Oversize tires for 2020 Defender

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bromhead

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Curious what oversize tire options there are for the new defender. I assume the bigger engine versions require 19 or bigger wheels due to the brake calipers. Are there 18 in options like there are for the LR4? And how big can we go. Outside magazine hints at 35’s with a bit of a mod....
 

bromhead

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Nice
I wonder how large you can go on those 18’s, especially with rods or a gap tool equivalent for a defender.
 

DonMitsu

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Lucky8 pics show 33x12.5. Hopefully they’ll release more info soon
 

colorover

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18s only on the 4 banger, doing a brake swap for 1” smaller wheels is absurd. LR screwed the pooch on this.
 

DonMitsu

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18s only on the 4 banger, doing a brake swap for 1” smaller wheels is absurd. LR screwed the pooch on this.
I don't disagree, 18" wheels give you so many more tire options. I believe the Land Rover engineers were excited to get the deal with Good Year to produce the Wrangler Duratracs that they didn't consider some of us like options (and more sidewall) But when I purchased my LR4 19" was the smallest wheel and 18" wouldn't fit without spacers, so I'm not sure this should be a surprise to us. At the end of the day this is both an incredibly comfortable and capable vehicle. When you consider towing and the 3rd row seat, it truly has no competitors and being an LR4 owner I've been dependent on aftermarket mods to get the vehicle configured to my taste (Johnson Rods, Compomotive Wheels, Gap IIDtool, winch mount, etc) So I was excited to see Lucky8 embrace this car from the start. I'm just ready for my Defender to arrive already lol 3 more months!
 

PaulLR3

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Another issue is winter tires. I checked the Nokian website and they don't offer a winter tire in either the 19" or 20" Defender tire sizes. One more reason I'll take my LR4 through winter and order a Defender next spring.
 

bromhead

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I realize that perhaps I get too carried away with this but to me the tire size really comes off as a clear indication that Land Rover is really not focused in making what I would call a true off road vehicle. That’s certainly where the market has been headed, although with the Bronco and Jeep resurgence, perhaps we might see a sea change. Just like the Lr4 with its 19 wheels, it’s just such a shame that a vehicle with such amazing off road abilities is severely compromised by its footwear. Is the defender’s market that of a poser, amazing capabilities they will hardly ever been tested besides a quick swing through Mojave or a snowy drive to Tahoe? Look , the defender is a step in the right direction compared to the D5, but the limitation on the bigger motor just makes it into a more aggressive sporty suv (yes, a bit of an exaggeration).

I hope the new Bronco is very successful and Rover takes note. How about their version of a Sasquatch option: slightly raised suspension, bigger tires and wheels, OEM caliper replacement.....I have to believe that’s doable

that all being said, I have yet to read a write up on the p300, perhaps my whining is all for nothing and a suitable option already exists :)
 

m_lars

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I realize that perhaps I get too carried away with this but to me the tire size really comes off as a clear indication that Land Rover is really not focused in making what I would call a true off road vehicle. That’s certainly where the market has been headed, although with the Bronco and Jeep resurgence, perhaps we might see a sea change. Just like the Lr4 with its 19 wheels, it’s just such a shame that a vehicle with such amazing off road abilities is severely compromised by its footwear. Is the defender’s market that of a poser, amazing capabilities they will hardly ever been tested besides a quick swing through Mojave or a snowy drive to Tahoe? Look , the defender is a step in the right direction compared to the D5, but the limitation on the bigger motor just makes it into a more aggressive sporty suv (yes, a bit of an exaggeration).

I hope the new Bronco is very successful and Rover takes note. How about their version of a Sasquatch option: slightly raised suspension, bigger tires and wheels, OEM caliper replacement.....I have to believe that’s doable

that all being said, I have yet to read a write up on the p300, perhaps my whining is all for nothing and a suitable option already exists :)
If you read up on anyone who has talked to the engineers about the Defender, it’s clear that they did intend for this to be an off road vehicle. They clearly wanted the braking performance to be there from the factory. I don’t see any reason that the smaller brakes won’t fit, just like the LR3 V6 brakes did. If that’s the case, what’s the big deal? This is a very minor mod. If you have a Toyota, you have to put a lift on it to clear the larger tires. Yes, it’s cool you can roll a Bronco out of the showroom on 35’s. Yes, it’s cool that a JL will clear 35’s stock. The Defender is neither of these and honestly I don’t see them as direct competitors. As someone who has been off roading since before it was cool, I think it’s a good idea to have to modify your vehicle on your own.
 

bromhead

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I dont have a problem with modifying a vehicle, I just question why you put lower profile tires with 20 inch wheels on such a capable truck . And I get the idea of mods if you want to fit oversize tires and need to lift a vehicle, but required to swap out calipers to simply avoid 19 or 20 tires ...that’s just disappointing. Trick me by at least calling it a defender sport or something, but when you replace an icon like the original defender, having wheels that come stock on a Tesla or Panorama misses the boat, no matter what the creative after market community or our members can come up with. I mean isn’t Out the box off road ability supposed to be what differentiates the defender from the popular more luxurious vehicles that occupy the rest of the product line. At least the 5th tire is on the door! I like the truck and when I replace my LR4 it’s the only vehicle I would think of if I stay with the brand (I have had at least one since 1997) but I would have liked more differentiation from their other lineups
 

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