series 3 wheels and tyres

hi all, im after getting some new wheels and tryes for my s3 im re furbing, i want to keep it original as possible, i believe thet had 600 x 16 tyres and 5.0 wheels, then i was told later on they changed to the LWB 5.5 wheels,
as mine is a 1982 SWB im unsure what to get, i was told today that the equivalent modern size is 205/16, i need to get on and order some but i cant untill i know exactly what i need.
i obviously want the original wheels with as close to original tyres as poss, theses are the sort of tyres i want for it, size and tread, iv no idea about tyre sizes.
any help please guys

thanks

lee

7.50 x 16 tyres were on the 109s. Some regard 235/85/16 as the modern day equivalent, though they are wider.

burleyviking said:

hi all, im after getting some new wheels and tryes for my s3 im re furbing, i want to keep it original as possible, i believe thet had 600 x 16 tyres and 5.0 wheels, then i was told later on they changed to the LWB 5.5 wheels,
as mine is a 1982 SWB im unsure what to get, i was told today that the equivalent modern size is 205/16, i need to get on and order some but i cant untill i know exactly what i need.
i obviously want the original wheels with as close to original tyres as poss, theses are the sort of tyres i want for it, size and tread, iv no idea about tyre sizes.
any help please guys

thanks

lee

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SWB series had 6x16s LWB ran 7.50s.
205R16 would be good for SWB trouble is you will have trouble finding it in a straight size, they tend to be 205 80 R16s, which gives quite a small diameter wheel.
235 85 16 are similar diameter, but much wider and heavier.
So really the 7.50 R 16s are probably best option these days if you don't mind paying for em.

Turboman said:

SWB series had 6x16s LWB ran 7.50s.
205R16 would be good for SWB trouble is you will have trouble finding it in a straight size, they tend to be 205 80 R16s, which gives quite a small diameter wheel.
235 85 16 are similar diameter, but much wider and heavier.
So really the 7.50 R 16s are probably best option these days if you don't mind paying for em.

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i have 7.50's on my landrover and i have to agree with you they are dearer, i pay like $235 each and it probably has gone up even more in the past 2 years.

burleyviking said:

hi all, im after getting some new wheels and tryes for my s3 im re furbing, i want to keep it original as possible, i believe thet had 600 x 16 tyres and 5.0 wheels, then i was told later on they changed to the LWB 5.5 wheels,
as mine is a 1982 SWB im unsure what to get, i was told today that the equivalent modern size is 205/16, i need to get on and order some but i cant untill i know exactly what i need.
i obviously want the original wheels with as close to original tyres as poss, theses are the sort of tyres i want for it, size and tread, iv no idea about tyre sizes.
any help please guys

thanks

lee

Click to expand...

i run 7.50x16 cross ply MRF super traction tyres with tubes. MRF is a Indian brand of tyre one of the largest in India, my rear tyres could last 6-7 years alone but the front tyres dont seem to last so what i do is every 2 years or so get new ones for the rear and get the existing rear ones and move them to the front and get the old front ones replaced with the new tyres and place them on the back, i dont rotate them at all as all the tyres would wear out more then if i leave them where they are, so basically i only get 2 every 2 years so i get roughly 4 years with them, but my steering on the front end is probably the reaso why the front ones dont last too long.
MRF super traction LT 7.50x16
Tony.

burleyviking said:

hi all, im after getting some new wheels and tryes for my s3 im re furbing, i want to keep it original as possible, i believe thet had 600 x 16 tyres and 5.0 wheels, then i was told later on they changed to the LWB 5.5 wheels,
as mine is a 1982 SWB im unsure what to get, i was told today that the equivalent modern size is 205/16, i need to get on and order some but i cant untill i know exactly what i need.
i obviously want the original wheels with as close to original tyres as poss, theses are the sort of tyres i want for it, size and tread, iv no idea about tyre sizes.
any help please guys

thanks

lee

Click to expand...

I think some of the info in this thread is not 100% accurate. You are more correct. Although more than one tyre was likely available. 6.00, 6.50, 7.00 and 7.50 have all been "standard" or dealer fit sizes over the years as far as I know. Along with some metric alternatives such as 205's.

That said, I never understand the appeal of wanting such a vehicle "original". Standard small tyres look nasty on them, give them **** ground clearance. And no cruising ability. The old tyre treads are also not great on or off road in a lot of cases.

Standard wheels also are somewhat fugly and the narrow inset standard ones give the worst turning circle.

