Tyre Choice Thread ... another one! Same old questions, sorry ...

[FirebladeGuy]

Hi

Right, currently tidying up my project FL1 commercial (53 plate). It was on 15" steel wheels and I wanted something a bit cooler so bought these 6 spokes today (size 7Jx17CH or GH? - see pic) from a slightly later FL1. I read they'd fit, hope I'm right. Question ...

I'm about to reinstate the prop (will do the 1 wheel up test etc) & spend a chunk of cash on 4 (5) new tyres as well as prop bearings and a diff mount. So I got a couple questions ...

1) whats the biggest standard tyres I can fit on those rims without fouling anything? No lift kit or spacers.

Nodge (if you're reading this) i'm sure I read you have gone 225/60/17 and I'm thinking I might go 225/65/17 just because its slightly taller overall. I'm not an off roader, this is gonna be my work van but I do like the look of the A/T tyres. Are 'road tyres' slightly smaller than A/T because of the less aggressive tread? or is a 225/65/17 the exact same diameter regardless?

2) As always im on a budget and I don't really need anything special. The Geolanders i've read so much about seem like the ones to go for but is there anything else cheaper that 'looks' the same way? I drive like a grandad and happy to admit that this is purely a vanity (insanity) project that I'm having traditionally sign written for my little business. It doesn't need the best of anything, I just want it to look good and be mechanically sound.

I welcome all feedback, cheers

 

[andyfreelandy]

I have 15, 16, 17 and 18 inch wheels on 4 different Freelanders.

The 18 inch with 50 series tyres is best on the motorway but not good on pot holes.

My 17 inch wheels with 225/65 Geolanders is by far the best ride and they last forever !! Well 40k and still good. Great in the wet too.

So 225/65 17 fit fine and, as you say give a bit of lift. They also give 28.5 inch diameter and the speedo, calibrated at 28.6 inch is spot on now.

But for budget tyres try HiFlys. I posted a thread on them and fitted them to my 18 inch Sport.

 

[andyfreelandy]

BTW. Grabber AT are noisey and slide about in the wet to the point that they scare me !!

 

[FirebladeGuy]

I have 15, 16, 17 and 18 inch wheels on 4 different Freelanders.

The 18 inch with 50 series tyres is best on the motorway but not good on pot holes.

My 17 inch wheels with 225/65 Geolanders is by far the best ride and they last forever !! Well 40k and still good. Great in the wet too.

So 225/65 17 fit fine and, as you say give a bit of lift. They also give 28.5 inch diameter and the speedo, calibrated at 28.6 inch is spot on now.

But for budget tyres try HiFlys. I posted a thread on them and fitted them to my 18 inch Sport.

Cheers, great information

 

[andyfreelandy]

Thanks

 

[kernowsvenski]

My 17 inch wheels with 225/65 Geolanders is by far the best ride and they last forever !! Well 40k and still good. Great in the wet too.

So 225/65 17 fit fine and, as you say give a bit of lift. They also give 28.5 inch diameter and the speedo, calibrated at 28.6 inch is spot on now.

@FirebladeGuy I have this set up on mine and concur with all of Andy's comments above

 

[Freddie17]

Here are 225/65/17 geo’s on my old FL.
Concur that the geo gives a great all round ride, as well as grippy enough if you want fun off the tarmac.
We had just stopped for a cuppa after a day greenlaning in this pic.

For a curve ball - I have the Falcon Wildpeak AT3 on my F2, and would say that they are easily as good as the geo all round.

 

[Nodge68]

I did have 225/60/17 on my TD4 SE, but would have fitted 225/65/17 Geolanders if the immaculate Sport 18s hadn't come up.