Steel wheels for FL2

[spelchek]

Looking to get a set of steelies and off-road tyres for my FL2. Did some sand track off-roading yesterday (mothers day request from the missus - surprised the hell out of me that she actually wanted to go offroading - might be the start of something !! and while she (the car and the missus) handled the soft stuff really quite well - I was always nervous of the 19' alloys and road tyres I've got on it. So I thought I'd start researching some wheel/tyre combos more suited to getting dirty.

Got a couple of questions for you all:

1. What size are the wheels for the fl2? Do all current LR's use the same studd pattern?

2. What size wheels/tyres would you guys recommend for offroad-only?

3. If I was to buy a set of wheels/tyres for off-road AND on-road use, what would you recommend?

4. Are there off-road/on-road tyres available for the 19 inch rims, and are they worthy of consideration - or are they a bad comprimise both for on and off road in this size?


Actually - I guess I'm looking for any and all info on shoes for the FL2 anyone here would like to throw at me! Ta!

[mikehzz]

Mate I looked at extra wheels for off roading. I already have the 17" standard alloys and just wanted an extra spare for outback travel. An extra wheel (just the rim) was going to cost over $700 each from LR. Its a pity we aren't in UK cause you can pick up full sets for that much with rubber on them. The 17's are fine off road, I've been all sorts of places in mine and not really had a problem. You have to ditch the street tyres though. I have Geolander ATS on mine and they are expensive because of the size, $325 a pop but they have been really good. I think from memory you are looking at $1600-$2000 for the after market wheels. Dorko on this forum bought a set so he would know (he might still have them since his FL2 was written off with hail damage).

The 19" tyres are ordinary off road because the profile is too low. On rocky roads you will pinch the sidewall and on sand you don't get enough ballooning. If you thought the 19's were good then you will be really surprised with the 17's. My Geolanders ATS's are great on and off road, a good all round tyre.

If you can find a lift kit, nudge bar and snorkel to suit then let me know.

Cheers
Mike

[Dorko]

Hey mate,

I went Speedy Wheels... they have a nice range now, before they only had one to suit the FL2. They will custom drill the stud pattern for you. I found it extremely hard to find shoes to fit off the shelf, and custom drilling was the only way at the time. I went a set of 17's with a set of Coopers ATR. However if i could do it again, i would go Coopers STT.

Dont get me wrong the ATR were fantastic on Sand, especially when lowed to 18psi. However now having MTR on my D4, i love the look and i assume it would be great in the mud and still floats over the sand. The noise from the MTR or the STT is no where near as bad as i thought, and i have the radio on all the time.

Unfortunately when i had the FL2 written off i had the 17's on it, but if you want another set of 19's... i have 5 rims/ tires, they only done around 5000kms...

However if you can go a smaller rim, the difference it makes to the FL2 is remarkable.

Dorko

[101RRS]

Hey mate,

I went Speedy Wheels... they have a nice range now, before they only had one to suit the FL2. They will custom drill the stud pattern for you. I found it extremely hard to find shoes to fit off the shelf, and custom drilling was the only way at the time.
Dorko

The above comment attracted my interest as I need to get something similar done - where did you get this done as Speedy Head Office now say they do not custom drill wheels.

Cheers

Garry

[Dorko]

Oh thats a bugga...

i went to Tyre Power and they did all the calls to Speedy.

Richard's tyrepower

Brim, his name from memory. Brilliant to deal with... within 5 days i had the new wheels delivered and new rubber put on.

I wonder why Speedy would stop custom drill? Is the head office in QLD, because i know thats where they drilled them?

Dorko

[101RRS]

Head office is in Sydney. Freelanders have the BMW - Commodore stud pattern so they may have been able to easily modify a wheel at the Qld workshop.

Cheers

Garry

[Dorko]

hmmm not sure if the FL2 has the same stud pattern as the Fords/Holdens... when i was going through the process it was only volvo....

or it might of been legal load per a rim....

or maybe it was both....

Dorko

[mikehzz]

Thinking on it, I think I got a quote from the big tyre/wheel place at Tempe on Princes Hwy in Sydney. They only had 1 set of wheels that would suit but that was about 8 mths ago now

[spelchek]

I rang speedy wheels today - there is only 1 wheel in their range to suit FL2's. Its the 'cross-5' model. Apparently FL2' have a unique stud pattern which makes any other LR wheel (including FL1) unsuitable. Typical!

Not sure about the FL2 having same stud pattern as BMW or commodore - none of the wheel people I spoke to today had that to say - they all said they were a unique pattern. GArrycol - where/who did you hear tht from, I;d like to have a chat to them about it because if it;s true it'll be a godsend!

[Dorko]

Yeh the Cross 5 is what i had! not pretty, but a very strong rim!

Dorko