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bobbyblack Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015 Posts: 4351 Location: United States, Iowa
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2016 11:13 am Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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jimf909 wrote: |
^^^ This is helpful as I'm considering making the same change, albeit with 215/60R16 > 215/65R16. My primary concern was losing some torque. |
I have some C230 rims in the garage. 16" and pretty much ready for rubber. The idea of going up in diameter is my overall vision, but it will be something I do as part of my engine swap. The WBX 2.1 I have now will not do very well with much more than the 25.5" diameter rubber I have now. I DO like the BFG AT-KOs I have now, that is for sure! (less than 3000 miles on them now) But, I do intend on 215/65/R16's when I get the EJ22 installed. For now, I am barely keeping my cool with how things work with the 90ish HP powerplant. It would be plain old silly to try much bigger, even by half an inch at this point. The 215/65/R16's are somewhere around 27" diameter. That is a pretty big jump. _________________ '87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7472 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2016 1:16 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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I am considering going to a 27" tire (215/65R16, up from a 60 series) but am hesitant to lose any torque even with a Bostig - it doesn't have a lot of headroom. _________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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Slimvest Samba Member
Joined: March 20, 2014 Posts: 431 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 9:20 am Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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bobbyblack wrote: |
jimf909 wrote: |
^^^ This is helpful as I'm considering making the same change, albeit with 215/60R16 > 215/65R16. My primary concern was losing some torque. |
I have some C230 rims in the garage. 16" and pretty much ready for rubber. The idea of going up in diameter is my overall vision, but it will be something I do as part of my engine swap. The WBX 2.1 I have now will not do very well with much more than the 25.5" diameter rubber I have now. I DO like the BFG AT-KOs I have now, that is for sure! (less than 3000 miles on them now) But, I do intend on 215/65/R16's when I get the EJ22 installed. For now, I am barely keeping my cool with how things work with the 90ish HP powerplant. It would be plain old silly to try much bigger, even by half an inch at this point. The 215/65/R16's are somewhere around 27" diameter. That is a pretty big jump. |
Yep. With my engine being only two years old, I'm starting to wonder if I went back to a 14" wheel my tin top would feel like a hotrod! I want to hear from all those people out there rolling big aggressive tires on westfalias w/ stock motors. Hill climbing must be a joke. _________________ '87 GL w/ Reimo top |
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benandmj Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2012 Posts: 550 Location: Atlanta
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 10:19 am Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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I'm running a stock 1.9 with these bad boys. No complaints. I can't remember what it was like on 14's. The stability improvements alone more than make up for any loss of bottom end torque. We go up lots of steep stuff. Crossing the Sierra's wasn't fun but the high wind was a big part of the stress.
215/65/16
_________________ 85 Westfalia Weekender
91 Syncro Westy |
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bobbyblack Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015 Posts: 4351 Location: United States, Iowa
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 11:09 am Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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benandmj,
What do you do for your spare(s)? Front spare holder? Rear? Mod'd?
Regards,
-bobby _________________ '87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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flomulgator Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2013 Posts: 950 Location: Leavenworth, WA
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 11:38 am Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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Heads up,
If you're in the PNW, Smallcar just became a Nokian tire distributor, say they'll price match anyone too!
https://smallcar.com/smallcar-news/tires.html
many other brands too, but since Nokian sellers are few and far between I thought this was worth noting. _________________ She's built like a steakhouse, but she handles like a bistro! |
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dsdunbar Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2014 Posts: 564 Location: Crozet VA
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 12:13 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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Good to know. But I will add, I bought my summer Nokians (eNtyre) from Discount Tire. Not sure if they carry all of the Nokian line, but I know there are a lot of DTs in Washington state.
flomulgator wrote: |
Heads up,
If you're in the PNW, Smallcar just became a Nokian tire distributor, say they'll price match anyone too!
