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Adwilko88

Member

• Apr 19, 2020

• #1

Morning folks,

Hope everyone is staying safe in the current situation we are facing.

Ive been reading a few posts but can’t decide on a definite answer. I’ve a standard FL1 and got the option of some 205/80/16 tyres as mine are about ready for replacing 215/65/16. Will the larger tyres fit or will other things need doing (lift kit, spacers, etc)? Only problem I could possibly see was them rubbing on the shocks but at 205 I’ll assume there narrower.

Cheers

 

T

The Docmeister

Active Member

• Apr 19, 2020

• #2

205/80 should go straight on. You're correct about being slightly narrower - in theory by 10mm! - so they'll miss the struts OK.
They will be taller overall, so give a slight increase in ground clearance, but should still clear the arch liners without issue.
No lift kit or spacers required.
I ran 235/70 16s on my old 1.8 without any lift or spacers, but they were very close to the struts. I ended up with a 40mm lift and then 5mm 'shim' type spacers just for peace of mind. They had a very similar overall diameter to 205/80s but obviously a bit wider!

 

J

Jayridium

Well-Known Member

• Apr 19, 2020

• #3

Standard tyres are all ~26" tall, however you can get away with running 29" tyres which gives you the option of 205/80/16 or 225/75/16 or 235/70/16.

 

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Adwilko88

Member

• Apr 20, 2020

• #4

Brilliant... Thanks for both your replies. Atleast I have a definitive answer now as to what I can and can’t fit. I’m assuming could go bigger with a lift and spacers but not sure I’ll go down that route. Been told fitting a lift kit can be a nightmare but spacers could be an option

 

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paul99

Well-Known Member

• Apr 20, 2020

• #5

Remember to keep all four tyres the same size. This is to avoid damaging your drivetrain by overstressing it.

 

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Jayridium

Well-Known Member

• Apr 20, 2020

• #6

The limitation on tyre overall diameter is caused by the spring seats on the macpherson struts. At 29" my 225/75/16 Kumho KL71 tyres are perilously close to the underside of the spring seats. Putting a lift kit on the freelander doesn't alter the distance from the hub to the springseat, so doesn't give you any more room for bigger tyres. Fitting spacers on the other hand will push the wheel out away from the strut, creating more room for a taller tyre.

 

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Adwilko88

Member

• Apr 21, 2020

• #7

Jayridium said:

The limitation on tyre overall diameter is caused by the spring seats on the macpherson struts. At 29" my 225/75/16 Kumho KL71 tyres are perilously close to the underside of the spring seats. Putting a lift kit on the freelander doesn't alter the distance from the hub to the springseat, so doesn't give you any more room for bigger tyres. Fitting spacers on the other hand will push the wheel out away from the strut, creating more room for a taller tyre.

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Good point... That never even occurred to me haha. I was looking at spacers strangely enough last night and deciding on what width to get. Not sure I want to go 30mm so was thinking maybe 15-20mm

 

J

Jayridium

Well-Known Member

• Apr 21, 2020

• #8

I've got 235/70/16 on mine just now, and with 30mm spacers the tyres are absolutely flush, possibly slightly proud of the arches. Were I doing it again I'd probably get 20mm spacers. But if you are running 205/80/16 you'd get away with the 30mm spacers.

 

Nodge68

Well-Known Member

• Apr 21, 2020

• #9

Adwilko88 said:

Not sure I want to go 30mm so was thinking maybe 15-20mm

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Make sure you only fit hub centric spacers, but ask your insurer first, as many now refuse insurance if wheel spacers are fitted.

 

RealBeale

Active Member

• Apr 29, 2020

• #10

Very old pic of my V6 in it's first incarnation with 205/80/16 Bronco Diamondbacks. I had 30mm spacers and I can tell you that the fronts rubbed the rear of the inner arches on full lock . Other people has said that 205/80/16's do not rub. Maybe it was the aggressive tread pattern which was very deep.

 

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Adwilko88

Member

• May 4, 2020

• #11

RealBeale said:

Very old pic of my V6 in it's first incarnation with 205/80/16 Bronco Diamondbacks. I had 30mm spacers and I can tell you that the fronts rubbed the rear of the inner arches on full lock . Other people has said that 205/80/16's do not rub. Maybe it was the aggressive tread pattern which was very deep.
View attachment 207520

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Looks good that mate did you have it lifted aswell?

 

RealBeale

Active Member

• May 11, 2020

• #12

Sorry for the late reply. Yes, I've lifted all of my Freelanders, including my current F2.