Genral views/ Advice on Wheel/Tyre Combo

Hi... So just looking for others views/ advice on what to do with my TD5 90's wheel/ tyre set-up.

Brought it with a set of 16" freestyles (very poorly painted) and a set of Kumho MTs 265/75R16 already on. Nothing wrong with the wheels (other than the s**t paint job) or the tyres, just not my taste and really need ATs for most of the driving I do.

So my thoughts are...
1. Change the wheels to Boosts or Sawtooth (views on which ones to go for, or other options)
2. Change the tyres to BFGs or GGs ATs... problem is I have a 2" lift (came with it and undecided on removing it or not) and really want the wheels to fill the arches, so looking at either staying at current size or moving up to 275s or even 285s or remove the lift and do something completely different!! Again your views on this or other options would be welcomed.

Thanks

I don't think there are any 275 sizes.

255/85R16 is a nice size for a Defender. But limited choice. Tall and not too wide.

285/75R16 is quite fat and not as tall as the above. These will likely impact turning circle unless you run spacers or different offset rims, then you run the risk of them sticking out of the arches, which in the UK is illegal.

300bhp/ton said:

I don't think there are any 275 sizes.

255/85R16 is a nice size for a Defender. But limited choice. Tall and not too wide.

285/75R16 is quite fat and not as tall as the above. These will likely impact turning circle unless you run spacers or different offset rims, then you run the risk of them sticking out of the arches, which in the UK is illegal.

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Thanks... you're most likely right about the 275s and something else learned on the start of my 90 ownership.
I do have the spacers on and currently extended arches (although again I'm thinking of changing the arches back to stock due to personal taste) so not a problem now, but something to keep in mind going forward... thanks.

No worries.

The 255/85 will fit straight on, they are just over 33" tall. And should be fine even with spacers and stock arches. The 285/75's are under 33" tall and may still rub the radius arms even with spacers on those alloys. And as a fatter tyre would run the risk of sticking out of the arches.

It will really come down to your choice in tyre to what is available sadly.

300bhp/ton said:

No worries.

The 255/85 will fit straight on, they are just over 33" tall. And should be fine even with spacers and stock arches. The 285/75's are under 33" tall and may still rub the radius arms even with spacers on those alloys. And as a fatter tyre would run the risk of sticking out of the arches.

It will really come down to your choice in tyre to what is available sadly.

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Thanks again for the advice (learning a lot about how tyres are sized already)... I really like the sound of the 255/85s but struggling to find any that are ATs. BFG do a MT as does TOYO but not really suited to the driving I'm going to be doing which is more long distance road to the Alps/ Scotland and then only light off-roading to get to start of climbs, etc.

Would a change in rim size opening up more options?

Maggsie8 said:

Would a change in rim size opening up more options?

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Yes sadly 255/85's are very slim pickings currently.

There really isn't much choice of rim sizes. 15" rims are quite common, as this is what most American vehicles ran. There are some interesting sizes such as 33.10.50R15 or 33.12.50R15, but I suspect you'll mostly find MT's and extreme MT's in these sizes in the UK. BFG might offer their AT's however.

I don't think anyone really makes a 17" rim for a Defender. You can get wheel adapters, a bit like spacers but they change the PCD to the same as a p38 Range Rover or Discovery 2. This will open up a choice of rims from 17" thru 19", but will probably be expensive when all said and done.

Also you may struggle to find circa 33" tyres in those sizes, you'll find 27-30" and 35-37" mostly, but not much inbetween. However might be worth looking.

Unless you are wanting to spend lots, I'd probably stick with the 16" rims or 15".