Tyre size for 90

Hi everyone. New memeber and first post !
I’m not too clued up in tyres/wheels so hopefully will get some opinions. I’ve got a 2004 90 TD5. 2” lift with 325/60r18 Mickey Thompson tyres with extended arches. Had these on since I bought the car a few years ago. Handing isn’t great on main roads as it likes to wander side to side. Was thinking of putting standard arches on and putting some 285/75r16s on it. I’ve been told to get 16x8 rims with a -35 offset which would bring the tyres slightly past the standard arches ? Has anybody got any photos of theirs so I could have a look ? Cheers Matt

Slightly past the arches is an MOT failure I do believe?
My son has 255/85 r 16 on 0 offset Wolf wheels which are level with the arches if that's any help.
Welcome to the forum.

Anaconda said:

Slightly past the arches is an MOT failure I do believe?
My son has 255/85 r 16 on 0 offset Wolf wheels which are level with the arches if that's any help.
Welcome to the forum.

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Thank you ! I also thought it was a MOT failure but recently spoke to 2 MOT testers and they both said it would be an advisory I’m also working on a traffic police officers house at the moment and I showed him a photo I found on the internet and he said “you’d have to be quite unlucky to get pulled with that”… so I’m not sure where I stand with it really

I agree you would be unlucky to be pulled for that, just making you aware incase you didn't know.

Anaconda said:

I agree you would be unlucky to be pulled for that, just making you aware incase you didn't know.

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Thank you mate

From the top these are just level. Although it might not be the look you are wanting. I reckon your 90 will look a lot better on standard arches. Handle a lot better with smaller tyres and even better with stock height suspension.

And use less fuel.

PiruMoo said:

Thank you ! I also thought it was a MOT failure but recently spoke to 2 MOT testers and they both said it would be an advisory I’m also working on a traffic police officers house at the moment and I showed him a photo I found on the internet and he said “you’d have to be quite unlucky to get pulled with that”… so I’m not sure where I stand with it really

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It isn't an MoT failure, but is against Construction & Use Regs, aka making your vehicle technically non-roadworthy. The biggest risk would be if your insurance refused to pay out should you be in an RTI.

PiruMoo said:

Hi everyone. New memeber and first post !
I’m not too clued up in tyres/wheels so hopefully will get some opinions. I’ve got a 2004 90 TD5. 2” lift with 325/60r18 Mickey Thompson tyres with extended arches. Had these on since I bought the car a few years ago. Handing isn’t great on main roads as it likes to wander side to side. Was thinking of putting standard arches on and putting some 285/75r16s on it. I’ve been told to get 16x8 rims with a -35 offset which would bring the tyres slightly past the standard arches ? Has anybody got any photos of theirs so I could have a look ? Cheers Matt

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It really depends what you are using the vehicle for and what you want to do with it.

In reality you don't really need to lift a 90, they come from the factory with lots of clearance and suspension travel. A 2" lift just isn't needed. And no lift helps bigger tyres, unless your suspension is so crap it won't compress properly.

Proper suspension flex will allow the wheel to move up and down. Thus negating any lift when compressed. So the tyre needs to fit regardless. Sadly most 2" lift kits cause a terrible ride and often reduce on and off road performance. Although it does depend how it has been lifted and what else has been done.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm all for modded vehicles and I'm not against lifts if they are done right and not against big tyres.

But the reality is, in the UK at least, tall narrow tyres tend to work loads better off than fat off road tyres.

Stock tyres for a Defender are 235/85R16, which is a really good size tbh. Earlier models used 7.50 x 16's, which are the same height, but more narrow and work very well for all UK off road conditions. Although, somewhat a lack of choice in 7.50 x 16's these days.

In the USA 265/75R16 was also standard, again about the same height, but fatter.

Rim width and offset really depends on the tyre sizer and what you are doing with the vehicle.

There are lots of sizes and rims available. If I'm doing serious off road work, aka a competition. I actually run super narrow 7.00 x 16's. For rolling about on the street and general use I run a 33.10.50R15

325's are IMO way too wide unless you have a very specific purpose or need for them.

285's are pretty fat too. But then I'd opt for a more narrow tyre myself.