defender rims on 2a?

[Mustlust]

Will defender steel rims be a straight replacement for old S2a rims. They look similar but looks can be deceiving.

[isuzutoo-eh]

Yeah they are a straight swap for LWB rims, SWB rims are half an inch narrower though. I have fitted them to my SWB 2a at times.
The stud holes are greater diameter than 2a rims, I don't like the way the double ended lug nuts fit the Defender rims so I bought some late 2a nuts which are the same external dimensions as Defender nuts but suit the smaller studs on the 2a. Other people haven't got a problem with this so your mileage may vary. The late 2a lug nuts were $6.60 each from a local supplier.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

<snip> The late 2a lug nuts were $6.60 each from a local supplier.

or £0.34 ($Au0.55) each + shipping for after market replacements from the U.K 576103 WHEEL NUT 69-71 | shop | www.lrseries.com | L. R. Series

[Mustlust]

Thanks mark,
What do you mean by 'Other people haven't got a problem with this so your mileage may vary'?? Will the old lug nuts be a safe option?

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Just be aware that there are a number of Defender rims, some 5.5" others 6" and still others 6.5" along with a number of positive and mostly negative offsets.

If you don't have all 4 wheels with the same rims, you should have at least the same rim across an axle.

[isuzutoo-eh]

Thanks mark,
What do you mean by 'Other people haven't got a problem with this so your mileage may vary'?? Will the old lug nuts be a safe option?

I mean that other, better experienced people than I use the original smaller lug nuts without any problem or fear for their safety. I prefer the larger lug nuts as thats the size the rims were made for. I think its more down to opinion than actual safety.

[Blknight.aus]

ID suggest you pay the money and get the larger nuts to suit the rims....

[NiteMare]

i've the late127/130 6.5" rims on my series 3 at times (usually when i'm not going in the mud) and i think they look great with 235/85x16 tyres on them as they fill the arches nicely and give it a really "chunky" look on the road...

when playing in the mud i've a set of defender 5.5" rims shod with 7.50x16 Deestone Extra Grip tyres (they sound great on tarmac )

but there are quite a few variations of offset from what i've seen so far, i was measuring the difference between a 5.5" rivetted rim (might have been a Series rim) and a welded Defender 5.5" rim and found there's roughly a 7mm difference when laying a straight edge across the back of the rim and measuring to the mounting face, no doubt there'll be a difference to the 5" Series rims and i expect there'll be yet another difference with the 127/130 (6.5") rims and i think you'll find there's yet another difference with the early 1 Ton rims (IF you can find any)...

the reason i measure from the back of the rim is because of the possible extra limits on steering lock when running on 7.50 or wider tyres

on my '65 2a there appears to be mixed 5 and 5.5" rims at the moment but that's under rebuild so i'm not bothered at the minute