Club 80-90 Forums

Guys before I commit and buy a set, please confirm if these comfortably fit a stock 14" Syncro with no lifts and standard arches etc. We're planning on running a set of Mercedes 15" steels.

Confirmed that's what I run

Thank you

Yes they do fit a standard 14"... but if you have the JX still expect them to dull the "performance" even more.

Ok thanks. Yes it's a JX...

max and caddy wrote:Yes they do fit a standard 14"... but if you have the JX still expect them to dull the "performance" even more.

So how bad are we talking? Is this because the BFGs tread patterns are too aggressive? What tyre do you recommend as we want the rugged look seen on the 16" vans such as those en route to Morocco?

Those 16" vans are both 14"

Winchweight wrote:So how bad are we talking? Is this because the BFGs tread patterns are too aggressive?

No. It's because you're using a larger diameter tyre than the 185R14 tyres that came with van originally. Because the tyres are bigger it puts you at a disadvantage in terms of your gearing, particularly on the hills.

Syncrobaz wrote:Those 16" vans are both 14"

Running what wheels and tyres?

I think you were looking around/having a chat with me at vanfest,I was in the White westy, Ian was also with me. At the time the camper had a set of mefros and BFF mt 215/75/15. Which is the standard fit for most 14" vans. They fit and the van will drive but there is a cost with the little old jx, you will end up working it very hard, it is not so much of a problem with the petrols as they can hold higher. Do some reshurch on you gear box and ist final drive as this is what makes all the difference, both of our vans are 5.43 which are slap bang in the middle of the gear ratios.

Do be buying for looks, there is no one tyre that can do everything, they all have there limits, I have a set of 16" alloys with agilis van tyres, a set of metros with BFG mt, a set of peper pots with 205/80/14 marshals which are now living on the camper.
The MT are to be split between the vans when they are needed,

Neil

Winchweight wrote:

Syncrobaz wrote:Those 16" vans are both 14"

Running what wheels and tyres?

BIG, they don't fit on 14" vans without mods to the trailing arms. 16" Mercedes ML alloys and 15" Mefro steels.

I run 225 70 16's on mine with a 50mm lift. But the fronts sometimes rub on the very bottom of the wheel arch when off road. The arches will be adjusted soon.

Those two vans also have plenty of power to turn those wheels. My van started as a 16" jx engined van. Vw put a 6.16 final drive to enable the little engine to turn the wheels. Still, not too much of a problem, most people run those tyre sizes you mentioned. In USA you can get 14" bfg's...

I should have mentioned I have a Mario Tdi.

Possibly your best option would be to find someone who would let you stick a set of 215.75.15 on your van and have a drive round with you...see how your van copes with them...

I could do that, or just stick to a smaller height tyre, maybe 65 or 70. Our JX isn't so wheezy, even Mario commented favourably.