Freelander 1 What size wheels and which tyres for a bit of green lane driving?
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Alibro
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You sure it isn't original? I have something similar on mine.
The standard 16" alloys are 6" wide and use a 215 tyre. An extra inch will give you an extra 25mm treat width
Interestingly the spare on my Hippo is a Michelin 4x4 tyre with quite a chunky pattern. Looks as though someone in the past loved this car
That's the original spare tyre. I've a new one on my SE too. They were expensive to get at one time, and can't be mixed with other makes apparently.
There must be loads of unused Synchrones on the back of Freelander's.
Alibro
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Mmmmm, I must take another look as I think they are standard wheels so if your right they may be only 6". I take it they are measured from inside edge to inside edge?The standard 16" alloys are 6" wide and use a 215 tyre. An extra inch will give you an extra 25mm treat width
That's the original spare tyre. I've a new one on my SE too. They were expensive to get at one time, and can't be mixed with other makes apparently.
There must be loads of unused Synchrones on the back of Freelander's.
Ha! Maybe? I didn't make a note of the model name/ size - but it seems to have been well preserved under the original dealership spare wheel cover if it is 15 years old.
And more importantly, it looks a whole lot more useful than the Chinese tyres currently fitted to the road wheels...
Hmm - now there might be a good source of cheap tyres! LOL Well, so long as old rubber doesn't put you off that is...
Thanks Nodge
The standard Freedom 16s are definitely 6" wide.
GrumpyGel
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Changing the final drive on PG1s was discussed quite recently...The FL1 uses the following gear sets and ratios (from http://www.drawmer.net/libra/pg1ratios.htm):
Freelander 1.8: Gearset S4EM 1st: 3.25 2nd: 1.894 3rd: 1.222 4th: 0.848 5th: 0.648 Final drive: 4.2
Freelander T/D: Gearset S7EMU 1st: 3.25 2nd: 1.894 3rd: 1.222 4th: 0.848 5th: 0.648 Final drive: 3.647
Basically both cars use the same gearset - i.e. "S" which is the letter code for the combination of ratios for 1-5.
The only difference between the 1.8 and the diesel versions is the final drive ratio. The 1.8 uses "4" (which is 4.2:1 - and the same used on the MGF VVC and the VVC versions of the MG ZR and Rover 200/25). The diesels use "7" (3.647:1).
To the best of my knowledge, all PG1 gearsets are interchangeable - so there is plenty of scope to replace the gears with different ratios as needed. A "G" gearset might be a good choice for a 1.8 or a diesel where a lower ratio set of gears might be needed. G4 PG1 gearboxes are frequently found in ZR160s.
PS All Rover PG1 gearboxes on turbo-charged (petrol or diesel) cars use the "U" casing and gears - "U" standing for "Upgraded" - with stronger bearings etc.
More on the alphabetti-spaghetti of the gearbox codes here: http://mgf.ultimatemg.com/group1/info/Gearbox_numbers/index.htm
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-ro...sion-lowering-fl-1-overall-gear-ratio.302888/
Alibro
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Yip,I just remeasured and they are 6", I guess that means 215 is the max I can have. Not too worried though as there are plenty of tyres available that size.
Hmm - now there might be a good source of cheap tyres! LOL Well, so long as old rubber doesn't put you off that is...
Thanks Nodge
Is it like this?
If so, it's the factory fit Michelin Synchrone. They are a good tyre, if you can find a complete set
Keep an eye on eBay. They come up quite often. Just make sure you ask the seller if they are perished or have spent there life covered up. Luckily in the UK, the sun isn't as strong as other more southern countries, so sun aging isn't so much of an issue.
Very tempted by Nodge's suggestion when I get my Hippo back on the road - but also tempted by the Toyo option - http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-details/toyo-open-country-a-t-plus-215-65-r16-98-h#118681469_reviews
Always a challenge to figure out the best tyre option for any one car - but I am sure what ever I get will be better all rounders than the "LandSail" tyres currently fitted (bargain bucket availability at the local Kwik Fit that week I wonder?)
That's a toughie.
The primary reason for going with the Maxxis 771 was tread pattern. It's not very easy to find a decent AT tyre in the Freelander's 17" size range.
The road manors are better than with 16" rims and choosing a 60% profile on the 17" gives a small hight increase too.
The 771 also have a tread wear index of 500, which will give a long life. I would have used a Pirelli Scorton ATR in preference to the 771s but there's limited sizes available.
So for the moment, I went with the Maxxis Bravo 771 and I'm pleased with them. The only things that I would improve are lower road noise. The Maxxis do sawtooth on the rear over a few thousand miles, which requires them being swapped side to side.
And the wet grip, although better than budget rubber, doesnt quite match the best German offerings. Otherwise I'd recommend the Maxxis without an issue.
