Thread: Best max tyre size for standard Defender 110

Bryce,

In your OP you said you had disco rims on a defender. Only the disco 1 rims fit the defender. Both the disco 1 steelies and alloy rims have a +33mm offset. I have both the steelies and alloys and I think the stamp on one or both are 16x7J33.

The factory steel rims are harder than the aftermarket rims. Some complain that the factory steelie doesn't hold air and has a tendency to deflate. I haven't experienced that. You'll need to modify the offset on the factory rim which is not much more than new aftermarket rims. Engineering might be a sting in the tail if you don't have access to a mate in the trade.

If you are after new rims and you settle on non-factory steel, go the Dynamic rims over the King rims. Feedback i've heard on the King is they are soft. Yes that makes them easy to bash out on the side of the track but the reason you are stationary trackside is because you bent a soft rim.

I still think that the 235/85 is a better solution to your problem.

enjoy, MLD

Originally Posted by MLD

I still think that the 235/85 is a better solution to your problem.

I have followed this thread with academic interest since I have no intention of changing from the 235/85x16 tyres that Land Rover thought were suitable for my Defender.

My reading of the information presented here and elsewhere is that fitting larger tyres can be an expensive exercise with very dubious benefits. In fact I can't think of many benefits but have read of several disadvantages and can think of a few more.

They are often significantly more expensive and less readily available. They often require the further expense of fitting of new rims. They often necessitate further modifications to deal with the problems they create. They often create handling and alignment problems. The slight improvement in clearance would often be balanced by the deterioration in turning circle, which on some tracks would be a greater inconvenience. In a lot of circumstances, they reduce performance because of the higher gearing.

On balance I am a bit mystified about why anyone would bother with anything other than the standard 235/85s.