Oversize tires for 2020 Defender

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m_lars

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I have an SE with the P400 and 20" wheels. Upgraded and added 1.5" Johnson Rods and put on the 265/60R20 BF Goodrich KO2 tires. These are 32.5" in Diameter and 11" wide, they are basically half an inch larger in both diameter and width. The truck handles fine on highway and is awesome off road. I have a little rubbing on the front classic mudflaps with the wheels turned all the way to the side. It is worse in reverse when turned. I am trimming the side of the interior portion of the mudflap mount a bit...this should stop the rubbing. Also looked at tires that were 33" in diameter and a bit wider...not sure I would do that.....you would have to use say a 2" Proud Rhino Lift and would definitely have to remove the mudflaps. Got the info on the 275 and the Proud Rhino Lift from LR Denver...check out their You tube videosView attachment 12320 View attachment 12321
Width is often overlooked in the “what will fit” conversation and it’s critical. People focus on diameter and tend to go wider as they go taller. In the LR3 world I’ve had lots of people say 33” is too big, “it’ll rub like crazy”, but they tried 275 or 285’s. I run 265’s and don’t rub at all.
 

Greg Boshart

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Here's a silly question/observation . . . since the Base Model Defender 90 (P300) comes with standard 18" wheels, couldn't you just swap the rear brake calipers from a P300 D90 with the 18" wheels?

The only difference between the two should be the size of the engine, and you may possibly need to swap the rotors as well?

So, if this setup is adequate for the P300, why would it not work with the P400?
 
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m_lars

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Here's a silly question/observation . . . since the Base Model Defender 90 comes with standard 18" wheels, couldn't you just swap the rear brake calipers from a 2020 D90 with the 18" wheels? The only difference where could be the size of the engine, and you may possibly need to swap the rotors as well?
Most likely rotors and caliper carrier brackets.
 

m_lars

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yup, none of those will work on a P400. Brake caliper conversion will be required to fit 18”.

Here’s another wheel option:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CIJPJzHMFZP/?igshid=19kkidrth96kx
yup, none of those will work on a P400. Brake caliper conversion will be required to fit 18”.

Here’s another wheel option:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CIJPJzHMFZP/?igshid=19kkidrth96kx
Right, which is why he was asking what could be done to convert it to a P300 brake spec.
 

doc5339

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There is a kit sold by Lucky 8, but I believe it is less expensive to just buy the LR parts according to my source at TuffAnt USA. P400 owners have done this successfully to convert to 18" wheels.
 

doc5339

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FWIW, my Nitto Ridge Grappler 255 70 18 are approximately 31.5" tall as installed (50psi) though they theoretically would be 32.1" tall x 10" wide.

They performed great on Imogene Pass as well as on the highway. Tire noise was barely noticeable.
 

doc5339

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I would love to install 35" tires, though here are my issues with doing so:
-Most of the 35" off road tires I like are only available in E-Load Range; so airing-down is almost ineffective as the 10-ply sidewall barely deforms as the pressure drops. Even the D-range tires available are heavy as hell. Have not been able to find any 35" XL range off road tires.
-Significant trimming is required to fit them along with lift rods (harsher ride).
-Not many guys running them and not sure how well the diffs/axles will hold up to the higher unsprung weight/rotating mass.
-Most of the time the extra 1-3/4" of ground clearance you gain from a true 35" wheel is not useful. It is very useful off-road, though your extra 1-3/4" become more like an extra inch after you air-down to 25 psi or so.
-They're significantly more expensive than near-OEM sizes.

Reasons to have them:
-That extra 1" of ground clearance could save your rockers, lower control arms, etc.
-They look cool
-Larger contact patch

Just wondering what others think and have experienced?
 

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