newb Disco owner - questions re 18->16 inch wheel switch - Land Rovers Only

disco nh · 10-05-2007, 04:45 PM

Hi All... I just picked up a beauty... 2004 Disco SE with only 32k miles and a year left on the factory warranty. It has the original 18inch wheels with the standard Wrangler HP tires which obviously need replacing asap (even though the two rears are brand new).

I've read several times on here about how much better the 16 inch setup is over the 18 but I'm curious about some specifics - is it just to get more sidewall height on the tires, or more tire choices in general, or what? I was planning to just put on some General Grabber AT2s and figured I'd be all set for snow and just about everything other than the most extreme offroading (at least as far as tires go), but started to wonder if I should think about buying some 16inch wheels and tires instead. Also wondering if I need to switch out brake rotors,etc if I change from 18 to 16.

I'm really enjoying the Disco so far, I've had several jeeps before and driven old series LRs in the past but this is my first time to own one.

Thanks for any help/ideas.

Steph · 10-05-2007, 05:23 PM

You can switch from 18s to 16s without any adjustments or adverse effect.

Main reason people do it , is for more sidewall, thus better ride quality and better off roadability. I did this myslef, and the enhancement in ride quality alone was worth it. And I went with General Grabber A/T2 also, in size 265/70-16 with an OME 2 inch lift.

wimp · 10-08-2007, 04:39 AM

well... ride quality depends on what you like. I loved the 18" wheel becasue the sidewall was shorter and therefore stiffer. To me (and this is what I mean by personal preference) ride quality means you can corner and handle better on road...NOT give a cushy ride.

I switched my 18's with 16's however, beacause off roading and horrible road conditions driving was more of what I wanted this truck for. I use my truck as a luxurious log skiddder for my tree company. I am always in the woods where sidewall protection is a must. I also wanted to go muddin' and crawl over rocks etc.

If this was purely a grocery getter with the occasional gravel road or snowy road machine, I would definitely have stayed with the 18's and put on some Grabbers or BFG's or the Michellin XPC's (I think that's the one that rovers used to come with from the factory)

disco nh · 10-08-2007, 09:52 AM

Thanks for the replies. I also don't mind the ride of the 18s on the road.

I've looked at prices for 5 new 16" alloys - seems like the better part of $2000.00 (not including tires) less whatever I can sell my 18's for.

I really wonder if I'm going to see that much improvement over the 18s/Grabbers by switching to 16s. Mainly I'm dealing with unpaved/muddy roads and snow, plus the ever-present NH granite, but I'm not doing any serious rock crawling.

ArmyRover · 10-08-2007, 10:13 AM

just wanted to say hi to a fellow new hampshire dweller. If you know of any trails and need a wingman let me know. My RRC and I stand ready to hit the trails

disco nh · 10-08-2007, 10:41 AM

Hey ArmyRover good to hear from a granite stater. I just moved into town (Portsmouth) -- where are you?

dlp · 10-09-2007, 06:37 PM

I recently replaced my 18's with 16's. I paid $300 for the wheels, had them powdercoated. That ran about $450 ( I didn't have the spare powdercoated) You will read a lot about tire fit with and without a lift. I don't have a lift and I installed BFG AT's 245/75/16. I haven't experienced any rubbing issues to date.

Good Luck

PS Performance Wheel and Tire in Denver has some 16's that they are trying to unload. I think they were asking $50-75 per wheel.

10-05-2007, 04:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
disco nh Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6 Gallery: 0	newb Disco owner - questions re 18->16 inch wheel switch Hi All... I just picked up a beauty... 2004 Disco SE with only 32k miles and a year left on the factory warranty. It has the original 18inch wheels with the standard Wrangler HP tires which obviously need replacing asap (even though the two rears are brand new). I've read several times on here about how much better the 16 inch setup is over the 18 but I'm curious about some specifics - is it just to get more sidewall height on the tires, or more tire choices in general, or what? I was planning to just put on some General Grabber AT2s and figured I'd be all set for snow and just about everything other than the most extreme offroading (at least as far as tires go), but started to wonder if I should think about buying some 16inch wheels and tires instead. Also wondering if I need to switch out brake rotors,etc if I change from 18 to 16. I'm really enjoying the Disco so far, I've had several jeeps before and driven old series LRs in the past but this is my first time to own one. Thanks for any help/ideas.

10-08-2007, 04:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
wimp '99 Disco II Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 337 Gallery: 0	well... ride quality depends on what you like. I loved the 18" wheel becasue the sidewall was shorter and therefore stiffer. To me (and this is what I mean by personal preference) ride quality means you can corner and handle better on road...NOT give a cushy ride. I switched my 18's with 16's however, beacause off roading and horrible road conditions driving was more of what I wanted this truck for. I use my truck as a luxurious log skiddder for my tree company. I am always in the woods where sidewall protection is a must. I also wanted to go muddin' and crawl over rocks etc. If this was purely a grocery getter with the occasional gravel road or snowy road machine, I would definitely have stayed with the 18's and put on some Grabbers or BFG's or the Michellin XPC's (I think that's the one that rovers used to come with from the factory) __________________ '99 Disco II ACE / 2" OME lift 245 75 R16 Greatyear MT/R's

10-08-2007, 10:13 AM	#5 (permalink)
ArmyRover Rebuilding Rover Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NH Posts: 2,000 Gallery: 0	just wanted to say hi to a fellow new hampshire dweller. If you know of any trails and need a wingman let me know. My RRC and I stand ready to hit the trails __________________ "Only two defining forces ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American G.I. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom." http://snhlr.org/ 91 Range Rover Classic 90 RRC Parts truck 94 Saab gas mileage beater

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10-05-2007, 05:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Steph Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Outaouais,Quebec,Canada Posts: 320 Gallery: 0	You can switch from 18s to 16s without any adjustments or adverse effect. Main reason people do it , is for more sidewall, thus better ride quality and better off roadability. I did this myslef, and the enhancement in ride quality alone was worth it. And I went with General Grabber A/T2 also, in size 265/70-16 with an OME 2 inch lift.

10-08-2007, 09:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
disco nh Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6 Gallery: 0	Thanks for the replies. I also don't mind the ride of the 18s on the road. I've looked at prices for 5 new 16" alloys - seems like the better part of $2000.00 (not including tires) less whatever I can sell my 18's for. I really wonder if I'm going to see that much improvement over the 18s/Grabbers by switching to 16s. Mainly I'm dealing with unpaved/muddy roads and snow, plus the ever-present NH granite, but I'm not doing any serious rock crawling.

10-08-2007, 10:41 AM	#6 (permalink)
disco nh Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6 Gallery: 0	Hey ArmyRover good to hear from a granite stater. I just moved into town (Portsmouth) -- where are you?

10-09-2007, 06:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
dlp Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 3 Gallery: 0	I recently replaced my 18's with 16's. I paid $300 for the wheels, had them powdercoated. That ran about $450 ( I didn't have the spare powdercoated) You will read a lot about tire fit with and without a lift. I don't have a lift and I installed BFG AT's 245/75/16. I haven't experienced any rubbing issues to date. Good Luck PS Performance Wheel and Tire in Denver has some 16's that they are trying to unload. I think they were asking $50-75 per wheel.

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