Tyres for 5.5" rim?

DiscoRob · 14th January 2005, 09:54 AM

G'day All,

It's been a while since I posted or even visited the site, but well here goes another question.... :-)

My wife and I also own a Toyota Troopy, as well as the Disco. It needs new tyres and it does get used off road, with Cape York and Canning trips planned for this year and next. We have 6 of the 16 inch split rims, which are 5.5" wide.

Question: What's a damn good and tough tyre for these rims?

The std tyre it takes seems to be a 7.50R16LT. It's got a couple of Bridgestone Desert Dueller M+S (mud and snow - but look like AT tread) on the front and a couple Hankooks true LT road type treaded tyres on it now.

Someone told me that the Cooper 235/85x16 STs or ATs will fit these rims and are a good tyre. But I feel that they may be a bit wide for the skinny rims - are they? Anyone know? Wouldn't want tyre flex on the rim.

I was also thinking maybe about Goodyear Wrangler 7.50R16LTs as I saw them on a Defender on skinny rims at my LR dealer. What are they like?

Bottom line is I don't want to make it lower geared by putting a smaller rolling diameter tyre on it, (would the 235/85x16 be the same as the skinny std ones?), so whatever we choose it's gotta leave me with the same gearing, if you follow me.

I am open to all suggestions, but wouldn't want to spend more than $250 per tyre. I would think that you who own older Defenders with std rims might have a few opinions on this....

Changing rims is not really in the budget at this stage, so whatever we get has to properly fit the 5.5" rims. I'm guessing all of the LT type tyres have strong sidewalls, but maybe some are better than others...

Anyway, thanks in advance for opinions and I'll certainly take them all on board.

:-)

Regards,

Rob.

**Phoenix** · 14th January 2005, 10:46 AM

Ok, 235/85R16 is as near as the same size as a 750R16 as you will get. yes they are a little wider, but they will fit fine AFAIK.

Presuming you want an AT rather than a MT, you have a few options.

In the 750R16 size these are some of your options

Dunlop Road gripper F
Olympic Steeltrek (as used by the army)
Bridgestone 604V (my choice of AT's) AFAIK, there is also another AT from briggestone in this size.
Sime Konvoy (i'm buying these, are kinda close to a bar tread)

If you go to 235/85R16 you have heaps more choices.

Hankook MT RT01
Goodyear MTR
BFG MT
Bridgestone D673
Khumo 835 MT
Pirelli Scorpion Mud
Sumitomo Durango MT
Safari DJR
GT Radial Savero MT
Maxxis MT-762 Bighorn Radial
Maxxis MT-754 Buckshot Mudder
Nankang N-998 OW Mudstar

those are mostly muddies, but you get the idea :wink:

**Phoenix** · 14th January 2005, 10:47 AM

Oh, and as to which is better, if you are doing a bit of off road work, an LT tyre will last better, but as to which pattern, most are much of a muchness, personal preference I guess.

**VladTepes** · 14th January 2005, 12:47 PM

I had 235/85's on my 5.5" rims but was not happy with the extreme amount of sidewall bulge so I've gone to 7" disco rims now.

DiscoRob · 17th January 2005, 07:57 AM

Thanks for the feedback....

:-)

**Bushie** · 17th January 2005, 07:52 PM

Originally posted by VladTepes
I had 235/85's on my 5.5" rims but was not happy with the extreme amount of sidewall bulge so I've gone to 7" disco rims now.

I've just put new tyres on the Defender (5.5" rims), and ended up going for the Goodyear Wranglers, so far they seem OK (certainly better than the worn michelins).

While I was looking around most tyre fitters told me they wouldn't fit 235/85s as they are recommended for a min 6" rim (mind you there were a few who gave me the impression they would fit whatever I wanted).

Bushie

**LandyAndy** · 17th January 2005, 09:03 PM

The 235/85 X 16 is a VERY COMMON fitment to the cruiser split rim.They are a huge improvement over the 7.50 in ride and traction.You need to be a tad more wary of sidewall damage in some situations but I think you will be happy.
At least if you stick with the split rims,tyre changes in the bush are much easier (WITH PRACTICE [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] )
Andrew

**Maggot4x4** · 18th January 2005, 07:13 AM

I would go with the olympic steeltreks myself. The tyre is designed for the work you will be doing.

What better ad for them can you get than "As used by the Aust. Army for many years"?

**Maggot4x4** · 18th January 2005, 07:21 AM

You could also run these, they are designed for narrow rims.

http://www.intercotire.com/html/special_service.htm

**VladTepes** · 18th January 2005, 11:13 AM

mmmmmm, swampers [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

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