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Lambley

Member Since: 20 Apr 2013
Location: Mid Devon
Posts: 1435

Do 255/85/16 fit a Defender 90 without a lift??

As above, thinking of new wheels/tyres and I've seen some posts suggesting 255's rather than the normal 235/85 or 265/75 options.
Has anybody done this to a std height 90 without rubbing problems?

27th Apr 2013 3:19pm

leeds

Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8582

We are running our black 110 on BFG 255/85/16 M/T on Zu rims on standard suspension with no problem

Brendan

27th Apr 2013 3:40pm

Lambley

Member Since: 20 Apr 2013
Location: Mid Devon
Posts: 1435

Thanks Brendon, I've seen some on a 110, but are 110's slightly higher or have stiffer springs for the extra weight?

27th Apr 2013 3:43pm

ibexman

Member Since: 13 Dec 2008
Location: Essex
Posts: 2947

YES they do you may have to adjust steering stops

27th Apr 2013 4:23pm

couplands

Member Since: 31 Aug 2011
Location: Peak District & Cornwall
Posts: 1826

I have BFG KM2 MT 255/86 x 16 on my 90. It isn't lifted or modified in any way in the suspension dept, and all is well.

Wheels are standard Freestyle alloys as fitted to 2001 County spec Defenders.

Cheers

Simon

27th Apr 2013 4:44pm

Lambley

Member Since: 20 Apr 2013
Location: Mid Devon
Posts: 1435

Cheers Couplands, have you had any rubbing under the arches? Did you notice a difference in gearing at all?

27th Apr 2013 4:53pm

TJ101

Member Since: 30 May 2007
Location: Taunton Somerset
Posts: 3750

2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red

Never had a problem with 255/85/16 BFG MT or either a 90 or 110,, bar a faint possabilty of the rear rubbing the wheel box, on full articulation California F1, 75th 110 "Kermit", 50th Ann V8, 90 V8 Hybrid, 55 Series 1

Main Brian James Trailer Dealer for South West UK

27th Apr 2013 7:38pm

Lambley

Member Since: 20 Apr 2013
Location: Mid Devon
Posts: 1435

TJ101 wrote:
Never had a problem with 255/85/16 BFG MT or either a 90 or 110,, bar a faint possabilty of the rear rubbing the wheel box, on full articulation

Cheers TJ, I don't think I'd ever get to full articulation to be honest.

Next question, does it help with the gearing, I've calculated they are about 4% higher geared, I'll probably be doing a transfer box ratio change through Ashcroft, maybe going to 255's will be a half way house?

27th Apr 2013 7:43pm

TJ101

Member Since: 30 May 2007
Location: Taunton Somerset
Posts: 3750

Would be about right,, The speedo will read just under GPS speed, at 60/65mph California F1, 75th 110 "Kermit", 50th Ann V8, 90 V8 Hybrid, 55 Series 1

Main Brian James Trailer Dealer for South West UK

27th Apr 2013 7:48pm

couplands

Member Since: 31 Aug 2011
Location: Peak District & Cornwall
Posts: 1826

Lambley wrote:
Cheers Couplands, have you had any rubbing under the arches? Did you notice a difference in gearing at all?

If I recall, they are about 1" larger in diameter than the standard 235 size, and roughly the same as the optional 265/75 size, well within the 10% range of error for the speedo.*

Given the small size difference, there is no where that the tyres rub and I do plenty of full articulation driving.

Cheers

Simon

* the actual diameter varies based on the brand of tyre. You can check the BFG diameters on their website, not sure about other brands, but I guess they do.

27th Apr 2013 7:55pm

TJ101

Member Since: 30 May 2007
Location: Taunton Somerset
Posts: 3750

255's are 4.22% taller than 235 or 34mm from memory

The tyre can rub on full articulation,,but only in the rear arch when running Mack5's or Boosts

On my 4th set of BFG MT's, from 200Tdi, to Puma, California F1, 75th 110 "Kermit", 50th Ann V8, 90 V8 Hybrid, 55 Series 1

Main Brian James Trailer Dealer for South West UK

27th Apr 2013 8:10pm

JR

Member Since: 07 Dec 2012
Location: Auchtermuchty
Posts: 532

1984 Defender 90 200 Tdi SW Coniston Green

per TJ101, they also rub at the rear on full articulation when tyres on modulars with a 90 on a Terrafirma 40mm lift.

27th Apr 2013 8:57pm

bpman

Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Oslo
Posts: 8069

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black

here's a link to a tyre size calculator

http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html

it looks like 265/75/16s are within 2mm (or -0.25%) of the standard 235/85/16

so 255/85/16's are 4% or 34mm larger

28th Apr 2013 7:15am

Jimmiboy

Member Since: 19 Apr 2013
Location: London
Posts: 19

2002 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Bonatti Grey

couplands wrote:
I have BFG KM2 MT 255/86 x 16 on my 90. It isn't lifted or modified in any way in the suspension dept, and all is well.

Wheels are standard Freestyle alloys as fitted to 2001 County spec Defenders.

Cheers

Simon

Hi There, would you mind posting a pic?

Cheers
Jim

28th Apr 2013 8:59am

Lambley

Member Since: 20 Apr 2013
Location: Mid Devon
Posts: 1435

Jimmiboy wrote:
couplands wrote:
I have BFG KM2 MT 255/86 x 16 on my 90. It isn't lifted or modified in any way in the suspension dept, and all is well.

Wheels are standard Freestyle alloys as fitted to 2001 County spec Defenders.

Cheers

Simon

Hi There, would you mind posting a pic?

Cheers
Jim

Yes, that would be helpful

28th Apr 2013 9:20am

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