Wheel Diameter-am I just an idiot??

[artpeck]

I am sure there is a simple straight forward answer to this. I have a stock original gradually returning to life '73 SIII 88".

The wheel diameter measures 16" from rim to rim. The green book says that stock wheels are 16". But the tires (original or second set as the truck was stored since the early 90s and barely driven before that) are g78-15 which means there are 15" tires on 15" wheels.

So, I am happy to ignore the green book and accept that they are 15" wheels so I must be obviously measuring them incorrectly?

[Apis Mellifera]

Series IIIs had 15" wheels in the US. The diameter is measured across the bead seating area rather than the outer lip of the wheel (just like wheel width).

[Terrys]

There are lots of items covered in the manuals (Land Rover and Haynes) which differ from US Spec trucks. They were written about the trucks they had, and the Owners manuals which came new with US trucks is generally more reflective of these details. Schematics are the best example that comes to mind. The green bible and Haynes differs a fair bit from our trucks.

[jac04]

The wheel size, as previously stated, is measured at the diameter upon which the bead of the tire seats. A 15" wheel will measure approximately 16" at the outermost diameter.

[artpeck]

Thanks. I had assumed something like that was the case. Appreciate the help.

[73series88]

my 73 series 3 has 15's
aaron

[artpeck]

my 73 series 3 has 15's
aaron

Yep as does mine. I dug through a few threads here and several things emerged. Apparently many new S3s were imported with 15" rims. But not all. The theories on this are other to enhance acceleration and/or due to tire availability in NA.

Curious what tires you run if I may ask? That is the motivation behind this as the bias ply firestone town and country tires with the cracked sidewallls have to go. I have looked through many threads on here and there seem to be a very wide range of opinions on best options.

[73series88]

i run 31/ 10.5 /15 b.f. goodrich mud t/a
great tire
i had a 2a with small tires and it looked looked a mail truck
these are big enough that they fill the wheel well nicely but dont have the gaint balloon look.
first one is my old 2a
second is my series 3
aaron

[artpeck]

Funny you say that. I just replaced the springs which raised the truck slightly. With the g78-15s on it still it looks ready to deliver mail.

How is the ride? And any clearance issues?

[73series88]

rides great
i thought it would be rumbly because of the tread but you dont really notice. i have parabolics and there are no rubbing issues at all
aaron