Offroad-Express

Know this topic has been covered most likely but after an hour of searching I'm having trouble finding what I'm looking for, So was wondering what is the optimal tyre size on this Suzuki that I can do without a lift? And if this is still fairly decent for offroad use? From what I've found to date it seems you can run 235/75R15's without any mods or cert in NZ - but not sure on this

You need a cert if you go over 5% larger in diameter, in saying that I used to get WOF's with 245/75/16 which was over the legal threshold. If you do go over the threshold be aware this might void you insurance.

Use an online tyre size calculator to work out the difference.

Not to worried about going to get a cert if I need to, been doing a bit of reading and 31's seem to make the gearing to high in some cases I think?
Also mainly want 4wd for when I go hunting which is a 3 and a Half hour drive away so need to keep it as a good on road truck for that fact as well as Daily Driving am I better Looking at 30 inch or smaller and what is optimal for off-road, know bigger tyres give you more ground clearance but is the difference between a 215 and a 235 or 30 inch noticeable?

You'll notice the difference as soon as you start going up in size especially if it's an auto as the 1st gear in them is pretty tall. Diff ratios can be changed but I suspect yours already has the 5.12:1 ratio which is the lowest gearing you can get cheaply.

I went from 27" tyres standard to 30.5" and noticed a big difference off road and towing a trailer, on road wasn't too bad. I swapped my 4.88:1 diffs to 5.12 and it bought it back to almost standard.

What year, frame number and engine is yours? I might bee able to figure out your diff ratios.

churchill wrote:You'll notice the difference as soon as you start going up in size especially if it's an auto as the 1st gear in them is pretty tall. Diff ratios can be changed but I suspect yours already has the 5.12:1 ratio which is the lowest gearing you can get cheaply.

I went from 27" tyres standard to 30.5" and noticed a big difference off road and towing a trailer, on road wasn't too bad. I swapped my 4.88:1 diffs to 5.12 and it bought it back to almost standard.

What year, frame number and engine is yours? I might bee able to figure out your diff ratios.

Transimission: Manual
Year: 1992
Chassis Number:TD01W

Just brought an LSD Diff head out of a 1994 TD01W 1600cc Auto Escudo that I'm going to fit but will have to check the ratio's first.

Was the difference a lot better for offroading? Also did your fuel consumption go up quite a bit?

Looks like it might be a 5.125:1 already.

Fuel consumption did go up about 15% but the vehicle was raised 50mm and the tyres were MT tread. I actually had 2 sets of tyres, 1 for the road and 1 for offroad. I never ended up using the on road ones as I was too lazy to change them over all the time.

Massive difference offroading, clearance and traction was way better. It was hard on the diffs and axles though but mine is the 2.5v6 so has a bit more go than the 1.6 but still uses the same size diffs...

Might look at running some 215/75/15's for a while as I can see myself spending quite a bit to run 31's or even 30's as the main purpose of this truck is as a Daily Driver and going on the odd trip/up tracks when I go Hunting. Then once I've finished uni I can look at going bigger if I want to fork out more $$$ on the truck. (Been reading a UK Suzuki Forum as well tonight on probloms guys had to fix after going to bigger tyres like 31's and looking at the cost of lifting cert etc)

Some of the Options I've Seen and am considering:
Maxxis MT753 Bravo MT 215/75R15: http://www.4wdbits.co.nz/ProductDetails ... uctID=3570 , http://maxxistyres.co.nz/tyres/maxxis-mt753-bravo/ (not sure how these will be on road?)
BF Good Rich AT's or MT's 215/75/15 http://www.hyperdrive.co.nz/product/tyr ... =176808%2C

Not sure if this tyre size will fit all right on steel rims and which option is best?
Options I know of
Steel Wheel Rim
15x7
5x139.7 PCD
0 Offset
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-par ... 178763.htm

Or
Steel Rim 15 x 7 PCD 5/139.7 Offset +13 White
http://www.4wdbits.co.nz/ProductDetails ... uctID=4555 (not sure what the + offset does?)

I know there is a -19 offset as well but that probably is not necessary I’m thinking with tyres this small, am mainly looking at rims as mine look pretty sad would consider factory ones if they were available at a reasonable price and condition.

I've seen a few guys start rubbing tyres on the back of the front wheel well with large offset wheels. I ran standard rims on mine and rubbed on the chassis but mine has a wider chassis being a v6.

I think for tyres the size you have standard rims might be a better choice.

churchill wrote:I've seen a few guys start rubbing tyres on the back of the front wheel well with large offset wheels. I ran standard rims on mine and rubbed on the chassis but mine has a wider chassis being a v6.

I think for tyres the size you have standard rims might be a better choice.

Cheers Churchill thanks for all the feedback.

Will try get some factory steal rims but failing that would standard steal rims with 0 offset most likely be okay?

Glad to be of assistance.

I think the rims use a positive offset which means they'er more like a front wheel drive wheel. A 0 or negative offset will widen the track.

Here's a link, scroll down to the wheel specs:
http://www.suzuki-forums.com/suzuki-sidekick-escudo-vitara-geo-x/25240-sidekick-wheels.html

Here's a link from this forum with real world usage:

http://www.offroadexpress.kiwi/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=36158