Mud tyres for outback

Maggoo · Post by **Maggoo** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 8:34 pm

G'day guys

I am currently looking to get some mud tyres to fit my 03 Outback.

All i have found that is small enough to fit are these
Which are all roughly equal to a 205/80/16

Goodyear Wrangler TG 205R16
Maxxis MT753 205R16 Maxxis M8060 Trepador 205R16

Anyone have any comments on any of these tyres?
I'm also open to suggestions for other tyres.

Been looking at a few all terrains but i would like something with a bit more chunk on it as it is fairly muddy around here at the moment.

Cheers,
Paul

pezimm · Post by **pezimm** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 4:27 pm

Hi there,

I'm not sure of any of these will fit...

I've got 215/60R17 Geolandar A/T-S on my Forester and it's a reasonably tight fit... And these are only 690mm in diameter (or 27in)!

I know the suspension in the Outback is a little different, but I'd guess a tyre over 28in would hit a few things on its way.

I might be wrong, though.

Pedro.

Post by **Alex** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 4:35 pm

maxxis make really good mud tyres. I had some big horns on my patrol and they were awesome.

the maxxis treps are a good tyre too, in saying that the wranglers are good too (so ive heard), my only knowledge of them is in the larger size tho (over 33inch) brennyv an old member was running the wrangler M/T on his patrol (37inch) and he was happy with them.

im keen to know what you decide on buddy and how much they cost you etc as im looking for something similar for my outback.

alex

baitman · Post by **baitman** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 6:39 pm

ive got cooper discoverer atrs 225/70/16 im pretty impressed with how well they go in the mud

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 2:31 am

Any of you guys ever thought of having a second set of rims with old rally tyres on them, I'm going to do it when I get back, only prob is you won't get much higher than 15X26''
but they are cheap as dirt from the bigger rally teams & have sidewalls like steel.

Maggoo · Post by **Maggoo** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 8:12 pm

I am fairly sure they will fit once i get my 2" body lift.
They are roughly 35mm bigger radius and the smallest gap in the arch is around 40mm(before lift).
I will get one test fitted before i go out and buy some though just to make sure.

My mate has a set of the Maxxis mt753 and they are great!
I'm thinking the treps might be a bit too chunky and look like they would wear out pretty quick on the road.

I've also been looking at the Kumko KL-78.
They look like they would handle mud pretty good for an all terrain.

Cheers,
Paul

ScubyRoo · Post by **ScubyRoo** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 1:11 pm

Paul the main issue you will have with that size is likely to be rubbing on the strut with that width.

My old liberty had a 3" lift, outback struts and HD raised king springs, outback trailing arms to relocate the rear wheel... and was fitted with 215/70/16 (27") BFG all terrains which rubbed. A bit of body work got rid of rubbing on the body, but there were wear marks on the strut towers despite about 15mm clearance when stationary. Those were on 55 offset rims.

Personally I wouldn't go larger than 27" or the car will be way under-geared. I run 215/65/16 yoko at-s (same make as Pedro) running 4.11 diffs (manual) and the drive is perfect IMO.

If you're gonna go big I would look into sourcing wrx rims that are 45 (or is it 47?) degree offset to gain more clearance between tire and strut. Also consider your local RTA regulations - here in vic we can't go larger than 15mm than the tire placard states as stock size, and of course your gearing.

I was contemplating the Khumo KL-71:

I was quoted only $215 a tire and came in a 27" size... perhaps worth a look?

Best of luck and show us some pics when you have them fitted!

Cheers,
Owen.

Maggoo · Post by **Maggoo** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 1:04 pm

Thanks for that info Owen.

With the gearing would it really be that bad?
I have seen a few outbacks running 28ish" tyres.
The difference between 215/70 and 205/80 is only around 10mm and the difference between 225/70 (like baitman has) is only 3mm.
My mate has an L series with 14" rims and muddies which all in all was an increase of 85mm diameter and it seems to run great still.
The L series probably has different gearing and whatnot though, I'm not sure.

I beleive those Kumho KL-71 don't come that small in a 16" only in a 15".

