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m33ufo

Member Since: 19 Jan 2008
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 1150

Largest tyre I can fit onto a 5.5 x 16 steel wheel?

Hello All.

Within reason, what's the largest tyre I could safely fit on this rim size? I don't what to change the rolling radius.

I'll likely be going with a KM3 or possibly an STT Pro.

Cheers

110 DCPU

Mark

2nd Jan 2023 6:58pm

Grouse

Member Since: 16 Apr 2012
Location: on the hill
Posts: 521

These rims were fitted with either 7.50x16 for 110, or 205/80/16 for the 90 as an option from the factory when they were launched. Whilst not recommended the largest I would go is 235/85/16 which is more or less the equivalent of the 7.50, but wider

Last edited by Grouse on 4th Jan 2023 1:35am. Edited 1 time in total

2nd Jan 2023 9:13pm

m33ufo

Member Since: 19 Jan 2008
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 1150

Thanks for your reply.

To confuse things just a little....they’re actually on a W461 G Class Wolf. As you correctly noted, the wheel currently has 7.50 x 16 Michelin XZL’s fitted. Have to say, the size confuses me a little because there’s no mention of the aspect ratio? I’ll assume it’s 80.

My tyre preference doesn’t have the option of an 80 section, I believe the closest for both is 235/85x16, so I guess it’ll be very marginally taller.

Thanks 👍🏻 110 DCPU

Mark

2nd Jan 2023 9:44pm

ossrider

Member Since: 29 May 2010
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Posts: 21

2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 HT Tamar Blue

My understanding:

7.50 x 16 are 7.5 inches wide and 7.5 inches in depth so the ration would be 100%.

235/85 x 16 are 235mm wide = 9.2 inches, but 80% of 235mm deep = 7.4 inches.

Hence, wheel width ideally should be greater for the metric 235's compared to the imperial 7.5's despite similar overall diametre.

3rd Jan 2023 1:44pm

m33ufo

Member Since: 19 Jan 2008
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 1150

Okay, that makes sense. Just one point, the 235 has a 85% aspect ratio so it'll be just over 7.8 inches tall. I can cope with an extra third of an inch

The 235/85 16's sound like a good option. 110 DCPU

Mark

3rd Jan 2023 2:04pm

ossrider

Member Since: 29 May 2010
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Posts: 21

Ah yes, of course it's 85% not 80%

Glad you can handle the extra vertigo that may create

4th Jan 2023 11:38am

TexasRover

Member Since: 24 Nov 2022
Location: Paris
Posts: 1086

2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Chawton White

I thought that 7.50 x 16 (or similar 'old school sizing') ALWAYS have an aspect ratio of 85, which would make 85 the 'mother' of the aspect ratio.

An aspect ratio of 100 would make for an excessively tall tire.

So the 'modern' equivalent of the 7.50x16 would be the 225/85R16, but mainly because the 7.50x16 tire is wider than 7.50 inch, which I think has to do with the difference between measuring the width on the thread or wall.

http://www.red90.ca/rovers/britishtires.html

Frankly it is a bit of a mess the this whole measurement.

4th Jan 2023 12:23pm

m33ufo

Member Since: 19 Jan 2008
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 1150

Thanks for your input, appreciated.

Looking at your chart via the link, the equivalent metric size is a 210/95x16 and the closest metric option is a 235/85x16.

So all good, 235/85x16 is the size

110 DCPU

Mark

4th Jan 2023 1:31pm

Julie

Member Since: 07 Oct 2017
Location: Nantes
Posts: 499

2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green

Re: Largest tyre I can fit onto a 5.5 x 16 steel wheel?

m33ufo wrote:
Hello All.

Within reason, what's the largest tyre I could safely fit on this rim size? I don't what to change the rolling radius.

I'll likely be going with a KM3 or possibly an STT Pro.

Cheers

I bought myself 5 nice BFG km3 7.50R16 for my 5.5J16

50K miles in 4 years and still 40% left (110CSW with furniture + roof tent)

In thé first months km3 tyres are quite stinky.
Then stinking stops and the houling sound starts when driving on the road...

10th Jan 2023 8:05pm

Chicken Drumstick

Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 752

TexasRover wrote:
I thought that 7.50 x 16 (or similar 'old school sizing') ALWAYS have an aspect ratio of 85, which would make 85 the 'mother' of the aspect ratio.

An aspect ratio of 100 would make for an excessively tall tire.

So the 'modern' equivalent of the 7.50x16 would be the 225/85R16, but mainly because the 7.50x16 tire is wider than 7.50 inch, which I think has to do with the difference between measuring the width on the thread or wall.

http://www.red90.ca/rovers/britishtires.html

Frankly it is a bit of a mess the this whole measurement.

A good 7.50 x 16 should be about 31" tall. 16+7.50+7.50 (being rim, sidewall, sidewall).

23rd Jan 2023 12:43am

Chicken Drumstick

Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 752

Grouse wrote:
These rims were fitted with either 7.50x16 for 110, or 205/80/16 for the 90 as an option from the factory when they were launched. Whilst not recommended the largest I would go is 235/85/16 which is more or less the equivalent of the 7.50, but wider

A 235/85R16 is too wide, if you look at tyre makers recommended rim sizes they will say minimum of a 6" wide rim for this tyre.

Of course you can make it fit, but technically it wouldn't be roadworthy in the UK if you were in an accident.

Click image to enlarge

23rd Jan 2023 12:46am

Chicken Drumstick

Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 752

m33ufo wrote:
Thanks for your reply.

To confuse things just a little....they’re actually on a W461 G Class Wolf. As you correctly noted, the wheel currently has 7.50 x 16 Michelin XZL’s fitted. Have to say, the size confuses me a little because there’s no mention of the aspect ratio? I’ll assume it’s 80.

My tyre preference doesn’t have the option of an 80 section, I believe the closest for both is 235/85x16, so I guess it’ll be very marginally taller.

Thanks 👍🏻

There are not many 7.50 x 16 tyres available at the moment. You might find XZL's still, which are ok. But not great and some remoulds. The remoulds are not always the correct size, some are too fat and some too short. But some are ok. Although most are either ancient tread patterns or more extreme MT's.

I think BFG KM3 MTs can be had in a 7.50 x 16 and there are a couple of other makes, but you'll really have to search for them.

Another option is to get some wider rims and run a 235/85R16. The 130 rims are 6" wide as are Wolf rims or replica Wolf rims. Quite a lot of choice really.

23rd Jan 2023 12:49am

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