SPEEDY 15x8 RIMS - NOW WITH PICS...

[Pezooki]

Hi all,

After doing plenty of research I decided get the Speedy Desert Rat 15x8.0 ET-28 5x139.7's for my 91WT sierra with 2in BL and 2in springs. After ringing around I have now found out that Speedy NO LONGER MAKE THE 15x8 ET-28, which is now supplied by a different manufacturer to Speedy as a ET-24.

Originally I was trying to decide between the Speedy 15x7 ET-15, and the 15x8 ET-28. I had my heart set on the 15x8 ET-28's!!!


I don't really get the whole offset thing (like most of us I think). So my question is:....

Now that I have only the 15x7 ET-15 and the 15x8 ET-24 to choose from, what should I do??? I really wanted the 15x8's but will the ET-24 work on my zook? Has anyone run these 15x8 ET-24's???

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

[chops_Drover]

Same thing happened to me when I bought mine. Their website still states the -28 & I took this in & showed the tyre shop. They rang Speedy several times to confirm & all I could get was the -24's. They are fine, have same setup 2" sprong, 2" body on NT, only needed small seem bash to guards, no rubbing anywhere at lock.

Cheers,

Scott

Edit. Thats with 31" BFG muds. What tyres are you planning on runnning?

[Pezooki]

Thanks for that Scott.

How far out of the guards do the tires stick out past the factory flares???

I'm looking at Maxxis Bighorns. 31x10.5. I know a few guys who have ran them with great results for the price.

Pez

[chops_Drover]

I have WT flares on my NT body so it is right inline with the edge of the flare. I have some dent in one side of the car on the flare & the tire sticks out about an inch or more.

[Pezooki]

Ok thanks Scott.

From what you say it sounds like they will do the job. Has anyone ran these rims on a WT?

Pez

p.s- Perhaps the mods can add this new offset to the bible???

[Dee]

If I'm reading this correctly, then the difference between the ET28 & the ET24 is 4mm of offset? I dont think its gonna make that big a difference...

One of my mates zuks is running 15x8's with -25mm offset and 31" MTZ's. 2" ome rear & 2" ome rear springs in front, 2" ext. shackles all round & 2" bodylift. No rub on springs at full lock or on guards at full stuff.

EDIT: They dont stick out too far past the guards (1" at most), you should get away without needing to add flares (this is to a WT zuk).

[GRPABT1]

If you only plan on running 10.5 inch wide tyres then get the 15X7 -15 as it has a little more offset and will hold the bead alot better then an 8 inch tyre. 8 inch rims are really only neccesary for 12.5 inch wide tyres and bigger.

[Pezooki]

Thanks to all for your input on this one...

GRPABT1, your point is 100% valid, however I might go to a bigger tire in the future, hence the 15x8. I have spoken to a few people running a 10.5 on the 15x8 rims and 'most' say that it works well. I am willing to give it a try.

I have just ordered the 15x8 ET-24's. I will post back here (with pics) of the end results.

Cheers,

Pez

[GRPABT1]

Hence why I said if you are "only" running 10.5 inch tyres

You shouldn't have much trouble rolling tyres off the bead in a lightweight zook anyway so all should be well.

Although I'm willing to bet anything wider then a 10.5 inch tyre on those rims will require spacers to stop rubbing on the spring on full lock for a WT. Just something to think about.

[neil_se]

A 15x8-24 will only sit 4mm further in than the 15x8-28, you won't even notice. A 15x7-15 has the same inside clearance but the outer edge would sit 26mm further in.

[Pezooki]

Thanks neil_se.

Sounds good to me!

[lanzook]

awesome info guys!!!

I've got those add on rubber flares 1" i think on my vitara with 15x7's / 235 tyres and keen to go bigger.

How much are those 15x8 rims roughly if anyone knows?

[Pezooki]

Depending on how much of a good bloke the guy at the tire shop is, the price will range from $50 to $95 per rim.

I got mine for $55ea

Anyone in Melbourne looking for a good deal on 4x4 rubber and wheels should speak to 'John' at Beaurepaires Richmond. He gave me the best service and price by far!

Pez

[Pezooki]

G'day all.

UPDATE:

I got my 15x8 et-24 Speedy rims with Maxxis Bighorn 31x10.5's today. So far I am VERY impressed with this combination. The car actually drives better now than it did with the stockies! I was not expecting that! I can even hold 100kmh with little effort in 4th. (5th is useless of course). The Bighorns have a nice aggressive pattern and are surprisingly quiet on the road.

I have more tire to spring clearance than I had with the stockies too. With a 2in BL and 2in springs this combo does not scrub anywhere! I will be moving the front diff forward a bit in the future though, as it does get fairly close the the firewall...

Here are some pics for you:

The day I got the Zook (a couple of months ago):



Last week when I did the BL:





Today with the new rubber:











A BIG thank you to all on outers for your awesome help so far! Thanks also to John at Richmond Beaurepaires for the GREAT service and price on the rims and rubber!

Cheers all,

Pez

[GRPABT1]

Looks fat dude, well done just needs some gears now.

[Pezooki]

Cheers!

