?wheel spacers
the wheels on my g wagon seem to hide under the foam arches i have and rather than get bigger tyres and wheels was wondering if you can get wheel spacers to make my g more stocky and wider looking any ideas any one ? is this even a good idea
Spacers are available from ORC(de) or often on ebay in Germany and probably other places as well. They are 30 mm thick
the wheels on my g wagon seem to hide under the foam arches i have and rather than get bigger tyres and wheels was wondering if you can get wheel spacers to make my g more stocky and wider looking any ideas any one ? is this even a good idea
Question is: what rim and wheel combination does your truck have? I would try to stick to factory options and keep away from fitting spacers because they bring additional stress to the wheel bearing, resulting in having to replace them twice as often as normal. Let us know the width of your flared arches so that we can give you the best advice.
Regards,
Let us know the width of your flared arches so that we can give you the best advice.
Jesus,
Didn't know there were different sizes. Was about to fit 285 BFG MT's (presently fitted with 255 Michelins). I am confused now though! Will they fit? There are couple of pic's of our G on the site. can you figure from those if this is a good idea?
Cheers,
Russ
I agree with Mortinson, for what it's worth. Stay away from wheel spacers. Not only to they increase the stresses experienced by the wheel bearings, but they can also muck up your steering geometry and increase wear and tear on the swivel bearings too.
You should also consider the effect of fitting larger diameter tyres as these will raise the overall gearing, reducing acceleration, though possibly increasing top speed - as long as they don't take you out of the power/torque curve - and increase ride height. Furthermore, you will probably have to recalibrate your speedo to remain legal.
Better, in my opinion, to fit wider tyres with a lower aspect ratio, so that overall diameter remains the same or similar to the original equipment fitment. However that will mean wider wheel rims too.
On my Wagen I've gone for 235/85R16 BFG Mud Terrains on 6"x16 OE alloys because the narrower tyre is better in mud which seems to be the commonest ground condition at the moment. Not too good for on-road handling, but I only potter about on the tarmac anyway.
Ultimately, it's a case of "Horses for courses". All depends on what you want your G to achieve.
Q
You should also consider the effect of fitting larger diameter tyres as these will raise the overall gearing
Didn't think this would have a significant impact on a 280 auto due to effect of torque convertor. I can live with the speedo issue and am not interested in top speed. Anyone got this set up? I stand to be corrected.
narrower tyre is better in mud
Not sure I agree. But as you say it's horses for courses and I am looking for increase in ground clearance (small i know) along with better floation/reduced land damage.
Still interested in suggestion that there are different wheel arch sizes though. Will 285/16's fit?
I know everything is a compromise and I have stuck with the AT Michelins because the G is used to launch / recover our boat and wide(ish) non aggressive tyres are best on sand. But not great on other off road surfaces. So the theory is wider MT's will be the best compromise.
Also thought 255's were standard factory fit on the 460 wide arch G's?
Cheers,
Russ
Quote:narrower tyre is better in mud
Not sure I agree. But as you say it's horses for courses and I am looking for increase in ground clearance (small i know) along with better floation/reduced land damage.
I believe in narrower tyres with the kind of greasy mud that I typically encounter around here.
Still interested in suggestion that there are different wheel arch sizes though. Will 285/16's fit?
Also thought 255's were standard factory fit on the 460 wide arch G's?
You are right. Biggest tyre factory-supplied for the 460 was the 255/75R15, fitted to the 7Jx15H2 rims. The 285's will protrude 2.5 cms more than the 235 and this is a noticeable distance. I know only of a factor-wheelarch width but I know that ORC supplies extra-wide wheelarches. Still, the 285s may well pass the MOT, but I cannot confirm this.
Cheers
We use the 285/75R16 BFG Mud Terrain on the Pinzgauer as standard fitment. It is a brilliant tyre and offers a high degree of floatation over soft ground allied with good traction. However, Pinzgauers weigh in at between 3 and 5.5 tonnes, so are generally able to extract the best from this tyre, especially in 6x6 guise.
The G is much lighter and whilst flotation will certainly be very good, the aggressive tread may only be able to work in the surface mud where shear strength is minimal. A narrower tyre will cut down to the firmer going beneath where traction can usually be found. Admittedly, if you are driving around on peat bog most of the time then a wide tyre, aired down, would probably be your best option...until you had to drive on the road. Compromise is the name of the game. The 255/75R16 is as wide as I would want to go, but the overall diameter isn't significantly more than say a 205R16 becaus of the aspect ratio. If you need more ground clearance and the ability to claw through mud, I still reckon the good old 235/85R16 is your best bet. The beauty of it is that it will go straight on the 6" rim and has no interference problems when the suspension is at full articulation. The "wagen" looks good on them too....but that's a personal thing.
Q
Thanks Guys.
tread may only be able to work in the surface mud where shear strength is minimal. A narrower tyre will cut down to the firmer going beneath where traction can usually be found.
On the other hand don't want to be digging trenchs.
Any chance of plundering a a unimog for the remote tyre deflation/inflation stuff?!
This was all very simple until these posts! Will ponder it some more.
Cheers,
Russ
Unless some one can come up with facts rather than theory, fit spacers and increase tyre size to maximum legaly allowed, it makes no difference to geometry stress or any thing.
My best advice is fit 15 " x 7.5 alloys over wheel spacers with largest size tyre possible
32x11.50x15. the combination of offset and increased diameter brings the lines drawn through key diametric points in swivel and bearing bang on to the cross point directly under the centre point of the hub.
To complete the job fit 2" increased height springs and Koni adjustable shocks.
All in stock at my place in Daventry.
Bill Moss
talk about hard sell, bill. will email pictures of my g when i get the hang of this computer then you could probably tell what i need from the pictures i use mine never in the winter and never on road mostly in the summer and on sand so i need maximum tyre and maimum grip not bothered about speed and tachometers my g cant get over sixty mph, cheers bill
Now I see what your hobby is I would recomend.
15" alloys spacers fat Geolander ATs
Are Avon "Tredlites" still available? They were available in three widths up to a max of 15.5" on a 15" rim. They worked well on Esarco/MWG and SupaCat in soft terrain
Q
I don't think so, but I will check my Avon catalogue.
Bill
Thinking about it, the army has to get Tredlites for their SupaCats from somewhere, so they must be available still. :roll:
Q
Tredlites web site has expired, however there is a golf shoe called the Tredlite ??
I still think the Yoko Geo MT is a good option, one disadvantage is they are a directional tread pattern but on sand that shouldnt be a problem as flotation is what is required on HMTs like the Supacat
BM
My best advice is fit 15 " x 7.5 alloys over wheel spacers with largest size tyre possible
32x11.50x15.
Given the risks of launching/recovering a boat on sand (boat is at the limit of the G.next step being the hassle of a tractor). I do need to be cautious here. Getting stuck on a beach can equal a total loss. Witnessed a Range Rover completely trashed and pulled a Shogun out myself this year(OK they were driven by complete cretins but I’m not immune from making a prat of myself).
Having said all that I really don’t want to go to the bother of 2 sets of tyres. So at this rate may stick with the Michelins and accept the limited traction in other less critical situations or go for 30x10.5x15 AT. Worst case scenario away from sand = get next door to pull me out with tractor or mate with D90. Umm maybe total loss not so bad after all :wink:
2inch lift and adjustable Koni's will have to wait until I sort the rear 1/4 panels and respray (just started my welding course)
However a question for Bill. Why fit spacers?
Cheers,
Russ
Retain full lock without fouling chassis / body when fitting over size tyres. also lowers CoG
My experience with sand driving is that the tread pattern isn't as important as its ability to operate at low pressures. Some tyres mention this in their specs. I have run tyres at 10 psi on the beach in soft sand. Its like magic being stuck and deflating, it just crawls out.
Retain full lock without fouling chassis / body when fitting over size tyres. also lowers CoG
Bill, I'd have thought spacers would increase the track rather than lower the C of G, although I agree the effect is similar. :lol:
Q
fitting spacers doesnt alter the c of g, but it does mean the vehicle wont tip over sideways so easily because with a wider track you have to tilt the car further to get it to tip over, so as expected bill is correct.
regards mark
Ahhhh, thank you Mark, I think I've got it now
:wink:
Q
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thanks : ill let you know soon