215/80 r14 tires

[Rik]

Hey all,

Here in the Netherlands i've heard multiple times that it's okay to go up to 215 width tires on the original 5,5j x14 rims. The'll bulge but it should be safe. What's your opinion on this? Thanks!

[syncroandy]

I've been running 215R14C Conti's for a number of years on 6" rims on my Syncro Kombi, and I love 'em. They're a fair bit taller than 185's obviously so you'd need an engine with the oomf for that.

I'm looking at replacements now as it happens, the choice is now rather limited, in the UK market, there are only few decent brands left, and they're all 'summer' tyres.

[Rik]

I've been running 215R14C Conti's for a number of years on 6" rims on my Syncro Kombi, and I love 'em. They're a fair bit taller than 185's obviously so you'd need an engine with the oomf for that.

I'm looking at replacements now as it happens, the choice is now rather limited, in the UK market, there are only few decent brands left, and they're all 'summer' tyres.

Yeah my 1.6d definately doesnt have much oomph. However, it does have far too low gearing as it is now with the abf box and standard tires, so I think it can handle 5-7% longer gearing.

I am debating between 205/80s and 215/80s, respectively 4,7 and 7% increase iirc. Good to hear that you have been running on 215s fine, although of course your 6j differs from my 5,5j. How are your tires fitting on the rims?

Tire availability here in 14" is quite "pooh" too. Some Toyo winter and summer ones, some other name brand summers, some chinese garbage, definately no ATs.

[Aidan]

@Rik check Andy's signature, both are Syncros with either a TDi or a 2.5 scooby, he has the power and torque - the TDi has a gearbox that is specifically rebuilt to suit the engine

[Rik]

@Rik check Andy's signature, both are Syncros with either a TDi or a 2.5 scooby, he has the power and torque - the TDi has a gearbox that is specifically rebuilt to suit the engine

Of course I understand that comparing his vans with mine is pointless. It is more that my van was delivered with a gearbox designed to pull heavy loads up hills. And as I live in the Netherlands i dont often encounter those hills, and my camper interior is deliberately superleggera so I think I can get away with some longer gearing. Just so I dont overrev the poor thing if I go 53 mph on the flat

If I'm being stupid please tell me too. Decided to go for 205/80 r14s btw. Should bring the revs at highway speeds down from ~3600 to ~3450

[Aidan]

37 kW (50 PS; 50 bhp) at 4,200 rpm; 100 N⋅m (74 lbf⋅ft) at 2,500 rpm — CS

I've never driven a n/a diesel for more than 5 minutes so I can't really advise, the ABF is the lowest final drive, good acceleration around town, not designed for motorway work. the 1.7 had the slightly taller gearing because it had a nats fart more grunt - I've had one of those for a short while but did little motorway work, but it was great on A roads up to 50 on standard tyres, and loading it up didn't blunt the performance much

[Rik]

37 kW (50 PS; 50 bhp) at 4,200 rpm; 100 N⋅m (74 lbf⋅ft) at 2,500 rpm — CS

I've never driven a n/a diesel for more than 5 minutes so I can't really advise, the ABF is the lowest final drive, good acceleration around town, not designed for motorway work. the 1.7 had the slightly taller gearing because it had a nats fart more grunt - I've had one of those for a short while but did little motorway work, but it was great on A roads up to 50 on standard tyres, and loading it up didn't blunt the performance much

Unfortunately I've never driven any T3 but ours, so I don't know how other engines feel. Our 1.6d is pretty healthy as far as I can tell, and with a lightweight setup it is actually quite fun to drive up to about 50 mph (~3350 rpm). Then it starts to overrev. It feels like it wants another half gear then, as there is some power to spare on the flat.

Also, roundabouts and tight corners are pretty annoying with the abf, exactly between 2nd and 3rd gear. So I want to experiment with some slightly larger tires to see if it improves. Probably gonna go for 205/80 r14s at +4.7% circumference.