Reccomendations for wheel and tyre size

[Mickymouse]

I fancy a set of 17inch alloy wheels for my 1996 2WD 2.5 diesel Bongo.
What is a good size of wheel and tyre please?

[mikeonb4c]

Here's my recent story:

http://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/view ... ious+alloy

Someone was recently breaking a Bongo that had these wheels - so they do come up occasionally. But i'm very pleased indeed with the tyres, which is what you're really interested in.

[Merlot man]

I've just had a look at your wheels Mike and they look the BUSINESS ! And your right that style really suits the bongo .
I've been considering rx8 wheels for mine at some time but she is a 4WD and it seems that they can cause problems with the front diff and I assume transfer box
I think they come in 17" and 18" which would fill the arch space Nicely
I also like your wing mounted indicators , are they standard as my 95 doesn't have them ?
Brian

[mikeonb4c]

I've just had a look at your wheels Mike and they look the BUSINESS ! And your right that style really suits the bongo .
I've been considering rx8 wheels for mine at some time but she is a 4WD and it seems that they can cause problems with the front diff and I assume transfer box
I think they come in 17" and 18" which would fill the arch space Nicely
I also like your wing mounted indicators , are they standard as my 95 doesn't have them ?
Brian

Wish i could remember breaking bongo details to pass on. Don't think 4wd should mind rx8 alloys AS LONG AS tyres are all the same so rolling circumference the same on all wheels. Where did you gather they could cause problems?

[Merlot man]

Hello Mike and thanks for trying to remember the breakers name .
To be honest I'm based in the west of Ireland so by the time the wheels were shipped over they'd cost a small fortune!
Having said that your wheels look completely fab on yours
I'm really encouraged by what you are saying about the rx8 wheels not being a problem , I just thought I read somewhere before , maybe here some where, that there was a problem but to be honest I can't remember the details, what your saying makes sense though ; keep them all the same rolling circumference, speedo might be a small bit out but small price the pay for looking so cool
Do you know if they are strong enough to carry the weight of the bus , fully converted ,ours is about 2.2/2.3 tons ,does that sound right ?
Do you mind me asking what brand of tyres you have and how you find them ?
Sorry for all the questions , I seem to be doing this a lot lately A symptom of enjoying the but so much ,both driving and working on her
Thanks again
Brian

[mikeonb4c]

I did a lot of online research (there's so many and variable/subjective tyre reviewing out there) before coning across the Maxxis referred to in my post. They seem really good, at a really good price, but all season tyres may wear more quickly than summer tyres and only time will tell. I don't care though as good traction in wet, snow, mud is v relevant in a campervan (esp if 2wd like mine). You can bet though in a few years when i next need tyres the situation will have changed again as the Maxxis will have made their reputation and moved up the price bracket. On my 15" wheels (i alternate and had those on the last few years) i had Avon Ice Touring. They were great though as expected they weren't the longest lasting (still did 3 years though, and price was good then, but couldn't get them for the 17" wheels and glad as then found Maxxis).

With 17" wheels my speedo reads the same as satnav (i.e. 100% true) which means wben i'm speeding, I AM speeding - have to remember that (normal is for speedos to over-read by about 10% i think). With 18" rx8 wheels it may under-read, so be aware. Also remember Bongo likes high load rated tyres (aim for 98 min and you'll be safely over limit for both axles). My maxxis are the ones with stronger walls also i think.

[Mickymouse]

Well I have finally bought a brand new set of alloys and tyres from Rochford Tyres.
They cost me £519.00.
They are 17/225/50 tyres, what would be a good pressure for them?

[Merlot man]

Hello Micky mouse
From this topic 36/38 psi in the front and 38/40 psi in the rear

http://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/view ... =3&t=73287

For greater comfort it might be worth considering and air bag kit for the rear coils from airlift , I'm waiting for a kit myself so we will see
Any pictures of the wheels .......we love pictures
Brian

[Mickymouse]

Thanks Merlot Man, and Mike.
I am doing a few jobs on Bertie, just had the rear wheel arches done.
When I get the new wheels on I will post some pictures, but will be a while yet!

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks Merlot Man, and Mike.
I am doing a few jobs on Bertie, just had the rear wheel arches done.
When I get the new wheels on I will post some pictures, but will be a while yet!

Look forward to that.

[Mickymouse]

Still doing odd jobs on Bertie. Today I was lazy and went to a tyre fitting
place and had the new wheels fitted! Here are a couple of pictures I took just
after a downpour.
http://s969.photobucket.com/user/NIKOND ... sort=3&o=3
http://s969.photobucket.com/user/NIKOND ... sort=3&o=2

[mikeonb4c]

Still doing odd jobs on Bertie. Today I was lazy and went to a tyre fitting
place and had the new wheels fitted! Here are a couple of pictures I took just
after a downpour.
http://s969.photobucket.com/user/NIKOND ... sort=3&o=3
http://s969.photobucket.com/user/NIKOND ... sort=3&o=2

Those look extremely nice indeed. What wheels and tyres did you opt for in the end?

[Mickymouse]

I bought the wheels and tyres from Rochford Tyres http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/381829815362? ... EBIDX%3AIT
The decals, (all but the ones on the doors) came from Firststopdecals, and I would like to say
that after ordering the wrong ones by mistake, I phoned Andy and explained, and he did them
again with no charge, not even the postage! First class customer service.

[mikeonb4c]

I bought the wheels and tyres from Rochford Tyres http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/381829815362? ... EBIDX%3AIT
The decals, (all but the ones on the doors) came from Firststopdecals, and I would like to say
that after ordering the wrong ones by mistake, I phoned Andy and explained, and he did them
again with no charge, not even the postage! First class customer service.

Really nice looking wheels. 17" i guess? With all season tyres?

[rita]

It would be interesting to know what "Your" Insurance Company said when you contacted them about the tyre/wheel modification.

Did they ok the mod or simply hike up your premium, A lot of Insurance Companies (most)see this as a Unroadworthy condition, in the event of a Claim they will deem the policy as invalid.

Good Luck.