Just picked up some 16in FL2 alloys with well worn rubber that will be replaced with General Grabber AT2's just as soon as stock arrives. Plenty of places to get off road within the hour and hopefully the AT2's will perform better than the standard Scorpion's in the snow this winter.

I was thinking of replacing the tyres with 235/70/16 over the standard 16in rim size of 215/75//16 as I read somewhere that the 6.5J rims would allow for the wider fitting and this would leave me with just 4mm less clearance than I have now.

Another option would be GG AT2's in size 225/75//16, slightly less width but a lift of 5mm over my current setup!

Is there anybody else running either of these sizes on 16in alloys and which are less likely to affect handling from my standard setup with my 18in rims and Scorpion's

Thanks for looking.

hi wing

just a word of caution. I believe that the size quoted on tyres are for the carcass rather than reflecting the overall size of the tyre - if you go for a MT or really aggressive AT then be aware that the tyre will be larger than the dimensions printed on it!!

Just be careful of the clearance - AJS4x$ will be able to recommend!

Good luck and keep us all posted - with winter approaching we ae all keen to see how you go!  There's always a way forward!

2008 Freelander Td4 GS - Stornoway Grey - Now Gone - Sob
2011 Freelander Td4 GS 150 - Rimini Red - in its place - Better x far x 4!!

Cheers DR.

I will not be putting MT's on, just AT's. I believe "from what I've picked up on the web" that the AT2's have around 13mm of tread as opposed to just 8mm on a new set of Scorpion's, so that might have to be added on to the already increased circumference of 5mm if I fitted the 225/75's. I'm still well within the suggested 2.5% size difference and the speedo shouldn't be out by more than 0.5 MPH at best. but I'll have to have another measure up to be on the safe side.

Had 225/75-R16 AT2s fitted last month. No problems at all, a very responsive tyre and they really look the business. Be aware, the 5mm is diameter, so 2.5mm clearence increase. We Don't Care About Pot Holes !!

Thanks W.D.C.A.P.H.

Do yours have the mountain/snowflake symbol on the sidewall. Apparently they make some "same tread pattern" with a harder compound yet without this symbol for the likes of the Toureg etc which are not as capable and meant for mostly road use. If it came down to one of the sizes I'm after being the harder compound, then I would go for the other size and General tyre's site isn't much help as it doesn't even list the 225/75/16 as a current size.

Not being picky, just don't want to end up with a 'summer' rated tyre instead of an 'all season' one.

Have you had any problems when downsizing your alloys? I was looking to do this so I could get a second set of wheels for winter tyres but after speaking to Land Rover and a couple of dealers they talked me out of it. They said there is no problem going for bigger alloys but downsizing is not recommended because of the brake ducts. Are they just fobbing me off?

Chaps do bear in mind when going "small" that LR recommend:
Tyre size: 215/75/R16
Wheel size: 6.5Jx16

What about BF Goodridge 225 /70/16 AT KO ? Slightly smaller diameter, but with the increase in tread depth it will be almost identical to a new 215 75 16.

This is a great tyre and will ware better than the GG AT2. 1998 Feelander XDI Hardback - Gone
2002 Freelander TD4 GS Hardback - Gone
2004 Freelander TD4 HSE Stationwaggon - Gone
2007 Freelander 2 TD4 XS manual - Gone
2010 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Auto - Gone
2013 SD4 GS arrived April 2013

Benski

Although I haven't fitted the alloys on my Freelander yet "no tyres" I doubt there would be a problem, as they are a standard FL2 fitting and as far as I am aware, the brakes and disks are standard across the range, so, it should just be a straight swap, with a call to my insurers to let them know of the temporary change

athelstan

Thanks athelstan. I've checked the manufacturers site for fitting and all of those I'm interested in are acceptable on the 6.5J x16in rims, my only worry is getting tyres with the correct speed rating that will at least match the FL2 and preferably better it, hence the 'T' rating of the AT2's.

agroman

Cheers Agroman. I thought about the BF Goodridge AT/KO but dismissed them for a couple of reasons, one being price and the other being the harder compound they seem to use in order to get the almost unbelievable mileage some people are stating "over 100.000 miles in some cases". The tyres will only be used for about 4-5000 miles per year during winter and a few off road sessions, so the softer compound of the AT2's would be better during the winter, although I've not ruled out any other manufactures of tyres with softer compounds, Cooper being one of them.

Wing,

mine don't have the snowflake symbol, although I'm sure I read somewhere that they weren't allowed to export tyres with it on, it was an American market only thing. Can't comment about the compound being different. We Don't Care About Pot Holes !!

W.D.C.A.P.H.

Thanks for that. Looks like I'm going to have to pick something else anyway, AT2 stock appears to have run dry for now.

You need to be carefull with the rim clearence to caliper as I think that by going from 18 inch to 16inch you cant use stick on weights for balancing on the inside of the rim.

heliosuk

That's interesting and worth a mention to the fitter. It would also account for why the replacement 16in rims already have the old style lead weights bent around the rims from their previous fitting.

You also need to ensure the offset is the same i.e. the distance between the inner face of the wheel flange and the rim outer and inner is the same as std otherwise you might need to change toe settings.

heliosuk wrote:

You also need to ensure the offset is the same i.e. the distance between the inner face of the wheel flange and the rim outer and inner is the same as std otherwise you might need to change toe settings.