Thread: Stock Defender Tyres.

I did the Birdsville, Simpson, Finke, Boggy Hole, Central Aus circuit last year in the SIII using 750R16 truck steer tyres (non aggressive). There was no need for aggressive tread along those tracks - unless it rains. So depending on the time of year, I'd be inclined to use up the Grabbers on this trip.

Originally Posted by dseddn

Hi looking for a bit of advice on the stock tyres on a new Defender, General Grabbers.
My question is do I replace them now I have read through forum threads here and elsewhere some say they are all right some have had troubles side wall bulges.
From what I have read they seem ok for general driving and light off road not to good in the mud.

The Grabber TR's are excellent road tyres, and would probably be OK in the outback in dry conditions. Strong sidewalls are needed here, and the Grabbers being M&S rated, are pretty good. The alloy wheels could get scratched about a bit though.

Tyres are always a problem, as MT's are NOT as good on wet bitumen as a good road tyre, and that IS important round the town.

I have found the only solution for me, is a set of muddies on steel rims (I've got 5 Defender 130 rims), and I put those on for trips. It's a bit of a PITA, but I feel it is worth it when the going gets slippery.

Cheers,

Lionel

Damn Grabbers!!!!

They came on the Defender - and after spending heaps on all the "extras' the Missus questions whether any more funds should go to "better" tyres!

So I throw everything, damned everything, at the Grabbers - the buggers would not puncture (on one trip to the NT the other bloke with me had 3 punctures in a day, our boat trailers had several punctures - the Grabbers? not a puncture!!) - I abused the things, would not rotate them, basically I wanted some muddies but She would not relent.

Finally, the Grabbers wear out! MTR's on - hurrah!

Then I wipes the vehicle out!

New Defender and what does She say: "Oh great, it has those tyres that don't wear out, isn't that good!"

God give me patience!

If it is dry mate, in my experience the Grabbers will take it and more - in the wet forget it - you will be on a roller-coaster.

general grabbers my ass...

super slippers is more like it...

not bad highway rubber, tops on beach sand...

Do not go near gravel or mud or clay, or sandstone... you will get to experience traction control in all its finery.

Its worse if your towing.


They're not to bad if its all straight but get a bit twisty and theres not a lot of warning between its a nice settled corner and the co-pilot screaming, "more pedal, more pedal, get into it point it go go go".....as you drift nicely across the line of the track your on and begin considering just how tough those factory side steps actually are.

theres an off camber roundabout in wodonga I could power slide big red around every time it drizzled with the TC telling me that there was something not right grip wise.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

theres an off camber roundabout in wodonga I could power slide big red around every time it drizzled with the TC telling me that there was something not right grip wise.

Dseddn, like I said, and Blknight has confirmed, in the wet - forget it! I probably don't give the 'Fender the right-boot like Blknight does (how the hell DO you get the "Fender into a slide) - I am definitely growing old! - No, I AM an old fart).

But this "thing" about the Grabbers hits a raw nerve with me.

Why the hell do Land Rover fit a bloody highway tyre to a Defender? Let me say that again, please.

Why the hell do Land Rover it a blood highway tyre to a Defender?

Who buys a new Defender to drive on the highway? I'm sorry but I have not a met a single person yet who meets that category. That person buys a Mitsy, Pathfinder etc etc.

I asked the Land Rover 1800 whatever (Customer Assist - I think - whatever they rang me to ask if I was satisfied with the new vehicle) - their reply? "Oh a lot of people buy a Defender to tow a horse float".

My reply: Well they will probably go on wet grass so their in trouble.

General Grabbers/Land Rovers - you would think on a new vehicle such as a Defender the AT2's would at least be standard fitting.

Then again - how stupid am I - that would translate to customer service - and that is not a gene Land Rover management possess.

All the above makes interesting/amusing reading ... ... Leave em on till they wear out then, replace with your fav MTR's

If it's dry where you're going they will be adequate for the job. We went to the Cape and back, OTL both ways on Grabbers without a prob.

If you've got money to burn change now, otherwise wait and wait and wait til the wear out.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Barra1

how the hell DO you get the "Fender into a slide

theres an off camber round about in wodonga heavily used by delivery semis so the black top is nicely polished and the road is well used enough to have its fair share of accidents/drips of oil/grime on it..

I found out that I could get it loose when the surface was wet by accident it was a bit of a "whoooops, throw in left hand down and boot it" moment which had the desired effect of me not hitting anything but the undesired effect of me exiting one turn off to many to the right.

SWMBO knew that if it was raining I was going to be at least 15 minutes late, not because Id slow down on the wet roads but because ID have to have at least 2 goes at the round about before Id get bored of it...

if you really want to get a fender sideways, fit some General grabbers, blow em up to 48 in the rear and 32 on the front, find a decent bit of gravel road then feed it some noise in 3rd at about 60 around a bend with the CDL unlocked, The tail end will step out just nicely...

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

blow em up to 48 in the rear and 32 on the front....

Without hijacking ... .. what's the general consensus on tyre pressures?
I seem to recall something ridiculous like 28 front, 48 rear on the placard

I tend towards 32 front + 38/42 rear.