What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread!

ragnarhairybreeks · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 12:07 pm Post subject:

This last week I installed Yokohama geolander ats, 215/70-15 on some Mercedes alloys, offset 25, width 7".

That wheels offset and rim width gave me fair clearance on the suspension components front and rear and did not cause any problems with sliding door, a good 3/8-1/2" clearance there.

The flat faced merc alloys were not my first choice but the price was right and you know, once tires mounted and they are on the van they don't look that bad.

The hightop beside my van has South African 15" alloys, I think they are 6.5" wide, ET30, shod with nokian WRC, 205/70.

I haven't had a chance to test them out on logging roads yet, just some short drives on pavement. They seem ok, soak up the bumps, feels nice. a little tire noise but not a hum, more of a whir on that chip seal type road.

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Alistair
_________________
'86 7 passenger syncro, converted to westy pop top, project still in progress
'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94, now gone...
https://shufti.blog/
Old address still works...
http://shufti.wordpress.com

VanShrugs · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 4:07 pm Post subject:

Looking good Alistair.
Where's the Donkey:?

Pz

ragnarhairybreeks · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 9:49 pm Post subject:

Vanamal · Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2015 8:13 pm Post subject:

For the past six years I've run Firestone Destination A/T 215/75/15 on AT Italia wheels. Very nice tires - good traction, relatively quiet, load rated 100s, highly rated on Tire Rack for good reason.

I liked them enough that I just replaced them with the 205/75/15 version. I had some rubbing with the 215's, so going to the 205's should reduce that but retain a taller sidewall for some of the rougher trails. The 205's are load rated 97S - still meeting VW specs.

Although the engine is a 2.1 WBX, I do have the RMW/Vanistan stainless steel exhaust which significantly improved torque and made the reduced tire revolutions per mile a non-issue.

Just my $.02 - great experience and highly recommended.
_________________
'87 Westy "Vanimal"

ahmadahere · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2015 12:14 pm Post subject: GoWestie's Testie

Hey Guys

Before anyone decides to rule out GoWestie's Tire/Wheel choices. Read this thread.

http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=308

Randy in Maine · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2015 12:26 pm Post subject:

Lucas Logic. He has been saying that crap for years.

I bought a set of his wheels and tires. Wheel good and tires junk. I gave the tires away. Just buy the wheels and buy correct tires elsewhere.

gabbylgm · Samba Member Joined: June 08, 2008 Posts: 4 Location: PDX

I have an '85 2WD Westy, with a 2.1 engine. I need to replace my tires, and was going to move from my 14" to 15". I'm in Portland, OR, and currently planning on getting Michelin 215/65-15 Defender's from Costco.
Any thoughts or advice?
Thanks!

Randy in Maine · Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2015 4:59 am Post subject:

Load Index of 96T and a passenger car tire.

Keep looking.

gabbylgm · Samba Member Joined: June 08, 2008 Posts: 4 Location: PDX

Randy in Maine · Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2015 6:37 pm Post subject:

I assume that you currently have 14" rims and desire to go to bigger rims like 15", 16" or perhaps even 17".

Since you are running a pretty much stock powerplant, I would suggest that you stay about the same overall tire circumference as stock would have been.

Stock 185R14 would be around a 26-26.5" tall tire. About 777 revs per mile.

A 245/45/17 would be a squeak shorter than stock at about 25.75 tall and 785 revs per mile.

You want something that is a "LT" tire and has a load index of >97. The tread pattern is pretty much dependent on what kinds of roads you drive on.

A lot of people like the Nokians.

gabbylgm · Samba Member Joined: June 08, 2008 Posts: 4 Location: PDX

Randy in Maine · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 4:23 am Post subject:

Here is something to read that is interesting..

http://www.busdepot.com/details/tires/#requirements

crazyvwvanman · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 5:59 am Post subject:

Your rev per mile numbers are pretty far off for those 2 sizes. Both of those sizes tend to be around 810 revs per mile. You can look usually up the manufacturers specs to see what is what for a given brand/model tire.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=C...;tab=Specs

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=C...;tab=Specs

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=C...mpare1=yes

Mark

Randy in Maine · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 7:42 am Post subject:

Yes I was using a new tire size calculator for Tacoma pick up trucks and they seemed a little off to the 811 revs per mile I am used to seeing from 1010 tire.

