Freelander ground clearance

If you are unsure of a tyre size - put its dimensions, eg "205/80 R16" into the search box and you usually get an answer.

The wheels on that car came from a Jeep I believe!

Thanks for the advice from everybody i just want more ground clearance and it to look more meatier and higher dont want a lift on it with them sizes 205s x 70s x 16 would this make it look more meatier and higher i dont want to damage the vehicle it is going to be drove everyday on road and off road is that the biggest size you can put on as i will be having passengers and dont want it to rub or get damaged any feedback would be greatly appreciated thanks.

Thejam said:

205s x 70s x 16 would this make it look more meatier and higher

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Those are no larger than the factory 215/65/16. It'll look the same, but with skinny tyres when viewed from an end.

Thejam said:

i dont want to damage the vehicle it is going to be drove everyday on road and off road is that the biggest size you can put on as i will be having passengers and dont want it to rub or get damaged any feedback would be greatly appreciated thanks

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Didn't you read what I posted earlier.

I said 205/80/16 will fit and not rub, but look tall and skinny on the car.

Be aware that you're never going to make the Freelander noticeably taller just by changing the tyres.
The standard wheels with the largest tyres that don't rub, will only increase the overall hight by 1/2 an inch or so. So you're never going to be pushing it to the clouds, unless you install larger wheels and a suspension lift. You can gain about 3 inches of hight, if you go the right way about it, but it's more involved that simply replacing the tyres.

Whats involved in making it higher

Ok thanks nodge68 i did not see your post sorry about that

Be careful of fitting thinner tyres. A thinner tyre will reduce the footprint ont road, which reduces grip and breaking ability. Yer won't notice much under normal driving but cornering fast, in the wet or emergency stops could be a bit different.

If yer must deviate from standard tyre fit options then go for something tried and tested by others. Cheap thinner tyres int the way to go.

Standard fitting on mine are 195/80 R15 - so a 205's wider than them.

Hippo said:

Part of the fun of driving oft road is the need to pick the best route... man/machine working together to get past said obstacle. The ground clearance on a Freelander int much different to other lr's.

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It is, but not just in absolute terms, although this is also true.

A stock Freelander also has terrible approach and departure angles and a breakover angle. and because it is fully independent suspension all round, it's actual clearance will vary a lot depending on how compressed the suspension at any given moment in time.

The up shot is, on almost any off road terrain, you will be bashing the underside of the Freelander and it's bumpers on the ground significantly more than on a live axle Land Rover.

This isn't knocking the Freelander, they can be made to go a lot of places. And on certain terrain their TCS system makes them very capable. But there is no denying they lack ground clearance when compared to other Land Rovers that people take off road.

300bhp/ton said:

It is, but not just in absolute terms, although this is also true.

A stock Freelander also has terrible approach and departure angles and a breakover angle. and because it is fully independent suspension all round, it's actual clearance will vary a lot depending on how compressed the suspension at any given moment in time.

The up shot is, on almost any off road terrain, you will be bashing the underside of the Freelander and it's bumpers on the ground significantly more than on a live axle Land Rover.

This isn't knocking the Freelander, they can be made to go a lot of places. And on certain terrain their TCS system makes them very capable. But there is no denying they lack ground clearance when compared to other Land Rovers that people take off road.

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When yer take comparison measurements the Freelander int that different to the others. Like disco owners cutting oft the bottom of the front bumper fer betterer approch angle.

Personally I like the challenge of getting over/through an obstacle. At plays days yer see the home made thing on thin tractor size wheels with super low ratio drive train. They seem to be able to go anywhere. The owners must get board of that. Lot of money and time to make hydraulic 4 wheel steering. Unless they need it for work. Each to their own I guess.

I'd agree with that. Building the ultimate off road machine would be a terrific project, and knowing that it works as you'd hoped must be a fantastic reward. But I also agree that there is a reward of taking a more compromised vehicle, driving it well and surprising folks as to how far it will go!

I have standard size A/Ts on my 16" rims. The tyres are fantastic. But I have got stuck - mostly getting grounded on the belly pan, and not having enough momentum to keep going.

I have a couple more years before the London Mayor forces the sale of my Freelander (it isn't ULEZ compliant, and I live within the extended boundary of the north/south circular ) - so do I keep it standard, or do I throw that caution to the wind, lift it and stick taller tyres on it just for the fun of it?

