DEFENDER2.NET - View topic - Lightweight wheel fitment for not using extension arches

↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home · FAQ · New Posts · My Posts · PMs · Search · Members · Map · Calendar · Profile · Donate · Register · Log In

Home > Series Land Rovers > Lightweight wheel fitment for not using extension arches

Page 1 of 2

Print this entire topic ·

Hufflepuff

Member Since: 25 Oct 2014
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 723

Lightweight wheel fitment for not using extension arches

My Father has decided that his 2022 project will be to pull his 1971 series IIa lightweight to pieces which we have both shared for the last decade, and 'do it up properly' to make it a bit more presentable, while freshening up the engine which has developed an interesting creaky whine.

As part of this operation he would like to remove the plastic wheel arch extensions and get some new wheels/tyres which will fit without them:

Click image to enlarge

We are struggling to find out what the original wheel fitment would have been for a lightweight, to have a narrow set of tyres on which would fit without the need for the arches. Does anyone happen to know what they would have been? Its on a set of modular type steelies at the moment, but with wider BFG KM2 tyres at the moment which will have to go.

It does have a disc brake conversion at all for corners so its possible a lower offset wheel might not fit around the brakes anyway. 2005 Td5 90 XS
1989 V8 110 CSW

13th Feb 2022 10:03pm

camelman

Member Since: 27 Feb 2013
Location: Peak District
Posts: 3320

It would have originally had 5x16 wheels.
Have the whole axles been replaced or just the hubs. If its got 90 axles, they will have a wider track.

Do you happen to have its military reg?

There's a useful Facebook group here https://www.facebook.com/groups/landroverl...?ref=share

Watch out though as there are loads of posts featuring a little red landie with a white stripe

13th Feb 2022 10:24pm

gcc130

Member Since: 05 Jun 2015
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 684

I think the original fitment would have been 6.50 x 16 or 6.00 x 16.
If the disc conversion is an aftermarket one on the series axles it may not be possible to fit standard series swb rims as they will foul the calipers.
As far as I know only the Haystee conversion can use original rims.
I think you need to establish what axles and disc conversion you have first.

13th Feb 2022 10:54pm

camelman

Member Since: 27 Feb 2013
Location: Peak District
Posts: 3320

The tyres would have been 6.50x16 but not the wheels, they are 5x16

13th Feb 2022 11:01pm

Hufflepuff

Member Since: 25 Oct 2014
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 723

Its on proper lightweight axles, with the Zeus rear-disc brake conversion. I'm not sure which kit was used for the front discs.

Sorry Camelman I don't know its original military reg, I'm not sure if my Father has investigated that or not. I've seen both your green and red and white 1/2 tonners, looking mighty fine

OK original wheels would have been 5x16 hmm that might explain why the current wheels stick out. Thanks for the information! 2005 Td5 90 XS
1989 V8 110 CSW

13th Feb 2022 11:13pm

camelman

Member Since: 27 Feb 2013
Location: Peak District
Posts: 3320

I'm running 1 ton rims on the green lightweight.

They are 6.50x16 ANR1534 but even with 7.50s, they only protrude slightly from the bodywork.

Sounds like your modulars have a more significant negative offset

13th Feb 2022 11:29pm

camelman

Member Since: 27 Feb 2013
Location: Peak District
Posts: 3320

If you want to pm me the chassis number we should be able to gets its mil reg and therefore its service history.

13th Feb 2022 11:30pm

gcc130

Member Since: 05 Jun 2015
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 684

Sorry, I was referring to tyre size, not rim size.
The current rims look like wolf rims.

13th Feb 2022 11:53pm

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16862

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

The original tyres would almost certainly have been the legendary Goodyear Xtra-Grip in 6.50x16, the world's loudest tyre. You could hear them coming over half-a-mile away!

You could run 7.50 Michelin XZL on 5.50J16 rims as used on LWBs or standard steel Defender rims, they would not look inappropriate.

14th Feb 2022 12:00am

gcc130

Member Since: 05 Jun 2015
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 684

LWB rims won’t fit over Zeus disc conversions.
I run one ton rims on my series one and looked into fitting a disc conversion on the front. As far as I know the only conversion which will accept standard rims is the Hastee kit. On other conversions the calipers are too close to the rim.

14th Feb 2022 12:16am

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16862

Ah, I missed the rather significant point that the brakes had been altered. That greatly limits any originality options. I'd be inclined to convert them back to drums.

14th Feb 2022 8:06am

Hufflepuff

Member Since: 25 Oct 2014
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 723

I don't think he would be prepared to do that, he likes being able to stop! I will discuss it with him. 2005 Td5 90 XS
1989 V8 110 CSW

14th Feb 2022 9:32am

gcc130

Member Since: 05 Jun 2015
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 684

If you keep the existing wolf rims you could use a narrower tyre such as 7.50x16 Michelin xzl and it might just fit under the arches.

14th Feb 2022 9:40am

camelman

Member Since: 27 Feb 2013
Location: Peak District
Posts: 3320

Hufflepuff wrote:
I don't think he would be prepared to do that, he likes being able to stop! I will discuss it with him.

If you're just after a tidy up and a usable motor at the end of the day, leaving the discs on is probably the best option but will affect your wheel choice.

Decent Lightweight 2As are fetching good money and the more original the better. If you're going for a full on restoration, it would make sense to put it back to original drums.

I have a friend with a restored 2a and the insurance company have an agreed value of £35k on it!!

14th Feb 2022 9:43am

Hufflepuff

Member Since: 25 Oct 2014
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 723

I will discuss it with him. I think the originality aspect has already left the building, other than the galvanized chassis and parabolic springs, after using a fairy overdrive for a few years, he decided to swap in a R380 to make cruising more comfortable. I doubt he will want to reverse that modification.

What he really wants is power steering, but the kits he's looked at seem very expensive. 2005 Td5 90 XS
1989 V8 110 CSW

14th Feb 2022 10:11am

Page 1 of 2

All times are GMT + 1 Hour

Jump to

< Previous Topic | Next Topic >

Posting Rules

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum