JH75 wheel and tyre choices for a 2H in AU

[DRollond]

Hi, Looking for assistance down under.

Unsure what the stock rims and tyres (tire) are in my AU delivered HJ75 Ute (cab chassis) - Where is the tyre placard normally?
Is the stock a 7.5R16 which is a 31.8x8.7 - What is a good modern equivalent?
I am thinking a KC35 205/85R16.
Anyone has recommendations as its mostly runs on the asphelt or council dirt roads and does a bit of towing a 2 tonne trailer (4000 pounds) with the stock 2H?

I know its a bit old and underpowered but it gets there eventually.

 

[Tennessee Jed]

Not sure about your historical question but the 235/85R16 is extremely common globally and is very close to your 31.8x8.7 spec. The 205 is a good bit shorter at around 29". Also you can find actual 7.5x16's out there but they're probably not going to be radials and are often listed as farm or industrial tires for tractors and equipment. Not sure what the Australian cops would do with that tire on the highway, probably have a stroke on the side of the road.

235/85/16's are often load range E and 10 ply, which makes for a heavy tire.

Tire Size Chart

Easy to use tire size charts. Use our tire size chart to convert metric tire sizes to inch measurements. Click the links to find tires in each tire size.

tiresize.com

 

[DRollond]

Not sure about your historical question but the 235/85R16 is extremely common globally and is very close to your 31.8x8.7 spec. The 205 is a good bit shorter at around 29". Also you can find actual 7.5x16's out there but they're probably not going to be radials and are often listed as farm or industrial tires for tractors and equipment. Not sure what the Australian cops would do with that tire on the highway, probably have a stroke on the side of the road.

235/85/16's are often load range E and 10 ply, which makes for a heavy tire.

Tire Size Chart

Easy to use tire size charts. Use our tire size chart to convert metric tire sizes to inch measurements. Click the links to find tires in each tire size.

tiresize.com

Yes - I absolutely don't what the original tyres. Its still a work rig for me so there is no need to make it look factory. I have gotten rid of the split rims also.

I like the sound of the 235/85 - the tyre shops are trying to get me to go 265/75 - I currently run 31x10.5 and I find it rolls over gravel instead of gripping a lot and it's really takes a lot of effort to get it moving - have to use all of the torque band when going uphill not to get bogged down on gear change - add a load its bad - tow something it's even worse. So I am hoping to keep the OD at that 31 size. My local regulations allow me to go to 779mm (30.6").

So the aim of the 205/85R16 or 195/85 is to keep the width low close to the factory and lower the OD a bit - I will have a lower top end but I can be more usable - a lot of the road around where I go are 80km/h but I have a few that are 110km/h - but its sits at 3000rpm and really its asking too much anyway - maybe the narrower but taller 235/85 - I want to stop using what little power the 2H has to drive nice looking wide tyres. My other option is a 7R16 they are available but I don't like the tread pattern on the one I looked at - it looked like a steer trye and even though it can be a drive tyre its a bit to LT for me.

So, I have spent the afternoon trying to find what's available, not overly expensive, and match those parameters - the narrow size, 114 load rating and the OD makes it very hard to put new shoes on the old rig. I don't ever 4wd in it and I don't need mut and slush grip - just built road traction. if I ever do i have a second set of rims I can put on.

I am hoping I can get some feedback hopefully telling me I am on the right path or steering me back to it.

 

[HZJ75 FARMER]

Stock is 7.50R16 on 6" width 16" diameter split rims.

You say you got rid of the stock rims and are running 31X10.5. Are these 15" rims?

If you have 15" rims I would say get rid of them and get 16".

If you have 16" rims 6" wide, you can run 7.50R16 or 235/85R16.

If you have 16" rims 7" wide, you can run 235/85R16 or 265/75R16.

All three of these options have similar overall diameter. I would suggest 235/85R16 myself.

Don't go smaller diameter. You'll lose ground clearance and look like a goose.