Tyre + Rim Choice

[DK]

First of all i'm a Pajero noob and know very little i'm a Land Rover nut but please dont hold that against me , i pm'd Scott and he asked me to post it up so everyone might learn something.

My neighbour has a 98 LWB 3500 V6 GLS Pajero.
The Paj is bog stock and he wants to keep it that way but he would like to run a set of muddies as a 2nd set of play tyres.

It currently runs 265/70/16 but since the new rims and tyres will only be for play he would like to go larger in size.

So my questions are, Will 15" rims clear the brakes? If so what is the largest tyre he can fit without any rubbing.

If only a 16" rim can be used what is the largest tyre?

What about rims in both sizes do any rims from other 4wd fit the Pajero?

Thanks Kev

[-Scott-]

So it wasn't a '96!

So, it's an NL GLS, with the larger front discs.

Earlier, while the site was working intermittently, I had a dig around for any info on fitting 15" steelies over the larger brakes, but couldn't find anything. Maybe I dreamed it, or somebody else will have some better information.

In terms of options, Patrol 16x8" rims with 285/75R16 rims should fit well. If your mate buys aftermarket rims, make sure they're zero offset - some manufacturers sell a -13mm offset as "Patrol fitment" which would put the sidewalls outside the guards.

If you find some 15" steelies which will fit, you should be able to go up to 33x12.5R15, but whether or not they rub & where will depend on the rim offset.

FYI, the stock factory alloys will take 265/75R16 (32") without problems, if that helps at all?

Let us know what happens.

[DK]

Thanks for the reply Scott. No it wasnt a 96 the dill didnt even know what year his car was

I'd be very keen to here from anyone regarding the fitting of 15" rims, makes buying a 2nd set of rims and tyres a little cheaper for him.

So a standard Patrol rim with a 285 will fit?

[-Scott-]

So a standard Patrol rim with a 285 will fit?

My Paj was engineered with Patrol (equivalent) steel rims & 285s, and passed with flying colours.

I have a 50mm body lift (installed so I could fit a larger long-range tank), but your neighbour's Paj effectively has a 30mm body lift from the factory (to clear larger transmission behind the 3.5 V6) so he should be fine. I don't recall any member with the later Gen 2 having issues with 285s.

[DK]

Ok so its a 285/75/16 or a 32x11.5x15 if theres a rim to clear the brakes.

Thanks heaps mate

[xagtho]

DK, a set of -22mm cruiser offset rims in 15" may not foul the brakes but they will increase your scrub radius and foul on your guards, where a 16" rim with 0 to -12mm offset with the same size tyre will clear all round.

[nik.maxwell]

Hi all, new to the forums!

I have a '94 GLS LWB running 15" Steelies and Maxxis Mudder Buckshot 33/12.5/8", mine is jacked up about 2" and have no problems with rub, although on a tight RH lock, the inside of the LH tyre just touches the steering rod/bar, I'm not sure what it is, but no dramas!

Hope that helps.

Nik.

[date]

I have a 2000 NL Escape, and this has 15" rims as standard. The wheels are alloys. Maybe the brakes are smaller on the escape models, but they certainly work well for me

[jtop matt]

-22 offset 15" steelies with 32" tyres will fit ANY MkII Paj.

[glenn_c]

!6 x 7 wheels with 255/85/16 is the best size you can run on a Pajero They are a 33.3 - 33.5 inch tyre and narrow so they bite in don't need a wide tyre on a lighter 4wd.
Glenn