Tyres!

[Bern]

I'm thinking about getting a set of new tyres for the Landy (1972 SWB series 3 diesel).

Currently it's got 205 80 R16, but I was thinking about something bigger, maybe 7.5 R16, just to get a little more top speed really! Of course I could get 235 I guess, but I don't really want to get too wide as I don't want the steering any heavier.

On the other hand I like the original small tyre look!

The only time it goes off road is across my field, but I would like something that looks like a classic Land Rover tyre, not an SUV tyre!

At the moment it's got tubed tyres (and therefore I assume wheels). Is it best to stay with this, or should I get newer tubeless wheels and tyres?

And once I decide on the size I need to then decide on the type!

Am I making it all too difficult for myself?

Or should I just look put for a decent set of wheels and tyres on eBay?

Has anybody tried these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/x4-7-50R...m=283170618263&_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042

Any advice gratefully received!

 

[Colthebrummie]

My series 3 came with original and very rough tyres and tubed wheels. I needed to change the tyres anyway so I bought a new set of tubeless wheels with mitchelin tyres as fitted as new to defenders. Four cost me £420, I wish now I had bought the fifth for the extra £100 they was asking. They look good on the landy, don't affect the steering adversely and off good road manners and longevity.

Col

 

[rob1miles]

The 235/85 come out as very near the same size as a 7.50 and you may find there's more choice. Its becuase the std rims are quite narrow. The only way to keep the "small wheel" look is small wheels, mine is a LWB and looks way better with the 235/85 (about 32-33" dia) than it did with the 205s. The bigger tyres make a big difference in speed and noise - worth about 10% better. The 205s are about 29", To put that 10% in perspective an OD is worth about 20%. check you have LWB / later rims (5 1/2J) not the older SWB 5J, its unlikely.

 

[Rodeo Joe]

I put 7.50s on my 88" and the road noise is deafening .....when you can hear it above the engine noise, gearbox noise, axle whine....
They do look good though.

 

[Citizen Kane]

Its a personal thing but I would shy away from remoulds.

I'm currently running 7.50 Michelin XPC and have previously used up a set of 7.50 Michelin latitude cross tyres, neither look particularly aggressive but I've long since realised that you cant judge a tyres ability by its looks alone. Like most I spend most of my time on the road but both proved more than capable on your typical Hampshire green lane and in the snow we have had in the last few years.

Both sets were purchased as Defender wheel tyre takeoffs, the Latitudes were band new and cost significantly less than remoulds your considering.

 

[Bobsticle]

My series 3 came with original and very rough tyres and tubed wheels. I needed to change the tyres anyway so I bought a new set of tubeless wheels with mitchelin tyres as fitted as new to defenders. Four cost me £420, I wish now I had bought the fifth for the extra £100 they was asking. They look good on the landy, don't affect the steering adversely and off good road manners and longevity.

Col

I got my 4 for £50. He was gutted

 

[Colthebrummie]

I got my 4 for £50. He was gutted

So am I now that you have told me that

Col

 

[dag019]

7.50's Michelin xlz on mine. Not too noisy, reasonable road manners both on and off road, a good "look" for a series (if that is important for you), and I have not had any problems with wet weather performance others complain about, but I drive it like a series land rover not a hot hatch!
They are also available very cheaply second hand. With a combination of buying singles and sets, learning to swap a tubed tyre myself, and selling the rims and tyres I did not want, I managed to get a set of 6 HD rims all fitted with decent xzl's for less that £100.

 

[Rodeo Joe]

I got my 4 for £50. He was gutted

Got mine for 6 quid on eBay, brand new on lwb rims.
Give the seller his due he did let em go for that but thought I was taking the **** when I gave him a tenner and told him to keep the change.

 

[suburban]

7.50's goodyear with the g90 tread, don't find road noise an issue, its not above the engine noise anyway

+1 on lwb wheels, I have wolf rims which I think are 6.5j

 

[suburban]

pic of g90 tread, iirc its the tread the mod use/used on the wolf (happy to be corrected on this)

 

[Bern]

Thanks all, much appreciated. I'll look out for some 2nd hand Defender wheels, and if they come with decent tyres that's a bonus!

 

[dag019]

Thanks all, much appreciated. I'll look out for some 2nd hand Defender wheels, and if they come with decent tyres that's a bonus!

The advantage of that is they are likely to be tubless as well (not guaranteed)

 

[suburban]

+1 ^^^^^^^ tubeless is much better

had 7.50 g90's on older series rims so they had to be tubed. cuts out using things like "flatmate" or a mini compressor to get you home or out of the middle of nowhere in the dark. no such thing as a slow puncture with a tubed tyre, once holed a tube is flat

 

[dag019]

+1 ^^^^^^^ tubeless is much better

had 7.50 g90's on older series rims so they had to be tubed. cuts out using things like "flatmate" or a mini compressor to get you home or out of the middle of nowhere in the dark. no such thing as a slow puncture with a tubed tyre, once holed a tube is flat

Very true but you should always have a spare strapped to the bonnet of a series truck. And the jack and tyre iron tucked behind the seats!
Changing a wheel in the middle of a field up to the diffs in mud after the tube has punctured and the tyre come off the rim is a Land Rover right of passage!

 

[suburban]

indeed, wouldn't travel without at least one spare. don't like changing at the roadside in all hours and conditions.

having said that, I can count on one hand the number of times I have had a flat in 40 years of driving. wouldn't want to be caught short though.

One of my first cars got a flat so I jacked it up and the jack just kept on going up through the car managed to find a piece of wood to spread the load so I could change the wheel and get home. had to lash out £100 on another car

 

[Bern]

Thanks for all the replies, I finally got some 750s on Defender rims, 2 x Avon Rangemaster (on the front), 2 x Event Limus (Rear) and 1 x Michelin, er, something as the spare!

Before:

And After:

 

[rob1miles]

Those rims look in good condition too.

 

[300bhp/ton]

The 235/85 come out as very near the same size as a 7.50 and you may find there's more choice. Its becuase the std rims are quite narrow. The only way to keep the "small wheel" look is small wheels, mine is a LWB and looks way better with the 235/85 (about 32-33" dia) than it did with the 205s. The bigger tyres make a big difference in speed and noise - worth about 10% better. The 205s are about 29", To put that 10% in perspective an OD is worth about 20%. check you have LWB / later rims (5 1/2J) not the older SWB 5J, its unlikely.

235’s are no where near 33” tall. Technically they are also too wide for stock Series rims (5.5”).

A 235 should be about the same height as a 7.50, but they are a fair bit wider.

 

[dieseldog69]

235’s are no where near 33” tall. Technically they are also too wide for stock Series rims (5.5”).

A 235 should be about the same height as a 7.50, but they are a fair bit wider.

When new my Cooper STT in 235/85 r16 stood 32" 5/8ths tall, that's plenty tall enough to be considered nearly 33" tall, Lee had some remould Malatesta in 235/85 and they were closer to 33" 1/2 tall at 26psi, but yeah deffo too wide for stock 5" 1/2" rims.