Freelander 1 235 55 18 at3 on a Sport model.

Firstly forgive me I know this topic has been done to death but I need a little updated info for my specific wheel size.

Currently I have the 235 50 r18's on a Sport model but am after some chunkier tyres. The nearest to the size I can find is 235 "55" 18 AT3 & wondered if any modifications would be needed. I have spacers & worst case I don't mind putting a 2" lift on if there's not too much cutting etc involved.

I was also looking at
X4 215/65R16 INSA TURBO DAKAR TYRES ON 16X7 BLACK MODULAR STEEL WHEELS ET35.

^ which one is less hassle

I've got 235/55/18 Cooper Touring Plus tyres on mine. These are all season road biased tyres. I'll swap to 17" rims with AT tyres if I'm planning on going serious off road stuff. I can't be doing with droning tyres on a daily basis.

As for mods needed. You should be able to fit a 235/55/18 tyre without spacers as I've got 5 mm clearance to the struts with my road biased tyres fitted. If you need spacers to fit ATs, then you'll only need 5mm thick shim spacers. You won't really need a lift on Sport suspension, but it's probably better to swap the suspension to the standard hight components, unless it's a 2006 Sport.

I personally wouldn't fit Modulars on my car in a 16" rim as they're not hubcentric. I'd use 16" Freedom standard wheels and paint them black and fit them with 225/65/16 Yokohama AT tyres.
Insa turbos are designed for vehicles with separate chassis where the ridiculous noise they make is damped out by the chassis.

Ah that's a very good point about them not being hubcentric :/

I'm quite a fan of the HSE 3 spoke type 17's but if I'm gonna lose my 18's I may as well go for 16's & chunkier tyres as opposed to the 1" gain with the 3 spoke.

The idea of chunkier tyres is not only for my dog walks/trips to the moors but also so I'm able to have tyres with a longer lifespan.

I don't really go in deep mud I'm in Cornwall so mostly coastal paths/hill climbs & need a little extra ground clearance to avoid small rocks as well as traction on the loose shale/gravel.

Not to mention looks of course

Nodge68 said:

I've got 235/55/18 Cooper Touring Plus tyres on mine. These are all season road biased tyres. I'll swap to 17" rims with AT tyres if I'm planning on going serious off road stuff. I can't be doing with droning tyres on a daily basis.
View attachment 154748
As for mods needed. You should be able to fit a 235/55/18 tyre without spacers as I've got 5 mm clearance to the struts with my road biased tyres fitted. If you need spacers to fit ATs, then you'll only need 5mm thick shim spacers. You won't really need a lift on Sport suspension, but it's probably better to swap the suspension to the standard hight components, unless it's a 2006 Sport.

I personally wouldn't fit Modulars on my car in a 16" rim as they're not hubcentric. I'd use 16" Freedom standard wheels and paint them black and fit them with 225/65/16 Yokohama AT tyres.
Insa turbos are designed for vehicles with separate chassis where the ridiculous noise they make is damped out by the chassis.

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Also thanks for the input.

I do like the look of yours & road noise isn't too much if an issue I rarely exceed 40 where I am. 20-30 most of the time.

Although cheap tyres are just that with regards to the insas.

At least I'm assuming there cheapos

Bute said:

The idea of chunkier tyres is not only for my dog walks/trips to the moors but also so I'm able to have tyres with a longer lifespan.

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If you want better ground clearance, then go for 235/55/18 AT3s and swap the suspension to standard. This will give you an extra 50mm of ride hight and make the suspension softer, which will keep the tyres on the ground. The Sports suspension isn't designed for or any good on the rough stuff as it lifts wheels at the slightest lump or trough. The standard FL1 suspension is much more compliant so keeps the wheels on the ground better.
A wheel in the air is a useless wheel, regardless of the tyres fitted.

Very true I hadn't really taken keeping all wheels on the ground/traction into account. If nothing else in my case I should think it's less strain on the chassis etc with softer coils.

I do enjoy the firmer ride on the road but would prefer not to put aftermarket shocks etc.

I thought about a 2" lift using my sport springs but after searching the forum I'm not overly confident. The standard spring idea though it seems would solve my issue.

I would need just the standard FL1 shocks & springs? Or are there other bits I'd need to obtain.

Cheers again

Bute said:

I do enjoy the firmer ride on the road but would prefer not to put aftermarket shocks etc.

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If you don't go over 40 much, then you're not using the Sport suspension to its full effect.

Mine is on standard, high miles suspension and performs just fine.

Bute said:

I would need just the standard FL1 shocks & springs? Or are there other bits I'd need to obtain.

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Just the struts/spring from all 4 corners. You might be able to get a used set off a car with a failed IRD. Or you'll need to buy the bits you need new, but that's more costly.

Ok many thanks I have been browsing the used one's already removed from cars on eBay. Hopefully i can find them for 50 quid ish a corner.

There are local scrap yards close to me but unless they've removed them beforehand & have them on the shelf like the good old days then I think eBay is my best bet.

A lift kit is probably a fair bit cheaper but as soon as I see camber bolts etc involved I lost interest. Not to mention the points you raise.
I'll have to keep the sports springs on the off chance I resell the vehicle but 1 tyres is worn on the outer edge so tyres needed fairly soon. As well as a good alignment it would seem

Nodge68 said:

If you don't go over 40 much, then you're not using the Sport suspension to its full effect.

Mine is on standard, high miles suspension and performs just fine.


Just the struts/spring from all 4 corners. You might be able to get a used set off a car with a failed IRD. Or you'll need to buy the bits you need new, but that's more costly.

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Quick question on replacing my sport struts if I may.

Do I need the standard struts off a facelift model or would for example a set off an 01 or 03 td4 fit on my 04 one.

I know I need them off a td4 as they must be quite a bit heavier. Just unsure on the year range I can look for.

Thanks again in advance

Bute said:

Quick question on replacing my sport struts if I may.

Do I need the standard struts off a facelift model or would for example a set off an 01 or 03 td4 fit on my 04 one.

I know I need them off a td4 as they must be quite a bit heavier. Just unsure on the year range I can look for.

Thanks again in advance

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There were some mild revisions of spring and strut ratings for the later vehicles. But in reality, any TD4 spring/ strut arrangement will work, as long as it's from a vehicle after 2001. Most strut manufacturers list the same strut for post 2001 TD4s anyway. You can get the original springs, but I'd need to look up the colour code for them.

Nodge68 said:

There were some mild revisions of spring and strut ratings for the later vehicles. But in reality, any TD4 spring/ strut arrangement will work, as long as it's from a vehicle after 2001. Most strut manufacturers list the same strut for post 2001 TD4s anyway. You can get the original springs, but I'd need to look up the colour code for them.

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Ok great I'm not spoilt for choice on eBay as far as pre-removed struts are concerned but they're cheapest there & risks aside as long as they say tested im sure they'll do.

Cheers again for the help.