Anyone running 165/70 tyres with Van rims?

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stuart_k
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Anyone running 165/70 tyres with Van rims?

Post by stuart_k »

I'm trying to decide which tyres to put on my Van rims (LP917) for my Traveller. 165/70 would maintain the correct rolling radius and gearing although reading previous threads 155/80 and 165/80 are popular choices.

Is anyone running 165/70 and can comment on their look and handling?

Do they come close to fouling the top trunnion?

The car is currently on standard rims with Nankang 155/80 and to me feels a bit wobbly. I could keep the same tyres and put them on the van rims or I could change to 165/70. What would you do?

les
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Re: Anyone running 165/70 tyres with Van rims?

Post by les »

I would run on 155/80. In fact I do! :D

Boomlander
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Re: Anyone running 165/70 tyres with Van rims?

Post by Boomlander »

I've had no problems running on Nankang 155/80s. :D

hornet964
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Re: Anyone running 165/70 tyres with Van rims?

Post by hornet964 »

As an aside, when I went from Nankang 155/80 on standard rims to 185/60s on 14 inch Minorite rims, I was amazed how much more planted the car felt. To me, a big improvement so I would say if you want to be less wobbly try something lower profile when those Nankangs wear out.
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Re: Anyone running 165/70 tyres with Van rims?

Post by SteveClem »

My saloon is good on 165's, but does have the proper van rims.
stuart_k
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Re: Anyone running 165/70 tyres with Van rims?

Post by stuart_k »

Well I have van rims to swap to from the standard wheel. I guess what I'm really asking is should I save some money and swap the 155s over to the van rims or should I try 165/70s? Anyone got any pics of 165/70 on van rims?

les
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Re: Anyone running 165/70 tyres with Van rims?

Post by les »

If you want 165s go for it. The 185s will be too close to the trunnions for comfort and are stretching the safety limit with 4 1/2" rims. The 4 1/2" rims are suited to 155s and I'd say 165 should be your limit. Too wide a tyre can be a disadvantage in slippery conditions.

BrianHawley
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Re: Anyone running 165/70 tyres with Van rims?

Post by BrianHawley »

Yes, I'm running them and very pleased.

Bags of grip and no fouling. For the record I've got vertical shocks all round and a front arb. Otherwise pretty much stock suspension.

They don't look too wide in my opinion. In fact most people don't even notice.

These are Firestones.
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Brian

Image "Jodie". '67 Traveller, 1275, discs, suspension mods etc.
ManyMinors
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Re: Anyone running 165/70 tyres with Van rims?

Post by ManyMinors »

stuart_k wrote:
The car is currently on standard rims with Nankang 155/80 and to me feels a bit wobbly.
I don't find my Minor "wobbly" on those tyres. Have you tried altering pressures a bit? Checked the alignment and wheel balancing?
I had 165/80/14 tyres on 4.5" rims for a while and didn't notice any appreciable advantage in road behaviour so sold them and went back to standard wheels. My other Minor runs 145/80/14 Bridgestones and that car drives the best - good ride, handling and roadholding along with sharp and light steering. If you have a fairly standard engine there is absolutely no need for larger wheels or tyres although they make a car look good and fill the rather large wheelarches.

To answer your original question I would probably fit the tyres you have first, wear them out and then try the 165 later if you wish to.
165 section tyres should be fine on a 4.5" rim and are probably available in a reasonable choice of makes.
Last edited by ManyMinors on Fri Aug 25, 2017 10:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
stuart_k
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Re: Anyone running 165/70 tyres with Van rims?

Post by stuart_k »

Thanks for the comments.

BrianHawley
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Re: Anyone running 165/70 tyres with Van rims?

Post by BrianHawley »

Just to point out that a 165/70 will give a different ride to a 165/80.

The different aspect ratio lowers the car marginally and makes the tyres a little stiffer. They will also make the speedo read slightly high if it's set up for 165/80s.
Brian

Image "Jodie". '67 Traveller, 1275, discs, suspension mods etc.
ColinChandler
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Re: Anyone running 165/70 tyres with Van rims?

Post by ColinChandler »

Hello all,

I hope no one minds me resurrecting this post but I've been trawling through all the many tyre threads and this one seems the most appropriate for my question. It seems a shame to start another one and go over old ground.

Basically I have van wheels on my saloon and need new tyres all round. The ideal size for van wheels is 155/80 x 14 and the choice seems to be Toyo, Nankang or Michelin. The first 2 are reasonably priced but with varying likes and dislikes over their handling whilst the Michelin's seem horrendously expensive.

A 165/70 x 14 seems about the max width you'd want to go on these rims, are pretty good for the speedo reading "almost" correctly and there is so much more choice in this size for both manufacturer and price. Some of the original thread posters will have had a few years experience with this size by now so would they still recommend them?

Many thanks, Colin.
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Re: Anyone running 165/70 tyres with Van rims?

Post by cococola »

Hi Colin, I have 165 70 on both my Traveller and my Convertible,these are fitted onto banded wheels and the handling is great.
I do find that both speedometers are 8 mph out which I keep in mind with speed cameras.
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ColinChandler
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Re: Anyone running 165/70 tyres with Van rims?

Post by ColinChandler »

Cheers CC and much appreciated.
ManyMinors
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Re: Anyone running 165/70 tyres with Van rims?

Post by ManyMinors »

I had a set of 165 section tyres fitted to the 4.5" wheels on my Traveller many years ago. They fitted fine and I had no problems at all with them. As you say, much more choice of makes too :)
ColinChandler
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Re: Anyone running 165/70 tyres with Van rims?

Post by ColinChandler »

Thanks MM,
It's always nice to get personal experience from people so many thanks for replying. Tyres aren't something I buy too often so it's nice to get something and then be pleased with it.
Best wishes, Colin.
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