Disco II Tyres

[thermidorthelobster]

I'm thinking of reshoeing the Disco II with some nice BFG All Terrains (or maybe Goodyear MTRs).  According to an article on Disco2.com, I can go up to 245/75 or 265/70 without needing surgery, although the spare wheel carrier is a bit touch-and-go at that size.

Both these sizes give about the same rolling radius (774 and 777mm diameter respectively).  Anybody have any thoughts on which would be best?  I tend to be more rocky than muddy.  Is wider better, or will I regret the loss in turning circle?

Also, I keep hearing people saying you can put bigger boots on if you get a suspension lift.  For example, this article on ExpeditionExchange talks about 265/75s (that's 804mm diameter, or 9% larger than standard 235/70s) with a 2" lift, and the Disco2 article also talks about bigger tyres with lifts.

But surely this is a misconception.  When the supension is fully compressed, the tyres are going to be rammed up into the wheel arch just as much on a vehicle with a suspension lift as without, surely?  The bump stops are in the same place, so why would the lift make a difference?

Thanks for comments,
David.

[datalas]

If you do the suspension lift properly you would also get longer bumpstops is the short answer to your question.

The long answer to your question involves getting the springs all coil bound and cream crackered ...

[Thrasher]

David,

The suspension lift enables you to fit bigger boots without body cutting. When the suspension is put to work hard, the rear axle moves backwards into the arch and the front forward. If the tyre "fits" into the arch on normal settings, when pushed back it should slot in.

However, without the lift, you have the bigger tyre and it wants to move back into the slot and further (you did either keep your anti-roll bar or get longer bump stops for 2" lift above I assume!).

The 2" extra rolling radius has to be accounted for somewhere ;-)

[thermidorthelobster]

you did either keep your anti-roll bar or get longer bump stops for 2" lift above I assume!).

No, actually I didn't last time round, because I was on standardish tyres, so it wouldn't have made much difference.

In the stuff I've read about lifting suspension, nobody seems to mention the bump stops.  Extending them means it all starts to make sense.

Thanks!

[foxkilla]

hi, i use 255/60/18 for my road tyre and 255/70/16 bfg mt off road and winter use, standar suspension no problems

[Hightower]

David,

I've just fitted 265/75's to mine without a problem.  They clear the inside of the arches on articulation and I haven't needed to trim anything.
The only thing I have noticed is that on full (and I mean that extra little bit just after you think you're on full) lock they just rub the front radius arms.
I've got some pics to upload that show them in their full glory.

[thermidorthelobster]

This thread has resurfaced from a while back, and meanwhile I have a set of (now somewhat worn) 235/85s.

With hindsight I'd probably have gone for the 265/75s, which I'd expect to rub the inside front wheel arch plastic a bit on mine (the 235s are very close), but they look better :)  Next time I change I'll probably go for 265s but meanwhile the 235s have done sterling work.

[Jake]

Any problems with them rubbing David?

[thermidorthelobster]

The 235s are about 8mm clear of the plastic front liner from the front wheel arches.  One one occasion I clouted the front bumper/spoiler and they started rubbing;  a coating of mud also makes them rub.  However, it's only a plastic liner and if it rubs through it's not going to make much difference.

(I think the liner's there so when you punch the spoiler foglight off its mountings, it doesn't drop out altogether... :) )

265s would be even closer to rubbing, but again, it wouldn't matter too much.  Nothing is close to rubbing on anything important.