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Sun Nov 08, 2009 1:15 pm

I have read numerous debates on tires. Let me tell you what I am going for. I want the look of a lifted bus, I thought about doing spindles or cut/turn beam, but I have decided to go with 15" rims and bigger tires. I want to put tallest tire I can with no issues, would like something with an aggressive look. I like constructive critticizm, pros/cons. Thanks

Sun Nov 08, 2009 2:31 pm

I found this new correct 8 ply 7.00 x 14 and mounted as spare for vintage look.

Akuret Cargo Hwy from National Tire.

Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:02 pm

Joe S. wrote: I have read numerous debates on tires. Let me tell you what I am going for. I want the look of a lifted bus, I thought about doing spindles or cut/turn beam, but I have decided to go with 15" rims and bigger tires. I want to put tallest tire I can with no issues, would like something with an aggressive look. I like constructive critticizm, pros/cons. Thanks

A lot is going to depend on your engine and gearing. You may not be able to put larger diameter tires on and leave everything else the same, more torque or lower gearing may be needed.

215/70R14 will run fine on a transporter, don't know how much larger in diameter you can go without problems though.

Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:03 pm

kingston1200 wrote: Had some "General" (brand made in USA) All Terrain tires installed on the '73 last week. 27 x 8.5 /14". $94 ea.

They look bad ass and feel great on and off the pavement.
They are drilled for studs but I'll never need those here in the desert.

The best part is that there is no more of that sway while cornering like with the passenger car tires that were on before. These are solid and the bus doesn't feel like it wants to roll over anymore.

The bus is at stock height.

I would hear more of this. Fitment, rubbing issues?

Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:21 pm

[quote="Kirk"] kingston1200 wrote: Had some "General" (brand made in USA) All Terrain tires installed on the '73 last week. 27 x 8.5 /14". $94 ea.

They look bad ass and feel great on and off the pavement.
They are drilled for studs but I'll never need those here in the desert.

The best part is that there is no more of that sway while cornering like with the passenger car tires that were on before. These are solid and the bus doesn't feel like it wants to roll over anymore.

The bus is at stock height.

I would hear more of this. Fitment, rubbing issues?

The fit is perfect. Zero rubbing issues. There is a good 5 inches between the top of the rear tire and the wheel well metal. In the front it's even more.

I've tried. I've gone over large speed bumps and driven thru intersection gutters, both at speeds high enough to create rub if there was going to be any. Doesn't happen.

These tires kick ass.

Tue Nov 10, 2009 8:19 pm

Dont they throw your speedo off alot? That is significantly bigger than the stock 185s.

Tue Nov 10, 2009 9:00 pm

215/75R15 tires on stock 15" bus wheels. No rubbing issues and they drove great. I have since sold the bus, but I still have the tires awaiting another project. They are old, and the checking in the rubber made me nervous about using them on the road anymore. These particular tires are NLA, but I have seen others that are similar.

Wed Nov 11, 2009 12:14 pm

kingston1200 wrote: Had some "General" (brand made in USA) All Terrain tires installed on the '73 last week. 27 x 8.5 /14". $94 ea.

They look bad ass and feel great on and off the pavement.
They are drilled for studs but I'll never need those here in the desert.

The best part is that there is no more of that sway while cornering like with the passenger car tires that were on before. These are solid and the bus doesn't feel like it wants to roll over anymore.

The bus is at stock height.

Kirk wrote: [I would hear more of this. Fitment, rubbing issues?

The fit is perfect. Zero rubbing issues. There is a good 5 inches between the top of the rear tire and the wheel well metal. In the front it's even more.

I've tried. I've gone over large speed bumps and driven thru intersection gutters, both at speeds high enough to create rub if there was going to be any. Doesn't happen.

These tires kick ass.

Kirk wrote: Dont they throw your speedo off alot? That is significantly bigger than the stock 185s.

I took the liberty of checking this out. 27x8.5x14 is REAL close to a 215/75-14. That being said with the bigger tire a perfectly calibrated speedo will be reading low by 3.91%, or you'll actually be doing 55mph with a reading of 52.85mph.

What I'm interested in knowing is the load range of the General's. Peace!

Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:32 pm

1977_L63H_P27 wrote: kingston1200 wrote: Had some "General" (brand made in USA) All Terrain tires installed on the '73 last week. 27 x 8.5 /14". $94 ea.

They look bad ass and feel great on and off the pavement.
They are drilled for studs but I'll never need those here in the desert.

The best part is that there is no more of that sway while cornering like with the passenger car tires that were on before. These are solid and the bus doesn't feel like it wants to roll over anymore.

The bus is at stock height.

Kirk wrote: [I would hear more of this. Fitment, rubbing issues?

The fit is perfect. Zero rubbing issues. There is a good 5 inches between the top of the rear tire and the wheel well metal. In the front it's even more.

I've tried. I've gone over large speed bumps and driven thru intersection gutters, both at speeds high enough to create rub if there was going to be any. Doesn't happen.

These tires kick ass.

Kirk wrote: Dont they throw your speedo off alot? That is significantly bigger than the stock 185s.

I took the liberty of checking this out. 27x8.5x14 is REAL close to a 215/75-14. That being said with the bigger tire a perfectly calibrated speedo will be reading low by 3.91%, or you'll actually be doing 55mph with a reading of 52.85mph.

What I'm interested in knowing is the load range of the General's. Peace!

Range C.

Here's a link to the General Grabber AT2 overview from their site.
27x8.5/14 is at the top of the spec list.
http://www.generaltire.com/tires/T5/Grabber-ATsup2-sup

Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:18 pm

Load index 95.

Not on my bus thank you.

Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:10 pm

I dont know, at 1520*.95=1444, only a hundered pounds shy. with the lack of good options, I'd run em. manual specs 1550 per wheel? I am not 100% on that number.
6.0-7.5 rims, we have 5s, right? off road guys do it all the time w/ lighter cars but abusing em much harder than i think you will.

Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:20 am

I looked but perhaps missed it, anyone have input or info on Goodyear wrangler HT 185R14C tires? Found some used locally and was very interested.

Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:06 am

I don't know much about them other than they are used a lot on RVs.

They will hold up to 1710 pounds and 55 psi so they should be OK for a bus. If you end up with them, report back on what you think of them.

Wed Nov 18, 2009 1:38 pm

i like mine.
they are the "mail truck" tires.

Tue Nov 24, 2009 2:33 pm

inquiry:

i recently picked up another mail truck tire cuz one was not looking too hot. $20 mounted not balanced 8)
i'm going on a road trip over thanksgiving so i upped the pressure by 5psi.
i now have 40 in the front and 45 in the rear. the ride feels AWSOME! what a difference 5psi makes.

so the question:
what psi are others running in their "C" rated tires?
i'll admit it, i've been rolling around on car tires for a long time :oops:
and i just have a hard time putting 55psi in my tires.

Tue Nov 24, 2009 5:08 pm

Question:

Anybody know if 15" phone dials with 205/50(front) and 225/50(back) would rub mounted on a stock height 69 bus? They would be mounted on welded/drilled drums so no adapters and crap.

Tue Nov 24, 2009 5:16 pm

I would say yes, but Im not sure on your backspacing. My 195s on my Fuchs rubbed like all hell in the rear. I dont think a 225 will fit.

Tue Nov 24, 2009 8:35 pm

Kirk wrote: I would say yes, but Im not sure on your backspacing. My 195s on my Fuchs rubbed like all hell in the rear. I dont think a 225 will fit.

Damn, too bad. That brings me to another couple of questions if somebody has experience with it. Is there any size tire that will fit w/o rubbing on an early bay when it comes to 15" and 16" wheels, assuming they are 7" wide? Or does one has to go with narrower wheels if he's unwilling to modify the rear arch? :?

Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:03 am

I have a 1966 westfalia camper.

I am taking it to Baja and need new tires. I have 15" rims
I have been told Vredestein 205/65/R15 are good and the overall size will
match the size of the stock tires. I know this is true for Vanagons that have change from 14 to 15. Is it also true for a 1966 bus?

I have also been told that 205/75/r15 would be a good size.

I know which ever size I will be looking for sidewall reinforced
Load range C or D

I would appreciate any advice

Earl

Wed Nov 25, 2009 4:54 am

I use those same Vredesteisns. Load index is 102 ~ Load Range D.

Nice tire.