Tyre size changes.. what would you do? please give your views.

Hi folks.
I'm currently running my 90 with a 2" lift kit, standard arches and 265/75/16's, see pic, but keep looking at it and thinking maybe i should change the tyre size.
I'm really mixed as to which way (if any) to go with this, as the set up isn't exactly bad.. i'm just one of those who likes a change occasionally.

Firstly i thought about going to 285's for a slightly meatier look, but am wondering if that will take from the speed/power a little.

On the other hand i thought about going down to 235's, but then wondered if this would look too small with the lift kit etc

Oh, and was going to look at wider arches at some point!!

With regards to all these sizes, and any others you care to suggest, i am more interested in it looking balanced than anything else, and so would be interested in any pics you have of your defenders with lift kits and alternative sizes as a comparison, wide arches or not. Also what the pro's and cons are of the alternative sizes suggested.

Many thanks.

I run 235 85's on 16" rims and am very happy with them.

I'd like larger diameter, but for now the 19J is pushed when driving on roads or with any great loads or towing. When I get my 300Tdi engine in I'll consider moving up a little to 35" diameter tyres .. 35's only 2" larger than what I have but _does_ seem to make a big difference .. though a locker in the rear axle might do more ..

Can you explain more about the locker in the rear axle!! what's that all about paul?
also.. the 35's are 'i take it' also larger than the 265's. Is that correct?

oh, and just for info purposes.. i have a 300tdi disco engine with disco transfer box fitted.

The tyres you have now are roughly 31 inch diameter, I'm running the same size (but in AT's).

Pauls are 33's, slightly narrower but taller. The 35' are obviously a step up again.

Going to 33's shouldn't make too much difference on your defender. I went from the standard 29" to 31" on the Disco and it's fine.

hawky666 said:

Can you explain more about the locker in the rear axle!! what's that all about paul?
also.. the 35's are 'i take it' also larger than the 265's. Is that correct?

oh, and just for info purposes.. i have a 300tdi disco engine with disco transfer box fitted.

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Google locking differentials, you will find lots of info

But basically an axle locker makes both wheels on an axle drive at the same time, not just one wheel as on a standard diff. Probably makes more difference to the capability of a Land Rover than any tire changes.
There are many kinds, some are fully automatic, others are actuated by compressed air or an electric solenoid.

One thing to remember with big tyres is that they will actually limit where you can go if you want to drive through tight overgrowth, through narrow gateways, or in very steep places, consider what sort of driving you will do before choosing.

I have always just had standard size tyres on all my landies. If I need bigger wheels I use this
37" wheels( rim size, of course! ), and has a mechanically operated diff lock in back axle.

you should also watch going up in tyre size increases sprung weight (quite dramatically in some cases) which can affect the comfort in your vehicle.

I had 35's on my l200 and sheesh did it make it uncomfy!

vilguy said:

you should also watch going up in tyre size increases sprung weight (quite dramatically in some cases) which can affect the comfort in your vehicle.

I had 35's on my l200 and sheesh did it make it uncomfy!

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True, and also increases the gearing, which will impact on road acceleration, and also make it difficult to go slowly enough in some extreme off road situations.

Turboman said:

True, and also increases the gearing, which will impact on road acceleration, and also make it difficult to go slowly enough in some extreme off road situations.

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i preferred it with the increased circumference, it made the speedo read accurate! and motorway cruising was much more relaxing.

as said though, your crawling speed will be increased and you will effectively loose torque due to the increased moment arm which is being used. Pulling a heavy trailer could become an issue (if you do any)

Yep, they said it all.

I personally don't go for 'wide' tyres, I prefer a larger sidewall potentially for more 'give' and to keep the profile within standard wheel spats, without wheel spacers either. This, to my way of thinking, stops hassle all round, such as being legal or looking too 'Tonka Toy' rather than fit for purpose. In my experience much wider tyres aren't necessarily any better in the UK on most of our green lanes. Widest I'd use might be 11.5" tops, but I'll try for 35 x 10.5 ish when I go up a size again. Some of the lanes we use, all over the UK, are very, very small, with barely wide enough gates for stock tyres let alone balloons and wheel spacers.

