XJ40 Wheel Change

[bob_debell]

My 1988 Daimler XJ40 has Metric tear drop wheels, Tyre size TD220/65 R390 977. Does anybody have experience of changing to imperial sized wheels? I would like to avoid affecting the ride and handling which is pretty good as is.

Cheers.

Bob Debell

[db40]

My 1993 model Sovereign has 15" Teardrops with 225/65 R15 99W Pirelli P4000 tyres.

These have a slightly stiffer sidewall, with a load index of 99, versus 97 for the metric tyres, but with a slightly smaller rim - 390mm is about 15.375".

From travelling in XJ40s with both metric TD tyres (Michelin) and with 15" wheels, I did not notice much, if any difference betwen the two.

Tyre choice for the 15" is very limited however - really only the Pirelli P4000 seem to have any availability with the 65 aspect ratio, though some owners do put on 225/60 tyres, a much more common size but not to Jaguar's original specification of course, and must affect the ride and speedometer slightly.

Many people change to one of the later 16" wheels, the 5 spoke style from the 3.2S/4.0S and 16" lattice being particularly popular, and the latter a fairly expensive choice.

I haven't been in an XJ40 with 16" wheels, but have heard that the ride is firmed up by them, together with a more "positive" feel to the car. I prefer smooth to positive so have stayed with the 15" wheels, and like the look of the teardrops in any event!

David

[bob_debell]

Thanks David. That is helpful.

Bob Debell

[robv12]

yep straight swap, any XJ40 X300 and X308 wheel will fit without modification, so you have a choice of 15, 16 and 17 inch to go for, and 18 if you want X308 Pentas

i would plump for 16 inch, more choice, easier to find tyres for, go for 225.60/16 section

I have loads here for sale

[db40]

yep staright swap, any XJ40 X300 and X308 wheel will fit without modification, so you have a choice of 15, 16 and 17 inch to go for, and 18 if you want x308 Pentas

i would plump for 16 inch, more choice, easier to find tyres for, go for 225.60/16 section

I have loads here for sale


Is there much difference in the way the XJ40 rides with 16" wheels?

I worry a bit about the long term availability of the Pirelli P4000 225/65 25s; they seem to be getting scarce and only one manufacturer in the size does not bode well for availability even 5 years from now.

What has put me off the 16" wheels though, is concern that the ride will be spoiled, and that the car could tramline.

Do you noticed much change in the ride between 15" and 16" wheeled cars?

David

[robv12]

David

no real change tbh, with good tyres at the correct pressures and properly bushed and good condition suspension all 40's should ride and drive really well, the real difference will be on Sport Pack cars, so XJR XJ12 and the S cars, plus any others that had it as an option when new, these are stiffer and a slightly harsher ride, 16 inch wheels for these cars are a must imo

[andypryce]

Hi Rob,

Just to clarify, any wheels from a later XJ will fit an early one, is that correct? I have my eye on a 1987 XJ, but from previous experience with metric tyres the first thing I would change would be the wheels. There seem to be plenty on ebay to choose from.

Thanks,

AndyP

[robv12]

correct any XJ40/300/308 wheel will fit any XJ40/300/308 with a few exceptions, some wheels will not fit the front of 40 and 300 V12 engined cars, I know that 308 Starburst will not fit these cars, i found out the hard way!!

also earlier S3 and XJS wheels will not fit the front of XJ40/300/308 they fit but foul the calipers

[andypryce]

Thanks Rob, looking at an '87 3.6 tomorrow, must be mad, but always rather liked the digital dash....

andyp

[andypryce]

Sold before I got there, oh well, back to ebay...

[robv12]

yep not surprised, good early 40's are few and far between now, i have been after a good 86 D plate car for years and not found one yet

[maxbozon]

Thanks Rob, looking at an '87 3.6 tomorrow, must be mad, but always rather liked the digital dash....

I had F plate Sovereign with this kind of dash - I liked it very much, the only problem it was a bit faulty power supply PC board... I still don't know what was causing it, but to a large extent I was able to decompose it to circuit scheme and start doing some repairs, but eventually gave up

I was surprised with the support I got from manufacturers (Linear Technology) of integrated circuits used there. These were made to special order for Lucas and had no typical markings to identify parameters - and they were not lazy to go back in their records on factory and get out data about the chip!! I was very surprised and happy

If anyone is interested in these findings please let me know, I can post some of my findings here.

[malclamour]

The contributions on this page have been of great help to me. My recent purchase of a 1993 XJ6 with 84000 on the clock needed sorting out due to neglect of previous keeper....However £450 on eBay was a bargain. The steel wheels have been replaced with teardrop 15" Alloys, and tyres which were badly worn were replaced by part worn ones as a temporary measure...2 Pirelli 4000 on the front and Odd budget 225-60-15 on the driving wheels. Must find good Pirelli's before next MOT....Malcolm

[robv12]

glad to help, that's what we are here for!!