Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > Equipping the Overland Vehicle
Africa 4x4 tyres Africa 4x4 tyres
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipping the Overland Vehicle Vehicle accessories - Making your home away from home comfortable, safe and reliable.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Overlanders Handbook - everything you need to know, available NOW!

Like Tree3Likes
  • 3 Post By moggy 1968

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 Aug 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 20
Africa 4x4 tyres
I'm working towards getting my toyota LC80 ready for the trip of a lifetime through Africa. I'm looking at replacing the current alloy wheels with steel.

What size tyre (and what brand) is most suitable/common in Africa?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 Aug 2016
Gipper's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
Posts: 1,081
most available size in Africa is 7.50x16 Michelin or Goodyear or you could go 235/85x16 for metric equivalent
__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 7 Aug 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
I concur with gipper
Apart from issues of availability for fancy pants wide tyres
tall skinny tyres are best for sand as they respond best to airing down while wide tyres build up a block of sand in front of them.
Wide tyres additional leverage significantly increase the stress on other components such as steering and suspension, while their greater weight also increases strain on the suspension, bearings etc

rather counter intuitively, Paris Dakar racers seem to favour BF Goodrich MTs but that has less to do with tread pattern and more to do with durability, but ask 100 off roaders what tyres they recommend and you'll get 100 answers! I used sand tyres when I drove to The Gambia as we intended to do a lot of desert work, but found them very susceptible to damage on the rocks in Morocco.

I currently run 235/85x16 as gipper suggests

Wide for show, skinny for go!
__________________
1990 Landcruiser H60. Full rebuild completed 2014
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10 Aug 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 20
Thank you all for the replies, I have taken the advice on board and have decided to take the plunge and go for it!

Can anyone recommend some decent steels for them? Will these tyres fit comfortably on my 80 with stock suspension? I don't have the money to mess around with suspension lifts and the like right now!

Cheers again!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10 Aug 2016
Gipper's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
Posts: 1,081
Hi Matt,

As I don't know the exact model or year of your 80 series Im guessing that the stock size of tyre is either 270/70X16 or 275/70X16 which are roughly 31.3inches tall (depending on make) and 235/85X16's are around 31.9 inches tall, so they should fit OK, the 80 series generally has quite a bit of tyre clearance in the wheel arches.

You should be able to use stock steel Toyota OE rims, but double check with the tyre shop you buy them from and make sure they will be ok with the narrower 235 tyres.

Let me know what size tyres are on your vehicle. With slightly taller and much narrower tyres you might lose a little acceleration but you might also get slightly better fuel consumption (depending on which tread tyres you use) the 4.2 diesel lump has plenty of grunt - its one of the best engines out there.
__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11 Aug 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
Assuming your in the UK, I used Silverline for my 60 series wheels, 3 years on and they still look good, no rust and were very well priced. I used the 8inch rim (16 diameter) with -33ofset but that did make fitting the 235/85s tricky, really a 7 inch rim is more sensible. I can't remember the price but it was under £50/wheel and the cheapest I could find, yet the quality seems pretty good these ones:

Silverline Wheels and Tyres| 4x4 Steel Wheels

If your needing tyres as well, they will probably cut you a deal
__________________
1990 Landcruiser H60. Full rebuild completed 2014
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11 Aug 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Bristol UK
Posts: 146
Smile Tyre sale
Hi all

Loads of wheels and tyres on MOD Sales, Military Vehicles & Used Ex MOD Land Rovers for Sale, but have to be quick.

Happy trails

Bruce
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11 Aug 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
OK for tyres but probably not much use for wheels to fit a Toyota.
I got ex military tyres from LW Vass Ltd at a very good price, £45 for new michelin XZY, although that was 10 years ago. I'm not sure if there are issues these days with selling second hand tyres commercially to do with appropriate stamping etc
__________________
1990 Landcruiser H60. Full rebuild completed 2014
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Long term 4x4 rental in South Africa? Wanted sub-Saharan Africa 6 6 Jun 2016 12:44
93 Hilux 4x4 Tanzania Africa Overland Vehicle Sale dwayneok Overland Vehicles and Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 4 Apr 2016 06:56
Great Suzuki 4x4 in e. Africa Equipped,low mileage and cheap -Available now Peter17390 Overland Vehicles and Equipment for Sale / Wanted 6 7 Oct 2013 10:27
WANTED 4x4. Required for Mail / West Africa markm Overland Vehicles and Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 5 Jan 2012 14:26
where can i take a 4x4 off road trailer in africa mcagol Route Planning 1 18 Dec 2011 18:40

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:09.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top