I have the BFG 65 - 17'', awesome grip, seriously noisy on road. Problem with the oversize is how accurate the speedo is, only about 1-2km diff from GPS!
Hi all.
I have 3rd gen Pajero 3.2DiD AT with 265 70 16 tires. Im about to get BFGs, but my local tyre dealer tells me that BFG 265 75 16 (70 is not available) wont fit. He says that outside of tyre will hit backside of bumper when turning (the distance between tyre and bumper is too small - see picture). He also suggest that i should get 245x75x16 instead.
Can someone tell me how BFG 265 75 16 fits on Gen 3 Pajero?
Thanks (sorry for bad English:)
Ed
I have 3rd gen Pajero 3.2DiD AT with 265 70 16 tires. Im about to get BFGs, but my local tyre dealer tells me that BFG 265 75 16 (70 is not available) wont fit. He says that outside of tyre will hit backside of bumper when turning (the distance between tyre and bumper is too small - see picture). He also suggest that i should get 245x75x16 instead.
Can someone tell me how BFG 265 75 16 fits on Gen 3 Pajero?
Thanks (sorry for bad English:)
Ed
Last edited by taiji99 on Sun Oct 17, 2010 7:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
I think they should fit. The nominal radius of the standard size 265/70R16 tyres is 388.7mm, while the 265/75R16 tyres have a nominal radius of 402mm, so they are only 13.25 mm or so (about 3.4%) larger in terms of the nominal radius (For interest sake, the 245/75R16 tyres have a radius of 387mm, so they are very close to the size of the original tyres).
I know of several Gen 3s that run with 265/75R16 tyres and the tyres do not touch, but most of those are newer GLS models (with slightly different wheel arch trims) or GLX models (without wheel arch trims). Still, I think it is highly unlikely that the tyres will touch. CATS on this forum has an older Gen 3 GLS, similar to yours, but I am not sure what tyres he has on. He might know for sure whether they will touch on the pre 2003 Gen 3s. In general the Gen 3s have quite generous clearances around the wheels.
Another issue that you might want to consider is that the Gen 3 DiD Automatic already has very tall gearing and fitting the 265/75R16 tyres will make the gearing 3.4% taller. This might mean that your car will start to unlock the torque converter much more often at cruising speed (e.g. when going up even quite gentle hills), which will have a detrimental effect on fuel consumption. Whether this becomes an issue or not depends heavily on what your cruising speed is. In South Africa the speed limit on the freeways is 120 km/h and if one travels around that speed (true speed), the effect is quite pronounced. If one is able to cruise at slightly higher speeds, the torque converter tends to remain locked almost all of the time with the bigger tyres.
By the way BFG does manufacture the AT/KO in 265/70R16: I have seen these on a Pajero Gen 3 in South Africa myself, but it seems you are not from this part of the world?
I know of several Gen 3s that run with 265/75R16 tyres and the tyres do not touch, but most of those are newer GLS models (with slightly different wheel arch trims) or GLX models (without wheel arch trims). Still, I think it is highly unlikely that the tyres will touch. CATS on this forum has an older Gen 3 GLS, similar to yours, but I am not sure what tyres he has on. He might know for sure whether they will touch on the pre 2003 Gen 3s. In general the Gen 3s have quite generous clearances around the wheels.
Another issue that you might want to consider is that the Gen 3 DiD Automatic already has very tall gearing and fitting the 265/75R16 tyres will make the gearing 3.4% taller. This might mean that your car will start to unlock the torque converter much more often at cruising speed (e.g. when going up even quite gentle hills), which will have a detrimental effect on fuel consumption. Whether this becomes an issue or not depends heavily on what your cruising speed is. In South Africa the speed limit on the freeways is 120 km/h and if one travels around that speed (true speed), the effect is quite pronounced. If one is able to cruise at slightly higher speeds, the torque converter tends to remain locked almost all of the time with the bigger tyres.
By the way BFG does manufacture the AT/KO in 265/70R16: I have seen these on a Pajero Gen 3 in South Africa myself, but it seems you are not from this part of the world?
Gerrit Loubser 
2003 Toyota Land Cruiser 100 VX TD
2003 Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 DiD LWB A/T Gone & missed
1999 Nissan Patrol 4.5E GRX M/T: Gone & missed
1996 Toyota Land Cruiser 80 VX 4.5 EFI A/T: SOLD
2003 Toyota Land Cruiser 100 VX TD
2003 Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 DiD LWB A/T Gone & missed
1999 Nissan Patrol 4.5E GRX M/T: Gone & missed
1996 Toyota Land Cruiser 80 VX 4.5 EFI A/T: SOLD
Thanks a lot.
The problem should be the BFGs rough and deep tread, which makes tyre "bigger" than normal tyre with same dimensions. It doesnt sounds logical to me, but tyre dealer "should know" best. Id like to know it, beacuse my car approval papers (homologation) say that only 265 70 16 and 235 85 16 tyres are legit.
Since "265 70 16" tyres are not currently available (rarely than others, but i dont know why) I hesitate between "265 75 16" and "245 75 16". Now i Can see that 245 is maybe better choice (tall gearing)...
Which one should perform better (265 vs 245) in snow and occasionally mud?
Thanks again.
Ed
The problem should be the BFGs rough and deep tread, which makes tyre "bigger" than normal tyre with same dimensions. It doesnt sounds logical to me, but tyre dealer "should know" best. Id like to know it, beacuse my car approval papers (homologation) say that only 265 70 16 and 235 85 16 tyres are legit.
Since "265 70 16" tyres are not currently available (rarely than others, but i dont know why) I hesitate between "265 75 16" and "245 75 16". Now i Can see that 245 is maybe better choice (tall gearing)...
Which one should perform better (265 vs 245) in snow and occasionally mud?
Thanks again.
Ed
Good day
I am new to the forum as i just got a 2006 DID LWB GLX on Friday.Had TD5 for 5 years.
The car has 4 new 235 x 85 x 16''.(Ugly steel rims)Any idea where i can get hold of mags?
Cape town area.
Thanks
Ollie
I am new to the forum as i just got a 2006 DID LWB GLX on Friday.Had TD5 for 5 years.
The car has 4 new 235 x 85 x 16''.(Ugly steel rims)Any idea where i can get hold of mags?
Cape town area.
Thanks
Ollie
Site Admin
I don't think this is correct (but I have been wrong before). The dimensions are the OUTSIDE dimensions, and take a deep tread into accounttaiji99 wrote:Thanks a lot.
The problem should be the BFGs rough and deep tread, which makes tyre "bigger" than normal tyre with same dimensions. It doesnt sounds logical to me, but tyre dealer "should know" best. Id like to know it, beacuse my car approval papers (homologation) say that only 265 70 16 and 235 85 16 tyres are legit.
Simon Bloomer