Anoying question on tire size

[WKCwith5]

Hey!
I am about to plunge into the dark depths of LR3 ownership after researching the all the bad news on LR. I have decided after reading here about the LR3 that it will actually last to 200k. And doing a few figures on maint cost that they are really not thaat much more per year than my F250. So i hope to purchase a 2006 LR3 with good service records that is for sale by a Shop that has a good reputation and certified LR tech that have checkeed this truck out and replaced all the huge cost items. I hope?

So after all that useless info my question is this will the 265/65R18 tires fit on a stock LR3 with out the lift rods. I have gotten three diffrent answers from three people who know LR3 well. Thank you. Ian most people think I am a nut for getting a Rover. I just can not help it.

 

[zelatore]

One of my wife's co-workers keeps asking when we're going to get rid of that stupid Land Rover and get a real car. He's on his 2nd Toyota Highlander and to him it's the same as my LR3...they're 7 seat SUVs.

Obviously he doesn't quite get it. Of course, he owns a Highlander - that should go without saying!

He sees (well, hears about) me working on it all the time and to him that means it's just broken. Again, he can't understand that I might be working on it by choice, not because it's broken. I like to mess with stuff and try new things. I freely admit many of my problems are due to the mods I run and the way I use the truck.

I hope one day I meet the guy and he makes a LR crack (I don't think he's actually being mean, just trying to be funny). I'll be sure to ask him how the frame is doing on his Toyota.

As to tires, I can't say I've tried to run that size w/o lifting. I do think it will work w/o, but you may get some rubbing at full compression or full lock. Honestly, there are a lot of variables that could make it hard to get a 100% straight answer - not what you wanted to hear, I know. But two different brands of 265/65-18 tires will actually be a bit different. There are also minor variations from truck to truck based on year and manufacturing tolerances. That's why some guys might be able to do it with no problems and other may have to do some trimming.

What I would say is that is a good 'safe' tire size for the LR3. I would recommend you get a GAP iiD tool if only for it's diagnostic capabilities, then you can use that to raise the truck as little or as much as you might want up to about 2" (again, the exact amount will vary from truck to truck...annoying, right?) That will DEFINITELY let you run a 265/65-18.

The 'mods' you might have to do to clear the tire would be minimal anyway. Move a wire loom in the right front wheel well; pound a body seam flat in the rear; maybe re-route some heater lines if you have rear HVAC. It's been covered in detail plenty of times before so no need to get into it right now. First get the truck, then we'll get you sitting on 265/65-18s. I'm sure of it.

The big question is what tire will you run. That's good for pages of debate!

 

[WKCwith5]

Thanks for the reply. Sales guy said he would give me a set of the johnson rods to install and even show me how to the install while there. So I could take them on and off If I wanted to have a road set of tires and off road set. The electronics of the LR3 are what make me shiver. So getting a Gap tool and learn how to use it. Thanks for the info. I hope to get the truck next week. It has a new air compresure, front end changed out, all new fluids, brakes are only 10k on them from LR dealer, sunroof drains checked, new Goodyear all season tires, updated navigation programs, LR 2" hitch receiver new in plastic. All for $15000 with tax, tag included. I think it will be worth it and the LR3 ready to roll free of major component issues for a while. And I can still drive my moms Highlander if I need to go to the store and not walk.
Thanks

 

[Ray_G]

How many miles? $15k is the upper limit for an 06 though you are spot on for looking at the known issues.
In terms of the electronics, it's a blessing and a curse. An IID tool can go a long way to troubleshooting your laptop on wheels. In conjunction with it you'll want a spare brake switch, brake light bulbs, and make sure the battery is up to snuff.

Don't forget there are lots of folks that put a lot of miles on these things without issues; you may well find with a proactive stance on maintenance and showing the girl some love that she pays you back-but she is a rover and thus it is wise from time to time to throw some money and bling at her just so the truck knows you love it.

Oh, and I wouldn't worry too much about the tire size issue, I ran my 285/60's (.1" smaller than the tire size you were discussing) with no real issue at all with no rods/no lift other than IID provided.
r-
Ray

 

[DiscoDavis]

265 65 r18 is a great tire size, better than the 255 stock but not so large you'll lock up on bump stops or need to do serious cutting.

 

[WKCwith5]

I have to remind my self that I had a basic Willys Jeep 1959 model that I worked on and was as simple as you can get. Drove it up a logging road and the glass Gas bulb broke. So even the simple desighns of the past can leave you a problem now and then. I just called a friend who use to do LR training at the Rover school on the Biltmore Estate course. He said he did his best to get the LR3 he drove to give all the problems he had heard about. Said he loved the LR3 and his stayed covered in red clay mud 70% of the time. And he had just as many issues with his Jeep Rubicon as he does with the Rovers that get treated just the same. He agreed that proactive is always good on any truck to keep huge issues from being the norm. He also said they ran 265 65 18 MTr on there LR3 with no lift. but it did rub a bit and he solved it with a hammer.

 

[Silmarillion]

I have BFG 265/65 R18 KO2s and they fit. The spare had to be deflated and the heat shield removed in order to fit.