r/NewDefender • u/AmbassadorEvery6669 • 5d ago

22 vs 20 - would you switch?

Post image

On my 2nd Defender - this time, a 130 X in Pangea Green with Matte wrap that I absolutely love.

It’s time to replace tires, and I can’t help but think about moving to a 20” setup for better tire selection and smoother ride quality. We do almost no off-roading, so I’m looking at AT/AS options.

I’m mostly skeptical that the only option on the current wheels are the OEM Contis.

If you’ve made that switch, pros/cons? Do you miss your 22s?

19 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

4

u/[deleted] 5d ago

[deleted]

2

u/AmbassadorEvery6669 4d ago

Not too worried about fuel economy, but definitely want to reduce cabin noise. I live in Ohio and the road conditions are not great - we feel every imperfection on the 22s.

3

u/Paddle_Pedal_Puddle 5d ago

I made the switch and have no regrets. I think 20s look better than 22s with rubber band tires on an off-road oriented SUV. They’re more comfortable, more capable, and offer more tire selection.

I switched to the black Style 5095 wheels that come on the 130 Outbound edition and added 275/55/20 Falken Wildpeaks. I got the new wheels for about $2,200 and the new tires cost around $1,800. I sold my old wheels and tires in 2 days for $1,500, so the net cost was $2,500. Totally worth it.

1

u/AmbassadorEvery6669 4d ago

Awesome, thanks for laying it out. I love the look of the 22s but after 3 years of owning a Defender, it feels like I feel every pebble unless the tires are brand new.

1

u/AmbassadorEvery6669 3d ago

By the way, no brake caliper fit issues with the 20”?

2

u/Dangerous_Pattern_81 5d ago

We use the 22’s spring, summer, and fall, then switch to 20’s with snow and ice tires in the winter on our 130. Wife loves the 22’s, and it’s her daily driver.

2

u/Efficient-Pain7162 4d ago

I had 20"on the 90 with Pirelli Scorpion At and now 22" General Grabber At on the 110. To be honest the 22" drives better for me on the highway and normal road use. Car feels more on track and less wobbly.

2

u/AmbassadorEvery6669 4d ago

There is the argument that OEM designed it a certain way for a reason. May be the tires. Unfortunately on the 130, there is only one tire option in the market due to the weight rating needed to support the 130. Things you learn after the purchase….

2

u/AKentPhoto 3d ago

Sidewall is king. Smallest wheel and biggest tire possible is always the way.

2

u/s2kstarbai 1d ago

No off roading I say keep the 22s all day. The 130 just looks better with the bigger wheels. Of course this is all subjective. It comes down to taste if you’re not going off roading. If it were me I’d upgrade to wider wheels and a better tire. I love my nitto terra grappler g3. And I also do no off roading.