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Sadi



Member Since: 23 Jul 2015
Location: Windhoek
Posts: 334
Namibia 2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 Heritage Edition SW Grasmere Green
Photos..
Thanks for sharing those interesting comparative photos.

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Post #555989 14th Aug 2016 5:25pm
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YOLO110



Member Since: 14 Feb 2015
Location: Perth Oz and Stansted UK
Posts: 1645
Australia 
Jose.Pereira wrote:
Ended going the 255/85R16 KM2 + Wolf route.

The tyres are quite tall, measured 33,5", BF could sell them as 34s or 34x10R16 and people would swallow the advertised size. I've seen new 35" tyres measuring just 10 or 15mm over that.

Next to the 235/85R16 BF ATs:

Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge


Have you done a suspension 'lift' as well? It's sure looks much higher now!!

Maybe a dumb question, but does fitting these taller tyres also mean the driveshaft splines are further out and perhaps you then need longer ones? Or does this only apply when doing a suspension lift?

Cheers! YOLO... You Only Live Once...
Post #561206 4th Sep 2016 1:16am
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Cupboard



Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 2971
United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 HT Corris Grey
The suspension doesn't change at all when you put different tyres on, save for the change in unsprung mass.
The gearing changes slightly because the tyre radius increases.
You put a little more strain on everything in the drivetrain because of the increased tyre momentum and radius, but if you're getting more traction and having to work the vehicle less then that's kinder on everything.
Post #561220 4th Sep 2016 6:58am
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Arierep



Member Since: 12 Apr 2013
Location: Portugal
Posts: 258
Portugal 1995 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Alpine White
Cupboard is right, tyres change nothing suspension wise.

My 90 has a 2inch lift with extender bumpstops. The tyres would fit with stock heigth, but would be way too tigth for proppper offroading with mud and other drebis.


Speedo is now 100℅ accurate acording to GPS. It used to be 8℅ off.

It's true a bigger more aggressive tyre will beharder on the transmission for anny given situation, but with more tractio available you end up pushing less on the vehicle.
I have a step sandy climb near home with a tricky axle crossing in te middle that I use to test setups.
It used to be a 2nd low gear climb, aggressive throttle and some wheel spin. I can now do it on 1st low at tickover


PS: sorry for the errors, I'm having a hard time writing on the smartphone
Post #561230 4th Sep 2016 7:34am
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YOLO110



Member Since: 14 Feb 2015
Location: Perth Oz and Stansted UK
Posts: 1645
Australia 
So, is the general and reasonable opinion that a 255/85/16 tyre IS too 'tall' at circa 33 inches to 'replace the OEM 235/85/16 tyres on a standard non lifted suspension Defender? The last thing any of us would want is clearance issues at full articulation with this size tyre given the diameter is about 20m larger?

Is perhaps the 265/75/16 therefore a better 'bigger/wider' tyre, in that it keeps the diameter about the same?

Whatever the answer.... the BFG's KO or KM seem great tyres. Cool

I am about to fit larger tyres to my camper trailer and in view of reading this thread, I am now mulling just getting the same 235/85/16 as I have on my OEM 90, rather than either of the larger sizes, 255/85/16 or 265/75/16 as discussed above, with a view to also going 'larger' on the Defender at some point in the future... Question Question Whistle YOLO... You Only Live Once...
Post #561280 4th Sep 2016 2:03pm
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Cupboard



Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 2971
United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 HT Corris Grey
255/85 fitted on my stock 110 quite happily although I never got it seriously cross axled.

Click image to enlarge


Leeds seems to use them on their 110s with no lift too, as do other people.

I'm not sure if Blackwolf has a lift on his but I'm pretty sure he's running 255s too. I vaguely recall him making a comment about them fitting but not leaving an room for snow chains but that might have been someone else.

jst reckons they just catch on full articulation.
Post #561285 4th Sep 2016 2:35pm
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Brewstop



Member Since: 28 Oct 2012
Location: South Oxfordshire
Posts: 313
United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Zambezi Silver
YOLO110 wrote:
So, is the general and reasonable opinion that a 255/85/16 tyre IS too 'tall' at circa 33 inches to 'replace the OEM 235/85/16 tyres on a standard non lifted suspension Defender? The last thing any of us would want is clearance issues at full articulation with this size tyre given the diameter is about 20m larger?


My 110 CSW runs 255/85/16s on standard suspension with no issues at all. Sandy
Post #561286 4th Sep 2016 3:02pm
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mikeh501



Member Since: 07 Jan 2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1142
United Kingdom 
YOLO110 wrote:
So, is the general and reasonable opinion that a 255/85/16 tyre IS too 'tall' at circa 33 inches to 'replace the OEM 235/85/16 tyres on a standard non lifted suspension Defender? The last thing any of us would want is clearance issues at full articulation with this size tyre given the diameter is about 20m larger?

