I thought this would be a good place to assemble some info about tire sizes that folks have successfully fit without any lift. I will try to keep this updated with comments as more and more people try different things.

18 Inch Rims (do not fit the P400)

• 255 / 70 R18 - LR OEM (32.1" x 10", 7" sidewall)
• 265/60 R 18 confirmed KO2 with no lift.

19 inch rims

• 255 / 65 R19 - LR OEM (32.1" x 10", 6.5" sidewall)

20 Inch Rims

• 255 / 60 R20 - (32" x 10", 6" sidewall} LR OEM
• 265 / 60 R20 (32.5" x 10.4", 6.3" Sidewall) - (see picture in comments below - almost rubs at full turn - may require slight mods to wheel well liner). This seems like the closest to OEM size you can get and open up a lot of options like KO2s.
• 275 / 60 R20 - (33" x 10.8", 6.5" sidewall) mixed results - see comments below several folks on the new Defender Facebook group fit these on the factory wheels - KO2s, Cooper, etc. No word yet on how they perform when fully articulated - this seems to be pushing it at 33". In comments below, the wheel well liner rubbed when fully turned. Modifying the liner may allow these to fit better, and some variation from car to car on the liner may explain why some folks say they fit and others say they do not.
• 275 / 55 R20 (31.9" x 10.8", 6" sidewall) - this was reported to work with the stock wheels. Another user, with aftermarket wheels from moto metal, had rubbing in access height in reverse - possibly different wheel geometries?

Notes:

• Lucky 8 and Tuff Ant are working on a solution for 18" wheels on the P400. It will involve new wheels and a rear caliper swap. No details have been released yet.

 

Nice work and much appreciated on getting things started.

I know the forum sponsor, Johnson Rods has a good handle on what fits with the 1.5" lift they have for the Defender.

Lets face it, when you are dealing with modern cars and trying to go larger, every little bit counts.

Rob

 

I am personally not interested in rod lifts, so have kept this focused on things that will fit at stock ride heights.

 

Perfectly understand. I have had the Johnson Rods on an LR4 and was pretty happy with them.

I will be test fitting a couple other tires soon and will let you know what I find

Rob

 

I hope this is a silly question -- based on my old analog, mechanical age, I suppose. I have an LR4 and the new Defender coming and am thinking of wheel size changes ... Question is: what happens to the speedometer accuracy and transmission shift points when the outer diameter tire size is changed on these two vehicles?

Thanks !!

 

That is a great question, but lets not hi-jack this thread. If you can start a new one or have one of the moderators move it, I'm sure we can all jump in and help answer your question.

Rob

 

Great info above. I have tried both the 275 / 60 R20 and the 265 / 60 R20 KO2s. There was definite rubbing on rear of front wheel well liner when wheel is turned on the 275 / 60 R20. The liner could be tacked down tighter to the wheel well and it may be ok. With regards to the 265 / 60 R20, it was super close (see picture). At this point I chose not to make the change; I would love to hear from folks that have installed a larger tire.
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Driver Side Front Wheel 265 / 60 R20


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Ok, I started a new thread .... thanks for suggesting me doing so.

 

Wow! That is pretty close and I would have to assume that under certain situations, this size would rub too.

This might boil down to individual tires from manufacturers will fit, while others of the same size from a different company will not fit.

Anyway, thank you for the picture and sorry to hear you abandoned the swap. I totally understand. Its starting to look like the only way to run anything larger than a 32" tire, is to get a lift or mod the inner wheel liner. I'm going to take a look at that today and see if it is easily modified by a heat gun or if the liner has to be removed. If it has to be removed, then I would assume the prudent thing to do is to have some type of spray on protection/sound insulation added.

​​​​​​​Rob

 

Was this in the lowest ride height? Wondering if it would be a little more space in normal or offroad height. I have the auto lowest setting turned off and am therefore never lower than normal height. Would love to get some 275/60R20 on there without a lift.

I did just order a set of 265/60R20 Nokian LT3 studded winter tires so will test those out soon