suspension and tyres

[Sweetlips]

Gentlemen just a few questions quick. What is the biggest size muds that can be fitted to a 4.5 Patrol with a standard suspesion and what is the max amount of lift before the suspension and drivedrain needs adjustments.

[Jorrie]

I think that most will agree with a two inch lift and 285/75R16 MTs is the optimum.
Some might opt for wider tyres, but I don't think it is a good idea on th 4.5 (due to power, fuel comsumption and wheel arch space issues)
The problem at this time is that the most knowledgable guys are currently on leave and away from home. So, if you can wait a little bit I think you will get a lot more and better responses early in the new year.
Best Regards:salute:

[Sweetlips]

Jorrie thanks for the advice. I'm in no rush at all as I dont evens have a Troll YET. Just busy doing some research for when I do get myself a Patrol.

[Abri Hoffman]

On my 4.2 petrol GQ I moved from 285/75/16 BFG KM2 to 255/85/16 Maxxis Bighorn Muds. The 255's are slightly taller but only by about .3 inches. Not much difference. Both fits perfectly on a standard GU.

[Jorrie]

On my 4.2 petrol GQ I moved from 285/75/16 BFG KM2 to 255/85/16 Maxxis Bighorn Muds. The 255's are slightly taller but only by about .3 inches. Not much difference. Both fits perfectly on a standard GU.

Abri
What was your rationale for this move to narrower tyres?

[Herrie]

I also have the 2" lift and the 285/75 R16 on my 4.5 and are very happy

[Zantus]

I'm going to try and fit half worn 315/75R16 tyres on my Patrol on Saturday....will let you know how that works out

[ChristoSlang]

I know that a 2" lift works well with 33" tyres. My Patrol has a 3" lift with 33" x 15" x 12.5" tyres running on rims with a wide offset. This also works well together and does not require any other mods than what shipped with the lift kit.

If you are fussy like me, you'll also want to drop your brake compensator valve (a simple extension you make with a piece of flat bar) by the same amount as the lift to retain your rear braking balance. You'll also want to lower the anti-roll bar fixing points (more complex, but OME sells a cheap 2" bracket set for it) at the rear to regain your lost articulation. Most folks don't bother with the front anti-roll bar links because there is no bracket kit for it and thus requires lenthening of the actual links. Grant did the front links on his Patrol and he subsequently retained his excellent articulation on both axles.

BTW: I heard today that a work colleague is going back to 33" diameter tyres on his 4.5 Patrol (curenttly on 35" tyres) due to the loss in power. Remember that tyre circumference is a bigger power eater than tyre width, so a wide 33" tyre will only be a little slower when accelerating than a narrow 33" tyre.

But fitting a 33" tyre (as opposed to a 31" of the same width) will increase your final drive and make your vehicle noticeably slower when you pull away, so keep your aspect ratios in mind if you want go wider...

[Sweetlips]

Gees Christo but thats a mouthful of info. What if the vehicle still has standard suspension, what size M/T tyres can I fit?

[ricster]

Hey hey Lawrence... long time no speak bud.

I had 31" Duelers on my Iron Maiden when I bought it, and changed them to the 33" Kunho M/T just before I came down to the Cape last year ( before you guys showed me the Atlantis dunes ). Power wise, there was a very slight difference, mostly noticeable on long uphills. My Patrol had a 2" lift when I bought it and I replaced coils and shocks about 6 months ago as the lift I had, had dropped to pretty much standard. So even with standard suspension, I would say that 33" will fit ok. I also had a 6mm spacer made up as the Kumho's were just rubbing against the inside face of the wheel well when at full articulation. The tyres cleared everywhere else.

Just keep in mind that the M/T's are a lot noisier and do increase fuel consumption.