Is perhaps the 265/75/16 therefore a better 'bigger/wider' tyre, in that it keeps the diameter about the same?

Whatever the answer.... the BFG's KO or KM seem great tyres. Cool

I am about to fit larger tyres to my camper trailer and in view of reading this thread, I am now mulling just getting the same 235/85/16 as I have on my OEM 90, rather than either of the larger sizes, 255/85/16 or 265/75/16 as discussed above, with a view to also going 'larger' on the Defender at some point in the future... Question Question Whistle


I think 255/85 is the sweet spot for defender tyres, as the other options are either too wide, or not tall enough, or both. The best thing is that it cuts through mud like a 235, but retains the diameter and inherent diff lift of the 285 option, but without the increase in width. Diameter wise theres nothing between a 255/85 and a 285/75. Have a play with this tool and see for yourself https://www.4x4tyres.co.uk/catalog/tyresizes

Now, as to whether it would fit with your standard suspension..... there are plenty of people running 285/75 on standard suspension, so if that works so does 255/85. My main point is to understand what exactly you will be doing with it. Running even 305's is possible with standard suspension but if you are planning to go heavily off road and get very articulated then it will foul the arches or eyebrows. If were talking fire roads, gentle green lanes and grassy fields then it wont be an issue.

265/75 was the biggest tyre supplied the factory on standard suspension... These will go fully articulated without fouling your arches or eyebrows.

265/75/16 articulated as far as it would go. about 2 feet of tyre/arch clearance on other side!

Click image to enlarge
Post #561299 4th Sep 2016 4:48pm
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Arierep



Member Since: 12 Apr 2013
Location: Portugal
Posts: 258
Portugal 1995 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Alpine White
I guess to say that a tyre fits means different things to different people.

My 90 goes through full articulation frequently and also a lot of mud of various densities in the winter.

I would never consider a tyre that "just fits" or that rubs in full articulation to be a proper fitment.
But that's just my opinion, for my uses, and why I lifted my suspension
Post #561306 4th Sep 2016 5:14pm
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CarMan



Member Since: 29 Nov 2010
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 1862
United Kingdom 

Click image to enlarge

Loving that - a lot Thumbs Up
Post #561309 4th Sep 2016 5:18pm
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leeds



Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8582
United Kingdom 
Cupboard wrote:



Leeds seems to use them on their 110s with no lift too, as do other people.



Yes we do run 255/85/16 BFG M/Ts on most of our vehicles both with and without lift.

These tyres do give extra clearance under axle diffs..

In most circumstances have no problems with them catching on full articulation.

Now our red 110has 255/85/16fitted with a 2" lift. Now in extremely muddy conditions with full articulation (no rear ARB) the mud on tyres just catch the rear wing tank.

Now hopefully (fingers crossed etc) our grey 90 will be fitted with 255/85/16 on road legal beadlockers in time for Peterborough.


Brendan
Post #561350 4th Sep 2016 7:04pm
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YOLO110



Member Since: 14 Feb 2015
Location: Perth Oz and Stansted UK
Posts: 1645
Australia 
Thanks for the very informative replies guys! Thumbs Up YOLO... You Only Live Once...
Post #561420 4th Sep 2016 9:05pm
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YOLO110



Member Since: 14 Feb 2015
Location: Perth Oz and Stansted UK
Posts: 1645
Australia 
Looks like they don't supply the 255/85/16 AT here in Oz!! Crying or Very sad

Only can find the MT in that size! Frustrating as the MT is noiser and honestly BFG, there is not much mud in Western Australia!! Razz

Given lots of bitumen, gravel, rock and sand roads, the AT is a much more versatile tyre out here IMHO... unless of course you live in FNQ and drive the Telegraph Track unto Cape York! YOLO... You Only Live Once...
Post #561432 4th Sep 2016 9:37pm
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camelman



Member Since: 27 Feb 2013
Location: Peak District
Posts: 3373
United Kingdom 
yep BFG only do the KO2 in 265 or 285 so if you want a 255 it will have to be a KM2 (unless you go to a different manufacturer).

I ran 255 KMs and KM2s for over 10 years but have now moved to the KO2 (285s). TBH it's a much nicer tyre on the road and in the snow (not that you'll get much of that out in OZ!) 
Post #561436 4th Sep 2016 9:44pm
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Arierep



Member Since: 12 Apr 2013
Location: Portugal
Posts: 258
Portugal 1995 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Alpine White
Sorry for the offtopic Camelman, but is that red Unimog yours?
Post #561438 4th Sep 2016 9:47pm
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