Wheels and tyres for a swb series 3

norried · Mar 2, 2018

So I haven't actually picked up my series 3 yet due to being snowed in however since I'm bored I've been looking up tyres as the bloke said they are old and could do with being replaced. So my question is do the original wheels have inner tubes fitted and if so I take it that you can't fit modern tubeless tyres?
What is the best way to go with this? New wheels and tyres or try and get replacement tubes and tyres?

Thanks.

Norrie.

Colthebrummie · Mar 2, 2018

Yes, original series 3 wheels had tubes but you can fit defender wheels which are tubeless, I did.

Col

rob1miles · Mar 2, 2018

Defender wheels are a good solution as they are 5.5J, If its a SWB it could still hae the 5J wheels so you need to know as it limits tyre choice. You can fit any modern tubeless type so long as it says it can be fitted with a tube (most LR size tyres do) and you must fit it with a tube unless you have tubeless rims.

Turboman · Mar 2, 2018

norried said:
So I haven't actually picked up my series 3 yet due to being snowed in however since I'm bored I've been looking up tyres as the bloke said they are old and could do with being replaced. So my question is do the original wheels have inner tubes fitted and if so I take it that you can't fit modern tubeless tyres?
What is the best way to go with this? New wheels and tyres or try and get replacement tubes and tyres?

Thanks.

Norrie.

Ninety wheels and 7.50R16 tyres work well.
If you get tubeless rims, you can use tubeless tyres, if not, use tubed.

norried · Mar 2, 2018

So if I got defender rims what tyre size would be suitable?

Thanks.

Norrie.

Turboman · Mar 2, 2018

norried said:
So if I got defender rims what tyre size would be suitable?

Thanks.

Norrie.

7.50R16

Bobsticle · Mar 2, 2018

I really pizzed a chap off by winning his 4 defender wheels with Dunlop’s for £50.

I have had to replace the front tyres with Rangemasters but only because my tracking was that far out it ate them.

Citizen Kane · Mar 2, 2018

These are still available
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/defender-steel-wheels-and-tyres.323981/

norried · Mar 2, 2018

Citizen Kane said:
These are still available
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/defender-steel-wheels-and-tyres.323981/

A bit far away unfortunately.

Norrie.

norried · Mar 2, 2018

Would 205/80/16 be suitable?

Thanks.

Norrie.

Colthebrummie · Mar 3, 2018

Citizen Kane said:
These are still available
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/defender-steel-wheels-and-tyres.323981/

Those are the type I have on my series. £50 is a bargain.

Col

Turboman · Mar 3, 2018

norried said:
Would 205/80/16 be suitable?

Thanks.

Norrie.

They work, but are a smaller rolling diameter. 205R16 are better, but hard to find.
Remember you could get wheels and tyres sent by courier, there is no need to confine yourself to the local areas.
Those Michelin 7.50s are a very good buy, check out the new prices of those.

rob1miles · Mar 3, 2018

I run 235/85 16s on LWB rims, they come out very close in size to a 7.50 16 (about 1/4 inch). 5.5J is the smallest rim you can fit them on. Some tyre manufacturers say min 6J, others min 5.5J. In my expreince they fit well on the LR 5.5J (whcih seems a generous 5.5) and I've noticed some of the utility / service Defenders run the 235/85 16 on std rims.

Turboman · Mar 3, 2018

rob1miles said:
I run 235/85 16s on LWB rims, they come out very close in size to a 7.50 16 (about 1/4 inch).

I think you mean diameter.

235s are roughly the same diameter as 7.50s, but very much wider. Which makes the steering heavy, increases turning circle, and imposes extra loads on the steering.

An 80 profile tyre is not similar to the tyres these vehicles were designed to run on.
Landrovers always used a tyre of the same height as the width.

rob1miles · Mar 3, 2018

Actually both, the 235/85 (BFG A/T) come out at around 8" wide on the LWB rim at the tread ad a little wder on the sidewall. They can be fitted up to (I believe) at 8J where they must come out a lot wider. As you say, on rolling rad there's nothing in it.

Turboman · Mar 3, 2018

rob1miles said:
Actually both, the 235/85 (BFG A/T) come out at around 8" wide on the LWB rim at the tread ad a little wder on the sidewall. They can be fitted up to (I believe) at 8J where they must come out a lot wider. As you say, on rolling rad there's nothing in it.

Another complication is that there is a lot of variation within sizes, depending on the actual tyres.
The sizes on the sidewall are nominal, not actual measurements.
Myself, I always favour a straight size on a landrover as opposed to a profile tyre, and have had good results doing this.

Riggwelter · Mar 4, 2018

My S3 sports Micheline Latitude Cross on new tubeless OE wheels. Great for spring-to-autumn use up here, and on-road, if you don't want to climb mountains. My (highly personal) view is that wheels and tyres are not supposed to be some cheap cr*p anyway, it is a matter of safety.

wattfield · Mar 4, 2018

I always used 205R16 on my S2, I'm surprised they're hard to find now. McConechys Tyres used to stock tubes.

Turboman · Mar 5, 2018

wattfield said:
I always used 205R16 on my S2, I'm surprised they're hard to find now. McConechys Tyres used to stock tubes.

Not so much demand for non profile tyres now. 7.50s are getting scarcer and more expensive as well. Although still plenty about if you look.

Hicap phill · Mar 5, 2018

My 110 only uses 7.50 rangemaster. These are good hard wearing. I don't struggle getting these I go to truck tyre centre who can order if needed. These are tubed. But are pricey.
I would run 205x16 on S3 all are tube type.

Wheels and tyres for a swb series 3

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