Need More Ground Clearance, Bigger Wheels

Hi Everyone, It is my first time here so I apologize if i am doing something stupid or asking stupid questions. I have searched other threads but can't find the information I need. I have a problem, I need more axle and suspension ground clearance. I us my stock defender 110 V8 1997 for work hauling construction materials up a mountain and I also drive it on normal roads and highways, it is the only vehicle I have. I am thinking of buying 17"x8" rims with 285x75xr17LT tyres. I figure this will give me about 2 inches more ground clearance. I am not trying to make an extreme defender just a more useable defender but I still want it to look good. I would need strong rims, I carry a lot of weight. I understand the wheels will not fit without modifications so I need recommendations and information on how to accomplish what I need and where to buy what I need. Also if anyone has a better solution I would very much like to hear it. I am not a defender expert but I love my defender and want to make it better not worse. I need recommendations for the wheels and leveling kits, spacers, wheel offsets and anything else I need. I don't want any rubbing or other problems. I would appreciate your help very much. Thanks Ray

I'd stick with 16" wheels as you can get a better range of tyre for them. If you want more clearance then try a 33" tyre as a 285 is roughly 31" I think. You might find a 2" lift is needed then though as you will have less space in the arch for the tyres to move into.

If you fit heavy duty springs on the rear you will still be able to load up the back.

1 other thing. Put a little hello in the introduce yourself section as well but :welcome2:

i have 255 85 16 bfg km2 mud terrains,and they are just under 34 inchs tall,they fit without any modifications,but they do look better with a 2 inch lift.

Bigger wheels. .... less power

PickUp90 said:

Bigger wheels. .... less power

Click to expand...

its a land rover not a racing car

Thank you for all the replies, I appreciate all your replies very much.

Below is the list of tyre sizes I compiled when I started the process of determining what tyre and wheel combination would be best for my situation. It may be helpful to other people considering tyre purchases.

I am currently running 265x75x16LT Tyres. The road (footpath within a stream may be a better description) that I use for transporting materials up the mountain is very rocky so I am trying to get a little wider tyre if possible in order to get some more traction and I definitely need more suspension and axle clearance. The wheel wells on my defender are very narrow I am not sure it is possible to use a wider tyre without major modifications. If I use a wider tyre it appears I will need offfset rims or wheel spacers because there is very little space on the inside the wheel well now with my 265 tyres. I need a tyre that is wider than what I have now (265) and taller than what I have now (31.6 inches high). Because of the very rocky terrain I also need the same or higher sidewalls than I have now (7.8 inches). I do not want a huge extreme tyres just something a little bigger than I have now. I don't want to do major modifications to my defender if I can avoid it but I don't mind lifting it a little and using offset rims. By looking at the information below it appears that I don't have many choices. I would appreciate more information, comments, recommendations and criticisms if anyone has any, I don't want to invest a lot of money in tyres and wheels and regret it later. Is anyone running 285x75x17 or bigger on their Defender? Which leveling kit is the best? Anyone using rims with offset? How high do i need to lift the defender if i do use the 285x75R17 tyres? Do I need to do modifications to the body panels?


16 Inch Rims (Wheels)
265/70/16 = 30.6x10.4/16
265/75/16 = 31.6x10.4/16
275/75/16 = 32.2x10.8/16
285/75/16 = 32.8x11.2/16
305/70/16 = 32.8x12/16
255/85/16 = 33.1x10/16
315/75/16 = 34.6x12.4/16
285/85/16 = 35.1x11.2/16 - Not Easy To Find or not available.
325/80/16 = 36.5x12.8/16
395/70/16 = 37.8x15.6/16

17 Inch Rims (Wheels)
275/70/17 = 32.2x10.8/17
305/65/17 = 32.6x12/17
285/70/17 = 32.7x11.2/17
275/75/17 = 33.2x10.8/17
285/75/17 = 33.8x11.2/17
305/70/17 = 33.8x12/17
315/70/17 = 34.4x12.4/17
285/85/17 = 36.1x11.2/17 - Not Easy To Find or not available.
18 Inch Rims (Wheels)
295/65/18 = 33.1x11.6/18
325/60/18 = 33.4x12.8/18
325/65/18 = 34.6x12.8/18
285/75/18 = 34.8x11.2/18
305/70/18 = 34.8x12/18
375/60/18 = 35.7x14.8/18
305/75/18 = 36x12/18 - Not Easy To Find or not available.
395/65/18 = 38.2x15.6/18

