help choosing small wheels & knobbies for DII

[fadedout]

I'd like to get a second set of wheels and tires for my 2004 DII. These wheels and tires will see virtually zero street use so i'd like the knobbiest bad boys I can get. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I have airbags in the back and don't have any plans to lift or change the suspension. I am thinking 16" or 15" wheels. I don't really know the pro/cons. Should I be looking for 'steelies' or should I pick up some stock 16" factory alloys from someone's old rover? Will be used primarily for rocky trails.

Ideally i'd like to purchase the wheels used, if that is something to consider. Sorry i'm not really knowledgeable in the area so I really wouldn't even know where to start...

[Series 3 guy]

In my own opinion I would use a set of 16 inch steels with BFG Mud Terrains. That has been my own choice for several years while running my Disco's and have found them to be very capable.They are certainly not the most aggressive tyre out there but they are very reliable and long lasting.They have very good lug and sidewall characteristics and disperse the mud from the tread quite well. Self cleaning tread if you will.

Here's a picture of my Disco with the BFG's

[Thor]

I'd do stock alloys (very deep bead seat) with some Goodyear MT/R's, or the new KM2's. in Stock size.

You do know you can lift the air bag trucks right? RoverTym has a kit.

[fadedout]

Originally Posted by Thor

I'd do stock alloys (very deep bead seat) with some Goodyear MT/R's, or the new KM2's. in Stock size.

You do know you can lift the air bag trucks right? RoverTym has a kit.

I glanced over those before but I always figured I would wait for the airbags to go and then switch them out and put new springs in all around. I'll look into those though... It sure would be sweet if all I needed was 2 new springs for the front and those $180 SLS spacers. Somehow I doubt that is all thats needed unfortunately.

Series 3 Guy, I like the looks of those... Since I will not be using them on the road (and hence not as worried about lifespan), would I be better served getting a much more 'aggressive' tire?

What are a popular type of steel wheel, the overall favorite? Also, does it matter what 16" alloys I get? Any recommendations? Otherwise I guess I will try to keep an eye out for late model DII wheels to kind of keep the aesthetic flow so to speak. What size tire should I search for with those deep bead alloy? Sorry i'm pretty clueless here.

[Chazz Layne]

Originally Posted by fadedout

I glanced over those before but I always figured I would wait for the airbags to go and then switch them out and put new springs in all around. I'll look into those though... It sure would be sweet if all I needed was 2 new springs for the front and those $180 SLS spacers. Somehow I doubt that is all thats needed unfortunately.

Just add shocks and you should be good to go. I was going to go this route, but my SLS decided to die literally the week I was going to order the parts so I said screw it and started planning for 3" springs.

[fadedout]

I think Disco Mike has SLS spacers and heavy duty OME shocks up front on his rig. Maybe he'd be able to chime in on the pro/cons. Does it cause unnecessary wear or are there other drawbacks? This is my every-other daily driver and I won't have much disposable income at all for the next few months or more so i'd really like to avoid causing failures and problems etc.

But just the SLS spacers and heavy dute OME shocks up front and I should be set? I thought I read something about not using the heavy duty front springs unless I have a loaded truck with heavy front bumper or something...

If much further down the line I decided to use RTE 2" body lift, would I be alright? They say you need an upgraded suspension, would the SLS system be able to handle this with the spacers? Definitely sounds like a recipe for premature wear huh?

[Thor]

Heavy Duty is for heavily laden rigs. Use Medium if you just run trails with some load.

You can daily drive anything you can stand. My DD is up 3.5 inches, no anti-sway bars and 35x12.5 MT/R. I love it!

[Disco Mike]

Originally Posted by fadedout

I think Disco Mike has SLS spacers and heavy duty OME shocks up front on his rig. Maybe he'd be able to chime in on the pro/cons. Does it cause unnecessary wear or are there other drawbacks? This is my every-other daily driver and I won't have much disposable income at all for the next few months or more so i'd really like to avoid causing failures and problems etc.

But just the SLS spacers and heavy dute OME shocks up front and I should be set? I thought I read something about not using the heavy duty front springs unless I have a loaded truck with heavy front bumper or something...

If much further down the line I decided to use RTE 2" body lift, would I be alright? They say you need an upgraded suspension, would the SLS system be able to handle this with the spacers? Definitely sounds like a recipe for premature wear huh?

E-Mail me your tele number and I'll call you today.
Mike

[Chazz Layne]

Agreed, I'd go with medium since you're still all stock up front. I also lean towards RTE for springs based on what I've seen here and on Dweeb. That also keeps you with one vendor so they can just throw SLS spacers, front springs and 4 shocks in a box (pay shipping once).

[Jupiter Rover]

Originally Posted by Thor

Heavy Duty is for heavily laden rigs. Use Medium if you just run trails with some load.

You can daily drive anything you can stand. My DD is up 3.5 inches, no anti-sway bars and 35x12.5 MT/R. I love it!

Nice.