Vitara 16" Tyres - query & wanted

[SteveSeries1]

I have a 1997 3dr vitara which comes with 215/65 R16 tyres.

Does anyone know what other tyres fit without fouling the guards?

Does anyone have any suitable tyres for sale (mainly road type like geolander)?

Cheers
Steve

I should add - Brisbane only for tyres

[Ric]

i have 235/75 mt/r's on mine. but its got a 2" spring lift. I am pretty sure 235/75 will fit without lift, but you may have to cut a little off the front bumper so when you turn it doesn't scrub.. (just the lip at the bottom of the bumper)

[SteveSeries1]

ric, are those tyres on 15" or 16" rims

cheers

[Ric]

15's mate..

[Beastmavster]

There may be issues clearing the discs and calipers with the 15" wheels but I think it's only with the V6 and the LWB.

[SteveSeries1]

the 2 litre 4 cyl vitara uses V6 brake pads so probably all V6 brakes.

I'll stick with 16" wheels I think.

Just need some new tyres....

[Charlie]

I'm running 215 70R 16 and these fit OK but if you go up the next size 225 75 R 16 I'm sure you would need an inch of body lift unless you can trim some of the guards.
Regards Charlie

[Beastmavster]

Have you considered using some coil spacers? Keeps factory spring rates and just gives a little lift - probably enough for like 225/80/16 or so (about 29" tyre).

Should set you back about $100 for 15mm front and 30mm rear spacers.

[Gonzo]

or, $180 if you get the rancho ones

[Gwagensteve]

I think that it is very hard to find 225/80/16 in desirable patterns/sizes.

225 75 16 should fit with limited rubbage, but I agree that a body lift or bumstop spacers might be advisable.

We had some guys in the club years ago who were from NZ and they were all crazy about 215/85/16's - hard as hell to find, but they were available in a hankook pattern and they were throwing them on Mavericks, luxes and all sorts- wierd when these cars would have taken the far more available 235 85 16.

PS I have set up a vit with a 2" body lift running 235/85/16 MTR's. There was some light touching, but this car is sits really nicely and has excellent diff clearance now.

Personally, I owuld do a bit more work to run a more common tyre that has more available tread patterns etc.

IMHO coil spacers do absolutely nothing to improve tyre fitting unless the bumpstops are dropped too. if you compress it hard enough, the spring will overcompress and the tyre will end up in exactly the same spot.

I am a big fan of bumpstop spacers, they can ga a long way to getting big rubber under a car. so maybe 1" bumpstop spacers and 225/75/16's might be the go, or if capability is more important, a 2" body lift and 235/85/16's. Ps there is a geolandar MT pattern available in 235 85 16, and I have some experience with these on a vit in 33/12.5 size and was very impressed with they softness and behaviour.

[cam yagan]

hey!
i got the same car. i got 225/70/R16. BFG ATs. I have got a 30mm lift in rear and 20mm lift in the front. However i reckon this size would fit no worries. With bigger tyres that are deflated, vitaras will go anywhere on the beach.