Hi, doe's anybody have any experience with the 750x16 original pattern tyre being better than the 205x16 tyre in an off road situation.?
The 235/85 is closer to a 7.50 in size,
I still have the standard rims, years ago i put good year M/S which were great on the road, but rubbish on muddy fields as I found out the day on a winters day trying to catch my mates sheep he had to tow me out with his Range Rover, all the farmers stuck to the original tyres that came with the Series 3 they never got stuck.
If its original pattern tyres I think it was Avon ranger in 750.16. I can't remember the make/model of the 205.16 range rover tyre but the land rover tyre was cross ply. I have driven both over the years and think they are very different their original form.
I would choose the radial over cross ply these days as I think you will get a generally better quality tyre, better performance on and off road unless you really need a little extra ground clearance the 750 offers.
I don't know what tyres were on the options list for series but the mod used Goodyear xtra grip which was cross ply and later Michelin xcl. Both these had very good off road performance and were available in the 750 size.
The biggest problem may actually getting hold of original pattern tyres now? If originality isn't a big problem I would choose Michelin xzl but there's plenty of others.
The ranger was of course fitted to the series and I doubt you'd be able to get them now.
On the other hand the up to date rangemaster are radial and have a higher load rating which suits the 3.5t defenders.
If you were looking for originality the above may look better?
I don't know what tyres were on the options list for series but the mod used Goodyear xtra grip which was cross ply and later Michelin xcl. Both these had very good off road performance and were available in the 750 size.
They definitely clog in mud, I have them on the 110. But they are a great all rounder rather than having a differant set for each terrain.I have BFG All-Terrain, I've been really impressed with them on the road and on wet grass, I suspect they would clog in deep mud.
Make sure you get nice narrow ones.
Not only do they out perform fat ones they really offend the balloon brigade.