Using different size wheels

I've an old Defender that I only use on my land, I blew out a tyre the other day (side wall cut open on a rock)
The tyres on it are crossply, I have a pair of radials that I can use. I was wondering if I put the smaller radials on the front and dont use 4WD then it should be ok shouldn't it ?

Really, grew up on this advert

d9022 said:

I've an old Defender that I only use on my land, I blew out a tyre the other day (side wall cut open on a rock)
The tyres on it are crossply, I have a pair of radials that I can use. I was wondering if I put the smaller radials on the front and dont use 4WD then it should be ok shouldn't it ?

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It’s permanent 4 wheel drive!! Not a good idea having odd sized wheels fitted

johnlad said:

It’s permanent 4 wheel drive!! Not a good idea having odd sized wheels fitted

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No.Just for fun mine has a LT85 and a 2.5N/A

d9022 said:

I've an old Defender that I only use on my land, I blew out a tyre the other day (side wall cut open on a rock)
The tyres on it are crossply, I have a pair of radials that I can use. I was wondering if I put the smaller radials on the front and dont use 4WD then it should be ok shouldn't it ?

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Given the LT85, and use on private land ..... then what could possibly go wrong ... I'd still be very careful, because radials/cross plies of the same size have a different rolling radius .... so it could get "interesting" quite quickly.....

Think I'd be getting a partworn off the bay ASAP......

d9022 said:

No.Just for fun mine has a LT85 and a 2.5N/A

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lt85 is a v8 box youd have to have an adapter plate to fit it to a 2.5
you can drive it round a field but not on the road at any kind of speed

If I drive it on hard gravelled lanes would it bugger the box.

d9022 said:

If I drive it on hard gravelled lanes would it bugger the box.

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That'll be a yes from me ..... Get on the bay and get a part worn or two - or your local tyre place - IMHO.

doriz said:

Really, grew up on this advert

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I'm still scared of old fridges!

Disco1BFG said:

That'll be a yes from me ..... Get on the bay and get a part worn or two - or your local tyre place - IMHO.

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Or silage pit!

wireman said:

I'm still scared of old fridges!

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As for the local pond!

d9022 said:

No.Just for fun mine has a LT85 and a 2.5N/A

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Do you still have an LT230?

Lionhound said:

Or silage pit!

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Exactamundo .... but .... Shhh - themz my tyrez ... get orft 'em

yes the transfer is a LT230, As far as I understand as long as I am in 2WD the rear drive is disconected from the front wheels.
Am I wrong?

I done so much silage when I was a nipper I'm allergic to Matbros, Black plastic* and tyres.

*women in slinky black plastic do not count.

d9022, you are wrong, your 90 is permanent 4 wheel drive.
However there is an extra diff in the transfer box that allows for different speeds between front and rear axles on hard surfaces. It has lock to give even front rear drive off road to improve traction.
There is no problem driving around steady off road with different sized tyre's, even if all four were different size's just as long as the centre diff is open.
The diffs will allow for different rotational speed's.
Even on road [ once had to use 600x16 trailer spare to get home on my 90 ] Not exactly legal but done slowly no problem and none for the axle or box either.
Put it like this, the diff's think they are going around corners even when you are going straight but as they can not see out they just carry on doing their job.

There is no doubt that the Transmission is the most misunderstood part of 90/110 Defender ownership.

d9022 said:

yes the transfer is a LT230, As far as I understand as long as I am in 2WD the rear drive is disconected from the front wheels.
Am I wrong?

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Unless you have modified the transfer box. There is no such thing as 2wd...