New Wheels and Tires for the GV

[Brad.Jones]

Hi Guys,

Alright well the ARB OME Lift is going in next week, next on the list is some bigger rubber.

Firstly from the research I have done F100 rims and Zook rims are one and the same?
Will these fit my 2003 Grand Vitara: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Suzuki-Sierr ... 500wt_1156
Probably won't buy them cause they are in QLD, depends how much postage is I guess...

Secondly whats the biggest tyre I can fit once the lift goes in?
I have done a lot of googling but everyone seems to have a different size in mind.
I would prefer not to hack away at anything.

Finally can anyone help me out with a second hand set of rims and / or tires?

Thanks

[Brad.Jones]

Okay so I found these in Geelong:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... TQ:AU:1123

He has recommended to put on some 235/75 on to those 15" rims.
Which would make it about a 29" tyre if my calcs are correct.

Does that all sound about right?

Once again I probably won't go out and buy these, I just want to work out what the
right combination of wheels and tires are first. Then I'll shop around and find the best price.

[greyghost]

be careful of F100 rims. because if they are off a 2WD then the center hole is too small to fit over the front hub.

[Brad.Jones]

Okay thanks, i'll keep that in mind.

[mika]

I think you should work out what tire size you are going to run, then decide on rim width and work out the offset/backspacing that you want/ need. Standard steel rims shouldn't be more than $75 ea new for 15x8 rims. I'm guessing a 15x7 could be slightly cheaper?
Can't help much more as I know nothing about GV's

[christover1]

My rims are 15 x 7 in a -13
If that helps you work it out.
Mine with 31's stick outside body by 40mm.
Which helps protect body work.
There is steering stops adjusters if needed.
Old Man Emu lift allows more suspension movement,
so clearances dont change much with suspension lift.
Body lift can help, also gives sills a bit more clearance.

I had 235/75's on my old Sierra,
they are about 29" and should be the easy to make fit.

[gwagensteve]

Hi Brad,

I'm pretty sure you can't run 15" wheels on a Grand Vitara - they won't clear the brakes. I'm 99% sure of this. You need 16" rims, which means you are better off keeping the rims you have.

The suspension lift won't allow you to fit bigger tyres. (This is the biggest misconception about suspension lifts) The wheels will still move in the same arc and into the same position as with standard suspension, it's only the "rest" position that changes with a suspension lift. Bigger tyres won't hit the guards as often, but they will still hit, and just as hard as if you had no suspension lift when you flex or bounce off road.

I think the limit is 225/75/16. These will require the rear guards to be radiused a bit (a hammer and dolly work fine) or some small rear bumpstop spacers. Anything bigger will require much more substantial body work. The rear wheelarches on a GV are quite restrictive, and the doors stop them being cut far.

In any case, any bigger than a 225 and your gearing will become problematic offroad.

Steve.

[christover1]

Hi Brad,
I'm pretty sure you can't run 15" wheels on a Grand Vitara - they won't clear the brakes.
I'm 99% sure of this. You need 16" rims, which means you are better off keeping the rims you have.
Steve.

Very good point, I forgot that.
I pretty sure later Vits are same, too?

[gwagensteve]

Yes, J20 and H20 engined Vitaras only clear 16" rims.

Steve.

[steve125]

What steve said.

Here are some 245/75 16 Maxxis Bighorns on my diesel GV. They have a measured diameter of 30 inches and just clear the wheel arch (should really be 30.5, note that lots of tyres are undersize).

Also, a good tyre shop will let you do a test fit to confirm all is OK.