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Deerfold

Member Since: 28 Aug 2016
Location: Shropshire Hills
Posts: 54

Tyre size on a td5 with disco gearing

Hello all, newbie around these parts looking for advise. Just bought a td5 that is running 285/75/16 on boosts. I will be changing these as they too wide and noisy. But the truck has a disco gearing, so what size would be a sensible replacement? I was thinking wolf rims on a 235/85/16? Work well with the gearing? But maybe look lost in the arches? Another option would be a 255/85/16 but concerned they maybe too tall with the gearing even with its irb goodies?? All suggestions welcome.

16th Sep 2016 6:12am

300TDi CSW Phil

Member Since: 03 Apr 2016
Location: Bracknell
Posts: 750

1995 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Epsom Green

Deerfold,

I ran 235/85/16's on wolfs on my 300Tdi with the upgraded transfer case. The only problem I've had with this combination involves a heavy box trailer and hills on motorways.

Below is a picture from the front of mine (right hand defender) with said wheels.

Click image to enlarge

I now have ZU's with the same size tyres which do fill the arches out slightly more.

Click image to enlarge

Regards

Phil 1995 300 Tdi Epsom Green - It's a keeper.
Wide Track Sankey- In bits- Gone to a new home
M0XQS

16th Sep 2016 7:16am

Cupboard

Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 2971

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 HT Corris Grey

People put the Disco gears in to up gear the Defender slightly to reduce engine RPM for a given road speed. Obviously unless you adjust the speedo then it will read incorrectly.

255/85 would keep the same effective ratio as the 285s but are a lower rolling resistance on account of being narrower, and easier to accelerate due to being lighter. *However* there are not many tyres in that size available in the UK and you're limited to a handful of mud terrain patterns so that might defeat the object.

235/85 is the standard Defender size that most people run, whether or not they've got the Disco transfer box or not. Whether you think they look lost is rather down to personal preference! No need to buy Wolf wheels if you're happy with your current Boosts.

Personally I'd go for the 235s unless you've got a good reason not too. There are a good choice of tyres available and it's a sensible size.

16th Sep 2016 10:26am

jst

Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8033

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey

235.85R16 for a 1.2 t box would get my vote for general alround use. Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop

16th Sep 2016 10:33am

Martin
Site Admin

Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6605

2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red

Cupboard wrote:
People put the Disco gears in to up gear the Defender slightly to reduce engine RPM for a given road speed. Obviously unless you adjust the speedo then it will read incorrectly.

Not true, the speedo reading is taken at the rear output of the transfer box, so it is unaffected by the ratios before it.

The speedo gear needs changing for different tyre radius (I did this for 205/80 -> 265/75 tyres but not for 1.41 -> 1.222 transfer box).

1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top

2015 D90 XS SW

16th Sep 2016 1:21pm

Mjibex

Member Since: 21 Mar 2013
Location: Reading
Posts: 283

2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Loire Blue

I had 255/85/R16 BFG M/Ts on my Td5 XS SW 110 (chipped), and it was perfect. Loved it - wish I'd never sold it!

16th Sep 2016 1:56pm

AJC

Member Since: 30 Nov 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 1362

td5 110 with 1.2 transfer, twisted remap

i have had 235/85's and now on 285/75's, both have been fine imo

16th Sep 2016 3:16pm

AJC

Member Since: 30 Nov 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 1362

And she does 90mph comfortably

16th Sep 2016 3:16pm

jst

Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8033

Mjibex wrote:
I had 255/85/R16 BFG M/Ts on my Td5 XS SW 110 (chipped), and it was perfect. Loved it - wish I'd never sold it!

with 1.2 or 1.4 box? Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop

16th Sep 2016 3:49pm

Mjibex

Member Since: 21 Mar 2013
Location: Reading
Posts: 283

1.2 transfer box - was fed up with the 1.4 with GKN.
Mine would cruise at crazy speed - and do just over 120MPH (on the autobahn)!

16th Sep 2016 4:52pm

Deerfold

Member Since: 28 Aug 2016
Location: Shropshire Hills
Posts: 54

Thank you all for your input, I am airing towards the 235/85/16 on wolfs. If I had a standard 1.4 box then defo 255. I will be changing from boosts as I want to match the camp trailer I'm building.

16th Sep 2016 5:19pm

Cupboard

Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 2971

Martin wrote:
Cupboard wrote:
People put the Disco gears in to up gear the Defender slightly to reduce engine RPM for a given road speed. Obviously unless you adjust the speedo then it will read incorrectly.

Not true, the speedo reading is taken at the rear output of the transfer box, so it is unaffected by the ratios before it.

The speedo gear needs changing for different tyre radius (I did this for 205/80 -> 265/75 tyres but not for 1.41 -> 1.222 transfer box).

Ah, I guess that actually makes more sense that what I was saying too.

Thanks

16th Sep 2016 6:43pm

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