I have a Pajero 2.8 diesel Station Wagon yr -2000. Tyres 205 R 16 C. I will soon be travelling overland from Ghana (where I am a volunteer) to Capetown on some really muddy and badly rutted roads; Can I affix any wider/larger tyre to the same rims to give me better ground clearance and grip?
Thanks in anticipation of help.
Nigel H

Not advisable to alter tyre size on existing rims. Instead, consider installing a lift kit (extra 2 inches should suffice) and change over to M+S tyres (mud and snow). You can also go to a smaller wheel size (15inch) with wider profile (7inch) and put 265mm wide tyres instead of the 205mm width you currently have (although this will mean higher cost in obtaining new rims). This will give your vehicle a more aggressive grip plus added ground clearance. Watch out though...the added ground clearance from the lift kit means that the vehicle can be more prone to roll-over, so drive more conservatively when cornering and when negotiating sideways on slopes. Good luck with your trip. :clap:

Thanks for your advice; I am not sure what a lift kit is? nor whether I will be able to get one here in Northern Ghana, might be possible in Accra? I will explore further. Thanks a lot.
N :beer:

Hello Nigel

A lift kit normally includes 8-12 units of 2" to 3" of PU spacer blocks between your chassis frames and the body, thus lifting the body off the chassis by so much height. It needs to be done at a specialist center, and sometimes involves extending the steering column and also the brake lines, among other things. It may also require changing your stock absorber and dampener sets (coils, springs).

As advised by Regero, you could just changed your rim and wheel size down to 15" and go for wider rim size of say, 8"/8.5". You may opt for 265 width (eg: 265/70/R15) and if you have removed stock front bumper with an off road version, you may go up to 285 width, and more with body lift ( up to 10" wide rims).

Alternatively, you may consider the imperial versions of : 31.5/70/R15 or 32/65/R15 or 33/60/R15.

Reduce tire pressure and speed when going through mud, snow or sand. Good luck on your safari trip.

I have a somewhat different approach to this situation. If the topography is similar to what we experience in the Caribbean I would be in support of wider tyres on the existing 16 inch rims. I think the pajero has a tall enough clearance, and the wider tyres, like 215's or 225's can make the ride a little better, especially with the potholes in the area. It is actually our custom to do this in the Caribbean.

Thanks for the tip. I agree, clearance is great - wider tyres is a good option.
Nigel

Generally you can go 5% wider & taller without much of a problem (ie installation of lift kit). It will give you more clearance and better mud/snow traction. The 5% is around one size larger in width and aspect ratio. Keep in mind that going bigger will affect your handling charoristics and drive ratio (less torque). You will also need a similiar sized spare tyre (circumferance) especially if using 4wd.

More important to the size is the type and brand tyre you are considering. Cheaper brands will have all sorts of problems especially with side walls and/or traction. Do some research on the brands available and recomendations from others. I like to run BFG's AT's for a number of reasons but others will prefer alternate brands such as Kumho, Hankook, Cooper, Bridstone, etc.

Jim

Thaks Jim - it all helps! :beer: