Radials on a series 3

I have been looking at converting to radials and most people have talked about changing to the 109" wheels rather than staying on the 88". What is the reason behind this? I was hoping to use the 88" wheels or are they an odd size for the radials?

88 rims are thinner than 109 (5.5" vs 6.5" iirc) so 109 rims can take a wider tyre. The diameter/circumference is the same though.

What size tyres are you planning to fit?

Radial vs crossply has nothing to do with size

I see, I haven't really looked at sizes as I'm currently still investigating. I suppose the width will improve wet and off road grip?

I've got crossply on at the moment and I'm looking at making the series as safe and comfortable as possible but still usable for greenlaning and moderate off roading.

I've got Goodyear G90's on my Series 3 - 7.50's size. They are radials and are tubeless too. On my old riveted rims they had tubes in them with no issues
I've nothing to compare them to performance wise to be fair, but they seem fine for my sedate speeds. I strongly suspect they help soften the ride a bit. I'm on standard springs and struggle to relate to people who moan about a harsh ride.
They also look quite period on a Series Landy too IMO

Just been looking at sizes I need, 235/85r16 will be the size suitable for a swb 88" wheel.

Probably not, I think the official answer is that 235's need wider rims however some people have fitted them anyway...

That being said, if you're looking at 235/85's I'm guessing you've got 7.50R16's on at the minute? If so you may have 109 rims on already. ...

I think that may well be the case then, from memory, (I'm at sea at the moment and have no photographs of the wheels or tyres) they are 7.50x16, in fact I've just remembered, there is a spare in the back that is a 6.50x16 which I obviously can't use unless I want to screw the diff's!

7.50 x 16 will help with the gearing - particularly if you don't have an ovdrive like me. Not sure I'd want anything smaller with my 2.25d


235's have a slightly smaller radius. Probably more choice tyres in 235's perhaps.

235/85's have a slightly larger radius than 7.50's.

235's will sit on an offset rim so you dont lose out on turning circle and still stay just in line with the arches.

I thought it was inadvisable to fit tubeless onto the old rims because they don't have the same profile as the newer wheels to hold the bead of the tyres on?
Or does it make no difference in practice?

My 88 runs 205/80/16 all terrain tyres. Avon "Rangemaster" possibly not the best in mud and snow but very impressive on wear rates. One advantage of the 205s is light steering and plenty of availability being a size used on the Disco.

I run with 205x16r on LWB rims...I did have them on swb rims for a while but the tyres looked a bit to wide for them,

Apart from that LWB rims look better...if you cant find any LWB rims....90 rims will do but the offset is not as much and they dont look quite as good as the old LWB rims....same rim width as far as I know,

I also run tubeless on old style LWB rims...have done for years with no probs...and far far fewer punchers....

Some say its not legal though,

P.S. you will find the steering heavier.

Nick.