I have a 1998 3500 v6 GLS Facelift and just fitted a Iron man suspension kit on it. I have 15" AT's on it wich is 50% but I am thinking on fitting a new set of either 16" or 17" on it would it effect my performance on in of the road and by how much?
Site Admin
Why would you want to change from 15" to 16" or heaven forbid 17" ?? IMO it's amongst the worst things that happen to newer generations of 4x4's - the tendency for them to go for larger and larger rims, and hence lower profile tyres.
You don't state exactly which tyres and size you have I would stick to the 15's and fit a set of 31" (or 32's at a push if the suspension allows it).
You'll get a very minor change in performance and economy because effectively your final drive ratio has changed. Also remember that the bigger you go, the worse your ability to crawl really slowly over the rough stuff, especially downhill.
You don't state exactly which tyres and size you have I would stick to the 15's and fit a set of 31" (or 32's at a push if the suspension allows it).
You'll get a very minor change in performance and economy because effectively your final drive ratio has changed. Also remember that the bigger you go, the worse your ability to crawl really slowly over the rough stuff, especially downhill.
Simon Bloomer
Perhaps you should start by defining what you want to achieve. I am assuming that you want to bias the vehicle's character more towards off-highway use, hence the fitment of the Ironman suspension. If this is the case then I have to agree with Simon.
Don't fit 16" or bigger rims. 15" rims are great if off-road performance is of importance and the 15" tyres are normally a little cheaper than the 16" and much cheaper than the 17" tyres. Besides, rims are expensive and you will obviously have to change these if you want to fit 16" or 17" tyres.
Remember that off-highway performance is not determined by the rim diameter (15", 16" or 17") so much as the outside diameter, although the difference between the two determines the sidewall height (taller is better off-highway) and the ability to deflate for flotation.
Your standard tyres would be 265/75R15
This tyre is dimensioned as follows:
265 mm wide
265 x 75 / 100 = 198.75 mm nominal sidewall height
15" rim diameter
(198.75 x 2) / 25.4 + 15" = 30.64" nominal outside diameter
You could fit 31x10.5R15 tyres, which would be dimensioned as follows:
10.5" = 266.7 mm wide
((31" - 15") / 2) x 25.4 = 203.2 mm nominal sidewall height
15" rim diameter
31" nominal outside diameter
As you can see, these are almost identical to your original size
You could also probably fit 32x11.5R15 tyres, but check clearance first and check the tyre manufacturer's recommendations regarding rim width (The standard Paj Gen 2 alloy rims are 15x7JJ, i.e. 7" wide). These tyres are a little more scarce than the two above and are dimensioned as follows:
11.5" = 292.1 mm wide
((32" - 15") / 2) x 25.4 = 215.9 mm nominal sidewall height
15" rim diameter
32" nominal outside diameter
These will provide a nominal lift of about 17 mm and will make your gearing about 4% taller
Don't fit 16" or bigger rims. 15" rims are great if off-road performance is of importance and the 15" tyres are normally a little cheaper than the 16" and much cheaper than the 17" tyres. Besides, rims are expensive and you will obviously have to change these if you want to fit 16" or 17" tyres.
Remember that off-highway performance is not determined by the rim diameter (15", 16" or 17") so much as the outside diameter, although the difference between the two determines the sidewall height (taller is better off-highway) and the ability to deflate for flotation.
Your standard tyres would be 265/75R15
This tyre is dimensioned as follows:
265 mm wide
265 x 75 / 100 = 198.75 mm nominal sidewall height
15" rim diameter
(198.75 x 2) / 25.4 + 15" = 30.64" nominal outside diameter
You could fit 31x10.5R15 tyres, which would be dimensioned as follows:
10.5" = 266.7 mm wide
((31" - 15") / 2) x 25.4 = 203.2 mm nominal sidewall height
15" rim diameter
31" nominal outside diameter
As you can see, these are almost identical to your original size
You could also probably fit 32x11.5R15 tyres, but check clearance first and check the tyre manufacturer's recommendations regarding rim width (The standard Paj Gen 2 alloy rims are 15x7JJ, i.e. 7" wide). These tyres are a little more scarce than the two above and are dimensioned as follows:
11.5" = 292.1 mm wide
((32" - 15") / 2) x 25.4 = 215.9 mm nominal sidewall height
15" rim diameter
32" nominal outside diameter
These will provide a nominal lift of about 17 mm and will make your gearing about 4% taller
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
haha! yes I was in a rush writing this, yes tyre size, 265/70/R15 is what I have, as Simon aslo stated the biger you go the harder it becomes going down hill. I am slowly building up my pajero for some serious off roading but you know it is sometimes no so wise to listen to the salesman but more to the guys doing the driving themselves. Pity thought cause I was origionaly looking for 265/70/R15 Bf goodridge AT's but I cant find them, Someone recomended Good year wranglers, but I have not heard great stuff about them, whats the next best thing.
