Narrow Spare Wheel- is it feasible?

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Al2O3

Al2O3

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I've been pondering replacement tyres and plan to get some once I get the Landy through it's MOT.
I've currently got BF AT's 265/75/R16 on Freestyle alloys. I read the tyre threads to see what is popular and so I might stick with the BF AT's, though I've never been that struck on them in the wet!
As you will all know, a single wheel and tyre combo is very heavy.
Anyway, the spare used to be fixed to a plate on the back door. The door fell apart, standard corrosion but must have been helped with the weight of the wheel and the the shock wave that went through the door each time you closed it.
About 8 years ago I bought a new door, had it painted and bought a wheel carrier. It was the type that bolted to the centre of the door, not swing away. The shock wave through the door was still there. That door was beyond repair when it came to the rebuild.
So, I'm thinking, could I get a narrow wheel and tyre, as a get me home and greatly reduce the weight on the door?
Will this be completely illegal? What if I stick a 'Max 60kph' sticker on it? (not sure of what that speed is)
Would this be ok on a typical family car, but not on a Defender 90?

Thought I'd post this now while people are thinking tyres reading Hard-Drives tyre post.
 
what about just getting a swing away?

I would think the first stumbling point about getting a narrow tyre/wheel would be finding a narrow wheel with a land rover stud pattern
 
what about fitting something like a mantec wheel carrier
or trek overland mantec spare wheel carrier.jpg

fitting a standard spare wheel holder to the rear bulkhead (behind the seats) so the spare would up against the rear bulkhead in the back
if you know what i mean
 
I've got my old wheel carrier in the shed. It needs a rub down and paint, but I was considering doing without and was hoping a lighter wheel would be easier on the door. I would have to drill my galved capping of course :eek:
I've considered putting it up against the centre bulkhead, but I don't think the seats would go down.
 
Don't know for sure but I think early series had narrower rims.

Could always "man-up" and put it on the bonnet. :):) no don't do that it's pants.
 
frog hopper said:
Don't know for sure but I think early series had narrower rims.

Could always "man-up" and put it on the bonnet. :):) no don't do that it's pants.
Click to expand...
I would have to man up. It would almost be a two man job to lift the bonnet with one of those wheels on. :)

I think I might try to weigh the one out the back of the house on the bathroom scales!
 
I have the same tyres on boost alloys, but have a narrower tyre on the back door. As long as the Diameter is the same as the rest you will be fine as a get you home tyre.
 
Just as a thought, and I don't know what sort of bonnet stay you have, the early 110/90's had a self locking bonnet stay so would make it easier to lift into position. You'd still have to ask a mate to help you down with it though, and the bonnet mounted spares are awful to have to see around.
 
Michelin Latitudes are a fair bit less wide than many Landy tyres. Don't think you'll save a huge weight though. I guess a simple modular wheel will weigh less than a full standard steel. Combined you might save a few kilos.
 
Al2O3 said:
Done that. 33kg A shade over 5 stone! :eek:
Click to expand...

I have just checked the weight of a 5.5 inch series rim with a 750X16 Avon Rangemaster on it = 31.46 Kg only a little saving on your 33Kg.
You can get 6.00X16 tyres may shave a little more off the weight.
 
The D4 comes with a ''space saver'' wheel ( I know as had to put one on for the boss a couple of weeks ago ) looks stupid as with it on but it does feel an awful lot lighter , is the pcd the same ? is it a possibility ?
 
Al2O3 said:
I've been pondering replacement tyres and plan to get some once I get the Landy through it's MOT.
I've currently got BF AT's 265/75/R16 on Freestyle alloys. I read the tyre threads to see what is popular and so I might stick with the BF AT's, though I've never been that struck on them in the wet!
As you will all know, a single wheel and tyre combo is very heavy.
Anyway, the spare used to be fixed to a plate on the back door. The door fell apart, standard corrosion but must have been helped with the weight of the wheel and the the shock wave that went through the door each time you closed it.
About 8 years ago I bought a new door, had it painted and bought a wheel carrier. It was the type that bolted to the centre of the door, not swing away. The shock wave through the door was still there. That door was beyond repair when it came to the rebuild.
So, I'm thinking, could I get a narrow wheel and tyre, as a get me home and greatly reduce the weight on the door?
Will this be completely illegal? What if I stick a 'Max 60kph' sticker on it? (not sure of what that speed is)
Would this be ok on a typical family car, but not on a Defender 90?

Thought I'd post this now while people are thinking tyres reading Hard-Drives tyre post.
Click to expand...
The same rolling radius is all you really need as a get you home tyre. Just don't drive like a tit with it fitted, if it's a different width or tread. But should be fine otherwise.

Not sure you'll see much weight saving however. But to be honest, safari door mounted wheels should be fine. Plenty of 40-50 year old vehicles with original doors and spares fitted to them.

If your door keeps failing, then I wonder if it is something else causing it, not the shutting or hanging of the spare.


As for BFG AT's. If you live in the USA and drive on sand, baked mud and rocks. Go for it. If you are in the UK, then you can get much better AT's for your money.
 
zeaphod said:
Michelin Latitudes are a fair bit less wide than many Landy tyres. Don't think you'll save a huge weight though. I guess a simple modular wheel will weigh less than a full standard steel. Combined you might save a few kilos.
Click to expand...

It just seems to make sense to try and save some weight. I might have to try the wheel carrier again.

Tim4x4 said:
I have just checked the weight of a 5.5 inch series rim with a 750X16 Avon Rangemaster on it = 31.46 Kg only a little saving on your 33Kg.
You can get 6.00X16 tyres may shave a little more off the weight.
Click to expand...
That's amazing and very disappointing. Thanks for checking that out!

z1000st said:
The D4 comes with a ''space saver'' wheel ( I know as had to put one on for the boss a couple of weeks ago ) looks stupid as with it on but it does feel an awful lot lighter , is the pcd the same ? is it a possibility ?
Click to expand...

No idea if the PCD is the same, but worth investigating. Cheers.

300bhp/ton said:
The same rolling radius is all you really need as a get you home tyre. Just don't drive like a tit with it fitted, if it's a different width or tread. But should be fine otherwise.

Not sure you'll see much weight saving however. But to be honest, safari door mounted wheels should be fine. Plenty of 40-50 year old vehicles with original doors and spares fitted to them.

If your door keeps failing, then I wonder if it is something else causing it, not the shutting or hanging of the spare.


As for BFG AT's. If you live in the USA and drive on sand, baked mud and rocks. Go for it. If you are in the UK, then you can get much better AT's for your money.
Click to expand...

I think the door fails due to the flexing of the door, due to the weight of the wheel, when you shut it. I think over time it cracks paint and lets water in.
I presume AT's are better in the wet then? I've never used them before.

EDIT
Meant are General Grabber AT's better than BFG AT's in the wet?
 
Last edited:
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