https://smallcar.com/smallcar-news/tires.html
many other brands too, but since Nokian sellers are few and far between I thought this was worth noting. |
_________________ '89 2WD Westy "Grey Goose" - Manual 4spd
Crozet VA
Vanaru EJ25, Peloquin |
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Slimvest Samba Member
Joined: March 20, 2014 Posts: 431 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 2:47 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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Quote: |
If you're in the PNW, Smallcar just became a Nokian tire distributor, say they'll price match anyone too! |
Tire Factory is also a dealer. _________________ '87 GL w/ Reimo top |
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benandmj Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2012 Posts: 550 Location: Atlanta
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 9:29 am Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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bobbyblack wrote: |
benandmj,
What do you do for your spare(s)? Front spare holder? Rear? Mod'd?
Regards,
-bobby |
GoWesty swing away.
_________________ 85 Westfalia Weekender
91 Syncro Westy |
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Jake de Villiers Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007 Posts: 5911 Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 10:14 am Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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jimf909 wrote: |
I am considering going to a 27" tire (215/65R16, up from a 60 series) but am hesitant to lose any torque even with a Bostig - it doesn't have a lot of headroom. |
That 27" tire will be about 9 1/2% bigger than a stock diameter tire. I don't think you're going to like that. _________________ '84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com |
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crazyvwvanman Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008 Posts: 9936 Location: Orbiting San Diego
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 3:11 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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BFG says that tire is 770 revs per mile, (KO2 in 215/65/16)
Stock 185R14 are about 810 revs per mile.
That is less than a 6% change, closer to 5%.
Not BFG but I am running that size on 2 of my stock wbx vans and I like it fine.
Mark
Jake de Villiers wrote: |
jimf909 wrote: |
I am considering going to a 27" tire (215/65R16, up from a 60 series) but am hesitant to lose any torque even with a Bostig - it doesn't have a lot of headroom. |
That 27" tire will be about 9 1/2% bigger than a stock diameter tire. I don't think you're going to like that. |
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bobbyblack Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015 Posts: 4351 Location: United States, Iowa
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 5:40 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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I think it is strange as well, that a 215/65/16 can be different diameters from different manufacturers, but they are.
Oh, and I looked a couple weeks ago, and was not able to find BFGs in 215/65/16, if that is the case, and they are NOW available, how assured are we that the next time we need rubber, there will be one for us?
I was trying to find local place with Toyo tires... they were supposed to be decent:
Toyo Versado Noir 215/65R16 XL 102H BSW
~$95/tire _________________ '87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5078 Location: denver
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Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 12:48 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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I'm trying to make a decision on new tires and have whittled it down to two choices:
-The Yokohama Geolandar 215/70/15 that I've been running for the past four years with no complaints.
-The Firestone Destination AT in either 205/75/15 or 215/75/15.
I like the idea of a slightly smaller diameter tire (Destination 205) to assist with climbing, but I like the 100 load rating of the Destination 215, which is slightly larger than the Geo's they'd be replacing.
Does anybody have any thoughts on the tradeoff? With a Wolfsburg Westy that gets loaded with two kids, rocketbox, and bike rack, will I be pushing the lower load rating of the 205?
I know that most of this is subjective, but I'm looking for any insights that the wise Vanagon tire folk can offer.
It should be noted that in 11 years with this Vanagon, I've gone through:
Bridgestone Dueler AT 195/75/14--Hard as a rock, loud, but super durable
BFG A/T 27x8.5/14--Outstanding until they wore down and got really loud
Michelin Agilis 205-65-15--terrible in snow
Yokohama Geolandar 215/70/15--All-around good tire, but I've definitely noticed the hill-climbing loss of power.
Thanks! _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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geodude Samba Member
Joined: May 24, 2012 Posts: 372 Location: Sacramento
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Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 1:30 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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The 215/70R15 that you have been running are really close to the limit regarding not rubbing on the lower Wolfsberg / Carat types vans with the lower springs. I fretted about this on mine for a long while and the best I can figure based on available reports is with the lower springs 27" diameter is the limit. Everyone I've seen so far over that value rubbed and everyone under didn't. The 215/75R15 pushes you out to 27.7" diameter and you likely will rub (I believe that is the same size a good friend has on a van he bought and it did a number on his wheel well).
