18 inch wheel/tyre combinations.

[gps-au]

After recent experiences, its damn obvious that 17 inch tyres are going to continue to be a supply problems due to the size so my thoughts are to go to 18inch wheels where the tyre choices are much wider plus availability around the country of tyres is much better.

I am also considering "hard" sidewals issues, I know wrangers are available in 15 inch with harden sidewalls, what about others and sizes, and lets really be honest the quickest way to shorten a tyre's life is a stuffed sidewall....

comments, ideas, suggestions ??

[rmp]

No, there are many, many more tyre choices, and cheaper, for 17s than 18s.

Don't follow this bit about sidewalls, but the lower the profile, the stiffer the sidewall must be.

[gps-au]

No, there are many, many more tyre choices, and cheaper, for 17s than 18s.

Not outside the capital cities !!

Check out Townsville as an example, better yet, check out Charters Towers... Whilst its a nice town to get stuck, but a 7 day wait for tyres can be expensive if you let the family go shopping

Don't follow this bit about sidewalls, but the lower the profile, the stiffer the sidewall must be.

Sure, but do a comparison on available tyres, its surprising that LR even considered putting Continentals on as standard....give me wranglers anyday over continentals.... forget handling, just strength of sidewalls.

[rmp]

Sorry, still don't follow. 17" tyres are definitely cheaper and there are far more models available.

Continental is a manufacturer and they make a wide variety of tyres. I don't follow the part about sidewalls?

[gps-au]

Sorry, still don't follow. 17" tyres are definitely cheaper and there are far more models available.

Actually some checking today actually confirms this, I originally thought there were more 18" around.

Continental is a manufacturer and they make a wide variety of tyres. I don't follow the part about sidewalls?

Continental sidewalls are weak as p*ss, I can show you a few failures when I get back south, and that was low speed on quite a good gravel road....

[Bushwanderer]

Hi gps-au,
Actually, there isn't much to buy in Charters Towers.

On a more serious note, if you are concerned about delays while you wait for a new tyre to be delivered, why don't you carry one with you?

Best Wishes,
Peter

[gps-au]

why don't you carry one with you?

I am intending to have 2 spares on the rear bar plus maybe a spare carcass on the roof, that way I should never need them (according to murphy)

But I am considering a complete separate set for trips and leave the ht's for the city and highway.

[TerryO]

While I have a SLS and ACE fitted D2a and not a D3 the D2 has 18's fitted standard. I was considering putting on some decent and taller more off road orientated tyres that wouldn't compromise the daily driving to much.
I guess I should go down the path of changing to 16's or 17's as most everyone recommends but I quite like the 18's on it and I don't intend to use it for rock hopping or anything to harsh etc.

As many D3's have 18's fitted unlike most D2's I'd be interested to hear what you guys recommend if any of you have gone down this path.

I was thinking about the KM2's as a possible option. They sound like a really good tyre. Any experiences with 18's and some reasonably decent off road tyres would be appreciated?

Cheers,
Terry

[Beardy]

Hey,

I have a D3 and recently bought a set of 4 LR D3 18" rims from Ebay then added General's Grabber AT2'. 255/60 R18

Having returned home from a weekends 4WDing, these tyres were great both on and off road- Similar tread pattern to the BF Goodrich AT (who dont make then in an 18").

If you have a D2 would you not be better off going for 17" rims (assuming that your discs and callipers allow) as the range of tyre combinations is greater to choose from?