TheSamba.com :: View topic - What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread!

Tue Dec 31, 2024 5:24 pm

Crooked Designer wrote: Dono Be wrote:
Here is a before and after pic... side by side of my new 215/65/16 on the 16"x7.5" Mercedes rims

Thanks for all the info on here.

Dono

2 questions.. 1. Stock height / full westy? 2. Any rubbing on front wheel at full turn? I'm looking to go from 15's to 16's and am trying to figure out tire size and this is my lead option, so would be very helpful to hear your experience so far.
Thanks!

Hey...yes just a bit of a rib when the van has a passenger up front and braking and approaching a driveway during the turn. No other problems but I have the spacers for this spring revamp.
Old Stock springs and sits at 27" (was 25" with 195/70/14)

Tue Jan 07, 2025 2:16 pm

Cross-posting from the GoWesty alloy wheel replica thread.

These are 16x7.5-inch wheels with 215/60R16 Vredestein Quatrac tires. XL 99 load rating. Everything fits nicely, except the sliding door rubs the right-rear tire a decent bit. I can open the door, but I'm worried a zealous passenger could damage the sidewall.

Not many miles yet, but so far, I'm loving these tires.

Sat Jan 11, 2025 3:37 pm

We're rocking some 225/75r16 Goodyear Wranglers on our 87 lifted Westy Syncro. They work real well on our deep snow covered dirt road(forest service) to get up to our house, however they are bit scary on the very curvy state highway at 35+ mph when there is basically sheet ice covering the road(which can be the normal this time of the year).

I ran some Bridgestone Blizzaks on my little Prius for years living in NW Montana and that was probably the most confident vehicle I ever drove on the interstates covered with frozen surface for months on end.

So that experience has me thinking of adding those to the Vanagon. They make them in a lt225/75r16.

Anyone ran those on their van?

[/img]

Mon Feb 24, 2025 1:55 pm

I have 225/75R16XL Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtremes on my Syncro.
While I am planning on getting snow tires for it, their impressive performance on snow and ice thus far this winter have me comfortable enough to postpone that purchase until next winter (there has also been minimal snow in southern New England this year and I haven't traveled much.

All that said, when I do get a set of snow tires, I'm planning on getting the Hankook Winter i*pike X. They are available studded, but I won't opt for studs. They weigh 30 pounds per tire with a 104 load index versus 36 per tire/112 load for the LT225/75R16 Blizzak. They're also less expensive.

Based on my excellent experience thus far with the Dynapros, and some feedback from a Syncro owner in New York state with a fresh set of the i*pikes (his are studded) this winter, I'm feeling pretty confident that they will be a good choice.

Wed Mar 05, 2025 11:50 am

Very specific question. Anyone running 215/70/16 on a westy at stock height? I have zero lift springs from GoWesty and some spacers in the back to keep it level, but otherwise, pretty stock height from the road. I'd love to get 215/70 vs 215/65 for a few reasons. One thing I don't want is for them to rub. Anyone have experience with this? I'm looking at General Grabbers, but also a few other options. These will be on 16" CLKs with spacers. But really want some real world feedback on if the 215/70/16s rub at all. Again, full westy camper (85 if that matters) and stock height springs.

Wed Mar 05, 2025 4:22 pm

Crooked Designer wrote: Very specific question. Anyone running 215/70/16 on a westy at stock height? I have zero lift springs from GoWesty and some spacers in the back to keep it level, but otherwise, pretty stock height from the road. I'd love to get 215/70 vs 215/65 for a few reasons. One thing I don't want is for them to rub. Anyone have experience with this? I'm looking at General Grabbers, but also a few other options. These will be on 16" CLKs with spacers. But really want some real world feedback on if the 215/70/16s rub at all. Again, full westy camper (85 if that matters) and stock height springs.

I'm currently at 17" hub center to wheel arch lip, both front and rear, loaded down and sitting in the garage. I think this is much more comparable than suggesting "stock height". My suspension is not stock as I have 8-10 year old Moog 5660 springs up front and Monroe Sensa-Trac 58595 load assist shocks on the rear.

My wheels are the alloys GoWesty sold years back (did they quit selling them?) that are 7.5"x16" ET23. Current tires are 215/65-16. I started with 225/60-16 and they did rub the center front fender arch when turning and compressing the spring. Think turning in a steep driveway apron a little too fast. That was with the original springs. I changed tire size at the same time I installed the Moog springs. The current set up has never caused an issue for well over 10 years.

Maybe see if someone would mount up a 215/70-16 tire on the front for you and take a short test drive with intentions of turning up an incline just to test.

Fri Mar 07, 2025 7:36 am

Probably not a bad idea to measure hub center to fender. Will try to do that this weekend.

riceye wrote: Crooked Designer wrote: Very specific question. Anyone running 215/70/16 on a westy at stock height? I have zero lift springs from GoWesty and some spacers in the back to keep it level, but otherwise, pretty stock height from the road. I'd love to get 215/70 vs 215/65 for a few reasons. One thing I don't want is for them to rub. Anyone have experience with this? I'm looking at General Grabbers, but also a few other options. These will be on 16" CLKs with spacers. But really want some real world feedback on if the 215/70/16s rub at all. Again, full westy camper (85 if that matters) and stock height springs.

I'm currently at 17" hub center to wheel arch lip, both front and rear, loaded down and sitting in the garage. I think this is much more comparable than suggesting "stock height". My suspension is not stock as I have 8-10 year old Moog 5660 springs up front and Monroe Sensa-Trac 58595 load assist shocks on the rear.

