Which size and offset rims?

[jnik]

Hi all,

The standard 205R16 tyres on my 2003 D22 DX need to be replaced.

Seems a good time to consider going up in size. I've been thinking about 245/75R16 or 31x10.5R15 ... both of which are less than 50mm larger in diameter than the 205R16, so I understand they're both legal options here in Vic.

I've been getting mixed stories though about rims. Obviously if I go for the 31x10.5R15 I need new rims, but are the standard rims OK for 245/75R16?

Is anyone running 245/75R16 on standard (DX) rims?

Seems 31x10.5R15 are more popular ... what offset should I look out for?

TIA
Julian.

 

[equipt]

I am running 235/85/R16 on standard DX rims, I wouldn't think another 10mm of width would make much difference, but I probably wouldn't go any more than than that as the stock DX rims are only 6" wide.

 

[Christoper013]

I'm in the same boat, I have a 98 dx with 205r16 as standard. The 235/85-16 will not be legal in victoria as they are over the 50mm with a rolling diameter around 806mm. My local tyre man informs me that I can only go to a rolling diameter of around 785mm. Options please the 225/75's aren't going to cut it.

 

[jnik]

I am running 235/85/R16 on standard DX rims, I wouldn't think another 10mm of width would make much difference, but I probably wouldn't go any more than than that as the stock DX rims are only 6" wide.

Thanks Equipt,

I think you're right on the money ... some 245/75R16 tyres are apparently OK on a 6"-wide rim, but the tyre fitters I've spoken too all say 235 is the max and I haven't found any tyre specs that say otherwise.

 

[jnik]

I'm in the same boat, I have a 98 dx with 205r16 as standard. The 235/85-16 will not be legal in victoria as they are over the 50mm with a rolling diameter around 806mm. My local tyre man informs me that I can only go to a rolling diameter of around 785mm. Options please the 225/75's aren't going to cut it.

I've decided to go with new rims ... as you say, the OD of a 235/85R16 is more than 50mm larger than the 205R16 standard on the DX.

Seems to me that the best bet is the 265/70R16 as is standard on the 2004+ ST-R.

The other option I'm considering is going down to 15x8 rims and running 31x10.5R15 ... these are OK from a OD perspective (around 45mm larger than a 205R16), and almost OK from a width perspective (regs in Vic allow for 1.3x the width of the largest optional original tyre, 205x1.3=266.5, 10.5*25.4=266.7).

The 31x10.5R15 has a slightly larger OD than a 265/70R16, and the rims and tyres are significantly less expensive.

However, it seems a bit hard to find rims that will fit over the front calipers while keeping the entire width of the tyre inside the flares. I've found references to people making the switch successfully, but I've read that there are three different calipers on the D22s and that the differences between wheel brands is also significant (a 15x8 rim of an appropriate offset to keep the tyre within the flares of one brand might be fine while another brand's design fouls the caliper).

So 265/70R16 is the easy upgrade option for a D22 DX, but it seems that a "suck it and see" approach is required for 31x10.5R15 (but a little extra OD for less money may make the extra effort worthwhile).

 

[jnik]

The other option I'm considering is going down to 15x8 rims and running 31x10.5R15 ... these are OK from a OD perspective (around 45mm larger than a 205R16), and almost OK from a width perspective (regs in Vic allow for 1.3x the width of the largest optional original tyre, 205x1.3=266.5, 10.5*25.4=266.7).

Correction: section 4.2.10 of the document below states that off-road vehicles can be fitted with tyres up to 1.5 times the width of the widest original optional tyre ... there's even a table that states that a 205 width tyre can be replaced with up to a 305 tyre!

VSB 14: Tyres, Rims, Suspension and Steering

There is however also a note around clearance ... rim and tyre can't touch any part of the car under any steering/suspension location combination, and it explicitly states that steering and suspension stops must not be modified to provide such clearance.

 

[Christoper013]

Maxxis list a 215/85 which comes in at 772mm and fits on the 6inch rim. Could be an option.

 

[jnik]

According to the tyre shop I'm using the Gecko wheels are the go.

The 15x8 only clear the front callipers if a P30 is used (no way will that fit under the existing flares given the standard rim is a N40!).

The 15x7 will fit if a P10 is used ... and I'm told that this will fit a 31x10.5 within the flares.

Bonus in that the Gecko rims I'm getting apparently have the right hub bore.

Will post how I go after I pick them up on Tuesday.

PS by my calcs a 31x10.5 tyre on a P10 rim will see the outer side wall over 80mm further out than the standard tyre ... hopefully I've made an error in my calcs as I only measure ~50mm between the existing tyres and the edge of the flares!

 

[bradm84]

According to the tyre shop I'm using the Gecko wheels are the go.

The 15x8 only clear the front callipers if a P30 is used (no way will that fit under the existing flares given the standard rim is a N40!).

The 15x7 will fit if a P10 is used ... and I'm told that this will fit a 31x10.5 within the flares.

Bonus in that the Gecko rims I'm getting apparently have the right hub bore.

Will post how I go after I pick them up on Tuesday.

PS by my calcs a 31x10.5 tyre on a P10 rim will see the outer side wall over 80mm further out than the standard tyre ... hopefully I've made an error in my calcs as I only measure ~50mm between the existing tyres and the edge of the flares!

Mate how'd you go with getting 15's to fit. I'm keen to do it as tyres are cheaper in a 15"