OffRoad Preparation Help

Hi Guys,

I've finally decided to make some mods on a Disco 300 TDI '94, which was from my father and is "part of the family" since then, so I decided to come here since I need some help.

The idea is to prepare it for some touristic OffRoad courses as well as some trips/expedition, etc. Nothing extreme such as trial, etc.

Meanwhile I've been hearing some opinions and studying this subject so I've already installed:

- OME Nitrocharger Sport +2” Springs and Shocks (it was still with the original suspension which was quite saggy)

- TOUGH DOG RTC steering shock

- Front and rear steel bumpers (prepared for winch, anchorage, etc)

- Tow ball and rear ladder

And I'm also thinking on installing:

- Winch (WARN or SUPERWINCH)

- Snorkel (SAFARI)

- More adequate tyres for OffRoad (by now it has Michelin Latitude)

At this moment it's really about tyres I need your help. I want something more robust for this purpose but nothing with "bigfoot" looking (that ones getting too much out to the wheel arches).

I've been reading several opinions about this subject and was thinking on installing some BFG A/T ou M/T on size 245/75R16, 235/85R16 or 265/75R16 but I'm still trying to know what's the more adequate, which ones need more changes and which (“camel cut”, reinforcing, etc).

I kindly ask you opinion about brand (BFG, other), type (A/T or M/T), size and recommended wheel hubs (iron/aluminium?, brand, model, etc).

Any suggestion regarding the rest of the equipment will also be welcome.

Best regards and thanks in advance for any help you may provide.

I got an excellent breather kit (inc crankcase plate) off ebay for £30 and £5 for a 5 way breather adapter to pass the crankcase, axles, gearbox and transfer box breathers into the snorkel and that included the 2 wading plugs. Might be worth getting.

I have BFG AT on at the moment, and have never got stuck yet.

Saying that I am probably going to get something different when I change them as I have read that the newer ones are not as strong and get cut easily on the sidewalls.

I am currently looking at Cooper Discoverer STT (due to price), STT MAXX or Khumo Venture MT's (as I think they would look badass).

james6546 said:

I have BFG AT on at the moment, and have never got stuck yet.

Saying that I am probably going to get something different when I change them as I have read that the newer ones are not as strong and get cut easily on the sidewalls.

I am currently looking at Cooper Discoverer STT (due to price), STT MAXX or Khumo Venture MT's (as I think they would look badass).

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you got stuck in the snow, when we rescued that defender, lol, Oh and the Khumo MT are cr4p in the mud IMO

johnlad said:

you got stuck in the snow, when we rescued that defender, lol, Oh and the Khumo MT are cr4p in the mud IMO

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Haha, I forgot that...I also got stuck in some other snow when I tried to use it as a snowplough. I forgot about that too!

I don't do too much mud stuff, it will mostly be sand/road(70%)/dirt/snow. Are the Khumos any good at other stuff or would you just not get them? I need a set of tyres before the next trip, mine are getting a bit cracked for long distances.

james6546 said:

Haha, I forgot that...I also got stuck in some other snow when I tried to use it as a snowplough. I forgot about that too!

I don't do too much mud stuff, it will mostly be sand/road(70%)/dirt/snow. Are the Khumos any good at other stuff or would you just not get them? I need a set of tyres before the next trip, mine are getting a bit cracked for long distances.

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id go for a set of bfg km2 as an all rounder, there quite on the tarmac, last a long time, ok in mud but not as good as an extreme tyre but they also have good sidewalls, which from what iv'e seen the Khumo's dont

johnlad said:

id go for a set of bfg km2 as an all rounder, there quite on the tarmac, last a long time, ok in mud but not as good as an extreme tyre but they also have good sidewalls, which from what iv'e seen the Khumo's dont

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Ok, I will have a shop around for some and see what prices I can get. I'll take the Khumos off my list.

james6546 said:

Ok, I will have a shop around for some and see what prices I can get. I'll take the Khumos off my list.

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You may struggle to find BFG KM2 as the usuall sizes are out of production while the factory is tooled up for the new AT tyre. I have just bought Maxxis Bighorn MT 762 from JCS 4x4, got a good deal and some recon they are as good if not better than BFG, time will tell

With regards to what you want to do, I have been using BFG AT 235/85/16 on standard steel wheels for last 18 months for green laning and two trips to Morroco. They are great tires and ensure you don't bottom out in Defender ruts due to the height. They are a good compromise and only need a camel cut and 2" lift to fit. I changed to the Maxxis 255/85/16 to give me a larger footprint as I got un nesseseraly stuck in Maroc a few times, where someone with the Maxxis did not. They do however require cutting of arches and flexi arches fitted. I avoided wider than 255 because the narrower tire bites into the hard stuff under mud and avoids any undue extra pressure on bearings. I have fitted the on modulars with -35ET hence they come out of the arches hence fitting the flexi ones. Hope this helps, it is a bit of a minefield trying to get it right and this stuff is not cheap.

