I've just been to my local tyre dealer to look at options for tyres. Whilst they "may be able to get 7.50R16's" their mainline brands don't seem to make them anymore.

So the next best choice is 235/85R16.

Who have you asked?

I've just been shopping around and found 7.50R16 tyres in most of the major brands (dunlop sp road gripper, simex or now called just sime tyres, bridgestone plus a couple of others). I looked at the option of going the 235/85 but didn't like the look even though they are supposedly the same. Been quoted as high as $320 for the SP road gripper and as low as $200 each fitted and balanced. Getting a set today through Kmart tyre and auto as they will price match and at the moment give you a $100 fuel card if you buy 4 tyres, their price will be $220 each but in spending an extra $80, i get $100 fuel card so still up by $20 plus they do fly buys points so that is a bonus. The sime tyre was good looking too at $200 each, lots of tread and nice aggressive pattern.

The SP is still used on 100 series cruiser split rims.

Hope this info helps a bit.

I have 255/85 Maxxis Bighorns on my 110, and have used them on my IIA. I have been happy with them. They work well in most offroad situations (exclusing mud) and are excellent on the road.

I have done about 60000 km on mine now including a CSR trip, tassie trip, and 4 times across the continent from east-west or west-east. They are only 2/3 - 3/4 worn! I would happily buy them again.

Originally Posted by Warb

I've just been to my local tyre dealer to look at options for tyres. Whilst they "may be able to get 7.50R16's" their mainline brands don't seem to make them anymore.

Hi Andrew, I don't know if you noticed the 750x16 Olympic Steeltreks on my vehicle, but they came from Mick Tinnock at Cooma 0414 484 120.

He gets them second-hand ex-army at Bandiana (the RAEME depot) with about 90% tread on them.

The last one I got cost $120 delivered.

He might be worth a call.

Peter

Originally Posted by pfillery

Who have you asked?

I've just been shopping around and found 7.50R16 tyres in most of the major brands.....

At present I've only been to the local tyre shop, however being in a rural area the local tyre shop may not represent a full market analysis! On the other hand, buying a size/brand/type that the local guy stocks does mean I can get a replacement (if I destroy one) without too much trouble. There are another couple of tyre dealers in the next town, and I'm going there tomorrow so I'll give them a try, armed with your information! I must say that I had a Hilux with Road Grippers on split rims, and on a wet road they were very poor - very careful use of the throttle was needed to stop the back end stepping out on uphill bends! But then I have Cooper S/T's on my current Hilux, and they're nearly as bad.....

Originally Posted by peterg1001

Hi Andrew, I don't know if you noticed the 750x16 Olympic Steeltreks on my vehicle, but they came from Mick Tinnock at Cooma 0414 484 120.

Hi Peter,

Yes I did notice them. How do you find them? I remembered that you said Mick sometimes sells tyres on eBay and was intending to have a look (or give him a call) to see what he had!

Originally Posted by Warb

Yes I did notice them. How do you find them? I remembered that you said Mick sometimes sells tyres on eBay and was intending to have a look (or give him a call) to see what he had!

He was advertising quite widely on ebay a year or so ago, and he just happened to advertise again when I was looking for another tyre.

Peter

Originally Posted by Warb

I've just been to my local tyre dealer to look at options for tyres. Whilst they "may be able to get 7.50R16's" their mainline brands don't seem to make them anymore.

So the next best choice is 235/85R16. The Coopers tyres in that size are listed as needing rim width 6.00-7.00 inches, but Maxxis list the MT-762 ("Big Horn") and MT-753 ("Bravo"), both in 235/85R16, for 5.5-7.0 inch rims. So they are within spec. on the standard 5.5" Land Rover rims.

Tubes are not a problem, despite the internet debate on the subject, because tubeless tyres are routinely used on old split rims that need a tube. This was confirmed by Coopers themselves when I asked them directly.

Has anybody used the Maxxis 753 or 762 tyres? I realise they won't look "original", but that doesn't worry me too much as tyres can easily be changed back should I ever wish to!

Warb.I use mich.tyres and stamped on the side wall is a warning not to use 6.5 rims the tyre size 235 85 16 also the compliance decal states 16-7j so this can affect insurance claims.I liked the 750.16 tyres but gave up in the end.Best of luck Lochie

Wouldn't the steel treks, despite having good tread, be a little old to be effective? Olympic hasn't made tyres for years so these ex army ones would be quite old.

the worry using a 235 or similar is that these would be tubeless tyres I'd imagine, whereas the series rim is a tube rim, might find the tube wears on the inside of the tyre.

Originally Posted by Warb

I must say that I had a Hilux with Road Grippers on split rims, and on a wet road they were very poor - very careful use of the throttle was needed to stop the back end stepping out on uphill bends! But then I have Cooper S/T's on my current Hilux, and they're nearly as bad.....

Maybe it was just the car! The cruisers use the 7.50 road grippers as standard equipment, maybe the hilux is just lighter at the rear end.