Feed Back on 17" Tyres

[wardh]

As I have indicated in my previous post My D3 is a about to run out of Factory Warranty. Its also nearing time to fit new tyres and I am still unsure which way to go and more the hardest question what is legal in Qld.

I know this has been raised before but there are some questions I have that I feel members of this forum have first hand knowledge and experience of.

I have the 17" dia by 7" wide rims (which I wish to keep) on my D3 s vehicle and raised King Springs.

1 I like the idea of the 265/70 17" size tyre. (My reasoning is improved ground clearence and sand work) I am aware of the spare tyre issue and this is not a problem. My local tyre dealer has expressed concern that although that size tyre is wiithin the rim fitment width, he feels it is too wide and will compromize the handling of the vehicle when fitted to that width rim

Any comments from anyone who has fitted a 265/70 17 tyre on a 7" rim. Handling issues. Performance Gearing etc.

2 Another option is 255/65 17 this would keep the overall diameter of the tyre the same as the currently fitted 235/70 (won't improving clearance) but again would it adversly affect the handling. Also I have not been able to find a Light Truck build tyre in an ATR pattern in this size

245/70r 17 LT seems to be the easiest solution. But again not a lot of choice in tyres. Pirelli Scorpion, Cooper HT. Whats the opinion out there. is there any real advantage in a 265 width in comparison to 245.

Most of my driving is on bitumen and graded dirt roads. (will soon be pulling a 20ft van, also still have my boat) Off road is mainly sand (still love camping and fishing) and the occasional short venture on rocky maybe washed out tracks if no alterative route.

I avoid the serious off road stuff and rather find an easier way from A to B having spent years of being paid to go serious 4x4 driving (amazing where you can go with a fire up your tail) as a Forest Ranger prior to my retirement (I apologise now if anyone out there ever bought one of my ex gov vehicles )

Thanks in advance for your practical advice and comments

Howard

[chuck]

Your tyre dealer must be on drugs.
The 18" tyres are 255mm wide standard.
Your car could have been optioned with these wheels.
This makes the 265mm x 70 x 17 tyres 10mm wider & less than 50mm taller.
This is then a legal modification in most states & complies with the new Dotars Code of Practice.

Whilst I do not yet have a D3 I fitted 265 x 75 x 16 tyres to my D2 - this has done nothing but improve handling etc.

I am hoping to buy a D3s soon & the first modification I will do is fit a set of 265 x 70 x 17 tyres probably MT MTZ's or BFG MT KM2's.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Chuck

[rmp]

265/70 17 is 40mm over std and therefore not legal in Qld, and I'm pretty sure you'll have clearance issues.

The minimum rim width for such a tyre is typically 7.5" so your 7" are too narrow and thus not a legal fit anyway. Plus you'll slightly confuse the ESC with an incorrect speedo reading.

255/65/17 -- Bridgestone D694 LT. Will be fine on your 17x7.

245/70/17 -- Cooper STT for example.

Wider tyres handle better onroad, narrower better off and better in the wet. But a very marginal difference between 245-265 so choose based on price and availability.

[rmp]

en a legal modification in most states & complies with the new Dotars Code of Practice.

...which unfortunately, is not yet formally adopted by any state.

[Graeme]

I have earmarked Pirelli ATRs in LT245/70-17 as my everyday tyre when I get a D3 or D4 if it takes 17" rims.

[rovers1952]

Am now running Cooper S/T 245/70R17's and seem excellent at $335.00 each. However, a bit noisy at suburban speeds but ok at freeway speeds, and as good as anything in the rough stuff. These as far as I know are max legal in Qld and OK here in NSW.

[wardh]

rpm (Robert)

First thanks for the information.

Regarding Rim width, most manufacturers in there tyre specifications will quote a recommended rim width and a minimum and maximum rim width fitment for a given tyre size. Tyres (tubeless) as I understand and have reseached are engineered/made to fit within a range of rim widths that ensures the bead seals and holds the tyre when pressurised. Outside of these specifications the tyre could detach fail or suddenly deflate, not a good thing to happen.

The other interesting thing is that if a given size tyre, say our 265/70 is fitted to a 7" wide rim and measured for overall width then fitted to the 9" rim and measured again for overall width the tyre is not 2" wider. There is very little difference. There are charts available that will tell you what the percentage of overall width change will be when you apply the diameter, aspect ratio and rim width.

The 265/70r 17 tyre fitment rim width range is 7" to 9" with a recommended or ideal rim width of 8".

The rims I have will therefore take a 265/70R tyre but the fitment is at the narrowest end of the scale. This is what my local tyre dealer is pointing out and concerning him and is why I am trying to find out what effect that has if any.

The other thing I noticed was you quoted a Bridgestone D694 255/65 17 in a Light Truck construction. I had these tyres in 245/75 on my D2 and they were terriffic. I have checked the Bridgestone web site but it does not list that size in a LT construction.

Can you or anyone confirm Bridgestone make a D694 255/65R 17LT as I would seriously consider that tyre again

Thanks

Howard

[rmp]

Correct re rim widths. I got the 7.5min from another 265/70, may be different for different manufacturers but generally they're the same. The rim width has no effect on tyre width at all. If a tyre is approved for fitting on a 7" then it'll work and be legal.

Sorry my mistake on the Bridgestone. Try Cooper HT, ST and ST-C, General AT2. Maxxis S-1.

[gghaggis]

I'm unsure of the legalities of 265/70/17 tyres in Qld - in many other states, they are legal (within 50mm). But as far as compromised handling and width clearance issues, many of us here in the West have been running this size for 3 or more years as a daily tyre. No handling issues have been reported (and note that in the US they fit 285-width tyres with no modification). Tyres of choice in this size have been BFG AT, Mickey Thompson ATZ or MTZ, Maxxis Bighorn and Cooper STT. These are all fitable on the 7" rim.

Cheers,

Gordon

[rmp]

Good to know there's no clearance issues. The laws vary from state to state, Vic and NSW are +/- 15mm, SA is 50mm for 4WDs as an example.

Whichever tyre you buy ensure your rim width is approved for it and that is tyre-specific. You don't want to explain to your insurance company why you were running a 7" rim on a tyre approved for 7.5-9 for example.