My wheels are the alloys GoWesty sold years back (did they quit selling them?) that are 7.5"x16" ET23. Current tires are 215/65-16. I started with 225/60-16 and they did rub the center front fender arch when turning and compressing the spring. Think turning in a steep driveway apron a little too fast. That was with the original springs. I changed tire size at the same time I installed the Moog springs. The current set up has never caused an issue for well over 10 years.

Maybe see if someone would mount up a 215/70-16 tire on the front for you and take a short test drive with intentions of turning up an incline just to test.

Mon Sep 01, 2025 7:21 am

have 86 vanagon with bigger springs and big brake kit. Was hoping to run my 27x8.50 grabbers on the og 14 inch rims but they are now hitting the front caliper. I have 16 inch rims on it running a 205/55 r16 but definitely wanting to go to a comparable size of the 27x8.50s but the 16s i am running now are real close to my A arm.. Have anyone ran into this problem before ? Should I be running spacers to help pull tire away from Aarm ? I am knew to the vanagon world so all help would be great.

Mon Sep 01, 2025 8:15 am

There are 2 other main factors besides the tire size.
1 Rim width
2 Rim offset

What width and offset are your 16" rims?

Mark

shaunbennefield wrote: have 86 vanagon with bigger springs and big brake kit. Was hoping to run my 27x8.50 grabbers on the og 14 inch rims but they are now hitting the front caliper. I have 16 inch rims on it running a 205/55 r16 but definitely wanting to go to a comparable size of the 27x8.50s but the 16s i am running now are real close to my A arm.. Have anyone ran into this problem before ? Should I be running spacers to help pull tire away from Aarm ?....

Fri Sep 12, 2025 9:58 pm

Has anyone bought or looked at the Yokohama Bluearth-Van All Season Ry61 Tire in 215/55R16 97H XL. Revs 818, PSI 50. They aren't C or D rated and I cannot find any info on the number of plies, but they are calling it a commercial van tire. I'm curious if they're suitable for my '87 2WD Westy. I stick to mostly paved roads and gravel/packed dirt. I've read so many differing opinions about what is the minimally acceptable load rating that I am rather confused.

https://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/bluearth-van-all-season-ry61

Thanks

Sat Sep 13, 2025 8:14 am

Foggy…XL, with a 97 load rating…should be good.

8)

- Dave

Sun Sep 14, 2025 7:56 am

Thank you dhaavers.

Wed Sep 24, 2025 11:13 pm

Got a spare tire question for 1985 Westy:

- Tires: 217/70/R16 (1700lbs)
- Wheels: 16" X 7.5" ET 23 Euro (I think)
- Spare: 195/75/R14 (1400lbs)

So my spare no longer holds air and like to replace. It lives under the stock clamshell in the front. Should I replace the spare with the exact same tire, or should I get something different as far as size/load? I ask as tires/wheels not stock, and not sure what will fit tire or in the clamshell.

Thanks!!

Thu Sep 25, 2025 7:33 am

whatwrenchwhere wrote: Got a spare tire question for 1985 Westy:

- Tires: 217/70/R16 (1700lbs)
- Wheels: 16" X 7.5" ET 23 Euro (I think)
- Spare: 195/75/R14 (1400lbs)

So my spare no longer holds air and like to replace. It lives under the stock clamshell in the front. Should I replace the spare with the exact same tire, or should I get something different as far as size/load? I ask as tires/wheels not stock, and not sure what will fit tire or in the clamshell.

Thanks!!

In my experience (I've tried several methods people here have developed) 215/65/16 is the biggest 16" wheel you'll be able to get in the clam shell at full running air pressure. And when I say that, I mean in that location. You'll need to modify the clam shell or get an oversize tire carrier (Van Cafe) to make this happen. if you get any larger and you'll need to air down or modify the frame rails. So, can't help you with what is recommended size for a spare vs 4 other tires. I'm sure there are lots of opinions. I've heard people say that you'll destroy your rear diff if you put anything but the same exact size tire on it, and I've heard people say that you're good to put a donut on to get to a tire repair shop.

Also, Syncro's have a slightly different layout under the front, so my comments are about 2WD Vanagons. (My direct experience is from an '85 Westy, so particularly relevant to your van) you'll be putting some pressure on your coolant lines, but that has not caused an issue. I've put about 3,000 miles on in mid-summer temps since putting the new spare in place and no change in temp guage.

If you put a 215/65/16 tire in as the spare, you're size difference is 3.5% smaller vs. your current tires. Revs is 3.4% more for the smaller wheel. IMO, that's close enough to get you to wherever you need to get to to repair the flat.

Fri Sep 26, 2025 3:09 pm

@Crooked Designer

Thanks for thoughtful reply, helps to know about the 16s possible. Could you describe what modifications you had do for clamshell?

Read through all other spare posts, and lots of options it seems to modify.

Sun Sep 28, 2025 9:45 am

whatwrenchwhere wrote: @Crooked Designer

Thanks for thoughtful reply, helps to know about the 16s possible. Could you describe what modifications you had do for clamshell?

Read through all other spare posts, and lots of options it seems to modify.

Had to add a spacer to the front bolt. Dropping the back hinge doesn’t give you any advantage because the tire needs to sit on top of the cross member.

Wed Oct 08, 2025 11:24 am

Not really much to report as obviously everything fits, but just replaced the old dry rotted Hankooks on the new Westy with some 195/75/14 Yokohama y356 tires.

As I kind of expected, they have a rounder profile and look narrower than the old 185s despite being technically wider on paper. The old tires had a very square and meaty look whereas these appear to narrow slightly towards the tread. The new ones are definitely pizza cutters.

Either way stoked to being one step closer to taking trips in the new van.