I have had a LR3 in the past and loved it. Got a 2018 D5 and loved it. Now own a 2025 D5. It has 21" wheels which is really not ideal for good off-roading and finding tires to fit them for that use is also hard. Hoping to find some suggestions on good 20" wheels to put on my vehicle at this time. Anyone ever gone off brand for their wheels and got any suggestions? I am in Colorado and the roads get rocky and dirty/sandy both out on the western slope. Just depends on where I am driving. I am ordering the 1.5" Johnson Rods for this vehicle so I would expect tire rub to not be an issue.

Also, how often do you all air down your tires for off-roading? And if you do air down, what do you bring it down to? 24Psi a fair amount to air down to and still provide a comfortable ride?

I plan to get pics once I get new tires and rods put on the vehicle and make it ready for the trails. Really sad to not be out there already.

 

I'd get a set of take-off 20" wheels from a Defender or try to find OEM D5 20" wheels. I go off-roading in my Defender on 20" wheels and I don't air down. JLR doesn't recommend airing down on low profile tires that are 19"+.

 

I have read that as well from that JLM employee that posts out here. I have also read over and over again from people that they do air down. Not down to super low amounts, but they definitely air it down from 45 and 50 PSI. I did not air down and put a hole in the sidewall of some Falken ATs from a nice rock a few years back. Since then, I have occasionally aired down a little bit. Not sure if I ever noticed a lot of difference or not.

 

Bear in mind I don't do any sand driving or rock crawling, so I never felt the need to air down and always stuck to JLRs recommendation, Also, the folks at the LR Experience centers at the Biltmore in North Carolina and at the factory in Solihull, UK advised against airing down. If you do a lot of sand driving or rock crawling, then yes, definitely want to air down a bit.

 

Definitely depends on the type of terrain. Airing down slightly should help prevent popping tires on rocks. Airing down allows the tire to conform and flex around the rock. Meaning it will make contact with more of the rock. Plus airing down allows for more surface area which spreads out the weight. Meaning there isn't as much weight on the sharp point of the rock. This only applies to rocks that go under your tire. Sidewall damage is hard to prevent and your best defense is line placement. Tire choice is also important. I run KM3's and KO2's and have taken chunks out of the sidewalls. But I'm not sure what 20 and 21 inch rim offerings they have. In sand & snow airing down lengthens the contact patch which reduces the weight per square inch. Helping you "float" on-top of it. Airing down does increase the chance of de-beading (the tire basically come off the rim).

Airing down improves ride quality significantly off road. It softens the impact and acts similarly to your suspension.