Outer Limits 4x4 Board

For those who haven't noticed, I recently relocated from Brisbane to Adelaide, and am contemplating the joys of transferring my Pajero's registration. Body lift and suspension lift don't particularly concern me, but the tyres could be a little fun at a vehicle inspection. Obviously, I could probably arrange to "borrow" some tyres for an inspection, but 100% legal is an attractive proposition.

I'm comfortable that the vehicle steers, handles and brakes well enough to pass any test to which it may be subjected, and the speedo is accurate within 1% thanks to a replacement driven gear. But if SA decides to adopt the new NCOP (National Code of Practice for modified 4wds) then they may strictly enforce the 50mm limit.

For those with NK or later, for which 265/70-16 tyres were an option, I found a nice little PDF from Toyo, showing that their 285/75-16 is 49mm larger than the OE size. No guarantees that anybody will accept this, but surely it's in with a chance.

For me, it's not quite so easy, because my Paj came with 15" rims, not 16". I don't like my chances of finding a 265/70-15 that large (235/75-15 and 205R16 are both smaller. ) So I'm trying to guess what some of my options might be (other than ring somebody who might know. )

1. Argue that the US market used 31x10.5-15, so that should be my starting point?
2. Order a replacement tyre placard for my door pillar, and hope nobody notices?
3. Upgrade drivetrain to whatever came with the larger wheels, (bigger front brakes? looks like rear brakes were the same for both) and argue that this becomes my starting point?

Of course, the whole time I'm hoping nobody notices I'm wearing Coopers instead of OPATs, and decide to look at Cooper's listed sizes.

So, who thinks the OPATs argument will actually work for the later Gen 2s?
Who thinks I'm in with a chance of getting the 285s approved on an NJ?
Who thinks I'm stupid for even worrying about it?

Cheers,

Scott

Shift to NZ, certify 37s etc no problem
J Top

Now you are closer Scott, you should come over one weekend for just a little drive

It's on my list of things to do.

if you were running the opats, then surly they couldnt defect you as the tire is only 49mm bigger. if you then swapped to coopers, would anybody really know or care? you would have your rego anyway.
what part of adelaide are you in? im down south.
body lift allowed is 2" max, as is suspension.
why not ring them and ask the question? just play stupid that you are thinking of putting bigger tyres on your 4wd(dont have to tell them its a paj) and see what they say?
im layed up at home after having knee surgury, so may even ring them for you?
cookie monster

Hi cookie monster

I'm in the North East suburbs - right next to Paradise.

I'm hoping that part of the approvals process only documents a tyre size (like my current tyre placard) rather than particular brand. The body lift is 50mm, that's all Queensland would allow. Suspension was a little more, but the variable springs have "settled" - just like Frank predicted - so I don't think I'll have trouble there, either.

I've been putting off calling anybody until I've got some money to pay for an engineer's inspection. Any excuse will do...

Cheers,

Scott

rang dept of transport,
basically, if you want to increase tyres over 15mm in rolling diameter, then you have to apply for an 'application to modify' your vehicle. you then need an engineers report and they will then issue you with a new tyre plackard.
i suppose the engineer will look at the mods and see if the vehicle is still roadworthy. he may suggest upgrading the brake system etc to cope with the larger tyres.
so with mine the 275x75x16 are illegal and i would have to drop back to a 275x70x16 to stay legal !
hope this helps
cookie monster