Off road on 20s

[Jimlr]

Am looking at getting into a disco 4.

Realistically, how far is it reasonable to expect to get off-road on 20inch 50 series rubber? (Pirelli scorpion zeros, as per current spec). Can such tyres be deflated for sand / beach use, for example?

Not looking to do serious rock crawling or mud ruts or anything......and wouldn't expect to do a trip round oz or into the middle without changing to 18s....

Appreciate any advice.

[camel_landy]

I'd avoid airing down on 20"... There's just soooo little sidewall to begin with. 19" or even 18" would be more preferable.

20" look nice but not the most practical off-road.

M

[chuck]

The advantage of 20's is the greater choice of tyres than 19's.

This then allows you to fit a larger tyre while remaining legal & having more sidewall than the 19's.

Having said the above 18" GOE Rims are the best choice.

It is a pity these are not available thru the dealers as an option.

[discotwinturbo]

It is a pity these are not available thru the dealers as an option.

Don't think that will ever happen with Land Rovers attitude to non genuine gear.

They told me it would void my warranty by putting GOE rims on....and they put that in writing, which is extremely dangerous for them and a breach off the trade practice acts. I then replied and stated so if my power windows fail you won't fix them....and then told them of the breach by making such an ill informed statement. They apologized....and have that in writing too.

Brett....

[Dougal]

A 275/50R20 only has 1 inch less sidewall height than a 205/80R16.

Perception vs reality and all that.

[discotwinturbo]

A 275/50R20 only has 1 inch less sidewall height than a 205/80R16. Perception vs reality and all that.

But that one inch, would give so much more of a longer foot print when they are lowered....especially an 80.

Brett.....

[Owl]

A 275/50R20 only has 1 inch less sidewall height than a 205/80R16.

Perception vs reality and all that.

But....
1/ 1" is nearly 20% more tyre wall. 1" mightn't sound like much, but when you start with only 5" of sidewall.........

2/ You need to compare apples with something similar. Your 275/50R20 is a 31" tyre. a 31" tyre on a 16" rim will have 2" more sidewall than on the 20"rim.

And the difference in being able to protect the tyre / rim from damage is much more than the 40% difference in sidewall height IMHO.

[First LR]

I was wondering if anyone has actually fit more aggressive AT tyres to their 20" rims on a SDV D4?

I am currently considering the following tyre choices (which all appear to be just legal) and would love to hear personal experiences(value/price, performance, noise, rubbing, mods needed etc..) from someone that has tried any of them:

Cooper LTZ 275/55/20
Cooper AT/3 275/55/20
Nitto Terra Grappler 275/55/20
Yoko Geolander AT/S 275/55/20
MT Baja STZ 275/55/20
Falken Wildpeak A/T 275/55/20
Pirelli Scorpion ATR 275/55/20

FYI, I have the GOE rods, but if I fit these tyres, I would like to know if I will need to have them permanently at lifted height or whether the standard height will work without rubbing.

I am also considering the GOE 18" rims, but I have read lots of threads on that, so i am just interested in peoples views on 20" offroad options.

_____________________________
"Black" SDV HSE 2013, Snorkel, Rear carrier, Long range tank and now looking for some traction

[AnD3rew]

Did you see the Top Gear Africa episode when James May's Volvo with low profile tyres hit a pothole, not only did the tyre fail but the entire alloy rims cracked in half around the circumference.

The car is amazing enough that it will take you incredible places no matter what rubber you have on it, it will be less a question of off road ability and more a question of reliability.

[Dougal]

Did you see the Top Gear Africa episode when James May's Volvo with low profile tyres hit a pothole, not only did the tyre fail but the entire alloy rims cracked in half around the circumference.

You would however expect landrover alloy wheels to be significantly tougher than volvo car items with a lot more air/rubber cushion than low profile car wheels.
James went through a few wheels on that trip. He had at least two spares on the roof at one point.