Tire Size for OME Medium Duty Lift and OEM 18" Wheels?

[Bosnian Discovery]

After 95K the suspension on my '03 DII has given up the ghost. I've decided to upgrade to the OME Medium Duty Lift.

Next step is tires. I currently have bad Sumitomos up front and even worse Goodyear Wranglers out back. Both are truly awful tires - I bought the truck with them.

I would like to retain my 18" factory Land Rover "Hurricane" wheels because I really like them and I don't want to break the bank with this project.

I know that the OEM tire size is 255/55/R18 and I know what tire sizes mean, but I don't really know how to pick a tire that will fit the rim and clear the fenders.

So finally, the question, what tire size should I go for? I'd like them to be a little bigger than stock so that they can fill out the wheel wells better with the lift, but I don't want them so big that they kill the power and (relative) fuel economy. So realistically, maybe 2-3" diameter increase over stock. Furthermore my garage door is 84" high and I'd really like the ability to get the truck in the garage - so this is a consideration. The offroading I do is typically through North Florida logging roads on my way to trails or fishing spots. This means lots of loose sand and tall brush and the occasional mud pit.

What sizes would y'all recommend for the specs I listed? I've narrowed my choices down to the General Grabber AT2s, Toyo Open Country AT2s, and the Nitto Terra Grapplers. If you guys could also give any advice on those tires, that'd be great.

Thanks!

[SLYrover]

Tire Dimensions Made Simple - Discount Tire

Here is a link to a tire calculator that will you can try different combinations of tire sizes to get the desired specs.

Stock tire size the discoveries came with were 29" tires, which would put the disco at a height of 78". This gives you a difference between your disco's height and your garage of only 6" with your disco at stock!

A popular tire size is 275/65R18 which would give you 32" tires and would increase your height (tires alone) by 3", therefore that gives you a total of 3" left to the top of the garage door.

So the question is do you a really snug fit? Then get the 3" lift. If you want an 1" of clearance then get the OME 2" lift.

*Take into consideration this is with no roof rack. So if you have one this will affect your outcome as well.*

*That calculator will also tell you how much your speedo will be off if you upsize your tires*

I do not have any advice of different tires or mpg so I will let someone else chime in with that.

[Disco Mike]

Also, realize, your tire size, even to a 265, is going to hit you at 1 MPG drop and more plus a fair drop in low end torque.

[DoggFather]

I bought the terra grapplers earlier this year (255/55/r18). I've put 10k on them so far and I'm very pleased with them.

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