Spent many hours looking for new tires and now more confused than ever. I have stock 16's and NO lift on my 2001 Disco. Would like to try something taller and thinner. Taller so it looks better and thinner so it won't affect the gas mileage so much. My wife drives it so it never goes off road, although would like a tire that has some off road tread look to it. Still trying to figure out the max height/min width I can go. A very small amount of rub would be ok!
Many thanks in advance!

 

235 85 16, might rub slightly.

 

Thanks, 'slight' rub won't be a problem, I'll take a look

 

You'll get the tallest possible tire in your non lifted Disco if you replace your old springs and shocks with new stock parts. At this age you've likely got up to 1.5 inches of sag in your suspension unless you've already replaced it. Stock replacements are available from the usual vendors at a slightly cheaper price than the offroad lift types. Do not buy from dealer.

Also don't be tempted to replace the shocks without replacing the springs if your suspension is original. The ride will be nice at first but the shocks will take a beating and wear out way too soon.

 

That's nit necessarily true about the sagging. My stick springs were still perfectly in spec a few months ago before I lifted. They're supposed to measure 19.5" +/- .5" in the front and 19" +/- .5" in the rear measured from the center of the wheel cap to the top of the wheel well. Measure both sides and average the right and left to get the true heights front and rear.

 

I would get 245 75 16, tall enough and great in the snow. Many tire choices in that size as well.

 

I'd also check that the skinnier tire was recommended for rim width size of wheels. Tires too skinny or wide have to lead to issues done the road.
......

 

X2 on what Alex_M said.
My suspension is at the top range of the specification and everything is original, even the shocks.

 

As the old saying goes, "Your Mileage May Vary"

Good to note the factory spec but sag is not the only factor... that distance can vary if you have 16" or 18" wheels

The amount of sag is also proportional to how the vehicle has been used.

Mall queen with 80k might measure and look fine.

120k and up and your factory springs and shocks may seem OK but will fail the first time you put them to the test... which may be the first time you need your truck to save your ***.

Your choice.

I'm on my second set of front shocks, third set of rear... S model no bags... Second set of springs all round in 180k miles. I do take my truck out in the mountains and am very tuned in to weak suspension issues. In fine tune these trucks do great in adverse conditions when properly maintained. It is highly possible that if you never go off road you would never know anything was wrong until you did have to put your vehicle to the test.

Just food for thought.

 

It can't vary...tire and wheel size have no bearing on the lift measurement, that's the beauty of the hub center to wheel arch measurement.