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Racerrojo
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Joined: August 01, 2006
Posts: 827
Location: ALBUQUERQUE 87120
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 Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:29 pm Post subject: 16" wheels...Now what size tire is best? |
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So I'm rolling my '87 Westy on MB 16"wheels ( adapters and spacers).
The tires that came with the wheels are worn and the have a short side wall, I'm looking in to buying new ones and would like to fill the fender wells and give the van a little lift with them.
What size tire and brand would work?
4
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Last edited by Racerrojo on Fri Dec 09, 2011 4:41 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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James 93SLC
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Joined: January 21, 2009
Posts: 937
Location: NE Ohio
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| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 4:58 am Post subject: |
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I'm running 16" Nokian WRG2's in 215/60/16. They are a 99H and XL(extra load), and the max psi of 51 and 1709 pounds.
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rubbachicken
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Joined: October 05, 2004
Posts: 3058
Location: socal
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| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 5:32 am Post subject: |
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on my last vanagon in the UK i used 205/60/16's on the front and 225/65/16's on the back, the fronts were close on the stock size and the speedo almost spot on accurate
the rears gave me an over drive, i had slightly less off the lights but higher cruising speed
this is a good website tyre size calculator
2/3rd's down the page there's a calculator
my old vanagon, wheels were audi S line 7 1/2 x 16, vanagon was lowered 60mm front and rear, i miss that bus 
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Vanagonner
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Joined: September 15, 2009
Posts: 506
Location: Broomfield Colorado
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| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 5:40 am Post subject: |
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215/60R16 Sumitomos all around. The speedometer seems very close to actual. I will try a little larger (65) tire on the back in the future to improve gearing on the stock diesel.
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Jon_slider
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Joined: April 11, 2007
Posts: 5091
Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
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| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 7:57 am Post subject: |
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> I'm running 16" Nokian WRG2's in 215/60/16.
great size choice for a stock motor, that is a 26" diameter tire.
I agree Nokian is possibly the very best choice for a Van that sees snow, like in Albuquerque. Metric Motors in Taos is a Nokian dealer.
Since the OP has a subaru 2.5 and wants to "fill" the wheel wells, I propose a slightly larger tire, possibly up to 27.5" see:
http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_1326_341/nokian_tires_16_options.html
"Here follows a chart for how the tire sizes translate into diameters to help you decide which tire best matches your intentions.
195/65/16 26.0"
205/65/16 26.5"
215/65/16 27.0"
195/75/16 27.5" " |
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j_dirge
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Joined: August 08, 2007
Posts: 4641
Location: Twain Harte, CA
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| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:29 am Post subject: |
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| Jon_slider wrote: |
Since the OP has a subaru 2.5 and wants to "fill" the wheel wells, I propose a slightly larger tire, possibly up to 27.5"
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word.
I have 29.5s and they bring with them many problems that need to be addressed, eventually. I am enjoying that part of the build project, but it is not for everyone.
So.. unless you want to go down that road (fender lips, trailing arms, lift springs, bump stops, etc)... stick to 27.5" or less on a 2WD.. especially if your van will see off road and/or snow where chains may be needed.
You don't mention what effective ET you have, but the space between the rear trailing arm and the tire is critical if you ever need to install chains or cables.. In my experience, you want 5/8"-3/4" of an inch to run cables safely, more for chains.
Tires larger than 27, maybe 27.5, in the front wheel well can also make contact with the upper fender lip and cause damage to both tire (cutting) and wheel well (deforming) on full spring compression. This varies by ET. The further outboard, the greater the potential for contact.
On my van I am addressing that with changes to shock position, a spacer, modified bumpstops, and the lift springs.
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| danfromsyr wrote: |
those are straight line runs with light weight race cars for only 1/4mile at a time..
not pushing a loaded brick up a mountain pass with a family of 4+ inside expecting to have an event free vacation..
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bosruten
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Joined: February 11, 2011
Posts: 550
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| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:33 am Post subject: |
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I'm trying BFG's All terrain 215/70/16 It seems good so far.
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Jon_slider
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Joined: April 11, 2007
Posts: 5091
Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
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| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:09 am Post subject: |
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> I'm trying BFG's All terrain 215/70/16 It seems good so far.
that is a 28" tire, on a syncro.
The OP has a 2wd, Im not sure a 28" tire is a good match for his spring height..
maybe it would help to know the axle to fender height on bosruten's syncro, compared to the OP's van |
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j_dirge
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Joined: August 08, 2007
Posts: 4641
Location: Twain Harte, CA
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| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:22 am Post subject: |
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| Jon_slider wrote: |
The OP has a 2wd, Im not sure a 28" tire is a good match for his spring height..
