17" Fuchs Replica Wheels with 215/60/17's?

All things round and their alignment to your direction of travel

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

Post Reply
triumph2.5pi
Registered user
Posts: 108
Joined: 14 Dec 2013, 00:35
80-90 Mem No: 0
Location: Hastings, East Sussex

17" Fuchs Replica Wheels with 215/60/17's?

Post by triumph2.5pi »

Hi all 

Could anyone please help me out choosing the correct wheel and tyre sizes for my needs? I’ve done a fair amount of reading up and used the online calculators available, but it’s so complex/confusing for a layman like me, I’m not sure if I’ve come up with the “right” answer?

My van is an ’88 Autosleeper high top. Totally standard suspension and wheels ie running 185/80/14 tyres.
What I am trying to achieve with new alloys is roughly a 5% increase in rolling circumference to lengthen the gearing (I have recently had a new 2.1 engine to replace the original 1.9 and will shortly have a 5 speed box fitted). I’m thinking of buying some 17x7” Fuchs style alloys with 215/60/17 tyres. 

What I’d really like to clarify please is:

1) Does 215/60/17 give me the 5% rolling circumference increase I’m looking for? According to this it does (comparing it to the standard 185/80/14 tyres)? https://alloywheels.com/tyreCalculator
2) Would the van drive ok with 17x7" and fit without fouling the wheel arches or other issues? 
3) Is the offset I need the same as the standard wheel's ET39, or does that change due to the increased wheel size?
4) Has anyone ever dealt with this company, or have any comment good bad or ugly about this JBW Fuchs replica wheel? https://www.randr-alloys.co.uk/classic- ... -7x17.html

Any help or advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks very much in advance :-)
1988 Autosleeper High Top
2.1DJ (Pierburg carb)
AAP 5 Speed, 711 Shifter

cobblers
Registered user
Posts: 576
Joined: 21 Feb 2010, 20:50
80-90 Mem No: 17450
Location: Derbyshire

Re: 17" Fuchs Replica Wheels with 215/60/17's?

Post by cobblers »

It'll drive fine, 215/60s are a bit bigger than most people would choose on 17s (usually 50 or 55 profiles) and I think they could look a little bit odd.

The JBW replica wheels are probably structurally fine, but the  finish will be destroyed after one winter outside.

If all you want is 5% more gearing, I would simply remove the needle from your speedo, turn it 4 degrees clockwise and push it back on!
Or get some 15" steel wheels and put 205/75/15s on which IMO wouldn't look as strange.

triumph2.5pi
Registered user
Posts: 108
Joined: 14 Dec 2013, 00:35
80-90 Mem No: 0
Location: Hastings, East Sussex

Re: 17" Fuchs Replica Wheels with 215/60/17's?

Post by triumph2.5pi »

cobblers wrote: 29 Jun 2022, 21:05 It'll drive fine, 215/60s are a bit bigger than most people would choose on 17s (usually 50 or 55 profiles) and I think they could look a little bit odd.

The JBW replica wheels are probably structurally fine, but the  finish will be destroyed after one winter outside.

If all you want is 5% more gearing, I would simply remove the needle from your speedo, turn it 4 degrees clockwise and push it back on!
Or get some 15" steel wheels and put 205/75/15s on which IMO wouldn't look as strange.

Thanks. I did originally look at 15" wheels with 205/75/15s, but I couldn't find any van tyres of that size. Or does that not matter and car tyres are fine? 

 
1988 Autosleeper High Top
2.1DJ (Pierburg carb)
AAP 5 Speed, 711 Shifter

cobblers
Registered user
Posts: 576
Joined: 21 Feb 2010, 20:50
80-90 Mem No: 17450
Location: Derbyshire

Re: 17" Fuchs Replica Wheels with 215/60/17's?

Post by cobblers »

So long as the load rating is sufficient, they don't have to be labelled as "van" tyres. Most 215/70/15s are rated to 98 or 100 which would be sufficient. 98 load rating is 750KG per tyre, so 1500KG per axle which is plenty.

E D I T: just realised I wrote the tyre size wrong in my other post! I meant 215/70/15

Post Reply