Jacques Basson
Jacques Basson
Site Admin
Jacques - you will easily find 31x10.5/15 BFG AT's ...very close to 265/70bosaap wrote:haha! yes I was in a rush writing this, yes tyre size, 265/70/R15 is what I have, as Simon aslo stated the biger you go the harder it becomes going down hill. I am slowly building up my pajero for some serious off roading but you know it is sometimes no so wise to listen to the salesman but more to the guys doing the driving themselves. Pity thought cause I was origionaly looking for 265/70/R15 Bf goodridge AT's but I cant find them, Someone recomended Good year wranglers, but I have not heard great stuff about them, whats the next best thing.
Jacques Basson
Simon Bloomer
Note that the standard size is 265/75R15 and not 265/70R15 and that 31x10.5R15 is very close to the former. I think you will be very happy with 31x10.5R15 BFGs. Just make sure all the tyres are the same size, otherwise the transfer case might complain.
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
I can agree with Gerrit, the BFG 31x10.5 R15 is excellent. I had them fitted on my Gen 2.5 SWB 2 years ago and did Richtersveld, Lesotho, Botswana (Swamps/Mamili area), Caprivi, Kaudom and the Namib desert. No problem and the reading on the speedo and GPS is the same.
I also use the Paj for day to day driving. I think this tyres are made for the Pajero.
Wilfred
I also use the Paj for day to day driving. I think this tyres are made for the Pajero.
Wilfred
You can argue about any brand except BFG ATs.
They are the best all-rounders ever.
I currently drive Duellers (just because I got them virtually free), but will revert to BFGs when the time comes.
They are the best all-rounders ever.
I currently drive Duellers (just because I got them virtually free), but will revert to BFGs when the time comes.
Gerhard Fourie
If you want to shoot somebody, make sure you aim at his head, not your own foot.
Me
If you want to shoot somebody, make sure you aim at his head, not your own foot.
Me
I have Cooper ST tyres on my Pajero and am extremely happy with them. I bought the vehicle with 202,000km on and the previous owner had fitted them at 190,000km. I now have 260,500km on the vehicle and there is still about 50% of the tread left so I can really recommend them. They are great on and off road,wet or dry and will not hesitate to fit them again. My size is 31x10.5 R15. The only thing that may prove a problem when replacement is due may be price, as these are expensive tyres.
I agree with the comments regarding going lower in profile. Please do not. We recently came back from Baviaanskloof and our friend in a Jeep Cherokee had huge problems with his 70 profile tyres. We both hit the identical rock in the road, my tyres had no problem while his burst the sidewall as the rim/tyre combination had far less cushion to absorb the impact. This taught me a big lesson about the current trend to lower profile tyres on modern 4x4's.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 Pajero 2.8 LWB
I agree with the comments regarding going lower in profile. Please do not. We recently came back from Baviaanskloof and our friend in a Jeep Cherokee had huge problems with his 70 profile tyres. We both hit the identical rock in the road, my tyres had no problem while his burst the sidewall as the rim/tyre combination had far less cushion to absorb the impact. This taught me a big lesson about the current trend to lower profile tyres on modern 4x4's.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 Pajero 2.8 LWB
Thanx for the info. Went home and had a blast went for BF 31x10.5 R15 MT's. Fitted a TJM suspension kit and went adventuring. What a beast and what a blast, from the hills of Lesotho through Natal and ended up in the Transkei. I love my Pajero. I went where other guys got stuck and could not get through with 6 people in the car. Cant wait to go home again and go offroading again!!!!
1998 Pajero 3.5 V6 (Blister) Facelift
1998 Pajero 3.5 V6 (Blister) Facelift