Early Defender 110 wheel options

Hi all. 1992 Defender 110, drum brakes on rear. Earlier hubs.

Starting the freshening up of it and the subject of wheels. I want to fit some alloys and have a few questions.

I've read about changing the axles. I have a Disco 300tdi for spares, but read that the rear axle from the Disco has a lower load rating than the Sailsbury. Is this really an issue?

Have also read topics where folk have switched the front axle over and converted the sailsbury to discs. Spacers have been mentioned onto the current set up, and say Boost alloys fitted. Or correct me if I'm wrong but fitting something like ZU alloys that will allow the hub to poke through.

I'm not really fussed about having drums on the rear, the brakes seem fine at the moment.

What would you guys recommend?

Edit. Sorry, forgot to mention. Boost alloys, are they all the same or are the Disco ones different to Defender ones? Cheers

salisbury axle is certainly a more heavy duty axle, it can be converted to discs with later hubs like the 300 tdi front to take greater choice in alloys

Can you use the hubs off a Disco axle to convert the Sailsbury?

yes but you need some other bits too ,half shafts ftc1724 and ftc1725 stub axles ftc1740 ,caliper brackets ftc3306 plus calipers and discs

Thanks for that.

Am I right in thinking though that I could just fit Mach 5/ZU alloys, or spacers and Boost alloys with the current set up and they will be fine?

check your brake pipe setup as well. you might want to upgrade it to later type and also the gvalve.. as you might be throwing the rear brake levels off with discs.

jgreenwell said:

Thanks for that.

Am I right in thinking though that I could just fit Mach 5/ZU alloys, or spacers and Boost alloys with the current set up and they will be fine?

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Don't know about mach 5 or zu but you can fit most defender alloys if you use spacers. Some people say that they wear out the wheel bearings faster but I have never had any trouble. Don't forget to budget for new wheel nuts as alloy ones are different from steel wheel ones.

ZU & Mach5 fit straight on regardless of axle type and without the need for spacers.
See below, ZU's on early axle with thick drive-flanges.

ZU's on my 96 110 perfect fit.

Spot on thanks chaps. Pikey, any pics of your 110 with them on??