Big Tyres on a 60 series.

Submitted: Sunday, May 25, 2003 at 18:51
ThreadID: 5110 Views:12856 Replies:5 FollowUps:4
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G'day,

I have just bought my first 4WD (a 1982 HJ60 Landcruiser) and I am gonna have to get new tyres as the current ones are road tyres and they are completely useless in the mud and offroad in general. I am 20 years old and keen as mustard but have little if any offroad experience so I have a few Q's for you experts out there if you would be good enough to help me out.

1. I have heard that getting larger diameter tyres will improve the performance and economy of my cruiser with its 4 speed gearbox. Is this true?

2. I am thinking about getting some 33 or 35 inch Mickey Thompson Baja MTX tyres which are 10 inches wide so I am told. Has anyone put something like this on their 60 series and do they work out alright? Does any see any problems I might have doing this such as the tyres rubbing on stuff?

3. Would I need a big lift kit to be able to put fat 33 or 35 inch tyres on? I currently have about 20 inches clearence underneath with the reset springs and I think the pervious owner has lifted it slightly?

Thanks for your help everyone and see ya out there!
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Reply By: Dozer - Sunday, May 25, 2003 at 19:40

Sunday, May 25, 2003 at 19:40
Hi cruza
I used to own a blue 4 speed fj60. Best way forward is to look for a rusted out 5 speed and swap over parts. Put some body lift under the mounting points and fit bigger tyres. Your performance will be woful unless the motor is turboed, but it will look the goods.
Another way forward is to get a 5 speed from a later hj60, or fit an overdrive to the transfer. All these things cost heaps, so consider your position and maybe just put 33 inch muddies under it and go have some fun. You wont wear the motor out by overrevving it in 4th, and there will never be a 5th gear falling out of it like happens to the 60's
Andrew
AnswerID: 21007

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Sunday, May 25, 2003 at 20:46

Sunday, May 25, 2003 at 20:46
1) go join a club, and learn to use what you have first. 99% of people are shocked at what their standard car can do.

Larger tires will make your car go faster top speed but get there slower, which sucks offroad, but is good for driving interstate...It will do the opposite to performance and economy - > it will shag them both... unless you want more top speed.

33/35's you will need to engineer your car which is extra cost, and also shags your fuel economy. GO with MTR's or Coopers STT's Wait till you price Micky's.. 35 Baja Claws are ~$400-450 each

you will need to lift it, if you want any articulation, and maybe trim the guards for 35s
AnswerID: 21013

Follow Up By: Member - Bonz (Vic) - Monday, May 26, 2003 at 00:17

Monday, May 26, 2003 at 00:17
welcome Back Truckster, you have been missedSo many places to go!
So much work to do :0(
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FollowupID: 13602

Follow Up By: Cruza - Monday, May 26, 2003 at 19:06

Monday, May 26, 2003 at 19:06
Yeah thanks heaps for the info!

FYI, as I said I am no expert (yet :P) but I have done some research and the Mickey Thompson MTX Radials (quite different the the claws you were talking about) are $278 for 33 inch and $292 for 35 inch. They are an all terrain type tyre.

Thanks again for the info, it has given me alot to think about.
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FollowupID: 13678

Reply By: Allyn (Pilbara) - Monday, May 26, 2003 at 10:08

Monday, May 26, 2003 at 10:08
your performance and economy will deteriorate and not improve.
To fit 16" rims you will require a suspension or bodylift and will incur fouling on rotor or steering components I think. It can be done as my brother runs 16 x 8's and 285/75R16 MTR's.
As Truckster says - Wrangler MTR's or even Bridgestone MTR's will suffice (check them out) and will cost you around $300 each. Compare that with Baja's and I'm pretty sure what your decision will be.In here - thinking of out there !!!
AnswerID: 21047

Reply By: Eric from Cape York Connections - Monday, May 26, 2003 at 18:16

Monday, May 26, 2003 at 18:16
Cruza I have 2 60s one lives down here in NSW and the other lives in far nth QLD both are faily standard the 85 has 32 10.5 x 15 MRTS they are the same rolling diam as the standard ones when she was born. THe other 83 mod that lives in FNQ has 16 inch rims with maxxis buck shot mudders on it and we find them the best 4x4 tyres . they seem to only be avalible in QLD . Cruza as we say when you start doing modifacations use the KISS method .
All the best
Eric
www.capeyorkconnections.com.au
Eric 02 4294 3496
Pete 07 4094 1745Cape York Connections
AnswerID: 21119

Follow Up By: Cruza - Monday, May 26, 2003 at 19:08

Monday, May 26, 2003 at 19:08
OK, this maybe a very stupid question but what is the KISS method?
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FollowupID: 13679

Follow Up By: Eric from Cape York Connections - Monday, May 26, 2003 at 21:54

Monday, May 26, 2003 at 21:54
Keep it simple stu_p_d What I am saying is dont get caught up in the arfter market mayhem of bolting or ataching every thing you see inthe mags to the old girl .
All the best
EricCape York Connections
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FollowupID: 13695

Reply By: desert - Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 19:10

Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 19:10
Cruza, regardless of which brand tyre you go for, I would advise against anything in 35" for a standard engine. They take a lot of horsepower to move. A 32" tyre is right for a standard diesel, but if you are patient enough, 33's will look the good's and will fit on the 60 without any mods. Just be aware that take-off and rolling acceleration will be hampered with the 33's to a point. Speedo may or may not be in error, depending on who has fiddled with it before.
AnswerID: 21226

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