20in tyres or 18in ? If so why?
- Thread starter tacaloo
- Start date
If you run a more premium tyre at a more suitable width and size for the Transporter’s steering, 20” are fine. My van originally came with 275/40r20 tyres that, although new, were cheap, hard, and heavy. I invested in changing out the suspension for a coil over setup and realised that 275 width tyres on the front steering axle rub when lowered. As the overall diameter of the tyres looked good and filled the arch, I wanted a tyre with the same diameter, but narrower. Receiving good advice on here and other places, I swapped all four for some Goodyear F1 Eagal Asymmetric F1’s at a 103 weight rating and a size of 245/45r20.
The improvement was like night and day. The steering is more precise, I now don’t have any rubbing, and the overall look, because of the diameter being the same as the old tyres, looks great. Turned out my alloys were 8.5J wide and running 275/40r20 tyres on a rim only 8.5J, is not recommend, despite most conversion companies doing exactly that.
My vote is 20”, but with the correct tyres.
The improvement was like night and day. The steering is more precise, I now don’t have any rubbing, and the overall look, because of the diameter being the same as the old tyres, looks great. Turned out my alloys were 8.5J wide and running 275/40r20 tyres on a rim only 8.5J, is not recommend, despite most conversion companies doing exactly that.
My vote is 20”, but with the correct tyres.
For info ('cos I'm thinking of doing the same) I'm also on Goodyear Eagle Asymmetrics, 265/40/20. Lowered 60mm on Bognor Motors Bilstein coilovers.
Wheels are 8.5j front 10j rear and it's a 4Motion.
The staggered fitment bothers me a little (rears are a little stretched, fronts a bit bulbous) though ride and handling is very good.
Just looking for a bit more tyre sidewall (and lose the staggered setup) for a bit more compliance over rough roads really.
Wheels are 8.5j front 10j rear and it's a 4Motion.
The staggered fitment bothers me a little (rears are a little stretched, fronts a bit bulbous) though ride and handling is very good.
Just looking for a bit more tyre sidewall (and lose the staggered setup) for a bit more compliance over rough roads really.
Thank you for your reply. Can I ask what psi you run at?If you run a more premium tyre at a more suitable width and size for the Transporter’s steering, 20” are fine. My van originally came with 275/40r20 tyres that, although new, were cheap, hard, and heavy. I invested in changing out the suspension for a coil over setup and realised that 275 width tyres on the front steering axle rub when lowered. As the overall diameter of the tyres looked good and filled the arch, I wanted a tyre with the same diameter, but narrower. Receiving good advice on here and other places, I swapped all four for some Goodyear F1 Eagal Asymmetric F1’s at a 103 weight rating and a size of 245/45r20.
The improvement was like night and day. The steering is more precise, I now don’t have any rubbing, and the overall look, because of the diameter being the same as the old tyres, looks great. Turned out my alloys were 8.5J wide and running 275/40r20 tyres on a rim only 8.5J, is not recommend, despite most conversion companies doing exactly that.
My vote is 20”, but with the correct tyres.
Sure, 40 psi.
Thank you. I’ve been running 42 psi, will drop them and see how I get on
What tyre sizes are you on?Thank you. I’ve been running 42 psi, will drop them and see how I get on
18s for me.
Im no boy racer, and its a van FFS so trying to make them look sporty or the like always fails in my eyes. My shirt is tucked in , my baseball cap is on the right way round, and the crotch of my jeans isnt at my knees, so Id look an even bigger bellend than I normally do with Max Power wheels and suspension.
18s are less expensive, lighter overall (rubber is less dense than steel or alloy), greater choice of boots, more pothole resistant, potentially (dependent on exact sizes being compared) a greater volume of air so ride comfort benefits, less attractive to villains, and less obvious to any dibble that might be looking for vehicle to crawl ofrrmin the hope of finding somethjng amiss.
But despite all that plenty of chaps like 20s, and fair play to them if thats their bag.
Im no boy racer, and its a van FFS so trying to make them look sporty or the like always fails in my eyes. My shirt is tucked in , my baseball cap is on the right way round, and the crotch of my jeans isnt at my knees, so Id look an even bigger bellend than I normally do with Max Power wheels and suspension.
18s are less expensive, lighter overall (rubber is less dense than steel or alloy), greater choice of boots, more pothole resistant, potentially (dependent on exact sizes being compared) a greater volume of air so ride comfort benefits, less attractive to villains, and less obvious to any dibble that might be looking for vehicle to crawl ofrrmin the hope of finding somethjng amiss.
But despite all that plenty of chaps like 20s, and fair play to them if thats their bag.
Was just looking at those coilovers. Interesting that they come with eibach springs.
Any pics?
Can't argue with that!
Pics in what sense? How the van sits? Or you mean you want some pics of the actual coilovers?
How it sits
Your back/arse/wallet will thank you.