At this stage I'm tossing up between 4.9's and 5.14's... I think that 6.5's might be too slow for what I want to do. I think thats a whole different thread though!

I think I might try and hunt down some local guys (SE Melb) who have gears and see if I can get them to take me around the block a few times. Everyone has a different (and valid) opinion on what gears to get, so I recon I should just go and see for myself! Any volunteers???

Pez

[Gwagensteve]

around the block a few times won't prove anything.

You need to come on some trips and get a feel for what gears do what. I'd have a hard time recommending anything other than 6.4/6.5's.

More than one member of the club here in vic has gone from 4:1 to 6:1- once youve seen the deeper reduction you NEED it- Vic is steep.

Steve.

[neil_se]

Very aggressive look, i love it

[Pezooki]

Steve,

"around the block a few times" was more a figure of speech than what I really need to do...

Having said that, I have done a fair amount of wheeling in my time and I am familiar with VIC terrain. What I have not seen (or been in) is zooks with gearing. I can do all the calculations in the world but nothing beats the 'bum on seat test' in my opinion. I do like playing in the mud, and like a 'bit' of momentum - hence the 4.9 or 5.14 idea.

If 6.1's or 6.5's can give me what I want then thats great (they are a fair bit cheaper!).

I have warn out the search button regarding gears - so my 'bum on a seat test' will help me- weather it be "around the block" or in the bush - Count me in!!!

Pez


oh and neil_se: GRRRRRRRR! hahaha

[Dee]

I've got 3 mates with zuks all running 6.5's, 2 are running 31's and the other on 30's! Im also running 6.5's but with 33's.
I reckon go with the 6.5's. None of my mates regret, and only the one on 30's mentioned it being a bit revvy on the highway at high speeds, but he's been driving it on 31's for 2 years with stock gearing!

I cant vouch for 4.x:1 as ive never driven a zuk with them, but I can assure you the momentum will always be there when you need it, its called a gearbox!

Ive been up some fairly steep, pretty sloppy stuff, and I've never needed to grab higher than 3rd Low with the reduction. But yeah, i suggest driving 6.5's on some steep stuff, you'll be amazed.

[Pezooki]

Thanks Dee.

Great info!

If anyone is heading out for a "medium" wheeling session soon, and if you wouldn't mind a non-geared zook tagging along - please let me know!

Pez

[GRPABT1]

I was going to mention the fact that the gearbox has 5 gears before Dee beat me to it. The moment is there all you need to do is pick another gear. When your in low and tackling the harder stuff do you ever get into 4th or 5th gear? I doubt you ever would so basically it will be like gain some extra low gears not loosing higher gears.

[Pezooki]

Yep.

This is exactly why I would like to see a car with gears in action before I make up my mind!

I have found myself in 3rd a lot, and only rarely in 4th with standard tires and standard gears.

Q- How much difference will a 6.5:1 180% reduction make??
A- Exactly 180%!

Q -Will this be slower than I would like (even in 5th)???
A- Maybe, Maybe not! Seeing one in action will convince me!

Pez

[judensteiner]

nice looking zook, how much did the tyres and wheels cost you all up if you don't mind me asking ? and do you have suspension lift ? or just extended shackles ? looks like a good setup.
Was there any problems with rubbing / did you massage the guards a little bit ?

cheers !

[Pezooki]

Thanks mate!

Its slowly getting there!

Wheels and tires all up cost $1000 inc GST. They are Maxxis Bighorn 31x10.5 on Speedy 15x8 ET-24's. I am very happy with them!

My zuk has a 2 inch body lift AND a 2 inch spring lift. Shackles are standard. The spring lift is NOT required to fit the 31's under it - but it already had the lifted springs when I bought it. (as a side note - lifted springs usually ride like absolute CRAP on a zuk. I removed a leaf from each spring pack to soften it up. It is much better now. see http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/phpBB2/vi ... t=removing)

If you run 31's you will need to massage the inner guards a little. All you need to do is get a hammer and flatten out all of the seams. Its a very easy job and took under 5mins per corner.

My tires do not scrub anywhere

If you do a 2 inch spring lift, you will also need to fit longer travel shocks, extended brake lines (they get close to not being long enough at full articulation) and fit extended bumpstops (around 2 inch) so that the shocks can not bottom out. The new shock part numbers required are as follows:

Zuk Back Shocks: GABRIEL Part Number: 81147 - from Hiace / Hilux
Zuk Front Shocks: GABRIEL Part Number: 81340 - from VS Wagon rear

I hope that helps you out!

Cheers,

Pez

[mmchaplin]

Your zook is looking really cool. Not too over the top but not boring. Looking at your zook side on, IMHO, it really needs both front and rear axles to be moved forward are back respectively to centre the wheels into the arches. Is there a simple way of doing this?

Thanks for all the info.

[Pezooki]

Yes axle relocation IS on my list of things to do. It is not the hardest thing in the world to do apparently...

While my zook does not scrub anywhere, it will be nice to have the extra wheelbase.

There is plenty of info on doing this. Do a search and you will find a heap of info. (OR look in the Sierra Bible under "extending your wheel base"). All will be revealed!

Pez