FatGaz

Member
Whats the biggest wheels/tyres I could put on a Defender with a 2" lift without altering the bodywork?

Thanks
Gaz
 
May I kindly request you use the search facility and don't take the hump when you get sarcastic replies
 
Any size you want really. Pop down to your local agricultural supplier and ask them for the biggest tractor tyres they have, you may need to trim the arches a bit, but they WILL fit. Defenders are remarkably adaptable.
 
Hmmmmm.......do I get a hint of sarcasm going on?? o_O:)
The thing is. It's one of those questions that gets asked all the time.

And it's one of those questions that people never think about before asking. "biggest tyre" is quite a statement. And there is a vast choice. But it depends on budget, intended use, how much modding you want to do and other things.

Just to give you an example, stock is 32" tall. In the UK this is a pretty big tyre. So are you after bigger?

Bigger will mean more money, anywhere from maybe £180/corner to over £500+/corner
Bigger will mean axles & diffs at serious risk of breaking. So you'll need to consider upgrading
Bigger will affect gearing, so you'll need to consider this
Engine power
Steering
Suspension
Braking
Bodywork.
 
I have 265/75/r16s on mine at the moment at standard height (although looks taller than others). When I change my tyres later in the year I think I am going to go for 285/75/r16 as I reckon they will fit
 
285/75 should fit fine. But you'll want the right offset rim to get good steering lock, then it's a balancing trick on how much they stick out or not.

Personally I think 255/85R16 is a better size. Taller and narrower.
 
285/75 should fit fine. But you'll want the right offset rim to get good steering lock, then it's a balancing trick on how much they stick out or not.

Personally I think 255/85R16 is a better size. Taller and narrower.

Don't look as aggressive then though, thats kind of what I am going for! Plus wide would be better in sand (for Morocco expedition). My parents 90 has 235s on the back and they look weird.

I have 30mm spacers and the stop locks wound all the way in, 285s shouldn't need the stop locks should it?
 
I agree, wide is good for sand.

With the spacers I would think you'll not need the steering lock stops. But I'd expect the tyres to stick out of the arches. Without the spacers on a deep dish rim, I'd expect them to sit just inside the arches, but run a little on full lock. Although I'd probably not worry about the steering stops and simply not turn the steering wheel as far.
 
I agree, wide is good for sand.

With the spacers I would think you'll not need the steering lock stops. But I'd expect the tyres to stick out of the arches. Without the spacers on a deep dish rim, I'd expect them to sit just inside the arches, but run a little on full lock. Although I'd probably not worry about the steering stops and simply not turn the steering wheel as far.
Ok, cool.

I don't think they will stick out far, will see what the MOT guys say. I do kind of fancy the wider arches anyway.
 
Noooo....
At least you took it well! Others throw the toys out and are never to be seen again!

If you cant take a bit of banter then what are you doing on here?!?!

I hit a tree in my old Landy when on a RTV trail.... everyone was pi$$ing themslelves laughing..... its all part of the fun :)
 
The thing is. It's one of those questions that gets asked all the time.

And it's one of those questions that people never think about before asking. "biggest tyre" is quite a statement. And there is a vast choice. But it depends on budget, intended use, how much modding you want to do and other things.

Just to give you an example, stock is 32" tall. In the UK this is a pretty big tyre. So are you after bigger?

Bigger will mean more money, anywhere from maybe £180/corner to over £500+/corner
Bigger will mean axles & diffs at serious risk of breaking. So you'll need to consider upgrading
Bigger will affect gearing, so you'll need to consider this
Engine power
Steering
Suspension
Braking
Bodywork.

Thanks :)

Theres more to consider than I realised.
 
Ok, cool.

I don't think they will stick out far, will see what the MOT guys say. I do kind of fancy the wider arches anyway.
Technically an MoT tester can't (or shouldn't) fail it for an MoT with tyres sticking out the arches, it isn't part of the test. They can put it down as an advisory, but that's more to cover themselves than anything else, as again it isn't a tested item/condition.

However under Construction & Use regulations, it is an offence, so a Police officer could charge you with it.
 

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