Defender rim / tyre size

[ant_schomacker]

Hi guys,

Sorry for asking the silly question, but I haven't been able to find the answer (here or google). I've organised some new tyres for my 130 and they're due to be fitted tomorrow, but I've just had a really nasty thought... Will they fit on the wheels?

Here are the details, the rims I have are the standard steel rims 6.5" wide and they've been great with the 7.50s, but I'm getting a set of 235/85s. Hopefully these will fit on my current rims, or am I going to be up for another expense?

Thanks in advance,
Ant

Ps. I've tried calling the dealer that's doing my tyres but they're closed for the afternoon, and I'd rather know before heading off on a 900km round trip to find out that they won't fit.

[DeanoH]

No worries, 235/85's are listed as a 750-16 replacement and will fit OK on the 6.5" rims and be totally legal.

Some manafacturers actually list 235/85's as OK down to 5.5" so they can go on split rims, so at 6.5" you're laughing.

I've got 'em on my 130" and they're fine.

Deano

[ant_schomacker]

Thanks for that DeanoH!

Looking forward to getting the new tyres... the current ones are getting down towards uncomfortablely low tread levels. But after 55k with no rotating I'm happy with the XZLs(except for the price). Going to try the BFG KM2s - hopefully they last at least as long!

Ant

[JamesH]

Some manafacturers actually list 235/85's as OK down to 5.5"

Deano

Do you know off the top of your head what brands? Ive never seen any that go below 6" and I have the old 5.5" steel rims. 750R16LTs are getting harder to find.

cheers

[Nero]

Do you know off the top of your head what brands? Ive never seen any that go below 6" and I have the old 5.5" steel rims. 750R16LTs are getting harder to find.

cheers

We run the 235's on the work troopies which have the stock 16/5.5 rims no problems well other than we are still running tubes and splities.

[Defender Defender]

I have Cooper ST 235/85/16's on my standard rims on a 130 dual cab Puma and GT Adventuro 235/85/16's on 16x6 Sunraysias on my 94 Defender ute. I also run an old worn set of 235's on 5.5 Toyota rims on a trailer- fitted by tyre people who never said anything about the rims being too narrow. A couple of the mines I've worked at had 100 Series Cruiser wagons with 235/85/16's on 5.5 inch split rims from new, so they should be fine.

As an aside, regarding 7.50/16's, I've not long bought a set of Dunlop Road Grippers off a new Cruiser buyer who had to have his big alloys and fats. Bought the set of 5 with less than 500k for $250. Was quite surprised to get the rims as well- they got to be worth something...surely. The point is, I've found them to be reasonable tyres and most Toyota utes have alloys and fats, so, it doesn't hurt to make friends with a Toyota buyer. They get nothing for them when they trade tyres, so most'll take some sort of offer. And they'll think you a decent bloke if you offer them a shoulder to cry on when they come to realise their poor choice in purchase in vehicle

[JayBoRover]

And they'll think you a decent bloke if you offer them a shoulder to cry on when they come to realise their poor choice in purchase in vehicle

For a Newby you're funny guy! You'll fit right in.
Good heads up on the 7.50 x 16 Dunlop Road Grippers. I run them on my 109" Series 2a and they're perfectly adequate for that. Should last several lifetimes.

[Scouse]

Bought the set of 5 with less than 500k for $250. Was quite surprised to get the rims as well- they got to be worth something...surely.

I've done the same & got nearly as much for the wheels (late 5 stud splitties) as I paid for the lot .

[DeanoH]

Do you know off the top of your head what brands? Ive never seen any that go below 6" and I have the old 5.5" steel rims. 750R16LTs are getting harder to find.

cheers

I would have thought 7.50 16's would have been growing on street corners over in WA, especially out of town.

I've just had a quick look through Dunlop/Bridgestone and Beaurepaires sites and they don't give any info on rim widths, bloody useless. Michelin 235/85's I reckon are OK on splits but I defy anyone to make any sense of their web site, probably the worst I've ever seen.

Never the less Toyo aren't afraid to quote their M55 AT's for 5.5" rims. Cooper site used to specify their 235/85's to 5.5" but now say 6" as does Kumho.


Deano

[MLD]

I ran 235/85's on the standard defender 5.5" rim no problem. I currently have 255/85's on a disco 7" rim. Been told that the 7" rim will mount the 265/75 rubber, although that is about its max width for 7". You will have no problem with the 235/85's on the 6.5" rim.

I'm running the BFG KM2's, great tyre. A little noisy on the highway. Great when the black surface turns to brown. They are a little soft and are prone to having chunks taken out of them if you do alot of rock crawling and terrain like that.

enjoy the trip

cheers MLD