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ajdenette Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2009 Posts: 768 Location: Hope Valley RI
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coqcitywesty Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2018 Posts: 401 Location: Coquitlam, BC
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Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2021 9:27 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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I am currently contemplating a replacement wheel/tire combo away from my current GW 16’s with Nokian Entryre 2.0’s and was intrigued with the comments about the Toyo Open Country’s. I had a set of Toyo Versado Noirs on my Volvo XC70 and really loved the wet and dry handling and wear. While they are definitely more of a street tire, the load rating on the 215 65R16 XL’s is 102, so I am thinking that these should also work well on a Westy. Anyone try these as yet? _________________ 1991 Westfalia EJ251, 1972 Volvo 1800 ES |
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ProspectiveOwnergon Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2020 Posts: 211 Location: SoCal
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Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2021 11:42 am Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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Put on Kumho Crugen HT51 215/65r16 and they are night and day difference to my under load limit tires. Got them installed for $385 after rebate! Low road noise, solid grip, nothing fancy. |
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Hounddogs Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2019 Posts: 41 Location: Puget Sound, WA
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 8:05 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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I said I’d do a review on these. They’re not really aggressive looking like a lot of the tires being reviewed here, but that’s not what I was looking for. So after my first 1,000 miles on these I have to say that I really like them so far. I didn’t take them in the snow although they’re rated for it, but they’re great on the freeway, on forest roads and on wet highways. Quiet too.
Michelin Agilis Cross Climate 205/65r/15 _________________ ‘85 Adventurewagen - FAS GenV inline VW 4 cylinder
‘86 Adventurewagen (Sold)
‘03 Eurovan (Sold)
‘83 Westfalia (Sold)
‘81 Westfalia (Burned up on the side of the freeway in 1986) |
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Franklinstower Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2006 Posts: 1896 Location: PNW
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Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2021 9:31 am Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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i don't know if this was mentioned in the 46 previous pages. but here is a good article on tires and derating: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=70 _________________ '89 Westy - EJ25/22 Frank 4.44 5mt
'75 Miami Blue Sunroof FI Standard Bug |
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connor_warren59 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2010 Posts: 103
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Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 11:51 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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I’ve been scouring through this thread and a few others and can’t seem to find the answer to my question.
I’ve got an ‘82 2wd Westy with the 1.5” GoWesty lift and a 2.5L Subaru engine. I’m looking at new tires...either 215/70R16 or 225/70R16 Toyo ATIII. Seems like the syncro guys have no problem running the larger size, but will I run into issues with my 2WD? They’ll be mounted on the 16x7.5 +23mm offset Mercedes wheels. |
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bobbyblack Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015 Posts: 4351 Location: United States, Iowa
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Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 8:02 am Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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Christopher will be back next week, I am sure he will be able to offer advice on spacers, and proper fasteners. I'd email him, his contact info is on his web page.
In my opinion, the only hard thing about the wider tires is that your bus gets really dirty from crap getting thrown up. Also, of course, it depends on your weather. The wider tires are more likely to ride up/float on snow, or puddles, and that can be a whole new game than you are used to. Stock width being 185 to 195 mm (most models), adding 4cm on each corner of width on each corner is something to be ultra conscious of. Also, your balls are going to wear out faster, and if they are not recently replaced, may quickly become a problem. Can of worms there.
-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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dhaavers Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 7757 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 11:39 am Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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FWIW...I'll do almost anything reasonable to prevent wearing out my balls...
- Dave _________________ 86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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Alan Brase Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2004 Posts: 4532 Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa
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Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 1:13 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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dhaavers wrote: |
FWIW...I'll do almost anything reasonable to prevent wearing out my balls...
- Dave |
At, my age, quite the opposite: I'll live dangerously. _________________ Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home |
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connor_warren59 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2010 Posts: 103
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Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 4:53 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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Let me rephrase my question.
Will 225/70R16 fit a 2WD Vanagon with GoWesty lift springs without needing to cut wheel arches? I’m rebuilding the entire front end (ball joints, tie rods, bushings, brakes, etc) and am not concerned with the extra wear on ball joints or other front end parts at this time.
Thanks! |
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bobbyblack Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015 Posts: 4351 Location: United States, Iowa
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Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 7:59 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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OMG, simple answer: Yes, you can run them Wheel arches aren't different from 2WD to Syncros. Regardless if they were Syncro 16's to begin with or not. Give it a whirl!!
-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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connor_warren59 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2010 Posts: 103
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Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 9:16 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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Just wanted to be sure. It is my understanding that there are variations in suspension geometry and ride height for syncro and 2wd vans stock, I just wasn’t sure if the 1.5” 2wd GoWesty lift would get me up to the same height as a syncro with the 1.5” GoWesty lift....and if the disparity in height would cause issues for me running that size tire vs a lifted syncro.