I'd like a locker mostly 'cos I'd rather follow the blokes I go with rather than getting stuck too much and relying on the winch. They all have axle as well as centre diff lockers! Also we aren't always on green lanes, so when the ruts and mud's deep or the rocks are steep, I have to work hard to drive through or over, and maybe hammer the vehicle a little more than I like to! I prefer a slower engine speed and finesse, trying not to stop, to get through .. but have also been known to just crash through ****e occasionally!! If I ever get enough spare cash together it'll be a diff locker I buy first.

Yes, larger tyres do have an impact on speed, acceleration and probably reliabilty 'cos you have to work the engine more to get the best from it, unless you lower gearing to suit. I also mostly rely on the GPS for an accurate speed, the speedo being more of a guide, not necessarily the actual speed being driven ..

Also, I don't care what they look like, so long as they don't look stupid! I can't afford to be too choosy, so mine were cheap (£540 for four on new rims), they're pretty grippy and so far pretty reliable and lasting well considering the uses they get put to. 1 Flat since I've had them, and that was only a rim getting un-sealed, probably due to mud being forced into it on a couple of tight corners in North Yorkshire!

Should have said, the 90 has +2" lift springs all round with +5" shocks and better trailing arms at the rear with +2" shocks and standard arms at the front. All bushes are LR standard type. No lift spacers, the springs are supposed to be Bearmach HD, though they're a lot softer than some +3" springs I did have on, and so work much better as suspension. The Winch weighs 22 Kgs and the bumper about 20 Kgs so the front sits just a little low, maybe 1/2" but it still works well as a complete package. I carry about (very roughly) 200 Kgs up to 250 Kgs in the back when laning, depending upon whether I'm camping over or not.

It's unlikely to work well as a competition Trialler, the setup's way too stiff, but as a green laner and camping vehicle it's superb ..

I'd still like a locker though ..

Great info guys. Just reading and absorbing now

Thanks Paul, for the phone chat.
Looks like i'm going to stick with the route of bfgoodrich MT 265 75 16 and i'll keep the insa turbo's as spares in garage and 1 on board, if i can sort the rear wheel carrier that is.

All advise was appreciated guys.

Paul D said:

Yep, they said it all.

I personally don't go for 'wide' tyres, I prefer a larger sidewall potentially for more 'give' and to keep the profile within standard wheel spats, without wheel spacers either. This, to my way of thinking, stops hassle all round, such as being legal or looking too 'Tonka Toy' rather than fit for purpose. In my experience much wider tyres aren't necessarily any better in the UK on most of our green lanes. Widest I'd use might be 11.5" tops, but I'll try for 35 x 10.5 ish when I go up a size again. Some of the lanes we use, all over the UK, are very, very small, with barely wide enough gates for stock tyres let alone balloons and wheel spacers.

I'd like a locker mostly 'cos I'd rather follow the blokes I go with rather than getting stuck too much and relying on the winch. They all have axle as well as centre diff lockers! Also we aren't always on green lanes, so when the ruts and mud's deep or the rocks are steep, I have to work hard to drive through or over, and maybe hammer the vehicle a little more than I like to! I prefer a slower engine speed and finesse, trying not to stop, to get through .. but have also been known to just crash through ****e occasionally!! If I ever get enough spare cash together it'll be a diff locker I buy first.

Yes, larger tyres do have an impact on speed, acceleration and probably reliabilty 'cos you have to work the engine more to get the best from it, unless you lower gearing to suit. I also mostly rely on the GPS for an accurate speed, the speedo being more of a guide, not necessarily the actual speed being driven ..

Also, I don't care what they look like, so long as they don't look stupid! I can't afford to be too choosy, so mine were cheap (£540 for four on new rims), they're pretty grippy and so far pretty reliable and lasting well considering the uses they get put to. 1 Flat since I've had them, and that was only a rim getting un-sealed, probably due to mud being forced into it on a couple of tight corners in North Yorkshire!

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I beg to differ paul lol

wiltshire landyman said:

I beg to differ paul lol

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