Personally I won't go under 98 load index (remember the 9% adjust for passenger car tires). You have a few choices under 27 inch dia that have higher load rating than 98 to choose from. _________________ 1988 GL Camper
1991 Multivan — the basket case |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5078 Location: denver
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Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 1:39 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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geodude wrote: |
The 215/70R15 that you have been running are really close to the limit regarding not rubbing on the lower Wolfsberg / Carat types vans with the lower springs. I fretted about this on mine for a long while and the best I can figure based on available reports is with the lower springs 27" diameter is the limit. Everyone I've seen so far over that value rubbed and everyone under didn't. The 215/75R15 pushes you out to 27.7" diameter and you likely will rub (I believe that is the same size a good friend has on a van he bought and it did a number on his wheel well).
Personally I won't go under 98 load index (remember the 9% adjust for passenger car tires). You have a few choices under 27 inch dia that have higher load rating than 98 to choose from. |
Thanks Geo, my suspension is modified with Moog 5658's on the front and '84 GL springs with spacers on the back, so I'm at around 17.25-17.5" on each corner and not as concerned with rubbing. I guess it comes down to whether I can accept additional torque loss vs. a lower load rating if I go with the Firestones.
_________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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bjrogers86auto Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2009 Posts: 1375 Location: Halifax, N.S.
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Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2016 3:28 am Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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I was in My local Walmart last week and stopped by the tire desk and ordered my Continental Vanco tires. They called me the next morning for them to be picked up. Less than 24 hrs!
205/65/15 and the proper load rating. They are in my basement waiting for spring to arrive...maybe Walmart has that in stock as well....😎
Brian _________________ 86 Vanagon GL Westfalia 2.1
18 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X
19 Honda Civic Hatchback
A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin and Hobbes. |
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msinabottle Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2005 Posts: 3492 Location: Denver Area, Colorado
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Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2016 10:33 pm Post subject: What the 15" Michelin Defender LTX M/S Look Like |
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I thought I might as well put this picture here, as it gives you a look at the Michelin Defender LTX M/S tire and its tread as installed on my Audi TT 5000 Quattro Rims on Winston:
In the short time (obviously) that I have driven on them, I was pleased with their handling.
Best! _________________ 'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence." |
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Busdepot Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2004 Posts: 1314
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Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 9:48 am Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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For those running Hankook RA08's, we have one 185R14 left. If you would like a matching spare this is your last chance. I'll make it $92 for that one. PM me if you want it. We will have the new RA18's soon. _________________ - Ron Salmon
The Bus Depot
www.busdepot.com |
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raoul mitgong Samba Member
Joined: July 05, 2009 Posts: 1338 Location: Denver, CO
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Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 11:22 am Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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Odd that the smallest BFG KO2 is in a 16" at 770 rev/mile (27"). The smallest 15 is 751 rev/mile at 27.6". Looks like I'll have to re-power the Syncro when my old KOs wear out!
Are they still adding sizes or do we think they are done?
-d _________________ 84 Westy with a 2.1 (Groover)
86 Tintop Syncro (Crow)
86 Tintop Syncro to Westy project (Tom Servo)
91 Westy (Only the top 12 inches of this van (a burn victim)) |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5078 Location: denver
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Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 12:49 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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joetiger wrote: |
-The Yokohama Geolandar 215/70/15 that I've been running for the past four years with no complaints.
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After much back-and-forth and gnashing of teeth, I decided to concentrate on the last two words of the above sentence and order another set of Geolandars. The TireRack distribution warehouse is less than one mile from my house, so I get to grab them this afternoon.
Some recent reviews of Geolandars by Sambanistas have pointed to their worthlessness in snow. I made it over Berthoud Pass (11,000 feet) in a nasty blizzard last year and lived to tell, and have put-putted around Denver on them without issue for the past four years so I can't really speak to that. _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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