What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread!

[Dono Be]

[thejameshansen]

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.
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1990 Vanagon GL passenger van, 2wd, 2.1l, auto

[Chris-a]

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?

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I gotta have nice tools, just look at the cars I drive.

Current: 87 Syncro AHU Tdi Westy'ish?
Previous: 77 Westy, 72 Tin Top Camper, 69 Passenger

[SnowDaySyncro]

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.

[Crooked Designer]

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.
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'85 Westy full camper, Subaru 2.5L, 5 speed SubiGears + 5speedbus shifter kit

[riceye]

[Crooked Designer]

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

[shaunbennefield]

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.

[crazyvwvanman]

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

[FoggyBeach]

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

[dhaavers]

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



- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[FoggyBeach]

Thank you dhaavers.

[whatwrenchwhere]

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!!
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'85 Westfalia, 1.9L 2wd Manual

[Crooked Designer]

[whatwrenchwhere]

@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.
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'85 Westfalia, 1.9L 2wd Manual

[Crooked Designer]

[Camper_Velourium]

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.