For the record I run 205/65/15 Vredesteins Comtracs on one of my buses and Hancooks 195R14 on the other. The Vredesteins are a squeak shorter than stock and the 'cooks are a little taller than stock.

If I had it to do all over I would likely run Nokians.

dsdunbar · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2015 11:36 am Post subject:

Can't thank you enough!![/quote]

I too am looking at options for a 17" rim. I used an online tire calculator to try and keep the diameter the same (to avoid loss of power as described on the first page of the ULTIMATE tire thread).

Anyways, this is what I came down to:
My van currently runs the 205/70R14 which has 798 revs/mi

215/55 R17 : 26.3 in (dia), 8.46 in (width), 4.66 in (sidewall), 767 rev/mi 98 (load)

225/55 R17: 26.7in, 8.86 in, 4.87 in, 754.5 rev/mi, load rating: 101

225/50 R17: 25.9in, 8.86in, 4.43 in, 780.3 rev/mi, Load rating: 98

(my load ratings came from discounttire...looks like tirerack has some more options.... and are the "highest" load rating available for the size tire). I should also note that some of the tires that had an acceptable load rating (i didn't want anything less than 98 for I have a full camper) weren't by a big name manufacturer...

Anyways, those three tire sizes were what i found to be the "best" alternative for a 17" rim. Just wanted to share.

Also note, I looked at 225/45R17 but then saw the picture here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=450100&postorder=desc

and the sidewall height for 225/45 looks too small for my taste.

If others have opinions on this, I am interested in hearing them...

(I have a set of Mercedes AMG rims, 17x7.5 ET37, I haven't purchased the rubbers yet. I have an '89 full camper w/ stock engine)
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gabbylgm · Samba Member Joined: June 08, 2008 Posts: 4 Location: PDX

I think I've decided on BFGoodrich LT 215/70/R16 Baja Champion aka All-Terrain. Any red flags there?

And what about Alloy vs Steel rims? All I know is alloy is lighter, but it seems that steel would be stronger?

Simplified · Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 2:36 pm Post subject: Syncro Tires

Time for new shoes for our 89 Westy/Syncro with 2" lift. Currently there is BFG All Terrain T/A 225/70 R16. I think we are looking at either a new product from LesSchwab called Back Country All Terrain LT225/75R 16, 10 Ply rated at 2680# OR a Nokian Hakkapeliita WRC Van 215/65R 16D 8ply, rated at 2270# We tend to only get to forest service type roads so no real need for agressive sand/mud type tread. Any help is appreciated. TIA
_________________
Dale and Colleen
Olympia, WA
'89 Syncro Westfalia

hodogg · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2015 9:52 am Post subject:

Found some refinished CLK wheels on Fleabay, made an offer on 4, and paid for them this morning. I think I'm going to roll with the 205/65R16XL Entyre 2.0 - Argue if you will over the load capacity, but the tires that came on this thing are P185/85r14...89S

Stock 83 2wd, manual, wasserleaker 1.9
Some hills but no mud or snow

Any thoughts?

geodude · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 11:10 am Post subject:

Can't argue much with Load Index 99. I've run 98 and load range C and D and I like the stiffer tires, but the 98's were okay. The tires you plan to run are 26.5 inches in diameter and with the 1.9 you will notice it as your acceleration will be a little bit worse. I'm currently running the same diameter tire and I did notice a few hundred rpm drop in cruising rpm and my speedo is dead on now.
_________________
1988 GL Camper
1991 Multivan — the basket case

hodogg · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 3:35 pm Post subject: Not quite

So I put these bad boys on one side so far and the tires look pretty close. They're 205 65s so I thought I'd be free and clear on the CLK wheels. Any thoughts besides a need for spacers?


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What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread!
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