305 tire on LR3 - made to work
 

After reading every site I could find about stuffing larger tires, I decided to take on a project. I fell in love with the Stormer wheels and had to have them, but I also wanted a rugged look to compliment them. I went with 305/40r22 Cooper LTZs. Looking back I should've went with 20s and a 275 tire, but I was in too deep and I wanted to be a little different. They are awesome tires so far. Very smooth on the interstate, with zero noise. They track great and seem more stable than stock.

I originally almost sold them because of the fitment issues, but I don't like being told it's impossible so here's what I had to do to get them to work. First, I had to order the Terrafirma hub centric spacers and do a bit of trimming to the wheel well, but I personally am very very happy with the look (as are most people who see it based on the compliments I've already received). I also got a set of the Johnson Rods, but I ended up not using those as it need trimmed anyway.

The spacers were a necessity due to the sheer width of these tires, and because of those the tire swings wide and needed additional trimming especially in the lower front bumper. Behind the passenger side wheel well (rear of the front tire) there is a hard heater line that runs down and under next to the frame. To gain an inch or so, I loosened 4 brackets on that side and slid it back towards the sheet metal a little more. It had a small bend of rubber hose under the rear door, so I just gave it a little more slack there and tightened everything back up.

I still have one issue on full lock, where it rubs the frame. I get just over 2.5 turns lock to lock currently, where stock I measured 3. I also looked at the point of contact and I think it would be easy to plasma cut off the corner, weld up a cap, and gain a couple more inches. There doesn't seem to be any thing inside that piece of frame. In normal driving I do not have any rub. I'm mindful of the current issue in tight parking, but I've yet to have to do a 3 point turn, even in access mode.

Lastly, I'm not going to take this off-road that much, and never rock crawling. To me I love the combination of luxury and ability (even if I don't tap into it). I saved my takeoffs should I want that. These are like wearing a dinner jacket with a fine pair of boots. Nuff said.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-S...0/IMG_0007.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Q...0/IMG_0221.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D...0/IMG_0017.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-u...0/IMG_0011.JPG

A little over kill.
Are you trying to kill your already weak/warn diffs with those big monsters?
Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to rain on your parade, but that is too much.

G'Day Swiftrabbit,
your D3 looks sweet.
I currently have the same in Australia (discovery3 in grey)
I am running Redbourne 22's with 285 40r22 at the moment with no scrub issues even in access mode.
I have just ordered a set of 305 40r22 Cooper LTZ and I will have them fitted next week.
I was hoping that they would fit with only a small amount of scrub on the front of the front tyre against the bumper when at full lock (easy fixed by trimming the plastic)
could you post a photo of the heater line that you had to relocate to allow more room?
Also what size wheel spacer did you need? the Redbourne 22' rims are 1/2 inch wider then the after market stormer 22's (I think?) so i don't think i will need to space my rims also the outside edge of my rim is already flush with the guards so I don't really want to space them out any further.
did you have to cut anything out of the rear or do they fit alright in the back?
I also have a set of Johnson lift rods but they don't work in my Discovery always sets a suspension fault and lowers (more like slams) the car to the bump stops, not that nice when going over 110kms on the freeway, so i will not be using them (ever again).

Thank you in advance for your help.

Actually it does look really cool, however I kind of agree with Mike on that one. I have actually considered downsizing from the 285 Nitto to something narrower on the next tire change now that Nitto makes narrower ones.

Nonetheless, it does look beastly... to each his own. It would be interesting if you could track your mileage a report on that to see what difference it makes before and after.

Not taking a Land Rover off road should be a criminal offense however!

Hi aussieLRD3! I still have this setup on an 2008 D3 and I'm still in love with it. Pictures just don't do it justice. I find my self staring at it in the garage just for fun. It is very unique, and I still get comments EVERYWHERE. It changes the look entirely. I know it's overkill, but that's what I love about it. It reminds me of these 1980s toy cars called Stompers. The LR3 is unique anyway, but I doubt I'll ever see one just like this anywhere. These tires are amazing. I just checked the Cooper site and it looks like they are discontinuing this size, so I'm debating buying another set to have on hand.

unseenonen: I just got done with a 900 mile road trip this weekend. I averaged 16.0 mpg @ an indicated 69 mph average. That was mostly 75-80 on the interstates. For comparison on a earlier 800 mile trip with stock setup I averaged 19.3 and I was trying a bit more to get the mileage then (this time was all about making the trip in one day.) Around town driving took a much bigger hit with these though. Sadly my wife drives this mostly, but it gets 13.8 indicated in town (not bad compared to my Jeep SRT8). Now the speedo is off approx 10% so that makes it 15mph?. Still, the wheel package gives the D3 such a great solid stance. I thought originally on stock wheels/tires that it seemed a little unstable at speed...(a little wobbly when you flick the wheel). Now it's like a sumo wrestler. It is probably my favorite family vehicle of all time and there was stiff competition.

aussieLRD3: Regarding your questions. You'll get rub at full lock on the frame that juts out (inside rear of the front wheels.) I've seriously considered cutting that off with a plasma torch as it looks to be entirely useless, but I think it might assist in alignment if the frame is twisted. I also get a slight plastic rub when I fully turn into a grade (steep driveway). I think I can fix this with additional minimal trimming. The trimming I've done has been finished off with fine sanding. No one can tell it's not stock unless I point it out to them. My wheels turn 1.25 turns in either direction and then I know that's pretty much it. Stock was 1.5. I did get 2 new rims with a 3mm less offset and that helped slightly. (Only happened because the original rims are cheap china knockoffs, and bent during a winter curb check). The TerraFirma spacers are only availabe in 1 size and I believe that is 30mm. It's really too much, but I didn't have a better option at the time. I think 20-25 would be perfect and allow full lock to lock steering. My suspension has never gone into limp mode, but I can still maneuver in access mode. I did nothing to the rears (other than matching spacers). They are perfect as is. The only reason for spacers in the first place was to clear the control arm knuckle. Really only needed 10mm probably. I wanted a nice flush stance though.

That said. After almost 5000 miles on these (even more if I hadn't waited on 2 replacement rims), I would still do it. Make sure you don't have alignment issues, but these are holding up great so far. I don't get out here much unless I need some info. Like how to avoid 9qts of oil on my garage floor...Thank you Forums! Hit me up if you still have questions.

Thanks,
Swift

Thanks for the reply Swift,
If coopers is going to stop making these tyres maybe I should find another A/T tyre, I don't want to go to all the trouble of modifying the plastics to find out that next tyre change I will have to do it all again.

I was originally looking at Toyo M/T in 33x12.5r22 and a Toddco 2' air ride to make the tyres fit. but I have just moved house and with a 2' lift I would struggle to fit under my garage door.

22' rims are 100% the wrong size rim to go offroad, but having my other land rover for sale at the moment I will now be taking the D3 with the 22's on all my adventures, I know I am going to get lots of reply's saying to remove the 22's when going offroad and fit 20's or the original 18's with a nice set of A/T tyres.
I have also done this before but after swapping sneakers a few times it quickly turns into running the offroad tyres all the time, you never know when you'll find a fresh track to explore running home to change tyres becomes a chore.

I have taken my 22's offroad and yes they get hammered with the 285 40 tyre.
If anyone has seen any other A/T tyre that that will fit a 22' rim and fit in under the guards on a discovery 3 please share your info.

Cheers.