Thread: S2A tyre sizes

To my knowledge (most of it garnered from JDNSW)

SWB variants wore 6.00x16 Bar treads (still available) where as LWB versions had 7.50x16 Bar treads or radials.

If you drive it regularly and aren't after originality, I wouldn't recommend bar treads. They are very noisy and reputedly appaling in the wet.

A popular choice for daily shorties seems to be 205R16 Dunlop Super Grippers. I have a set on my (currently dismantled) SII SWB and they are a good tire.


I'm sure someone will set you right if I am incorrect.

Standard tyres were 6.00x16. First thing you should check probably is what wheels you have - for the 88 they should be 5" rims, but are likely to have been exchanged for 5.5" lwb rims. Of course, it is possible that the wheels are neither, but some third party type, which may be wider, and some Rangerover and Discovery wheels will fit, although most need modification to go over the larger hub.

Having established what wheels you have, you perhaps should talk to a local tyre supplier (or several) out what is available to fit in a suitable tread pattern depending on the use you plan. To match the speedo, you should look for an overall diameter the same as the 600-16, or about 28". Note that while it was originally fitted with crossply tyres, I doubt anyone will recommend this today for normal use. Note that the original wheels are not recommended for tubeless tyres.

When I had or used swb Series 1, 2 and 2a (a long time ago) they were fitted with 7.00-16, 7.60-16 or 6.50-16; I doubt any of these are available today!

John

The 6.00x16 to me are a little small and look funny but common 7.50x16 are a good fit and radials are much better than cross plies both on and off road and would be my choice. Pat

Thanks guys,

These tyre sizes would fit a Series 3 SWB as well, wouldn't they?

I'm rebuilding one for a mate and he is keen on putting Disco 1 steel rims on it - would it affect the turning circle?

Cheers

Robbie
__________________________

1954 86" Series 1 Soft-Top
1965 88" Series 2A Hard-Top
1975 109" Series 3 Trayback Ute
1981 109" Series 3 Stage 1 V8 Station Wagon
1995 Discovery 1 V8i
1999 Defender 110 Xtreme TD5

Originally Posted by Indiana Jones

Thanks guys,

These tyre sizes would fit a Series 3 SWB as well, wouldn't they?

I'm rebuilding one for a mate and he is keen on putting Disco 1 steel rims on it - would it affect the turning circle?

Cheers

Robbie
__________________________

1954 86" Series 1 Soft-Top
1965 88" Series 2A Hard-Top
1975 109" Series 3 Trayback Ute
1981 109" Series 3 Stage 1 V8 Station Wagon
1995 Discovery 1 V8i
1999 Defender 110 Xtreme TD5

7.50 x 16 was an option on Series 2/2a/3 swb, but should have the lwb speedo fitted. They increase the turning circle however. As mentioned, unless you have a good, specific reason (e.g. originality), do not use crossplies.

Wider wheels such as the Discovery 1 (not 2) wheels can be fitted - I'm not sure whether the centre needs modification though. The advantage of them is that they are designed for tubeless tyres, but the disadvantage is that unless I am mistaken they substantially increase turning circle due to the offset. There is no advantage to the increased width of this rim for 7.50-16, and if you increase the width of tyre beyond this, bear in mind that you are increasing the steering effort - and you do not have power steering.

John

Originally Posted by PAT303

The 6.00x16 to me are a little small and look funny but common 7.50x16 are a good fit and radials are much better than cross plies both on and off road and would be my choice. Pat

The vehicle was designed to be fitted with 6.00-16, so will look as it was originally.

Fitting larger diameter tyres such as 7.50-16 will increase offroad ability and reduce engine revs for a given road speed, but will reduce acceleration and introduce speedo error.

Fitting wider tyres increases steering effort and the effect of bumps on steering kickback, and increase turning circle. In theory they improve cornering by increasing the track, but given the Series suspension this is more theory than real. For the 25% increase of 7.50-16 this is not a major problem, but I would not go wider for normal use. And 7.50-16 are fairly widely available.

I agree that for all normal use, radials are preferable.

John

Robbie if you are fitting disco rims you will have to go up in size as 6.00x16 are too narrow for the rim.As john said I would fit a good radial.John with the speedo do you change the spiral gear on the handbrake or the speedo unit itself?. Pat

Originally Posted by PAT303

Robbie if you are fitting disco rims you will have to go up in size as 6.00x16 are too narrow for the rim.As john said I would fit a good radial.John with the speedo do you change the spiral gear on the handbrake or the speedo unit itself?. Pat

No, with the Series you have to change the speedo. Gears are all the same on all of them, except of course for the Stage 1.

You can probably get conversion gears that fit on the back of the speedo - I know I had one of these when metrication started here, but it only lasted a few thousand kilometres.

John