KNine said:

You may struggle to find BFG KM2 as the usuall sizes are out of production while the factory is tooled up for the new AT tyre. I have just bought Maxxis Bighorn MT 762 from JCS 4x4, got a good deal and some recon they are as good if not better than BFG, time will tell

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255s look good
Certainly making me want to get some

Been using Malatesta Kobra MT 265s, fro TyresDirect.co.uk, for few yrs now.
Very good on road, for MTs and never been stuck on some really sh***y building sites, off-road.

KNine said:

You may struggle to find BFG KM2 as the usuall sizes are out of production while the factory is tooled up for the new AT tyre. I have just bought Maxxis Bighorn MT 762 from JCS 4x4, got a good deal and some recon they are as good if not better than BFG, time will tell

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Cheers, they do look good. What are they like noise wise? As I am hopefully doing Morocco in Spring.

Edit: I just googled the new BFG AT KO2 and that looks perfect. Wonder when it comes out?

Edit Edit: Says July so might wait and get them if they aren't too much.

afonseca said:

The idea is to prepare it for some touristic OffRoad courses as well as some trips/expedition, etc. Nothing extreme such as trial, etc.


- More adequate tyres for OffRoad (by now it has Michelin Latitude)

At this moment it's really about tyres I need your help. I want something more robust for this purpose but nothing with "bigfoot" looking (that ones getting too much out to the wheel arches).

Click to expand...

If you want a long lasting robust tyre, then might I suggest you look at Michelin XZL's. They where standard fitment to many Land Rover's and what was used for some of the Camel Trophy events.

They aren't the best mud plugger, but they are very tough and durable and will be more than adequate for most non-extreme off road conditions.

You'll want them in 7.50 R16 size. They will fit on 7j wide rims, but if you want find some 6.5j ones or similar even better.

You'll probably want to perform the 'Camel cut' on the rear of the rear arch. But it's very easy to do.

Here is a Camel running XZL's, to show how well they fit. Note they are mounted on regular LR steel wheels. And you can hardly notice the camel cut.

james6546 said:

Cheers, they do look good. What are they like noise wise? As I am hopefully doing Morocco in Spring.

Edit: I just googled the new BFG AT KO2 and that looks perfect. Wonder when it comes out?

Edit Edit: Says July so might wait and get them if they aren't too much.

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Only put the Big Horns on last night, so don't know what they sound like, but can update this weekend, but my colleagues ones seem fine.

Update on the BFG KM2, got a phone call from 4x4 tyres saying the are now in stock, first time in months. Oh well, I have the bighorns now

Regarding the new BFG ATs, they should be out this month, and a new feature is that they are Winter rated (snow icon).

KNine, your 255/85s seem to fill the guards a lot. Do they rub at all? What lift has it got? And how much of the guards did you have to hack out to fit those flares or did they just stick onto the existing guards without any modifications?

TrilloThrillo110 said:

KNine, your 255/85s seem to fill the guards a lot. Do they rub at all? What lift has it got? And how much of the guards did you have to hack out to fit those flares or did they just stick onto the existing guards without any modifications?

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No rubbing on steering lock. Took it out yesterday to test on articulation, found that the rear mud flap, the metal bit with the bend ( see photo) caught on the tyre when it went into the arch. Today's job was re fabricating the mud flaps to take out the bend. The arches are "flexi arches" as sold in this country, so had to do all the usual cutting all round to get the clearance. Being a 5 door meant more work, but followed a thread on here, where I filled the gap between the door outer skin and inner skin with excess metal from the inner skin, then filled with body filler and painted up. I didn't measure how much I cut off, but it's at least 2" all round. I have a 2" lift with OME heavy duty springs and sports shock's.

Another photo

It looks really good
Thinking about 33s for mine

afonseca said:

- Tow ball and rear ladder

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Unless you're planning on towing something I wouldn't install a tow ball, it will just be something to dig in on slope approach/departure.

Hi, thanks for all replies and suggestions!

Regarding tire size I’m quite tending to 235/85R16 which seems to be the “standard size” for what I’ve been reading/hearing.

Regarding brand and type I still don’t know what to do since I want a multipurpose tire, which isn’t too bad on road but capable of going through “all” kinds of terrain… so I was tending to MT but the question is if they do the same as the AT and more (obviously with a little less mpg) but I’m afraid that it can be too inappropriate for road. It would be nice if it was also good for rain.

I’ve been thinking on the BFG KM2 but don’t know what to do…

As I previously said the idea is to prepare it for some touristic OffRoad courses as well as some trips/expeditions, etc. Nothing extreme such as trial, etc.

And about a steering shock absorver (like Tough Dog RTC) is it necessary/recommendable?

And about wheels? I have the standard Disco steel originals but I was thinking on installing some BOOST or D DISH. Is it a good option? Which one is the best?

Best regards and thanks in advance for any help you may provide.