2016 NX tyre sizes

[Liam75]

I've been investigating putting larger tyres on my Pajero just to increase the side wall.
Currently use standard size with Falken Wildpeaks.
What's the general brainstrust views on larger tyres?
Go 17 inch rims or stay with 18 inch and maybe go a bigger tyre?
Have a 2 inch lift. Looking at 265/65 or 70/18.
Whats most peoples findings?

[old Jack]

Hi Liam,

Factory tyre's are 265/60R18 so they are 776mm diameter.

Next size up in profile is 265/65R18, 803mm diameter and these fit no problems except on some tyre's the spare wheel holder need minor modification to fit. This is a common upsize that people do. It will slightly decrease your fuel economy and the torque convertor will unlock easier and lock later, not a problem if you monitor ATF or have a Lockup kit. If you tow heavy then you will notice the effects more.
This is a common size tyre with a fair range to choose from.

265/70R18 is 830mm in diameter and these will most likely rub on some part of the front body work, suspension or steering which is illegal. They are also 53mm larger in diameter and the legal limit is 50mm. I cannot recall seeing this tyre size so range could be limited.

If you are doing a lot of off road work with lower pressures then changing the rims to 17" and running 265/70R17 tyre's makes sense as the sidewalls are higher, large choice of tyre's and it is legal.

Having a suspension lift only changes the ride height of the vehicle, it does not give you anymore room at full tuck with 3/4 steering inputs to go much larger in tyre diameter than 810mm diameter.

OJ.

[Liam75]

Thanks, heaps for that.
Probably stick to just going the 265/65/18. Sounds like the better option.
No issues with the back as I've ripped the plastic around the spare wheel off and don't tow.

Thanks for the help.

[wazznt]

I changed my tyres from 265 60 18 to 265 65 18 seeking a smoother ride on crap roads ,ride improved but fuel economy has gone backwards .
I am thinking of trying either try a lockup kit or return to the standard size tyres , I haven't decided yet .
Ps I tow a van and large trailer or boat a fair bit but the difference in tyres is quite noticeable even running empty .

edit typo

[DaKaptin]

Different tyre manufacturers and makes will have different OD sizes despite what the calculator tells you. If you know which tyre brand etc you want then find out that tyres size.

This is often because of varying tread depths offered between different tyres of the same size.

I went to Cooper STmaxx 270/70 r17 for my NX on a set of standard NW rims I sourced. They are 809mm new. Compare this with most other tyre brands which are closer to 803mm.

Compare again to probably the absolutely largest tyre you could go on stock suspension- 275/70r17 @814mm OD. i hear they do scrape on full suspension compression and half lock of the steering.

The same could be said of corresponding 18" tyres.

[Px2]

I went from original 265/60/18 to 235/80/17. So they have 808mm and no issues at all.

When I go rocks or sand, plenty of sidewall to play with pressure.

[old Jack]

I went from original 265/60/18 to 235/80/17. So they have 808mm and no issues at all.

When I go rocks or sand, plenty of sidewall to play with pressure.

Hi Px2,

What brand and model tyre are you running in 235/80R17?
Are you running factory 7.5" X 17" Rims?
This is not a common size in Australia.
On my PB Challenger I run LT235/85R16 which are a true 32"/813mm diameter on 7" factory alloys. I prefer them over the 265/70R16 or the 245/75R16 that are 30.5"/775mm diameter.

OJ.

[RodMac]

I've been investigating putting larger tyres on my Pajero just to increase the side wall.
Currently use standard size with Falken Wildpeaks.
What's the general brainstrust views on larger tyres?
Go 17 inch rims or stay with 18 inch and maybe go a bigger tyre?
Have a 2 inch lift. Looking at 265/65 or 70/18.
Whats most peoples findings?

All the info re tyres rubbing etc... is correct,been there....

However as for fuel consumption, for what it is worth, when you go up a size you will probably find, as I did, that the speedo will now be spot on for speed and distance, I found the standard tyre size caused the speedo to read higher speeds than actual according to GPS and more km travelled by around 5-10% so while this looks good for consumption it is not 100% accurate.

Rod Mac
Sunny Coast

[Px2]

Hi Px2,

What brand and model tyre are you running in 235/80R17?
Are you running factory 7.5" X 17" Rims?
This is not a common size in Australia.
On my PB Challenger I run LT235/85R16 which are a true 32"/813mm diameter on 7" factory alloys. I prefer them over the 265/70R16 or the 245/75R16 that are 30.5"/775mm diameter.

OJ.

Hi Jack,


Tyre is Chinese Westlake SL369 LT:

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=westlake+sl369&t=lm&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images

Rim is Mak:

https://cdn.nettivaraosa.com/live/1882954/MAK-Stone-6-Black-mirror-20-45d9a9af57b4e0a5-large.jpg

And it looks like:

https://cph4.noip.pl/owncloud/index.php/s/LEAJZGjZ5kR7Mb2

https://cph4.noip.pl/owncloud/index.php/s/KNzeZJ53B8Z4ZR9

Initial I wanted to use Triton 17'' but those rubs spokes against caliper in front, so then I visited probably all scrap yards in Auckland to get original Pajero 17'' - no luck. In effect I just got new MAKs and I'm happy man now . MAKs are 7.5'' wide.

[old Jack]

Thanks for sharing Px2, looks great.
Do you get a bit of stick from others for running narrow tyre's?

OJ.

[Px2]

Thanks for sharing Px2, looks great.
Do you get a bit of stick from others for running narrow tyre's?

OJ.

Oh, definitely. Most people still will argue that "wider is always better" same as "bulge make you floating on sand" but... I'm happy with what I have.

Wondering if anyone ever made public testing how tyre width impacts driving on different 4x4 surface. I still could change my stance but so far 35kkm on those wheels - 2/3 of thread worn. Done on it 6kkm month long 4wd trip on NZ South Island with rocks, mud, sand, crossings... whatever and I'm still happy. Next tyres will be same.

[old Jack]

Oh, definitely. Most people still will argue that "wider is always better" same as "bulge make you floating on sand" but... I'm happy with what I have.

Wondering if anyone ever made public testing how tyre width impacts driving on different 4x4 surface. I still could change my stance but so far 35kkm on those wheels - 2/3 of thread worn. Done on it 6kkm month long 4wd trip on NZ South Island with rocks, mud, sand, crossings... whatever and I'm still happy. Next tyres will be same.

https://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=30236

OJ

[Px2]

Indeed...


Thanks fo sharing.
If you'd ever find any test on yt done for 4wd on tyre width basis I'd be really interested. Please share.
I was searching and apart of

Engineering Explained - where not much relevant due to different vehicles and tyre models
Old Andrew (yes, the one who hates Pajero) - explaining logically
I couldn't find any tests being done and giving proof to one or another side.
However, there are few individuals telling about feeling and they like narrow more, what's same to my experiences.

[redbruce]

Tyre diameter will always have the biggest impact on grip as the tractive area increases more than changes in (practical) width for a given pressure.

After that width still makes a difference but main difference is in carcass volume and so ability to "fold" around obstacles and better ability to distribute/absorb point loads throughout tyre (via air pressure), for a given rolling diameter but is more subject to application eg sandy versus rocky surface.






Not comparing width but an interesting comparison of diameter from 4wdaction:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO6QYM59ANw

[Px2]

Here is the "thing" nicely broke down to the pieces:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/tyre-alloy-wheel-section/90524-off-roading-tires-wide-narrow-better.html