PS For 16" rims, what is the consensus of the optimum, tallest profile that will fit before spring cup/ tyre interaction?

PPS Fitting Modulars with a different offset might enable taller tyre combinations - but will need a centre-bore adapter

rob_bell said:

PS For 16" rims, what is the consensus of the optimum, tallest profile that will fit before spring cup/ tyre interaction?

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This is the room I have with my 235/55/18 tyres on my otherwise standard SE.

Not too bad!

rob_bell said:

Not too bad!

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Not too bad at all. I reckon that I could have fitted 255/55/18 tyres, if I'd put 5mm shim spacers.

rob_bell said:

I'd agree with that. Building the ultimate off road machine would be a terrific project, and knowing that it works as you'd hoped must be a fantastic reward. But I also agree that there is a reward of taking a more compromised vehicle, driving it well and surprising folks as to how far it will go!

I have standard size A/Ts on my 16" rims. The tyres are fantastic. But I have got stuck - mostly getting grounded on the belly pan, and not having enough momentum to keep going.

I have a couple more years before the London Mayor forces the sale of my Freelander (it isn't ULEZ compliant, and I live within the extended boundary of the north/south circular ) - so do I keep it standard, or do I throw that caution to the wind, lift it and stick taller tyres on it just for the fun of it?

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If yer selling it soon then it may put peeps oft buying if it's none standard.

Hippo said:

If yer selling it soon then it may put peeps oft buying if it's none standard.

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You're right of course - I've resisted the temptation to modify too much, but I do love the car and what it can do: it's certainly the cheapest way into LR ownership. I'd highly recommend it

As mentioned, the only reason why I would sell it is the punitive tax for older car ownership in London (24/7, 365 days a year) that will be extending to include the area in which I live. This will effect the entire household fleet of cars - except my wife's electric run-around.

Going further off-thread, I have been giving LR ownership some thought. The Freelander will be replaced with another Land Rover. I can either go very new or very old. Or V8.

A V8 is tempting: I've never owned one, and this may be my last chance to get one. But it'll be a D3 - so there will be plenty of work to do on it

The modern LRs I do like. But D5 and Velar are almost too refined for their own good. Both are pretty big (D5 just seems somehow enormous - yet the D3/D4 doesn't? Go figure). The Disco Sport looks ideal - but it's diesel soot catalyst implementation looks to be troublesome if you live in the city. I'd probably get the petrol version (I'll have to get more friendly with the local petrol station attendants).

Or "Classic" LR - a nice old series station wagon. Nice and smoky to wind up the politicians

Choices, choices...

Few years ago we had someone on ere with a red td4. Lifted, bigger wheels etc. He ended up getting an electric car. Cheaper fer commuting to work. Din't take long for his Freelander to go. Cost saving of electric car and the Freelander not needed at the time. Difficult decision but as the savings started adding up sadly his Freelander's was too eggspensive to keep running for little use.

Hippo said:

Din't take long for his Freelander to go. Cost saving of electric car and the Freelander not needed at the time.

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The savings of an electric car over a diesel are very small, if at all. If all factors are taken into account, like increased monthly electric cost, short electric car battery life and the increased initial outlay for the car. There's no such thing as a cheap to run electric car, when it's worked out in pence per mile.

Nodge68 said:

The savings of an electric car over a diesel are very small, if at all. If all factors are taken into account, like increased monthly electric cost, short electric cat battery life and the increased initial outlay for the car. There's no such thing as a cheap to run electric car, when it's worked out in pence per mile.

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I can't remember where he lived but I think he was going to be charged movement tax to go to where he worked. One of those London or outer London entry tax per day things. If it were say £10 per day it would hit several £k in a year. I think Freelander's should be eggsempt.

Nodge68 said:

The savings of an electric car over a diesel are very small, if at all. If all factors are taken into account, like increased monthly electric cost, short electric cat battery life and the increased initial outlay for the car. There's no such thing as a cheap to run electric car, when it's worked out in pence per mile.

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I thought that too, but seems there have been some keen finance deals on used Leafs and similar. They even come with the battery rather than rent it. Someone on PistonHeads traded in a Micra (£2k down essentially) and has the Leaf for 4 years for £165/month. Charging costs are actually very low and essentially free if you use public charge points or ones at your work.