My experience with 32" tires and stock gearing
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
I now have 265/70R16 BFG ATs with stock gears on my '98 with full body, tools, spare parts, etc. I noticed I am no longer able to spin all four tires on dry pavement like I could when I had 255/65R16's (previous owner's choice), oddly enough it corrected my speedometer. So just 1.5 inch overall diameter made a difference, but not unsatisfactorily performance overall. My '96 has 35/12.50R15 and before I chopped the body off I had to change it to 4.11's now that it is tubed and much lighter its a bit of an animal. So I would have to say weight could have a little to do with it. This is just my experience.
Mudding
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
I now have 265/70R16 BFG ATs with stock gears on my '98 with full body, tools, spare parts, etc. I noticed I am no longer able to spin all four tires on dry pavement like I could when I had 255/65R16's (previous owner's choice), oddly enough it corrected my speedometer. So just 1.5 inch overall diameter made a difference, but not unsatisfactorily performance overall. My '96 has 35/12.50R15 and before I chopped the body off I had to change it to 4.11's now that it is tubed and much lighter its a bit of an animal. So I would have to say weight could have a little to do with it. This is just my experience.
This isnt me saying "I can **** farther than you" but really?. I Love my Disco and they are impressive off-road and I will defend a Land Rover to the end, but do you really think your disco on 32's and 5" of lift or even a Disco on 35's could follow me in my blazer...1 tons, 42" swampers, Locked front and rear, Granny geared tranny, 350Hp??. I do not care how fanantical of a LR owner you are AND I RESPECT that but the answer is NO YOU WILL NOT, ask me how I know.
Its not the size of your tool its how you use it.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: California
THIS is the downfall of LandRover IMO. I have built Chevy trucks (1/2 ton even) that you can toss on a 6" lift and 35's and KEEP stock axles and gearing and just go go go. You barely notice the difference in power, the axles hold up just fine etc etc. With a Rover(although not designed to be ran with big tires) you can barely hop up tire size without risking breakage in the axles. It seems they could just be built tougher. Hel* even a STOCK little OL early 80's Toyota 1/4 ton pick up axle can run 35-37" tires all day with no problems, I've done it!. I jusy dont see why LR builds an axle that cant even run 32-33's without breaking. Land Cruisers are around the same platform as Land Rover but they can run 37's without fear, I just dont get it??. You would think that land rover would forsee that a truck designed for expeditions, extreme 4x4 situations, etc etc would make stronger components. So what if they over built the axles and the truck never sees bigger than 33" tires?, no harm in OVER building.. However you would also think that an OFF ROAD designed rig such as the LR would attract people who want to make it even MORE capable off road.......IE BIGGER TIRES.
Mudding
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 139
Likes: 13
From: Sierra Nevada, CA
What do you mean "spin all four tires when on dry pavement like I used to do"?. Are you saying that your rover had enough power to launch on dry pavement and actually spin all four tires?. ummmmmm That would take Major HP and lockers front and rear to "spin all 4 tires". I dont see a rover doing this feat. And if for some reason your rovr did I forsee U joints, hubs, and axle shafts going BOOM under this power.
So I thought for sure I was going to blow at least a U-joint out the bottom of my Disco, alas I did not and even got him back on his way. Rather be lucky than good any day.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
So I have a question... I know that SOME of the defenders came with 32" tires. The 110 came with Salisbury axle, but I'm pretty sure the 90 came with the same basic axle as the D1. So the question is, if the 90 can run 32s without upgrade, why does the disco need it?Do the 90s come with 4 pinion diffs? Is it just that the 90 is lighter?
As far as MPG loss, it really shouldn't be happening while cruising on the highway, once you've reached a certain speed, fuel consumption should be pretty much the same? While offroading though, it probably will be more.
Need to test this out.
