Tyre Size Opinions

**Homestar** · 3rd January 2011, 01:28 PM

Happy new year to all - just got back from a week at the beach, so I am all refreshed and ready to face the new year - I think... I hope everyone had a good Chrissy and new year, and got to and from wherever they went safely and trouble free....

anyway, after a fair bit of research, I have decided my new set of tyres for the Rangy will be some BFG MT KM2's. The last thing I need to decide is what size to get. I have a 85 RRC with stock 3.5 in it which is in good nick, and will run on the freeway at 110KMH no probs, only slowing a bit on the steeper hills. It is currently running a Mitchy road tyre - 205/80R 16 - overall diameter just under 29". I want something a bit bigger, and I know I'll trade off some power to do this, but I was wondering if anyone could give me thier opinion on the following sizes. Either a 245/75R 16 (30.4" Diam) or 235/85R 16 (31.7" Diam). My thinking is that I would go for the 245/75's, but I'm not sure if the width of these will cause too many clearance problems at full lock, or if I should go the 235/85's, but not sure if I will loose too much power going to this diameter? I'm not worried about fuel consumption, as it is just a weekender, but I still need it to be able to crusie around at 100 without my foot being flat to the floor all the time.

Any opinions/advise would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers - Gav.

**PhilipA** · 3rd January 2011, 02:54 PM

245.75x16 are the max size for an RRC without a lot of mods.
235.85x16 will need a body lift to be safe at all articulation.

For 245s you have to cut off the inner rear guard flange behind the doors from 12 oclock to 3 oclock, and cut off the bolt inside at 12 oclock.

Just adjust the bump stop at the front until it clears.235.85s will give a worse turning circle as they are taller so rub on the leading arm more

245s are about 6% bigger so you will notice a drop in hillclimbing ability but should be fine on the straight and level.
Regards Philip A

**Homestar** · 3rd January 2011, 03:14 PM

Thanks heaps Phillip - just the info I was looking for.

Cheers - Gav.

**Dougal** · 3rd January 2011, 08:11 PM

I've seen an approx 1990 rangie with 235/85's fitted, the owner said there were no problems with clearance.
I think they were Kumho KL71's. But I'd need another look to confirm.

**spudboy** · 3rd January 2011, 11:12 PM

Can't comment first hand on a RRC, but my '97 Disco 1 is pretty much the same chassis, and if you put on 235/85s they will definitely rub (and my D1 has a 2" lift as well, and they still rubbed).

**Dougal** · 4th January 2011, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by spudboy

Can't comment first hand on a RRC, but my '97 Disco 1 is pretty much the same chassis, and if you put on 235/85s they will definitely rub (and my D1 has a 2" lift as well, and they still rubbed).

Where do they rub?

You do realise that a spring lift does nothing for creating clearance? You need to either pack bottomout bumpers or lift the body to create more space.

**spudboy** · 4th January 2011, 08:47 AM

They rubbed on full lock, and also at the rear on the bodywork when getting high levels of articulation (i.e. cross axled etc).

Acceleration times, which are never great in a 300TDi, were also noticably worse with the bigger tyres on.

**PhilipA** · 4th January 2011, 08:56 AM

I've seen an approx 1990 rangie with 235/85's fitted, the owner said there were no problems with clearance.
I think they were Kumho KL71's. But I'd need another look to confirm.

Dougal, I have been on club trips where a member had 235.85 on a 2Door which has more clearance than a 4Door . On max articulation the rear half of rear guards was pushed out about 20CM for about 40CM in from the arch. I didn't really look at the front part of the rear guard but I am sure on a 2door it is bigger. I also have a 4 door 92 and I have fitted 245s in thepast but wasn' game for 235s , and also the gearing is out then by 10-11% and you begin to need 4.11:1 diffs.
To gain max articulation you must have soft springs, and drive on REALLY gnarly tracks. I suggest your mate may have not done that yet.
BTW there is a nother option of 215.85 but few brands make them . They ar eas big in diameter as a 245 .75 but narrower.
Regards Philip A

**Dougal** · 4th January 2011, 09:09 AM

Steering stops are adjustable for the front end, but of course rear guards aren't. Well not in a reversible way.
So it's the outer edges where clearance is a problem?

I of course don't have any first hand experience of where this guy has been with his rangie but his location has some challenging tracks. Other owners experiences on the net with 235/85 tyres are all over the place. Some claim no interference, some plenty.
I'll have to try it some day.

I have some re-treaded mud tyres for my vehicle which I haven't used for years. They are 750mm tall and have plenty of clearance. I use 225/75, 235/70 and 255/65 tyres the rest of the time as clearance for snow chains is necessary for me.
On full articulation in the back with the 225/75's I can get my hand between the guard and tyres all around.

I'd happily swap the 255/65's for anything else. They look good but aren't much use.

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