Michelin XZL Tires

[gearco]

Can anyone tell me the width and diameter of the 8.25 R 16 and 7.50 R 16 Michelin XZL tires? this has probably has been discussed here before but i can't find it. thanks

[DJ Menasco]

The 8.25R16's are ~34.0"x9.0". I'm not sure about the 7.50's

DJ

[TDI Guy]

from what I understand, the 8.25's are 32.5x8.25 and the 7.50's are 31x7.50.. any idea where to find a set of 8.25's? I would like a set for my series truck.

Randy

[Eric Siepmann]

31" for the 750's

EwS

[gearco]

then the 7.50 is a little smaller than the stock tire. the 265/75/16 is 31.6 tall and 10.4 inches wide. is the 8.25 OK for a stock truck, or would i need a lift kit?

[TwisteD90]

Well, if the 8.25 is 32.5 as Randy said then you should be fine. However, if it's 34 as DJ said then no. You should at least have OME springs to fit the 34's.

I know 9.00 R 16 is 36.5" which I'm guessing the 8.25 is 34" :?

[Eric Siepmann]

any idea where to find a set of 8.25's? I would like a set for my series truck.

Thatched roof garage has 5 7.5'smounted on wolf rims. the 825 would be a real hassle to fit - they are 34 or so inches and you would have to do some serious mods to fit. Para only give 2" of lift. The 750's will fit with little to no mods aside from parabolics. Or you can go to Alcan springs and get real spring made with better handling and 2" lift like the para's. They have really cool eyes on the springs called orbit eyes that prevents spring twist. Check them out.

EwS

[DJ Menasco]

Guys

The 8.25R16's are definitely 34's as I have got a pair currently mounted. As far as mods go Yousef hit the nail on the head; mods are required. To fit the 8.25's you'll need to upgrade your springs to a 3" lift and install a CV-style drive shaft up front (at the minimum). I'm running OME 764's up front and OME 781's in the rear of my SW with the 8.25's coupled with a front GBR CV-driveshaft.

Just from driving around it's also obvious that the shocks need to be displaced as well. I'd recommend either EE's 2" rear shock mount or Scorpion Racing's rear & front shock mount (both allow a 2" drop for your shocks). You can purchase the Scorpion kit from 4x4 Adventure Gear (http://www.4x4ag.com/).

More importantly, where are you going to find 8.25's? I happen to find mine local to Portland, Oregon, however, as far as I know his last set of 8.25's were sold over a year ago. Basically, you're going to have to comb the US for them shop by shop. I would have never found mine unless a fellow Rover-Nut had told me that her next door neighbor had these tires at his shop. If worse comes to worse you can always solicit other countries for them. The UK and maybe Australia might sell them to the public. Hope this helps.

Feel free to ask any quesitons. And if anyone needs pictures I'd be more than happy to help out.

Regards

DJ

[rover4x4]

If I may, I think XZL's are an option from Rover if you buy one abroad. I recall because thier was an option for this when you configured the D-90 on the LR webpage......

[scrover]

Here are the sizes in mms:

http://www1.ocn.ne.jp/~tire-y/XZL.html

8.25R16 converts to 33.86" x 9.05", 7.50R16 converts to 31.57" x 8.27"

Yes, the 7.50s are a factory "off-road" option in Europe.

SC

[chrisvonc]

Now the million dollar question, who got some for sale. :)

[Eric Siepmann]

Now the million dollar question, who got some for sale. :)

Check the Candian Tire stores. Some had 8.25's for sale - 6 of them. Just google XZL's for sale and you should be able to find some online. Also some military vehicle sites have postings on where to find them - but they are more toward the surplus 900 to 1200's.

EwS

These guys had some late last year. 200 for 8.25's

Bill at Bill's Tires Pacheco, CA, 925.689.2678

[chrisvonc]

Thanks Eric, I may start scouting around for the 9.00's.

[Eric Siepmann]

Swweeeettt!

[kellymoe]

Check out www.govliquidation.com they had some Michellin tires by the pallet. Dont know what size. Worth looking into though. Just search under tires on there page.

[gearco]

does anyone know what the XZLs are like on the road?

[DJ Menasco]

They probably produce less noise then the BFG M/T's. I've owned both and think they're somewhat comparable as far as noise level is concerned.

DJ

[gearco]

how do they handle on the road?

[DJ Menasco]

Well, they certainly grab. I never experienced this with my BFG's, but if there's a rut in the pavement those XZL's will pull you right into it. However, this is more likely due to the combination of the aggressive traction & narrow width of the tire. The same is probably true for any tire with these dimensions. Anyway, that’s really the only shortcoming of the XZL's, well, that and they weigh 70-lbs per tire. I wouldn’t recommend using the stock Defender tire carrier for an 8.25 XZL.

Off road I'm quite pleased with them. I've run them through loose gravel, shallow sand, snow, ice, over deadfall, & rocks. I used them on just about everything except a nice patch of thick mud. Go figure. Anyway, they certainly get the job done. Although ice and snow are not their strong points in my opinion. It seems as if this type of tire is more suited towards a high desert terrain. Perfect for pushing through scrub brush, sand, & gravel basins.

All around I think it’s a good tire. A bit too expensive, but the rubber doesn’t appear to be too soft and should last. All things being equal my BFG’s wore quicker in the first 10K miles of their life whereas the XZL’s don’t appear to have worn that much at all.

As for locating them you might want to give these guys a try up in Canada (http://www.tirecraft.com/commercial/MichXZL.asp).

DJ

[d110pickup]

how do they handle on the road?


I've got a set on my x-mod 110 and like them. Off road they grip well and seem to shed mud pretty well. On road I've been comfortable at 70 mph all day (drove to MAR and back in Virginia last year). Mine are pretty worn now and I'd like to find another set.
Where are you in Atlanta? I'm in Canton. Are you in SOLAROS?
Mike

[TDI Guy]

I would like a set of 7.50's for my series truck. If anyone finds some, let me know

[Eric Siepmann]

Randy,

Thatched roof garage has 5 mounted on wolf rims. Can't remember the price and they are currently mounted to the proprietor's rig. He'll sell them though!

Try the XPS tractions in 7.5, They're similar but have better siping than the xzl's. They have a bad rep for being harsh. I've ridden on them and can't tell the dif. Just as nice as XZL's IMHO. and available anywhere.

EwS

[scrover]

Here ya go:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=66478&item=7904760935

53" x 17" - needs a 20" x 10" rim. Ya think I can shoe-horn those on the Classic??

SC

[rover4x4]

I think thats obsurd.

[scrover]

I think thats obsurd.

For sure. What's even more absurd is someone selling designer gowns on ebay, who also happens to have 100 53" XZLs for sale!!!! :lol

SC

BTW Check this one out: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7905957057&category=66478&sspagename=WDVW :cool: (somewhat worn though)

[Glenn_Guinto]

LMAO...

I saw that too...that's too funny...LOL

I was surfing last night and I saw that. Curious about other Michelin sizes, I went and clicked on "View Sellers other items" and to my surprise!!!!! :D

[wicks]

Eric - how about some pics of the series you picked up?

[Eric Siepmann]

Haven't picked it up yet. Doubt I will. If your looking for a cherry one, let me know. I can't part with the ol' d-90. Oh well. There could be worse things.

EwS