Cheers,
Paul

taza · Post by **taza** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 1:54 pm

Hey paul, L-Series have a 1.59 low range (60% reduction) while the standard outback low range is only 1.199 (19% reduction). Running bigger tyres like 28-29" will have a huge effect when you have to take off in either A. soft sand or B. rock crawling. With a low range like that and those tyres proably not the best combination unless you want to do some gearbox mods or go through a few clutches.

I run 215/70R15 on my Forester in Geolander AT-S and they are an excellent allrounder, even not too bad in some thickish mud. They do have their limits in mud but for the most part of what I use them for they are good. I worry that going bigger will made my Foz struggle with the gear and engine combination it has. EJ20 with 4.11 final drive and 1.444 (45% reduction) low range.

If I were you i would be going 215/70R16 or 215/65R16 in an All-Terrain like BFG's or Geolander AT-S. They are about 28-29" anyway from the top of my head. Plus mud tyres are shit on the road and wear out quite quickly. Just my 2c though.

Taza

Venom · Post by **Venom** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 2:12 pm

Goodyear Wrangler MTR comes in a 215/65 - R16 size... in europe. I sold these to people in other sizes and from every report they are an excellent tyre. Excellent mudder but they actually grip well in the wet on the tarmac (relative to other mudders, of course). Lots of good reviews online too.

Maybe we could organise a group shipment of these things, or a special order through goodyear. IMO they're the ultimate tyre for a subaru daily/off-roader.

Maggoo · Post by **Maggoo** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 11:04 pm

Hey guys
Thanks for your input.
I've decided to heed your advice and not go that big as i dont want my gearing to be way off. (until i can transplant an L series low range into my outback)
I am now tossing up between a 215/70/16 or 225/70/16 in either a Yokohama ATS or a Bridgestone dueler AT.
Thoughts on both tyres?

Also does anyone know if it is possible to fit 15" rims on a gen3 outback?
They look like they will fit at the back but at the front the calipers are quite large.

Cheers,
Paul

taza · Post by **taza** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 11:16 pm

You can fit 15" rims but only with modifications to your brake calipers so I would stick with your 16's.
I have had both Bridgeston Duelers and now have Geolander AT-S. I would recommend the Geolanders over the duelers anyday. better onroad and about 500x better offroad. Stronger, better and more chunky tread. Very good on rocks and sand too. Pretty good in mud for All-terrains and very resistant to punchures compared to the duelers. I have done 10,000km on my Geolanders and there is still 80% tread if not more left. I only got 25,000km from my duelers. I paid $220 a tyre for my geolanders though while the duelers were $150 each. Worth the extra money if you ask me

If I were you I would be going with 215/70R16 over 225/70R16 just because although the 215's will rub you will be able to live with it. the 225's might rub heaps more and not just on full lock like the 215's will. with the 225's you might have to do some major or minor (im not really sure) modification to the body of the car. I.E.... out with the grinder.

Hope this is of some help. Let us know what you end up with.

Cheers
Taza

Maggoo · Post by **Maggoo** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 7:15 pm

I think i will stick to my 16" as i don't really want to start modifying my brakes.
I am most likely going to get the 215/70 geolanders unless i can find another all terrain in that size that is better in muddy conditions.

Cheers,
Paul

ckbandit · Post by **ckbandit** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 8:41 pm

I have just thrown a set of 215/70 16 on my 01 OB Bridgy 694"s absolutely love them hang on great on the black top and even better on the greasy trails around Vic they seem to make the gearing on the OB Better exceleration etc is un effected if not better the engine can handle and turn these tyres no worries plenty of clearance on strut tower too LOOOVVEE Em and no rubbing anywhere even b4 the guard trim

taza · Post by **taza** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 8:48 pm

BFG's are an option in 215/70R16 but they are expensive (near $300 each). BFG T/A's are the best off road for an all terrain but onroad they are absolute sh*t.

So you have 3 decent choices.

BFG's
Geolander AT-S
Dueler 694

ckbandit · Post by **ckbandit** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 7:55 pm

really hang on on black top and clear well in the mud

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Mud tyres for outback

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