Vitara Wheels help

[ZukOffroader]

Hi guys I was hoping you could help me out with choosing wheels for my 1991 LWB Suzuki Vitara.

(Experienced) Friends told us we should put 31s on it and offset the rims. I want to achieve this preferably without having to attach flares and without too much road noise. What are the rim offset and tyre size limits before needing flares? And also what lift would I need for those wheels?

Thanks in advanced.

[Lynx]

Hi,

Have you done a forum search about it?

Cheers Daniel

[ZukOffroader]

Hi,

Have you done a forum search about it?

Cheers Daniel

Yes, I have been attempting to find some information in the forums as well as searching websites. Nothing regarding tyres for Suzuki's though.

Thanks.

[Swamped]

Search how offset helps fit tyres so you know what the deal is and how rim width affects tyre fit.
I wouldn't go 31's myself. Bit of work to fit them properly.

[lincooln]

I would go with 31"s. But you will have rub on the guards. I have 32.5" or so on mine and they rub a bit (SWB Vitara), and gearing is useless in anything but clay, 31''s are better. 25mm body lift might be needed if you want no rub, but that wiill require a cert.

[ZukOffroader]

On the 4WDbits website I found that if I do 30s with a 0 offset rim I can get rims and tires significantly cheaper (Around $50 per rim and tyre combined). For such a saving is it really worth going one size bigger, paying the $50 a wheel set each?

[DieselBoy]

You will find that the whole massively giant extra 15mm ground clearence you get from running 31's is not relevant.

The fact that 30x9.5's fit well, don't rub, don't effect the gearing enough to make hard to drive is relevant.

They are obviously cheap too

I am looking at putting 30 X 9.5's on our LWB Vitara, I am interested to see what rims you choose

I was thinking 15 x 7, but the standard offset is 0 and they sit well inside the guards. It would be nice to get the tyres flush with the edge of the guards at least.

[ZukOffroader]

You will find that the whole massively giant extra 15mm ground clearence you get from running 31's is not relevant.

The fact that 30x9.5's fit well, don't rub, don't effect the gearing enough to make hard to drive is relevant.

They are obviously cheap too

I am looking at putting 30 X 9.5's on our LWB Vitara, I am interested to see what rims you choose

I was thinking 15 x 7, but the standard offset is 0 and they sit well inside the guards. It would be nice to get the tyres flush with the edge of the guards at least.

Exactly my thoughts. I don't want to spend excessive amounts of money for a few centimeters of extra lift. And considering that my engine at the moment is only 1600cc, too bigger wheels will be to hard to turn.

I will inform you of my choice when we have purchased them.

[DieselBoy]

I don't want to spend excessive amounts of money for a few centimeters of extra lift.

If your lucky, the difference in ground clearence between 31's and 30's would be 15mm or 1.5cm if you prefer.

And considering that my engine at the moment is only 1600cc, too bigger wheels will be to hard to turn.

The EFI 1600 will happily run 32's all day long, plenty of power, its a common engine swap into SJ413's with big tyres, its the just that gearing needs to be adjusted to suit the bigger rubber

[lilpigzuk]

mate ran 31" simexs on his vitara club truck - measure close to 32s. Lots of guard massaging, pretty sure they were on 0 offset rims - plenty around. Pm sibian or what ever his username is. President of nor west club. He had a set for $100 (rims). I may have some brand spanking new 31" silverstone MT117s up for sale soon, quite a bit cheaper than listed on the known 4wd parts websites. Measure slightly under 31" Gearing was average, mainly for steep descents, and more likely to smashing that front diff

[kernels]

I just spent last weekend putting 30x9.5x15 Maxxis Buckshot's on my 95 LWB Vitara. I managed to get a set of -19 offset rims which stand out nicely and should improve stability heaps! Anyway, back to the point, the 30s went on without any hitch, no rubbing at full lock, could possibly rub with articulation, but haven't had it articulating enough to see yet. Will probably be a good idea for you to fit a body lift and ensure you have no problems.

