What to do...

[GOONA]

Hey Lads,

Sorry about all the questions tonight.

Recently been thinking about new suspension and tyres, thought getting tyres would be the better option as there's no point having greater flex/comfort if you can't get the traction. But this is where i have a slight dilemma.

The type of driving i do is mostly rock/dirt with a bit of mud thrown in for fun but i also tend to do alot of highways K's so i need something like an agressive AT maybe and to top it off i'm planning a trip through the simpson or maybe the cape next year so need something rather durable.

Currently (on my '99 GLX Escape) i'm running 235/75/15 tyres 2 of which are balding Bridgestone duelers (rear) and brand new HT's on the front with a brand new/never used Yokohama Super Digger as a spare.

I would like to go up a size but this means new wheels as well. I know you can get a taller 235 maybe with an 85 profile (~30in) but how popular is this size as i don't want it to cost me a fortune?

Or should i stick with the standard size and get something like a Goodyear MTR (~$230 a corner), Coopers ATR (forget price) or BFG (~$250) that way i keep the spare/use the other AT's as a 6th spare.

Also, slightly off topic i know, but do you guys think $900 for a tough dog lift is an OK price (2 Coils, 4 Shocks inc fitting). This price will apparently rise in the next couple of weeks due to the Aussie dollar and as i can't afford both at once i'm unsure whether i should get the suspension first or do what i was originally gonna do and get the tyres and give it a couple of months and hopefully our dollar gets better and then get the suspension...so many options, so little money.

Sorry about the essay,

Thanks,

Shaun

[-Scott-]

Get rid of the 29s.

Find some Pajero or Patrol 16" rims, and go 265/75R16 - a 32" tyre, only 1" up from a standard Paj size - instant clearance. You'll probably need speedo gear from a wrecker (any NL GLS gear should do), but swapping the gears is a simple job.

Tyre wise, I've read too many suspect reports about Cooper ATRs on wet bitumen. If MT/Rs are on your list, I think you should also consider the S/T, STT or MTZ. My 31" S/Ts were giving great wear (was looking at well beyond 80k km for a set, but the STTs won't go near that - my MT/Rs wouldn't have, either.)

Less agressive, consider Pirelli A/Ts - they did very well all round in a 4wd Monthly test. Bridgestone Desert Duellers are popular in SA, and Toyo OPATs also have a good reputation.

[NJV6]

Get rid of the 29s.

Yes, AND because you probably have a 3.5 manual it'll drop the revs nicely on the road and you may see an fuel consumption improvment as the 3.5 has enough grunt to turn them without working very hard.

[GOONA]

Cheers,

The ST's and MTZ's were on the list too although i thought they'd be a bit exxy...how much are the ST's roughly worth?

Is there a difference between the Pajero and Patrol rims i.e. offset? If so is it detrimental at all?

[WACKO]

I would like to go up a size but this means new wheels as well.

why does it mean new wheels aswell? you could get 31/10.5/15 or 32/11.5/15 maybe even 33s. 33s would be best to go to maybe 8" wide but the others id run on a standard 7" rim.

id say coopers... think they are the st? less agressive anyway, but my mate had them on his crusier and they did everything he needed to do, and i also know the guy that brought if off him and he is still using the same set, probly close to 2.5 years later. so thats at least 4years from them...

Sam

[GOONA]

It's because i currentyl have 6" wheels. Will have to hunt around for some pajero/patrol rims now...

[-Scott-]

Is there a difference between the Pajero and Patrol rims i.e. offset? If so is it detrimental at all?

I believe Patrol offset is supposed to be zero, but one company sells "Patrol" rims with -13 offset.

Paj 15x7 offset is +10, so zero offset isn't too far out, and helps to correct scrub radius changes created by taller tyres. I wouldn't go to -13 offset for what I do.

[GOONA]

Is there any advantage of a 16x8 over a 15x7? Reason i ask is because i can't seem to find any 16x8's second hand and new they're around $125 compared to $65 for the 15's plus i've got a spare 15 that i can use saving me from getting 5 new ones...

[WACKO]

if you can get 15s over your brakes, (which im pretty sure you can) id say 15s would have more advantages than 16s. you already know they are cheaper, and there are more tyre sizes available.

[GOONA]

Well at the moment i've got 15x6's so just thinking i may just get some 15x7's and a nice set of tyres. Was just wondering if there was any other particular reason for going 16's, but at this point in time i think i'm leaning towards the 15's primarily due to price...

[bakerboy]

Well at the moment i've got 15x6's so just thinking i may just get some 15x7's and a nice set of tyres. Was just wondering if there was any other particular reason for going 16's, but at this point in time i think i'm leaning towards the 15's primarily due to price...

go straight to the 15x8 rims mate

[-Scott-]

For touring, go for 16x7" rims with 265/75R16 tyres. This is a 32" tyre with a massive selection available, and is the most common size of 16" tyre shipped to remote areas - you've got a good chance of being able to find a tyre in this size just about anywhere.

This tyre is also available with very high load ratings. I believe this means that, for touring, under any given combination of vehicle load, speed and road condition, this size tyre will be further inside its limits, and therefore less stressed and less likely to fail.

31x10.5R15 is also very common, although I believe it is becoming less so in remote areas as new vehicles come out with 16s. It has lower speed and load ratings. Other 15" sizes have fewer choices available, and will be harder to replace in remote areas.

[GOONA]

Cheers Scott, that makes sense, guess i'l keep hunting around then...