A Disco 2 Tire Discussion

[Alak]

I decided to start this thread to get some advice as Im trying to sort the trucks budget out.

First off, my 2002 SE is stock. It has 18" wheels, Im looking at a couple different tire options, and I wanted to hear the general thought.

Im looking at running BFG AT's in 265/65R18 size. This will give me about 31.7" diameter, so basically a 32" tire versus the 29" I have now. I feel the 285/65's I wanted originally are too much for city driving (Nearly 11.5" wide).

Will I need a 2" lift or can I run the 265/65's stock for awhile.

Will a 2" lift be adequate for medium off-roading? Will I have to trim? (I dont want to trim very much, a little is okay).

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In the distant future, Im looking at a set of 33x10.50 TSL boggers. Will a 2" lift be enough? I dont want to bottom out and chew my truck to shreds with those puppies.

[Disco Mike]

A D2 will need a 2" lift to make sure the tires clear and no triming should be needed.
Mike

[Thor]

I daily drive 285/75r16 GY MT/R on a 3" lifted RR1.

The width has been nice, not an issue, other than turning radius. Your rim width could be an issue however.

Enjoy!

[Alak]

The turning radius is already horrible beyond any car I've ever owned. Its like this city was designed for small cars. 3 point parking is a daily chore.

But its totally worth it.


Anyone recommend a lift? I was told to use Rovertym because OME has a harder ride. Recommendation on spring rates?

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Tire chains: If I get chains for the 255/55's I have now, will they fit the 265/65's? Is there a kind I can get that will fit? I realize you have to specify the size you need, but a lad here uses chains off his 35's on his 33's with some kind of adjuster. Hes on vacation so I cant ask.

Thanks.

[Thor]

never tried Rover Tym. although I may try a set of 5" soon... in my quest for 35" tires.

I liked my OME MD springs a lot. The HD can be too stiff if you don't carry the appropriate load all the time.

[slouzon]

[quote=Alak;193818]Anyone recommend a lift? I was told to use Rovertym because OME has a harder ride. Recommendation on spring rates?[quote]

I've researching springs myself.
I want to do a 2" lift put want a good street ride.

Here's a right up from muddyoval.
"Let me say, diplomatically, that there are three main camps on springs: BB, OME, and RTE (Big Blue, Old Man Emu, and Rovertym). This issue has been debated to death here, on Discoweb, LRO and LRR; basically every Rover board.

Here's what I've been able to glean, generally speaking, from chasing down those debates on all the sites. Keep in mind, these are my summary observations. I'm not necessarily right, and to each their own. (This will probably still start a flame war anyway.)

Keep in mind that the proponents of each camp with tell you that the "other guy's" springs will sag over time, or not provide an even lift, or have a terrible ride. I wouldn't pay too much attention to this and deal with each manufacturer or vendor directly in the event that you do have problems.

Big Blue - Gives a true 2" lift. The ride is a little softer than the others and works really well for those that don't carry heavy loads front or back. Get them through DAP.

OME - Lifts are slightly under the posted numbers, particularly on the softer springs. Available in a variety of sizes and stiffness so you can tailor what you want. The great debate here is to match or not to match. OME makes driver and passenger side different, most in NA 'match' to have the same on each side. Available all over the place from EE, Inland Rovers, National 4WD, etc.

Rovertym - Lifts are slightly higher than the posted numbers. (Viewed by proponents as an advantage.) Available in a variety of sizes and stiffness from Rovertym. General consensus is that they all ride on the stiff side.

I know of people that are happy with their springs from each manufacturer. Figure out what you want (most comfortable on-road ride, the highest lift, or a combination), what your rig is going to be setup like (bumper? winch?) because weight makes a difference.

Lots of research to do. Good luck!

FWIW - My plan is OME HD up front and OME HD in rear. I might put a winch up front one day, and I don't carry heavy loads of cargo or tow much."



Steve

[Crysyn]

I put the Medium OME 2 inch lift on a few weeks back(I am not getting a winch and I have an equalizer hitch on my trailer). The ride is better than the stock springs. No, its not a full 2 inch lift, but with a tired older springs, it will look like or be a 2 inch over what you have now. Yes, it will be great for medium off roading, just choose your lines carefully on the hairy stuff.

My 99 and 01 have about the same miles on them, with my 32 inch tires+lift on my 99 it measures 4 inches taller than the stock 01. Different tire manufacturers tire sizes measure out slightly different as well. Not all 265/75/16's are the exact same size from one tire maker to the next. I had to trim my front bumper with my Procomps.

The lift makes the truck take the larger bumps so much better as well as reducing the vehicle rocking as you corner into a parking lot. The little stiffer springs are slightly more jarring than the stock on smaller road bumps, but the bigger tires with more rubber absorbs(makes up for) that difference.

[Disco Mike]

Originally Posted by Thor

never tried Rover Tym. although I may try a set of 5" soon... in my quest for 35" tires.

I liked my OME MD springs a lot. The HD can be too stiff if you don't carry the appropriate load all the time.

Do you know Arsell in Solihull, he is now running 315/75/16's on his D1, you might want to talk with him.
Mike

[Alak]

Anyone know how the centre diff reacts to tire chains? I have an 02 which is unlockable but Im not sure as to get chains on all 4's or 2 (for the back). I dont want to get some for the back and find out I've become front wheel drive.

[Roverhound]

I've run tire chains and I can tell you it won't effect your cdl. I run them on the front tires in the snow and ice.
Funny thing is, when you first put them on it'll feel pretty weird. When you've driven with them and taken them off, it'll feel pretty weird.
Chains on ice will give you great traction, on 4 tires things will seem easy. Don't be fooled, but it will give you un-imagined traction compared with no chains.
The reason I run them on the front is because these are the steering tires where you need the traction. If your worried about drive train wind, just turn off the cdl when you don't need it. It's a judgement call, turn it back on when you think you're coming up on something tough, make sure your chains are snug, reminds me, I need some bungy cords.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Disco Mike

Do you know Arsell in Solihull, he is now running 317/75/16's on his D1, you might want to talk with him.
Mike

I've met him once at palmer lake. And corresponded with him on the board a bit!

I'd love to see his set up some day!

thanks Mike!

[Disco Mike]

Todd,
Here is a link to Arsell's latest mods. Picasa Web Albums - Arsell - 35s
Mike

[KevinNY]

I spy a Sals rear, nice rig.

[Crysyn]

Originally Posted by Alak

Anyone know how the centre diff reacts to tire chains? I have an 02 which is unlockable but Im not sure as to get chains on all 4's or 2 (for the back). I dont want to get some for the back and find out I've become front wheel drive.

Roverhound, I think he is saying he does not have a diff lock and wondering how the chains work on a full time four wheel with the open differential front to back. Would it be best to have chains on all four tires with no CDL?

[Disco Mike]

They work really well with T/C and open diffs.
Mike