[DieselBoy]

I just spent last weekend putting 30x9.5x15 Maxxis Buckshot's on my 95 LWB Vitara. I managed to get a set of -19 offset rims which stand out nicely and should improve stability heaps! Anyway, back to the point, the 30s went on without any hitch, no rubbing at full lock, could possibly rub with articulation, but haven't had it articulating enough to see yet. Will probably be a good idea for you to fit a body lift and ensure you have no problems.

You got a pic of the side profile with your new wheels and tyres fitted??

[ZukOffroader]

I just spent last weekend putting 30x9.5x15 Maxxis Buckshot's on my 95 LWB Vitara. I managed to get a set of -19 offset rims which stand out nicely and should improve stability heaps!

Would 30s go on these rims?

http://www.4wdbits.co.nz/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=1395

It says on that page that they suit 31s so I am unsure.

We are most likely going to go with the 30x9.5x15 size tyres but we are tossing up on the offset as we don't want the wheels to exceed the guards.

[kernels]

I just spent last weekend putting 30x9.5x15 Maxxis Buckshot's on my 95 LWB Vitara. I managed to get a set of -19 offset rims which stand out nicely and should improve stability heaps! Anyway, back to the point, the 30s went on without any hitch, no rubbing at full lock, could possibly rub with articulation, but haven't had it articulating enough to see yet. Will probably be a good idea for you to fit a body lift and ensure you have no problems.

You got a pic of the side profile with your new wheels and tyres fitted??

Hi Dieselboy, have a look at this thread, has a few pics, I've got a few more showing the full profile, will get them loaded tonight.

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... 9&start=15

Cheers
Hein

[kernels]

I just spent last weekend putting 30x9.5x15 Maxxis Buckshot's on my 95 LWB Vitara. I managed to get a set of -19 offset rims which stand out nicely and should improve stability heaps!

Would 30s go on these rims?

http://www.4wdbits.co.nz/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=1395

It says on that page that they suit 31s so I am unsure.

We are most likely going to go with the 30x9.5x15 size tyres but we are tossing up on the offset as we don't want the wheels to exceed the guards.

The Rims I got were 15x7, 4WD bits sell some 15x7 with 0 offset which should already be a huge improvement for you. Not 100 % sure about 9.5" wide tyres on 15x8, but will probably be fine. Maybe someone else has a bit more experience with this ?

Not sure where your located, but your welcome to come over and have a look at mine. Will also load some side profile pics showing what it looks like with the 30x9.5x15 front and rear.

The other niceish thing about the 30s is that I got a whole set brand new for $875 fitted and balanced.

[lincooln]

mate ran 31" simexs on his vitara club truck - measure close to 32s. Lots of guard massaging, pretty sure they were on 0 offset rims - plenty around. Pm sibian or what ever his username is. President of nor west club. He had a set for $100 (rims). I may have some brand spanking new 31" silverstone MT117s up for sale soon, quite a bit cheaper than listed on the known 4wd parts websites. Measure slightly under 31" Gearing was average, mainly for steep descents, and more likely to smashing that front diff

sibainmud is his username, not sure if he still has them

[kernels]

Here are the pics of mine with the new 30x9.5x15 Maxxis tyres. It looks a bit higher than it really is on the pics because it's on a small ramp on the other side. This is probably representative of what it would look like with a 1" suspension or body lift. I'm doing the 2" suspension lift soon!



This one shows the offset, which is huge now.



Rear wheel seen from the rear:



Cheers
Hein

[DieselBoy]

Kool, that should be JUST legal with out flares depending on what mood your WOF guy is in on the day.

So what where the spec's on the rims??

[kernels]

Hi Dieselboy,

I intend to get everything certed once I'm done, so will fit some DIY flares anyway. Will look at getting some rubber strips from para rubber to fabricate some flares.

The rims are 15x7 with -19 offset, not sure about brand as I got them off a guy on trademe. Think I paid $160 for the set, will have to see how they go on the motorway as the guy at the tyre shop said that one did not balance up very well (stuck that on the rear) I may end up having to buy some new white steel wheels

Cheers
Hein