TYRES & TYRE SIZES FOR A GU WITH 2" SUSPENSION LIFT

[JontyG]

Hi all,

I know this is a frequently asked question...just can't seem to find the answers i want...

I have a 2002 4.8 Auto GU wagon. I want to put in a 2" suspension lift. My Q's are:

1) Will 315/75 r16 fit without rubbing.?
2) If they will, how severly will they affect the cars performance & economy? Would I need to change the gearing?
3)If not, what is the recommended size tyre to fit with a 2" lift?
4) I am looking at both BFG Mudterrains (which I had in a 33x12.5 on my newly retired Pajero SWB) or Goodyear Wrangler MTR's. Which would you recommend btwn these two?

TIA,
Jonty

[mickyd555]

apparently you can get 36" under 2 " lift so you should be fine there.

i would choose the MTR over the BFG. but i would pick a cooper b4 either of them after looking at tyres at fourbys here in brisbane. im not real sure about the gearing issue......

[JontyG]

Thanks mickyd4555. Thats good to know. I'm trying to avoid going for anything over the legal 2"...would rather spend the extar $$$'s on diff lockers

A mate of mine, also with a GU Patrol, was not too happy with his Coopers...I think he had trouble with the side walls or something. I have been happy with my BFG's, but i know they are a pretty dated tread pattern.

[morkz]

i have 315/75/16 mtrs to my gu with OME LTR shocks no problem what so ever

i used to run standard gearing but chaned to 4.6 and retained factory gearing makes it more enjoyable for daily driving as gear changes arent as long

[JontyG]

Hey morkz,

i was trying to find pics of your Patrol...I was reading the thread on your rig (from the GU Bible) - but the pics are not loading. Can you post a pic, or pm me one? The mods you have made sound similar to what I want to put in.

Thanks

[toughnut]

The 36's were on roldIT's GU cab chassis with a 3" lift with no worries. On the other hand I know of a guy on http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/ that has 35" pedes on his GU wagon and the just rub in the rear wheel arches with a 3" lift.

[JontyG]

are the 315's as wide as the 35's?

[krimnl]

my GU wagon has 315/75/16 BFG mud terrains. and has a big 2" lift (closer to 3") the tyres rubbed with the standard GU rims but when changed to ROH wheels no rubbing at all. i also took out the 3.9 gears and changed them for 4.3's this set the speedo up perfect aswell.
although this wont be as accurate for you as the 4.8 autos have 3.5 diffs
and might be worth trying 4.1's in it

[GQ96]

are the 315's as wide as the 35's?

315's is the width (315mm) and 35" is the hieght so no comparison can be made. But i must say 315's is 12.5" which is a nice tyre.

JontyG; When i first took my insurance out (in queensland) with RACQ they said i am insured up to 100mm (4") which makes me believe that is legal. Please correct me if I am wrong before I get F""ked over.

[JontyG]

GQ96, thanks for clarifying the difference between the imperial and metric measurements for me

From reading the forums, I believe that the legal requirements are different in different states (or they are a bit more lenient in some). Also I believe that they measure the distance from the bumpstops (can't remember exactly what distance is allowed), but I thought that it translated to about a 2" suspension lift, and then you could you could legally install a 2" body lift - if the car does not have airbags (can't install lift blocks if car has airbags).

Am i on the right track...anyone??

Anyway, besides the lagal aspect, It seems that there are significant differences in the work required for a 2" lift, as aposed to a 3" or 4" lift...which means greater $$'s that I would rather spend on a diff locker. If I am wrong about this, then I think I would definitely go for the bigger lift

[Dee]

yes, you can not install lift blocks unless you dont have airbags, and the bumpstop distance can only increase by 1/3 of its original distance.
( which equals out to about 2")

Yes, you will have to spend more on a 4" lift. 4" lift will require adjustable panhard rods, extended brake lines (maybe) castor correction etc.

3" you would probably get away at the same price as a 2" lift, except you will need castor correction bushes (i did) and sway bar extensions (to make it more comfortable on the road) which was about $340 including fitting, so its not too much more than 2 inch lift.

did you want to keep it legal in terms of insurance reasons? or police reasons? because i have a 3" lift and cops havent batted an eyelid at me. i reckon you could get away with 4 or 5 inches of lift before the cops noticed you. and even then im not sure if anyone has troubles with the cops? they are usually out fining the ricers with bling wheels that are too big and tyres of the incorrect load rating or something or other...

but all these rules may vary from state to state, and im in QLD so just ask around. Your local 4x4 place will have most of the info you need. Personal opinions come into it a fair bit tho so check from shop to shop. 3 different shops told me 3 different things so..

I wish i had of known that i could get 36's under a 3-4 inch lift i got 33's because i was told i would need 4 inces of lift to stop 35's rubbing.

[bogged]

to be legal on a GU and go with 315s on a GU you need engineers...

[Dee]

oh yeah and "technically" the overall diameter of your tyres shouldnt be any bigger than 15mm from the largest optional factory tyre, so 35's are pretty much illegal, techically

[JontyG]

yeah...i'm starting to think it may be worth just going for a 3" - 4" (unloaded).

I am still interested to know how severlty the cars performance will be affected by 35's

How far out will the speedo be with 35's?

[Tiny]

yeah...i'm starting to think it may be worth just going for a 3" - 4" (unloaded).

I am still interested to know how severlty the cars performance will be affected by 35's

How far out will the speedo be with 35's?

15%