There are plenty of 7.50 tyres available these days. Most remoulds (which are fine) and often retro or classic tread patterns. There are some new offerings too. The only thing to watch for, some remould 7.50's are actually just restamped 235/85's and are much wider than a 7.50.

7.50's are normally the same price as 235/85's.


You'll find almost no 6.00, 6.50 or 7.00's these days.

205's or 215's can be used. But mostly suffer with looking too small just as a 6.00 does.

As for rims. I'm willing to bet from 5 feet away, you'd not be able to tell a 5.0, 5.5 or 6.0j rim, once it's mounted on the vehicle.

If you want to keep it Land Rover looking, then a 130 or One Ton rim is probably the way to go. 6.0 which is ideal for a 7.50 tyre. But a little deeper dish than standard Series rims. So a better stance and more steering lock.

Make sure you know and understand the differences between a tubes and tubeless rim!!

kommer2013 said:

i run 7.50x16 cross ply MRF super traction tyres with tubes. MRF is a Indian brand of tyre one of the largest in India, my rear tyres could last 6-7 years alone but the front tyres dont seem to last so what i do is every 2 years or so get new ones for the rear and get the existing rear ones and move them to the front and get the old front ones replaced with the new tyres and place them on the back, i dont rotate them at all as all the tyres would wear out more then if i leave them where they are, so basically i only get 2 every 2 years so i get roughly 4 years with them, but my steering on the front end is probably the reaso why the front ones dont last too long.
MRF super traction LT 7.50x16
Tony.

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Ive not seen or heard of this brand. Do you know of any UK suppliers?

300bhp/ton said:

Ive not seen or heard of this brand. Do you know of any UK suppliers?

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I haven't heard of them either. Noticing his location, it may be they are not available here.

Yeah that was my hunch.

I have heard of deestone. Quick search I found one supplier for you. 7.50x16, I heard they are slippery when wet. The tread is almost the same as the tires I just got.
One thing if you have the spare mounted on the rear of a wagon it might not clear the hitch. They must be 32-33" in dia.

Avon rangemasters. Everything comes back to them.
I can't fault them for reasonable road. Reasonable off road and reasonable noise.
16x750 £125 fitted.
Having said that I did get a full set of French things on the replacement steel wheels for £50 so I am stuck with the size.

Ps
The lads at work call them pram wheels coz ther not three foot wide under a foot of wheel arch.
That pleases me more than anything.

300bhp/ton said:

Ive not seen or heard of this brand. Do you know of any UK suppliers?

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not many people would know of them because they are not advertised, well not in most countries, they would be and are well known amongst indians , but the only way i found them was from tyreright in australia here, i was after a cheap tyre for my landrover and jeff sold me the mrf tyre, i just did a google search and found a uk supplier.

http://www.totectyres.co.uk/

im sure anyone that sells tryes would be able to get them, as jeff dont stock the tyres he gets them from a tyre distributor in the queensland capital Brisbane.

Tony.

Thanks.

thanks for all your answers chaps, decided on 5.5 x16" wheeels, and 205/16 tyres, both tubeless
thanks.

lee

burleyviking said:

thanks for all your answers chaps, decided on 5.5 x16" wheeels, and 205/16 tyres, both tubeless
thanks.

lee

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Are you happy with your choice

boristhes3 said:

Are you happy with your choice

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He hasn't been on here for 3 years so they've probably worn out by now

What is the best tyre for a 5” steel rim on a SWB 1981 Series3 ?

boristhes3 said:

What is the best tyre for a 5” steel rim on a SWB 1981 Series3 ?

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750 r16. Limited choice really which is why I swapped for wolf rims on mine

5" would be 6.00R16, 7.50R16 would be 5.5". By todays stadards 5" is very narrow. I too shelled out on wolf rims to get a much better tyre choice. Not cheap, but much better going forward as I know I can always get a choice of tyres. I run 235/85 16 and there is a huge selection for every type of use. Prices are also much better which offsets some of the cost of the wheels.

750/17 will fit a SWB. This is the old designation. If you’ve got a Series then for originality that’s viable. As posted already they were standard on 109 but they make the SWB look better. Be aware that it’ll alter the gearing and the speedometer unless the Smiths speedometer has reference number prefix 13 rather than standard 15. Otherwise if you fit 750’s the speedometer misreads by 5 mph. I passed refurbished SWB yesterday with standard tyres and it looked crap; too small related to vehicle and wheel arches. The tyre to use for period looks is the 750 Avon Rangemaster. Instantly recognisable period tyre which is still made and superb dual purpose and snow tyre.