Help me solve a 70-series tire mystery!

[Quadfather]

Hey all.
I am the owner of a 60-series Landcruiser who is desperately in search of some proper TALL, SKINNY tires for my truck. Several people have pointed me in the direction of the standard tires used on 70-series Landcruisers in Australia and UAE; which are around 7.50R16. I have seen plenty of blokes back in Australia running these tires and slightly larger (225/95R16) on their various Landcruisers, but so far I am unable to find anything remotely close to that here in the states..........apart from trailer tires and truck tires.
Are there any US-based 70 series owners who can source the OEM skinny tires or has found a similar solution?


PICTURE FOR REFERENCE. THESE ARE THE DUNLOP ROAD GRIPPER 225/95R16 which aren't available in the States.

 

[SNLC]

255/85r16

Cheers

 

[WarDamnEagle]

or 235/85R16

BFG has it in mud terrain or all terrain

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

I second 235/85R16. Excellent all round tire, easily available, and economical to buy. Currently I'm running 235/85R16 Duratracs. Those air'ed down are actually do very well off road.

 

[FJ73Texas]

215/85/16 is about as tall and skinny you can get stateside for 16" 85 aspect tire I believe. I don't even see a table for 95 aspect.

 

[OGBeno]

^^^ Proverbial horse’s mouth here...

IE: factual information. Not opinion.

 

[Eco 45]

^^^ Proverbial horse’s mouth here...

IE: factual information. Not opinion.

Anything can be bought on "Amazon" or Ebay!

 

[WarDamnEagle]

New 70 series land cruisers in KSA come with 225/95R16 tires.,,

...and that’s also a fact.

 

[FJ73Texas]

I guess I should have been more clear. I just don't see the size in question listed in the "yearbook". Simple searching online appears to show that this tire is specific only to the 70 series therefore I don't expect it to be available in the replacement market stateside.

The big question is are these tires DOT approved? I don't know.

 

[Reinhardtius]

I guess I should have been more clear. I just don't see the size in question listed in the "yearbook". Simple searching online appears to show that this tire is specific only to the 70 series therefore I don't expect it to be available in the replacement market stateside.

The big question is are these tires DOT approved? I don't know.

7.5 x 16 tires sold in the united states are not likely DOT approved. 235/85/16s are fabulous and available in loads of styles.

If your vehicle was a 70 series in the USA, you could run 7.5 x 16s if they were the tires imported on the vehicle, as a 25 year old 70 series is exempt from FMVSS, including tire standards. But, I'd enjoy the comfort of knowing that your tire is DOT approved.

 

[FJBen]

Are you wanting the proper tires for an exact restore? Or are you just wanting a tall skinny look? If it's the former, then hit up ebay and be prepared for possible issues with DOT and paying a chunk more for shipping from overseas.

If it's the latter, then as others have stated, 235 85r16 is a good size for tall skinny, or in the taller size, 255/85r16 which is what I'm running.


So size wise you can see they are almost identical. When you factor in different brands can vary as much as 1" on a size, this is as close as you can possibly get.


225/95r16 = 32.8 x 8.8
255/85r16 = 33 x 10

7.50 r16 = 31.8 x 8.4
235/85r16 = 31.6 x 9.3

 

[divemedic]

255/85r16 is a good tall/skinny basically a skinny 33”. I’ve got them on my 70 in the Toyo MT flavor. @jmlockwood has them in the cooper st maxx flavor.

you can get used XZL’s in 8.25r16 from eBay. I had them for a while and liked them very much. It’s basically a 34x9. If you go that route be prepared for a rough ride as they are commercial tires. Ideal application is with a high constant load. They’re also available in a 9.00r16 which is a 36x9.

foreign markets have a lot of tall skinny tires but prepared to be turned away at a chain tire shop. I’d find a good local tire guy and table talk options for mounting.

 

[divemedic]

That is a 255/85 16 Toyo MT

 

[Arite82]

I also run 255/85r16 in a BFG KM2. Looks proper on a 70.

 

[SNLC]

Rovers North used to carry the 7.5 XZL, maybe they still do? Sit down before you look at price!

Cheers

 

[Reinhardtius]

Rovers North used to carry the 7.5 XZL, maybe they still do? Sit down before you look at price!

Cheers

$368 per tire for a tire not US road legal and rides not so great? This may be a good illustration of the psychology of a Land Rover owner.

 

[Reinhardtius]

I should also just say that I think the XZL's look awesome and I am sure they are fantastic off-road. I've secretly always wanted them...

 

[Quadfather]

I really appreciate everyone's input on this. You've all helped to clear up a lot of questions I had.
I think I will bite the bullet and go for the 255/85's in the Toyo.
Thanks again everyone!

 

[divemedic]

8.25r16 XZL on the same truck.

XZLs are DOT compliant. Not sure why people think they aren’t.

 

[FJ73Texas]

I was just curious if the Dunlop 225/95/16 are DOT stamped since the OP asked about those specifically.