33" on MQ/MK SWB

[adam.s]

I can get 31's hell cheap, is it really worth the hassle of going to 33's ?

It means I need to fast track either the suspension or body lift so they won't scrub, and it also means I need to get it engineered - as it would then be illegal.

Am I right in saying 32's are the largest you can legally go on an MK without engineering, or is it 31's ?

I don't really want to get 31's then decide I really wanted 33's, would rather just do it all in one hit.

Also, I searched and could not find much on this topic - maybe my searches were weird cause I was surprised it hasn't been asked.

Thanks for any replies.

cheers

[jtraf]

depending on how shagged out your suspension you may still be able to clear 33's without doing anything.....

My 2in lift really wasn't 2in any longer but with a 2in body lift and about 1/2 to 1in springs I was clearing 35's.....

I have a set of 33's you can try on if that helps but I am in Melbourne and you are not.

cheers

James

[MARKx4]

You should have no drama fitting 33's. I had them with a 2" lift. Plus i never had mine engineered.

[adam.s]

Yeah I think QLD rules are a bit more restrictive then the other states.

I think i'll get the 31's, then lift it and talk to an engineer about doing it properly.

Would like the car to be 100% legal if possible. Have had DOT/police hassles in the past with modifying my last car, so it would be nice to have a fully legal car with no worries.

The wrecker I went today said 31's are standard on MQ's - mine currently has 30's, so is the wrecker right or wrong?

[Heathx4]

I can get 31's hell cheap, is it really worth the hassle of going to 33's ?

Depends on what worth you put on it! I drove on the original 31's for quite a while - that's still big rubber (look at the Zooks - they go hard on 31's) and the car will mechanically be happiest on them - they're light, crawl slowly, fit without change, and don't attract any sly looks from DOT etc.

That said, going from my 31 AT's to 33 MT/R's is probably the single best mod I've done. Transformed the car. It was happier at highway speeds, better grip in the wet, looked "off-roadable", could actually climb loose or steppy stuff, and had grip!

I ordered the tyres, did a 2" body lift that weekend, and had them fitted the next week. No issues.

It means I need to fast track either the suspension or body lift so they won't scrub, and it also means I need to get it engineered - as it would then be illegal.

A 2" body lift is quick and easy with all the info on this site. Only tricky bit is gettng the blocks! Engineering is a hassle particularly for just a body lift.

Am I right in saying 32's are the largest you can legally go on an MK without engineering, or is it 31's ?

Sounds about right, but don't quote me on that.

[Justin_M]

mk's came with 7.5r16's which measure out as a 32 i believe, so u might get 33's on legally?

but the widest u could get was the 31x10.5's i think, so they'd have to be skinnyish 33s?

[V8Patrol]

The wrecker I went today said 31's are standard on MQ's - mine currently has 30's, so is the wrecker right or wrong?

He' is right !

31" or 750X16 is stock tyre size for the MQ.
Most states allow a 1" or 25mm increase or decrease in rim size or tyre size but not both together.

The 32" tyres will clear ( just !! ) and will be legal in QLD......33"s wont be legal and will reqiure a body/suspension lift to clear.

Kingy

p/s
I'd fit 33's and worry about the legal side later on...... you will always have a set of smaller tyres lying around for legal moments, alternativily run 2 sets of rims n tyres...... one set for "normal use" and one set for "play".

The 38.5 TSLs I have are used this way...... works a treat

[adam.s]

That is what shadow (on this board) has said, he has 33's on his 60 series, but they are like 32.7 or something, so still classified as legal.

I'm stealing his old set of 31's to keep me going until I can get suspension/body lift and 33's

Cheers for the replies

[sidewayz]

sory a n00b question, but

is it possible to fit 33's with std suspension and body height on a 85 patrol ute?

cheers!

matty

[adam.s]

sory a n00b question, but

is it possible to fit 33's with std suspension and body height on a 85 patrol ute?

cheers!

matty

Nah it isn't - but it depends on how worn out your suspension is, chances are you won't be able to.

A 2" body lift would be enough to clear them though.

[coxy321]

From my experiences with my MK wagon:

- Had the wide wheel pack from the factory, and ran 31's for 15 years with oodles of room
- Apart from good condition suspension, with no mods the car had no scrubbing with 33x12.5 rubber
- MQ/MK's have factory pizza cutter rubber that is equivalent to 32 inches
- I had new suspension (with a "2 inch lift" - except it wasn't really) put in, with extended shackles, and it runs 33x13.5 rubber with heaps of clearance everywhere. It can also just clear 35's. But not enough to take offroad.
- I've got a bodylift kit at home if i ever wanted to run 35's.

As far as i'm concerned, getting decent tyres was the best investment i've made on the car yet. The car runs really well, has great freeway economy, pulls harder through gears cause its got "longer legs", throws huge roosts and best of all it sticks like sh!t to a blanket off road. Its the best compromise for town driving, long distance driving, and off roading. 35's being too big for the old SD33T, and 31's being too "short" on the long drives.

Just my two bobs worth. - Coxy

[sidewayz]

so....

the best bet would be to test fit some 33's and put a 2' lift as next on the agenda after the bigger tyres?

[coxy321]

Definately. Then at least youve got an idea of how much clearance you've got, and how much you'll need. You might find that you need new suspension, or shackles, or a bodylift. You'll never know until you just try it.

[Snarba]

just my 2 cents, but if I was you I would get 32's if you aren't going to lift the suspension. That way your gearing and speedo will be where its meant to be. I have a 2 inch body lift and removed the wheel flares and I run 35's with just the tiniest scrape with extreme cross-ups.

[MKPatrolGuy]

Or you could bolt on the 33s and cut off anything that they hit.....

[coxy321]

I spose if you were keen enough you could run 35's with stock suspension and no lift. All you have to do is buy a pack of 5 cutting discs for your angle grinder, and start cutting!

[Screwy]

Going to 32s is nearly pointless, u will get half an inch of lift and all they will do is make ur acceleration slightly slower.

if your thinking 32s... stay with 31s.

I would go 33's, but with regards to engineers u will need it more than likely, so u have to decide wat else u want to do that needs engineering later and just do it all get it enigneered....

screwy

[sidewayz]

wel i went with some 31's. (good price)

while i was there a test fitted a 33. well it fits and clears by at least 10mm or more at al places, but definately not enough for off road action. so sum suspension will be in order b4 i upgrade my tred.