20 Inch Rims (Wheels)
285/60/20 = 33.5x11.2/20
275/65/20 = 34.1x10.8/20
285/65/20 = 34.6x11.2/20

Ive got wolf wheels on mine tough as old boots, mines std height suspension
Michelin 7.50 XZL tyres 31 inches tall again tough as old boots these have steel belted side walls just like truck tyres
Mate has same tyres but 8.25 size and these are 34 inches tall, loads more ground clearance than mine, his has a 2 inch lift
Excellent tyres and as ex military are cheap and last forever.


Lynall

i would seriousley consider my tyre size,will put a pic up.

PickUp90 said:

Bigger wheels. .... less power

Click to expand...

Same power, different gearing.

I am running standard military tyres on mine and found nothing that I can't get up to date. I green lane in Wales all the time up some very difficult lanes that match your description of a path with a stream very well!

8kphil your defender is beautiful. Your tyres look great on your defender. I have been thinking about your suggestion ever since you posted it. Your suggestion is a very logical choice. My only concern is the width, now with my 10.4 inch wide tyres I have a traction problem driving up the stream filled with many loose small rocks (about 4 - 12 inches in diameter). The specific problem is that the rocks are loose and the tyres slip between the rocks. My defender is a 110, the cause of the problem may be that I carry a lot of weight up the mountain making it easier to slip between the rocks. My friend has a jeep with very wide tyres and he has much less problems driving up the mountain than I do because of his wide tyres not slipping between the rocks. Having said that I am still thinking about using the tyres you suggested I like the look of your tyres on your defender. Unfortunately that may not solve my problem of slipping between the rocks. Thank you very much for your suggestion, I appreciate it very much, I am a new defender owner and need all the help I can get. Once again your defender is beautiful and it looks like a lot of fun to drive.

Hi Airways, What size tyres are your military tires, I am not familiar with military tyre sizes. Unfortunately I use my defender for work. If I did not need to carry heavy weight up the mountain I would not have as many problems with the rocks. The tyres slip between the rocks and then the water from the stream fills in the whole my tyres create. The rocks in the stream are very smooth and slippery so my tyres just end up in a whole surrounded by slippery rocks. I know my problem is not unique I am just trying to find the best solution. I don't have much money to spend so i want to make sure i make the best decision possible.

The standard military tyres are 7.5x16. Technique is as important as tyres......

Airways, Thank you, I agree with you and I will be the first to admit that my technique may be far from perfect, I am still learning.

zap rover,thanks,i love my defender,the green lanes local to me in the lake district are very rocky,and i dont have any problems with my tyres,search stile end on youtube and look at that lane,if i can get up there today in ice and snow,you could drive anywere! good luck with choosing your tyres and i hope your happy with whatever you choose.

Sorry to jump in on the thread but like ZapRover, I'm quite the Novice:high5:
8KPhil, your setup is exactly what I'm looking for.
Are you on standard suspension or have you just bolted on your wheels on. Have you fitted wheel spacers.

Cheers

aaarone1 said:

Sorry to jump in on the thread but like ZapRover, I'm quite the Novice:high5:
8KPhil, your setup is exactly what I'm looking for.
Are you on standard suspension or have you just bolted on your wheels on. Have you fitted wheel spacers.

Cheers

Click to expand...

i have a 2 inch lift,using terrafirma pro sport springs and dampers,terrafirma,tubular turrets,dislocation cones and braided brake lines and gywn lewis hd arms,hd turret rings and hd spring retainers,and floflex poly bushes,no wheel spacers,any more info needed just ask mate.

My 285s are nearly 35 inches tall

I think a lot depends on the make of the tyre. My maxxis tyres are taller and slightly thinner than other tyres that are supposedly the same size.

35 inch fedima siroccos are 37 inchs tall!