KISSMYAURA
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 2,817
- Location
- KENT
Love my wolf rims, love me XZL tyres any suggestions for alternative tyres?
Wolf Rims with Michelin XZL 7.50R16 alternatives
- Thread starter KISSMYAURA
- Start date
This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Posts
- 44,915
- Location
- Hornchurch
Leave em. Good tyres why change?
KISSMYAURA
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 2,817
- Location
- KENT
yea they are the best, like a paddle steamer in mud n snow superb!
just wondered what else is available, anyone know what the equivalent size is w/p/d etc
just wondered what else is available, anyone know what the equivalent size is w/p/d etc
The nearest you will get in metric which are readily available are going to be 235/85, but these are wider. I would not change the wheels, can't beat a set of HD rims.
As for tyres I would echo what others have said, I have the ZXL's fitted to the sereis and love them. If you use hasnt changed I would get the saem again, if it has you need to be looking at what else would be more suitable.
Although I have no direct experience I do not believe the G90's or ZCL's the military also use are as good and an all rounder as the ZXL's.
As for tyres I would echo what others have said, I have the ZXL's fitted to the sereis and love them. If you use hasnt changed I would get the saem again, if it has you need to be looking at what else would be more suitable.
Although I have no direct experience I do not believe the G90's or ZCL's the military also use are as good and an all rounder as the ZXL's.
- Posts
- 44,915
- Location
- Hornchurch
G90 is noisy as f%& and not great grip anywhere
I sold the 8.25 XZLs that were on my 90 as I bought some wheels and tyres off a mate, the tyres are stupid fat arse knobbly things that defender owners seem to love, but you lose shed loads of steering lock and they just look turd, still they were very cheap and new, but I really wanted the 569204 wheels and they were a package deal.
My series is still on XZL now wth the 569204 wheels and I reckon any series/defender looks very business like when shod with XZL.
XZL pros, tall for what they are so more diff clearance, look the mutts, tough as old boots
XZL cons, grip aint that good, will not climb out of muddy ruts to save their own lives and can be interesting in the wet!
My series is still on XZL now wth the 569204 wheels and I reckon any series/defender looks very business like when shod with XZL.
XZL pros, tall for what they are so more diff clearance, look the mutts, tough as old boots
XZL cons, grip aint that good, will not climb out of muddy ruts to save their own lives and can be interesting in the wet!
Ive got xzl's on a set of steel modular rims as a spare set and they are very very tough and long lasting, but they are shockingly bad at climbing out of muddy ruts (on a green lane for example) and fairly crap in snow. as a general all rounder I do love them though, and they look the business on any working fender or series 
Ive got xzl's on a set of steel modular rims as a spare set and they are very very tough and long lasting, but they are shockingly bad at climbing out of muddy ruts (on a green lane for example) and fairly crap in snow. as a general all rounder I do love them though, and they look the business on any working fender or series
In my humble opinion that was their major downfall, they simply would not climb out of deep muddy ruts, forwards or reversing, once not even when winching at an angle.
I still miss them as they looked the mutts nuts.
KISSMYAURA
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 2,817
- Location
- KENT
I have a very steep dirt track hill to my gate, after around 1000m of dirt track, gets very sloppy in winter and brown trousers time in the snow never had a prob with them in mud or snow...... Admittedly its not a green lane super deep boggy rut, but thats not what I want it for.
It refuse to be dictated to by the weather if I want to go out!
It refuse to be dictated to by the weather if I want to go out!
The problem with them is they clog up and before long you are running on slicks, this is very evident in snow. They struggle to self clean. Because they are thin they will cut through to more solid ground, or as the case may be the layer of compact icy snow which makes them lethal, ive spun off the road a few times now in the snow even though I was crawling along.
Attachments
Huntinghicap
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 150
- Location
- South East
BF Goodrich Km2 in 235x85 will fit, better tyre imo. also extremely tough. But I do love the xzls on a classic looking defender or series. Very traditional.
