Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Can someone please tell me what the maximum size tyre I can fit to my 2001 Defender using the original Land Rover Extreme rims? I have a 2 inch lift with OME gear. Thanks for the help.

You mean the extreme alloys? Are they 16x7? If so, about the biggest tyre you can fit legally is a 255/85-16 (33" diameter). A 285/75 - 16 will fit too, but technically it should be on at least a 7.5" rim (but I have MTRs in that size on 7" D1 rims and they work really well).

The odd 285/75 will also go onto a 7" rim, like the Mickey Thompson MTZ.

The Mickey Thompson MTZ was the tyre that I was looking at getting. Thanks for your help.

Ben,

I'm currently working through the same question for myself so here's my 2c worth ...

I agree a 255/85/R16 will fit ok but don't believe it will be technically legal, at least in Qld. My copy of the Qld Transport modifcation guide states "The rim diameter may be varied from the standard size
but the overall diameter of the tyre must not vary by more
than +15 mm or -26 mm."


Not sure if the model in question came with 7.5R16 (787.4mm OD), 235/85R16 (805.9mm OD) or 265/75R16 (803.9mm OD) as standard, but even if we take the biggest of the set (805.9mm) and add 15mm (to become 820.9mm) we are still short of the diameter of a 255/85R16 which is 839.9mm.

I know I'm quoting theorical tyre sizes as opposed to actual.

Tyre dealer I go quotes off today reinforced my concerns when he pointed out that 255/85R16's would not be legal on a Defender.

What do you think of the logic ? Other opinions ? Yeah, I'm being pedantic.

isuzu110 wrote:Ben,

I'm currently working through the same question for myself so here's my 2c worth ...

I agree a 255/85/R16 will fit ok but don't believe it will be technically legal, at least in Qld. My copy of the Qld Transport modifcation guide states "The rim diameter may be varied from the standard size
but the overall diameter of the tyre must not vary by more
than +15 mm or -26 mm."


Not sure if the model in question came with 7.5R16 (787.4mm OD), 235/85R16 (805.9mm OD) or 265/75R16 (803.9mm OD) as standard, but even if we take the biggest of the set (805.9mm) and add 15mm (to become 820.9mm) we are still short of the diameter of a 255/85R16 which is 839.9mm.

I know I'm quoting theorical tyre sizes as opposed to actual.

Tyre dealer I go quotes off today reinforced my concerns when he pointed out that 255/85R16's would not be legal on a Defender.

What do you think of the logic ? Other opinions ? Yeah, I'm being pedantic.

Is this for your '85 110? If so, it would have come with 7.50's - but your diameter is not correct - there are 2 standard sizes for a 7.50, and "on-road" and an "off-road" - which is about 32" (not 31" which you have posted). Adding 15mm to that you get VERY close to the 255/85 diameter.

I know people who have run 255s on 110s for the last 10+ years and never had a problem. I myself ran 285/75s (33" also) on my 110 and my IIA plenty of times, and the IIA even went through 2 roadworthy/mod inspections with them fitted.

You are right that you will be technically a few mm over the limit, but I don't know of anyone who has had a problem - if the vehicle was originally fitted with 7.50s or similar.