Tyres.. Well duh!!! (How often does this subject come up?)

[jaylee]

Been running the 15 inch 195 set up on the front & 215's on the back since acquiring the 4X4 tintop vehicle 5 years ago now..?

Keep meaning to give the same size boots on all corners, but never got round to it when i get "shod", i get the same set up as before.... Never really had a problem other than the what if i had a puncture on the front scenario...? (Full size 215 spare.)

Now, I've read all the threads on this subject i always meant to get round to it when the need arises...
Well, the need has come, soooooo i thought about & read up on the whole 195/215 tolerances & rolling circumference, & it just didn't add up with the 195/215 front & back thing on the 4X4...

Believe me i read alot.... last night on here & did about 4 tyre conversion sites too! 3 to 4 hours scratching my head..?!!

So i'm looking on the net for some 215 steel 15" Bongo rims.. I can't justify alloys..

Then i ring Bell Hill this morning, after an (thankfully) unfruitful trawl round ebay for some 15 inch steel rims that would take the 215 last night....

Before you answer, read on!!!!!??

Because, unless i'm very wrong, or it's been deleted....? There is nothing on here apparent about the fact that you can fit 215's to the existing rims on the front that had the 195's on...!!

Just thought i'd let you know....

[francophile1947]

I always thought the front and rear wheels were the same anyway You can fit a wide range of widths on the same rims.

[jaylee]

John, there has (as you know) been a lot of discussion on here. But it was never apparent to me....!

I always thought the rim at the front was slimmer to acomodate the tyre...

First time i seriously applied myself to the subject, (apart from the tread depth & tyre wear,) & it been a revelation...

Hence the DUH! On my part... It may still help someone else unsure...?!!

[stuc]

Similar on RX-8's that a lot of people run on Bongos, including me. RX-8 has smaller width tyres on the front to the rear but same size alloys, also some BMWs and a lot of others i imagine.

[blobber]

Another little tip.........
I bought these alloys off DBO years ago, and this is Daves tip, and if you look the tyre walls stand proud of the rims, thereby you dont curb your rims.

[helen&tony]

Hi Jay
When I joined the Forum, in 2004 / 2005, there were quite a few people fitting 205/ 70s all round, and were convinced that was the ideal fitment...if that helps?...in fact, the winter tyres over here are limited choice, and the 205s are easier to come by
Cheers
Helen

[Northern Bongolow]

go searching for the max sized tyre on a 4.5 J or 5J that will get you the answer you need J

[Diplomat]

When I bough mine it had 205s all round which worked fine for me but it is an unconverted tin top, so probably not as heavy as some models

At the moment I have 215s on the back as I am slowly working through two shod wheels and some extra tyres which came from Chris, Ebygum, when he broke for spares.

When the last 215s wear down (yet to go on wheels) I will buy 205s. I have a spare of each size as well as the skinny which I keep just for ramp use. The spare slung under the van is a 205 so can go on front or back without pulling the steering. So far all my punctures have been discovered at home so the skinny has been put on to save leaving it jacked while I roll the affected wheel 100 yards to be mended. It's handy having a skilled service station in my road so I always try to put business his way so he doesn't pack up and go.

Frank

[helen&tony]

Hi Frank
I'm going to get a complete spare set of winter tyres on my old alloys this year, and the 205s have a much wider choice of patterns, and they are available in light van patterns at pretty high weight ratings. Here's a link to the local suppliers, but you can get the same tyres in the UK:
http://www.avtogumi.com/index_en.php
Pretty wide choice compared to 215/ 65s...and they may be a tad cheaper
Cheers
Helen