I appreciate your response. Thank you. |
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carlos_magnum Samba Member
Joined: April 21, 2009 Posts: 591
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Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 8:02 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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smeeegheeead wrote: |
My 86' GL project on 215/75r15 KO2's and 15" gowesty steel wheels. Have a brand new set of AT's in the garage if anyone needs them
[/img] |
Nice setup.
After checking the available mud tires and wheels online, I ended up choosing 215/75/15's also but BFG MT's. These tires work great for my backcountry travels. |
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Crankey Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2004 Posts: 2659
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Posted: Sun May 16, 2021 12:37 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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Hey all...I can call a tire shop Monday but just wondering the difference between...
225/50/17
225/55/17. little taller and narrower ?
235/55/17 taller again but near same with as the 225/50/17 ?
For 17x8 wheels.
Thanks. |
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Jake de Villiers Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007 Posts: 5911 Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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Posted: Mon May 17, 2021 7:08 am Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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Crankey wrote: |
Hey all...I can call a tire shop Monday but just wondering the difference between...
225/50/17
225/55/17. little taller and narrower ?
235/55/17 taller again but near same with as the 225/50/17 ?
For 17x8 wheels.
Thanks. |
Tirerack.com is a great resource for tire dimensions. _________________ '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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LachlanMcLean Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2013 Posts: 111 Location: Adirondacks
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2021 7:01 am Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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Crankey wrote: |
Hey all...I can call a tire shop Monday but just wondering the difference between...
225/50/17
225/55/17. little taller and narrower ?
235/55/17 taller again but near same with as the 225/50/17 ?
For 17x8 wheels.
Thanks. |
First number is width in millimeters.
Second number is aspect ratio, or the sidewall height as a percentage of width.
Final number is rim diameter. (I think you knew all that.)
Two tires with the same width will be different overall heights if they have different aspect ratios, with the bigger aspect ratio being the taller tire. Variations between mfgs can nullify or magnify these differences, but by and large, they are a pretty good starting point for comparison of which one is bigger. So, two tires that are 225 are the same width. 55 is taller than 50. _________________ '91 Westfalia 2.1L auto |
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tjet Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2014 Posts: 3533 Location: CA & NM
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Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 4:25 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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Tires are General Grabber AT2, 265/70R15 on 15x7, ET25 steel rims. They clear on my Syncro with GW 2" dual-rate lift springs & Burley upper arms w/ball joint spacers. No wheel spacers or adapters installed or needed. Tires are about 29" tall x 10.6" wide. The slider door opens, but it will rub the rear tire when you open it.
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clamay Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2014 Posts: 114 Location: PNW
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Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 5:01 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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Here is a handy website to calculate tire size.
https://tiresize.com/calculator/ _________________ 91 Carat, automatic, GW 2.2, GW EFI, Peloquin TBD
When you come to a fork in the road, take it. --Yogi Berra |
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Straydogsteve Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2021 Posts: 2 Location: Berkeley CA
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Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2021 8:34 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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Hey folks, first post here at The Samba. I’m a new owner of a 1986 2WD Vanagon GL and have been perusing the tire and wheel related threads trying to settle on a wheel and tire combo for my van with mostly stock everything. I found this pdf http://oldbluesblog.com/files/VanagonTireSpecs.pdf which was very helpful and I settled on what I thought was a winning combo for me:
15 inch alloy wheels from GW
Nokian WR C3 205/65R15C
Unfortunately I was told today by a local tire shop and later confirmed with the Nokian office, that that tire has been discontinued. I’m really bummed out because I liked that this combination maintained the OEM diameter of the rotating mass as well has having good highway, dirt, and snow performance. I live in Berkeley, CA and am mostly going to use it for light duty camping on BLM land as well as the odd trip to Lake Tahoe in the winter.
Could anyone lend some aid and recommend a similar setup to what I had settled on? PS I am not against keeping and using the stock 14 inch wheels on the van. It just looks like stepping up to 15 inch wheels greatly improves the choice of tires. |
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9.5isCanadian Samba Member
Joined: September 16, 2017 Posts: 465 Location: In your blind spot.
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Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2021 7:06 pm Post subject: Re: What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread! |
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smeeegheeead wrote: |
My 86' GL project on 215/75r15 KO2's and 15" gowesty steel wheels.
[/ |
I have the 16” ones on my 87.
Great tire.
_________________ 9 1/2 - missing a few pieces.
1987 Getaway Hightop
1980 Sunroof Vanagon
2018 BMW R Nine T
2012 Golf tdi |
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