What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread!

[Crooked Designer]

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

[riceye]

[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

[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.

[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

[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

[Dono Be]

[Corwyn]

I stand corrected - the Vanco 4 Season IS being discontinued
Ergo, my next set will be General Grabber HD Vans.

https://generaltire.com/tires/light-trucksuv/grabb...20HD%20Van
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'90 White Westy ("White Lightning")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja

"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~

[Corwyn]

[tdivan82]

Another data point for the thread. Yoko Geolandar A/T in 215/70 R16 installed on Mobelwagen Interceptor 512. My goal was the largest practical diameter with no rubbing, and no major modifications needed. I am running Schwenk Westy springs, which supposedly give a sub-1" lift.

Overall tire diameter is 27.9 inches. Did some parking lot lock-to-lock maneuvers and no rubbing. Went over some large speed bumps at various speeds and tires did not touch the wheel arches. Seems like 27.9" works nicely with zero rubbing observed.

I like that the Interceptor wheels accept the OEM chrome hub caps. I do wish they came in a 6.5" width though instead of 7.5". A 6.5 inch wheel would be better suited to the 215 tire section width.

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- George
'82 Westy TDI (ahu)
'96 Passat TDI

[ragnarhairybreeks]

Hi,

Just replaced my yoko geolander GO15 last week. Those tires have been good to me, no complaints. I wore them out. Replacements are Kumho road venture AT52. Sort of newish model. Supposedly better wear characteristics than the AT51.

Why I chose them … they have a higher load rating than the geolanders. And the price was better.

I mounted and balanced last Friday. So not much to say about them except they handled heavy rain and hwy just fine. In the pics there’s one with a representative reading on the machine before weights added.

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'86 7 passenger syncro, converted to westy pop top, project still in progress
'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94, now gone...
https://shufti.blog/
Old address still works...
http://shufti.wordpress.com

[eeebee]

[Crankey]

Currently I've built these wheels to 8" front and 9" rear.

I'm looking for tires.
I see Tristar Eric on his race van has 215/50/17 on 7.5 front wheels.
I'm looking at 275/40/17 for the 9" rear wheels.
Tire calculator says the diameters would be
25.46 tall front
25.65 tall rear.

This is about as close to a match i have found so far. Rear may require a spacer or that I grind off some of the pinch weld of the trailing arm and weld it back up with flat plate. Spacer means a slight poke out of the wheel arch. Not a deal breaker....I have no fender on one side at the moment and ...well I could do cosmetic rebuild surgery on the non damaged side and just rebuild the damaged side a bit wider...or just let the tire poke out .25-.50 of an inch.

If I go to 225/50 front i can't find a matching hight rear, or a match I feel is acceptable.

Opinions ?

[Ride-Fly]

[kamzcab86]

[Ride-Fly]

My Westy is in need of new shoes….considering 3 options. Currently have Nokian Hakkapelita C that are 10 years old with about 30k. Starting to show sidewall cracks and delamination.

First are the Thunderer Ranger R402 commercial van tires. Anyone have any experience with Thunderer tires? They have a variety of sizes and all with excellent load ratings. I just never heard of them. Are they on par with Milestar and Generals? Or an upgrade like Firestone and Goodyear?

Next are the Firestone Transforce. Solid reputable company. Haven’t read about too many folks here running them.

I had Michelin CrossClimates on my Wolfie but replaced them with the Continental Vanco 4Seasons when Michelin recalled their previous version due to it not meeting the Snowflake rating. I’m still considering these as they’re probably the top of the line tires you can buy.

Any inputs appreciated.
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1987 Westy, Dove Blue
1987 Wolfsburg Tintop, Vesuvius Grey (SFO car)
1977 Toyota FJ40, Freeborn Red
2018 Ford F-350 Platinum, Ruby Red Metallic
2017 Mercedes GLE350, Polar White
2013 Mercedes G550, black w/ 4” Fox suspension
2008 Mercede GL550 (Boulder car)

[mtnhome]

Any feedback on these Nokian? https://www.amazon.com/NOKIAN-100H-All-Season-Radial-Tire-215/dp/B07ND44TVX

There's a set of these new near me for a great price. Thinking they might be good for a cross country trip where 99% of travel is on pavement. Load rating seems adequate at 1764lbs.
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'84 Westy, '93 Subaru ej22 and Subarugears 5speed
Build thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=763098&highlight=

[supduck]

Anyone running Pirelli Scorpion Verde A/S 215/65R16 XL 102H 50 PSI 27"

[1988M5]

[Crooked Designer]