TheSamba.com :: View topic - Do I need to upgrade to 15" tires? ("yawn" ;)

Thu Jun 05, 2008 10:39 am

"do I NEED to upgrade to 15"

No.

Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:06 pm

Will I be happy I upgraded?

Yes

Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:20 pm

Onion wrote: BTW - I don't have power steering and it does take a little bit more "work" driving around the city at lower speeds and parallel parking... I can feel it, but it is not bad and it by far offset by the performance change on the highway.

Good to know. Thanks.

And thanks for more insight into your upgrade. For sure, it's basically the cost of the wheels in my case too as the Nexens have to go regardless.

Neil.

Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:25 pm

j_dirge wrote:
There are some really impressive setups on this site.. some are racing grade.. but you have to do decide whats important to you.

Well for sure my ride is NOwhere near a race grade, (or a prize.... to *look* at) but with the "new" Jetta 2.0 I installed, if going faster is *needed* from time to time, better tires would help.

But then the Nexens on there now, are not great tires so evne just getting better 14's would be an improvement.

Neil.

Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:40 pm

Some interesting input here guys.

What I've surmised:

A Vanagon will never be totally stable in severe crosswinds.

One should at least inspect the suspension components before installing larger wheels/shorter sidewalls as a "solution".

Possibly the .5" difference (depending on tire choice) in tire "height" *may* not make the biggest difference.

Still on the fence. I'll decide when I get this Westy on the road with the "new" engine!

Neil.

Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:42 pm

Vanagon Nut wrote:

Possibly the .5" difference (depending on tire choice) in tire "height" *may* not make the biggest difference.

Neil.

Yeesh.

I mean .5" difference *per side*. (depending on 15" tire choice. YMMV. Batteries not included.)

And thanks for the help!

Neil.

Thu Jun 05, 2008 7:57 pm

Okay, stilll getting some apples-to-oranges comparisons.
I'm just going to plug (again) proper size and stiffness. My Vanco 8s are *stock* width also. This makes a huge difference in steering, especially without power steering, and I haven't noticed any significant change in braking (which is the main justification for wider tires--they also increase the coefficient of rolling friction). Crosswind performance is more like a normal car, compared to needing to hold the wheel at 30-40 degrees to track straight. And just for the cost of the tires.
YMMV, something to consider.
(If I had bought new wheels I would justify them, too.)

Fri Jun 06, 2008 9:39 am

dr. no wrote: Okay, stilll getting some apples-to-oranges comparisons.
I'm just going to plug (again) proper size and stiffness. My Vanco 8s are *stock* width also. This makes a huge difference in steering, especially without power steering, and I haven't noticed any significant change in braking (which is the main justification for wider tires--they also increase the coefficient of rolling friction). Crosswind performance is more like a normal car, compared to needing to hold the wheel at 30-40 degrees to track straight. And just for the cost of the tires.
YMMV, something to consider.
(If I had bought new wheels I would justify them, too.)

So the Vancos make the steering (manual) easier? Good to hear that. One thing the mechanic (who did some initial work on Westy before i got greezy...) pointed out when he installed a couple of Nexens. Shame on me for putting 2 more on! ;)

How are the Vanco8's in rain/snow?

Thanks for the apples to apples!

Neil.

Fri Jun 06, 2008 2:15 pm

Sorry, we don't get a lot of snow...
They're OK in rain, though.

Sat Jun 07, 2008 8:56 am

dr. no wrote: Sorry, we don't get a lot of snow...
They're OK in rain, though.

Thanks Mr. Dr. No.

We get about one or two "dumps" (not much in reality) Mostly rain.

Of course now I'm thinking about the lack of ground clearance I've created with my 15* I4 conversion. Maybe 15's with taller tires would be of use. Higher gearing a little more clearance.

Hmmm......

Neil.