Nobber nice looking Landy! How do you find the rag top in winter for heating the inside up? Also is it noisier or much the same in general use? Im thinking of getting rid of my hard top you see! Cheers mate
Turboman
Mab An Gov
- Posts
- 60,151
- Location
- Lathrowda, Kernow
Canvas top is better for noise, and for retaining heat and less condensation, than a hard top.
Only drawback is security. But bearing in mind the feeble nature of the locks, it makes not that much difference.
300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 5,029
- Location
- Near MK
XZL isn’t really traditional. It’s not really that old a tread pattern. 1997/8 and best part of 15 years after Series motors went out of production.
300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 5,029
- Location
- Near MK
There are aftermarket wolf rims with better offset. They are a narrow rim so only suitable for narrow tyres for the most part.
1 Ton rims are about the same offset and size as a Wolf rim but look more like a regular Land Rover rim. Mostly tubed however.
As for tyres. Personally not the biggest fan of the XZL, despite having some on my 88 right now. A bit noisy on the road and while ok in most conditions, they don’t really excel at anything. They are quite tough. But also expensive.
But mostly they just look boring and ugly.
For U.K. off roading narrow tyres generally work better. Although fat tyres can look the business.
A good 235/85R16 is a standard Defender size. About the same height as a 7.50 but wider. The 265/75R16 is also a stock size. But wider again yet still similar height. These will want a 7” wide rim as a rule.
7.00 x 16 is slightly shorter than a 7.50 and slightly narrower. Although many 7.50’s are all over the show size wise and few are really accurate to the right dimensions. I have some Black Star 7.00 x 16’s that are 1-2” taller than some 7.50’s!!
255/85R16 is a nice size. Taller and slightly wider than a 235. But not much choice.
9.00 x 16 can be used. Although like 7.50’s vary massively in height. Anywhere from 33” to 37”. And very little choice.
Lots of 15” rim sizes too. Such as 31.10.50 or 33.10.50 or 33.12.50. Obviously will need a 15” rim.
285/75R16 is a bigger tyre many go for. After that you are on too 305 or 315 section with 70-75 profile. You’ll want 10” wide rims for these.
Lots and lots of tyre choices out there. Depends on budget and intended use.
KISSMYAURA
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 2,817
- Location
- KENT
Intended use is that I have around 1Km of forest dirt tracks and a 100m hill to navigate every day, the surface is scalpings / type one / broken brick and smashed tarmac so not too muddy as such, but can be a challenge in the snow
Not using the tratter for mud plugging and wading etc, just need to get in and out regardless of the weather.
Not using the tratter for mud plugging and wading etc, just need to get in and out regardless of the weather.
300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 5,029
- Location
- Near MK
There really are a lot of choices. A 7.50 x 16 would certainly do the trick still. But choice is limited.
XZL’s are still available. But cost about twice as much as a remould 7.50. I run the Black Star Guyanne 2 on my Series. Somewhat more aggressive than an XZL. But work well for my use. Insa Turbo, Fedima and others offer remoulds in 7.50’s.
235/85 is a nice size too. If you want a modern tyre the new BFG MT KM3 is available in 7.50, 235 and 265. Looks like a very nice tyre. But also pricey, at least in the U.K.
Maxxis do some nice MT’s. They have sipes in too, which should be good for snow and ice.
Cooper STT Pro looks nice. Although have been less impressed with their off road performance on vehciles I’ve seen running them. I’ve just taken off the previous STT thread pattern. Nice on road but very disappointed off road.
General Grabber X3’s also look nice.
And if you want a little more road buses maybe look at the Wrangler Duratrac.
Some of the tyres will only be available in 265 section though.
Turboman
Mab An Gov
- Posts
- 60,151
- Location
- Lathrowda, Kernow
Reckon these would suit your needs to perfection.
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/ninety-wheels-and-tyres.332909/