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Yep.. might be OK on road and on mellow dirt...
But it is important to keep in mind that a sping lift.. will still compress as far as OEM springs.
Perhaps not as easily, but under the right circumstances those springs will compress just as far.. meaning that what looks like good clearance in your driveway will maybe not stay clear loaded and on uneven terrain.
I had driven for some 7500-10,000 miles with my 29er setup (1.5" lift springs) before I found the wrong combination of terrain and load to slam my tires into the UPPER front fender lip.
It is difficult to estimate and calculate tolerances in one's garage..
I thought I had it dialed (albiet within very close tolerances).. I had played with the tire mounted, no shock or spring, and turned the tire this way and that way.. checked for travel up and down.. and still missed it.
So Ihave added 5/8" spacer above fron spring and working on the shock now.
Not saying to not go 28.. but just be prepared when bouncing around.. something may hit.
_________________
-89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.
-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5
| danfromsyr wrote: |
those are straight line runs with light weight race cars for only 1/4mile at a time..
not pushing a loaded brick up a mountain pass with a family of 4+ inside expecting to have an event free vacation..
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WestyBob
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Joined: June 11, 2004
Posts: 2346
Location: Portland, Oregon
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| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 12:16 pm Post subject: Re: 16" wheels...Now what size tire is best? |
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| Nokian CS 205/65R16 on mine. |
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ranchero
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Joined: October 11, 2006
Posts: 359
Location: Salida, CO
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| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 1:54 pm Post subject: |
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| rubbachicken wrote: |
Snip, Snip
my old vanagon, wheels were audi S line 7 1/2 x 16, vanagon was lowered 60mm front and rear, i miss that bus
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I just took these wheels off my S6 with the intention of ditching my Rheins and going to 16". Did you use spacers?
TIA
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r.e.wing_fc3s
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Joined: April 16, 2010
Posts: 591
Location: Vanagon Capitol USA: Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:02 pm Post subject: |
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I saw some neat 205/80 yesterday @ marymoor park in seattle. i really like the tall narrow tires for digging through loose material.
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levi
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Joined: February 11, 2005
Posts: 5522
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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| r.e.wing_fc3s wrote: |
| I saw some neat 205/80 yesterday @ marymoor park in seattle. i really like the tall narrow tires for digging through loose material. |
Geezus, that's almost 12% over stock .....
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redcanoe
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Joined: August 13, 2007
Posts: 150
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| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Hey James 93SLC. I just replaced michelin hydroedges with the WRG2s. What pressure are you running ? Mine is the full camper. |
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Racerrojo
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Joined: August 01, 2006
Posts: 827
Location: ALBUQUERQUE 87120
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| Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 11:00 pm Post subject: |
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I'm looking between a 215 65 16 and a 215 70 16 what brand other than Nokian, and on a budget would you think is better or have experience with
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Tight is tight... too tight is expensive!!!!
Too many vans and mostly all projects |
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seanjenn
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Joined: March 07, 2009
Posts: 722
Location: TAOS
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| Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 11:29 pm Post subject: |
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I've been thinking about the 215/65's, will that size fit in the clamshell?
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Racerrojo
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2006
Posts: 827
Location: ALBUQUERQUE 87120
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| Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 6:57 am Post subject: |
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I was running Yokohamas 215 75 15 on my '85 Westy, i did had some rubbing at full lock on a bump. but it was rarely the case
_________________
Tight is tight... too tight is expensive!!!!
Too many vans and mostly all projects
Last edited by Racerrojo on Fri Dec 09, 2011 4:43 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Franklinstower
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Joined: September 21, 2006
Posts: 1895
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 7:49 am Post subject: |
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I have two sets. 215/70 and 215/60/16. The 215/70 rubbed when I braked hard or was loaded. I have since added stiffer springs so no more rubbing. Those drop my rpms and my speedo runs about 4 mph slow at 60.
My speedo is slighty off, maybe one mph fast with the 215/60's. Those keep the rpms up and make climbing passes easier.
I think the 215/65/16 is the perfect 2wd tire. Speedo is right on, no rubbing. Easily rated for the westy. A few friends with 2.5's love the size of those too.
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Racerrojo
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Joined: August 01, 2006
Posts: 827
Location: ALBUQUERQUE 87120
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| Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 9:10 am Post subject: |
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what brands?
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Tight is tight... too tight is expensive!!!!
Too many vans and mostly all projects |
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SteelB12
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Joined: December 21, 2010
Posts: 591
Location: Central Virginia
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| Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 9:29 am Post subject: |
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I believe I have Geolandars in 215/60 (might be 65) on my 16" wheels. Stock 2.1. Speedo is off about 3-5 mph at highway speed. No issues with fitment.
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