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Jonathan111



Member Since: 22 Jan 2015
Location: London
Posts: 67

United Kingdom 
CAN YOU MIX 4X4 TYRE PATTERNS?
Hi all, advice needed.

I have just had some brand new Goodyear G90s fitted to the front axle [Defender 300tdi - 110 - 1997], but the rear two are (identical to each other but) 2 years old, and a different make and tread pattern.

I'm about to drive across Europe and wonder if I should just splash out another 340 on the rear two as well or whether these should do - not expecting to do any major off-road or difficult terrain.

I know different makes of tyres on the same axle is a nono, but slightly different on front and rear?

I enclose pics of the two tread patterns.

Any thoughts? I've searched the archives here and found nothing, so apologies if I'm going over well trodden ground....thanks in advance....
Post #986488 23rd Mar 2023 12:04pm
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camelman



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

United Kingdom 
Legally, yes (as long as they're not a mix of cross ply and radial).

However, the G90s can be a bit skittish in the wet so depending on what the rear tyres are, you might get some unpredictable handling. 
Post #986490 23rd Mar 2023 12:07pm
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camelman



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

United Kingdom 
Just having a shufty in your gallery, I wouldn't be mixing those as I'm sure the XTRA grip pattern are cross ply and the G90s are Radial. you'll be facing into the oncoming traffic before you know it!!

 
Post #986493 23rd Mar 2023 12:20pm
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kenzle8a



Member Since: 12 Feb 2020
Location: None
Posts: 1074

 
I wouldn't fit G90's let alone mix them Laughing
Post #986495 23rd Mar 2023 12:28pm
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MarkBrown



Member Since: 03 Oct 2022
Location: Mid Wales
Posts: 317

United Kingdom 1983 Defender 110 Other HT Auto Keswick Green
Crossplys, I had them on my first 110, back in 1996. I had them fitted for about a week, absolutely lethal things! I replaced them with a set of Bfg Track Edge. They were fantastic.
Post #986599 23rd Mar 2023 11:13pm
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Jonathan111



Member Since: 22 Jan 2015
Location: London
Posts: 67

United Kingdom 
Thanks Mark, all - looks like I'm saddled with the G90s so what's best to put on the back axle (definitely not the current Deestone Extra Tractions - lethal and noisy - useful thread here https://www.defender2.net/forum/post339275.html) - maybe the best thing is to put another couple of G90s and at least its safe......I'll be doing mostly tarmac driving, and mostly in dry southern Europe
Post #986640 24th Mar 2023 11:46am
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Jonathan111



Member Since: 22 Jan 2015
Location: London
Posts: 67

United Kingdom 
camelman wrote:
Just having a shufty in your gallery, I wouldn't be mixing those as I'm sure the XTRA grip pattern are cross ply and the G90s are Radial. you'll be facing into the oncoming traffic before you know it!!



Thanks camelman - this explains why I did a fishtail/aquaplane on a wet road three years ago - iffy crossplies on the back (Deestone Extra Traction - thread on them here -https://www.defender2.net/forum/post339275.html) and some very elderly Avon Rangemaster radials on the front. I should have learned my lesson then, have certainly now - showed the wife your YouTube clip, I'm off to ATS this morning.....question is : what do I put on the back axle - another couple of G90s? That's the advice I've had so far....
Post #986641 24th Mar 2023 11:50am
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Jonathan111



Member Since: 22 Jan 2015
Location: London
Posts: 67

United Kingdom 
lord-haggis wrote:
I wouldn't fit G90's let alone mix them Laughing
- ah thanks! I'll remember for the next time....!
Post #986643 24th Mar 2023 11:56am
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DSC-off



Member Since: 16 Oct 2014
Location: North East
Posts: 1350

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Aintree Green
Jonathan111 wrote:
....question is : what do I put on the back axle - another couple of G90s? That's the advice I've had so far....


The G90 is a very extreme offroad tyre, chosen by the British military for it's strength/ durability.
It is not by any means a tyre that would be chosen for its capabilities on road regarding: wet weather, ice, vehicle handling or ride quality.
A 'normal' MT or AT pattern is a much better all round compromise, if you don't live offroad 90% or need a very tough tyre.

With 2 G90s already fitted, you have 2 options,
1) Fit another 2 on the back and live with their limitations.
2) Change all 4 to something more suitable for travelling across Europe, or general mixed use.

Don't forget the spare tyre, if it's a crossply and ever needed to be used, it would be lethal to fit it with 3 radials.
Post #986666 24th Mar 2023 3:50pm
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camelman



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

United Kingdom 
I'd be cutting my losses and selling the G90s on one of the military pages and sticking a decent set of ATs on if you're doing a higher number of miles. 
Post #986668 24th Mar 2023 3:57pm
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Jonathan111



Member Since: 22 Jan 2015
Location: London
Posts: 67

United Kingdom 
hi, thanks for this - very helpful - I think I'm stuck with my G90s, so will just live with their limitations, and may even try and take advantage of them, should do more offroad. As a matter of interest, are there any tyres you'd recommend for general use that are not in the (out of my budget) BFG category? I'm being offered some Michelin O/R/XZLs - would they be a better bet than the G90s?
Post #986669 24th Mar 2023 4:00pm
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DSC-off



Member Since: 16 Oct 2014
Location: North East
Posts: 1350

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Aintree Green
The 7.50/16 size has limited availability, it's an old obsolete size.
Michelin is one of the few manufacturers that still make that size.
https://www.michelin.co.uk/auto/browse-tyr...0/16/112/S

The modern equivalent is 235/85 R16, same diameter, a little wider, but really needs a 6.5" or 7" wide tubeless wheel.

Falken and Toyo do AT tyres in 235/85 R16 from around £140 per tyre.
I've no recommendation for the website below, have never used them, but do use them for a price guide.
https://4x4tyres.co.uk/tyre-search-results...size/3495/
Post #986672 24th Mar 2023 4:32pm
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Jonathan111



Member Since: 22 Jan 2015
Location: London
Posts: 67

United Kingdom 
hi there, really appreciate your advice - it does seem that my wheels mean there are very limited options, looks like I'm going to have to go with the G90s for now and go carefully in the wet - I've been driving with ancient radials and wacky crossplys these last three years, so at least know how to do that....departure date is 2 weeks, so the wheels and tyres reset will have to wait....thanks all
Post #986675 24th Mar 2023 4:45pm
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martinf



Member Since: 30 Nov 2020
Location: Sussex
Posts: 95

United Kingdom 
Somewhere in the back of my mind, maybe lurking from a very long time ago, I recall a rule that said "radials to the rear". So if it is the case that you have cross ply on the rear and the G90's are radials then I think the tyres need swapping round.

Still not ideal but better than the other way round.
Post #986693 24th Mar 2023 7:08pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16858

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Jonathan111 wrote:
... I'm being offered some Michelin O/R/XZLs - would they be a better bet than the G90s?


The XZL is infinitely preferable to the G90 and is a very good tyre.
Post #986696 24th Mar 2023 7:46pm
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