TheSamba.com :: View topic - 16"-15"

Sat Feb 11, 2012 8:36 am

I have done a search and now am more confused with the information I received/read.
I have a syncro, bought some used 16" sprinter wheels, with BFG's. They are great. I live at 7000' and feel that they "slow me down" a bit. I want to go with a 15" wheel and BFG set up now, because I feel that they will not slow me down. For example, in the winter time I run 14" studs on the syncro and the syncro feels zippy, when I switch to the 16's I can not drive the same speed and it does not feel so zippy.

I am not running and spacers or different lugs on the 16's, and everything ha s been fine. I want to find a pair of 15's that will not need spacers or longer studs. Eventually I may do the big brake kit, but for now I will not.
will these fit by just putting them on?
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=782238

I also have OME shocks and springs. I really want an easy swap.

seems like these fit easily: http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_1572_1256/carrot__alloy.html

and these seem to fit:
http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_845_1256/mefro_15_inch_steel_wheel.html

I deally looking for a used pair for the syncro. Thanks

I'd be willing to trade if anyone wants the 5 16" wheels for 5 15" wheels

Sat Feb 11, 2012 8:39 am

Just get shorter tires for your 16" wheels. Rim size doesn't matter. A 26" tall tire on a 16" rim is the same as a 26" tire on a 15" rim wich is the same as a 26" tire on a 20" rim wich is the same as a .......

Sat Feb 11, 2012 8:46 am

:bay_blue: Ha! topbud I have some parts to give back to you. And on the 15 yes that is the way to go. Got my van running great, have all the parts on it you want, come over try them out. Can take my wheels off and try them on your van. 15" SA with BFG AT. And I love the big brakes. :D 15" side wall clearance baby!

Sat Feb 11, 2012 9:47 am

Joe- I'll get in touch with you in a day or two, Today is crazy
Right now I am running the 225/75/16
I am not sure what would be a shorter tire that the BFG makes. I guess I'll head to a tire ship and look at options

Sat Feb 11, 2012 10:01 am

TopBud wrote: Joe- I'll get in touch with you in a day or two, Today is crazy
Right now I am running the 225/75/16
I am not sure what would be a shorter tire that the BFG makes. I guess I'll head to a tire ship and look at options

BFG's come in 225/70/16 and 215/70/16 which are 0.8" and 1.3" shorter than your current tires, respectively.

Sat Feb 11, 2012 10:42 am

see
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=All-Terrain+T%2FA+KO

195/75R14 = 25.5" = equivalent to stock
215/75R15 = 27.8" = 9% taller than stock
215/70R16 = 28" = 10% taller than stock
225/75R16 = 29.3 = 15% taller than stock

I dont recommend any tire larger than 10% over stock, with a stock motor.

the best tire for your power, altitude, and gearing is the stock 14" size

the 215x75x15 has a significant power penalty. If after you try it, you think it is OK, you can get very close to that size with a 215x70x16

225x75x16 is a great tire, but not for a stock motor and transmission.

You absolutely do not need 15" rims.

Sat Feb 11, 2012 3:36 pm

TopBud wrote: Joe- I'll get in touch with you in a day or two, Today is crazy
Right now I am running the 225/75/16
I am not sure what would be a shorter tire that the BFG makes. I guess I'll head to a tire ship and look at options top bud I'm running 215-75-15 :D I like to stay with a 75 side wall, save my rims when I'm going off road.

Sat Feb 11, 2012 7:44 pm

I was wrong on the tire size they are 225/70/16. I went to a locl tire shop to check the next shortest tire that BFG makes and they said it was the 215/70/16. Should I get them, it'd be cheaper than wheels and tires.

Sat Feb 11, 2012 9:08 pm

Dude, are you hell bent on the BFG's ? Lots of other shoes out there......

Sat Feb 11, 2012 9:09 pm

215 70 16 is still pretty tall. (10% bigger than stock I believe) I ran this size on a stock 2.1 for a while and it had little power in the mountains...with my TDI they are no problem. Check out the General grabbers....much less than BFG's and work very well.

Sat Feb 11, 2012 9:53 pm

> I was wrong on the tire size they are 225/70/16.

thats 12% taller than stock

> they said it was the 215/70/16. Should I get them

No, those are 10% taller than stock

not enough difference.. If you are set on BFG live with what you have, or go down to the 14" BFG

if you are willing to go to a really good snow tire that is not so big, call Van-cafe to figure out which Nokian you want
I recommend the 215/65/16 27.0" which is 6% bigger than stock.. gives an extra 3/4" ground clearance..
http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_1326_341/nokian_tires_16_options.html

fwiw, there is also a Nokian dealer in Taos, Metric Motors

Sun Feb 12, 2012 7:05 am

I am not hell bent on BFG's. I really like them, but are willing to look at others. I guess, I'll go back to the tire thread and read up on others, I was looking for suggestions about the tire size. thanks

Sun Feb 12, 2012 10:39 am

TopBud wrote: when I switch to the 16's I can not drive the same speed and it does not feel so zippy.

Of course you're doing to lose some zip but are you sure you're unable to hit the same speed? Larger tires will drop the speedometer reading. You may not be as bad as you think.

Sun Feb 12, 2012 11:10 am

Oh hell yeah, it must be a real dog to drive.
12 % over stock,
with the stock engine,
plus he's at altitude so that's sucking more power,
and it's hilly terrain

Sun Feb 12, 2012 11:15 am

going to call Van cafe/ Go westy on monday and talk with those guys. May go a 15" wheel. Then I'll have the 16's for sale if anyone wants them.
Thanks for everything. I actually like the nokians

Tue Feb 28, 2012 3:38 pm

Finally got around to putting on the new tires. I spoke with Peter at van-cafe and he gave me some great suggestions. Jon slider did also- (Thanks). I went with the Nokian WRC 215/65/16 from Van Cafe. I decided to keep the 16 inch tires. I went to Discount Tire in Flagstaff and they charged me $70ish bucks to balance and mount 5 of them to my wheels/rims. We had some snowfall today and I was out driving around. I only put on a few miles, but it was a much quieter ride and handled very well. I can also notice the little bit of the power increase. I am posting a picture of the syncro with the new tires and also a comparison of the BFG's and the Nokian's side by side. I noticed I have a wheel bearing noise in the front now. Oh well, it should be out of town road worthy very soon. Thanks all

The BFG's are behing the Nokian, you can see the difference in size

another shot for comparison.
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Tue Feb 28, 2012 5:14 pm

:bay_blue: Glad you got tires, now we can go play in the snow! :D

Tue Feb 28, 2012 8:44 pm

I had 14" bfgs.. went up to a 16 Nokian WRC Cargo.. and theres simply 0 comparison.

The Nokian feels like a racing tire, will handle hell, I felt the BFGs were weak, lotta soft sidewall.

These Nokians, totally different solid sidwall feel and the traction couldnt be better.

I am so stoked as to the ice and snow handling.. no comparison to the BFGs.

course, I'm sure every tire has an application..

Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:32 pm

got a big dumping in Flagstaff- and more on the way :lol: Finally had a chance to test them in the snow. I left the driveway this morning with about 9" on the ground. Drove on unplowed roads- where the BFG's would've kept me spinning and the Nokians stuck to the snow. Drove about 65 on the highway which was a two track and they were AWESOME. Thanks for the advice on these things. They are awesome. Just wanted to say how awesome they are just incase anyone is looking to change from BFG's to Nokian WRC's. as said before, no comparison in the snow

Wed May 02, 2012 6:02 pm

I have the spare BFG, never seen pavement, to give away if any one wants it. It's older, but has never been used. Someone come and get it. anyone?