Tire switch?

[emmotto]

Thinking of moving to skinnier tire.

I have 235/85R16 and I'm thinking of going to 215/85R16.

Will the skinnier tire fit on my LR standard steel 16" wheels?

Looking at replacing my BFG Baja Champion A/T KOs with Kumho Road Venture KL78s.

My driving is mostly on pavement and we do get snow here in CT.

Thoughts?

Mike - 1969 SIIa 88

[emmotto]

A bit more research and I think I've answered my own question - the thinner tires should fit the rims no problem.

Mike

[stomper]

I am running 215s on 16 inch wheels, they will fit without a problem. Interestingly enough, I'm thinking about going the other way, and going to 235s.

[gudjeon]

215/85/16 LT radial is the skinniest tire I could realistically find. Stands taller and skinny tires go anywhere. Fit on my skinny s1 rims. Skinny tires rule in the snow. Anyone who has tried will agree.

7066

[stomper]

is everythink OK with your rear axle gudjeon? it appears to me missing in this photo. Skinny tires are definitely better in snow, which is why I am torn about switching to the 235 size myself. I guess I just want to be one of the cool kids with the big knobby tires!

[Broadstone]

What condition are the tires you are removing? I am in the market for 235's if you are looking to sell them I may be interested. I have the 215/85/16 on my series III and they are great for driving and plowing.

[emmotto]

What condition are the tires you are removing? I am in the market for 235's if you are looking to sell them I may be interested. I have the 215/85/16 on my series III and they are great for driving and plowing.

Not bad - I'd say maybe 40% tread life left (just a guess) - no sidewall cracking etc. I can take some pictures for you and measure the tread depth.

I'd sell you all 4 and the spare (different make tire but same size and brand new) make me an offer - but you'd have to come get them. I see you are in CT so maybe that would work out - I am in Wilton which is SW CT a bit north of Norwalk.

They are LT235/85R16 Baja Champion KO - nowadays BFG dropped the "Baja Champion" moniker and just call them "All Terrain".

[gudjeon]

Howdy stomper,

No problems with rear axle using the 215's. I have newish stock springs, stock shackles and HD shocks. It is the old series 1 sem-floating set up. Bearings and seals can be had locally at NAPA. Bush road driving is smoother at 40 mph than going slow. They are the same rolling diameter near to the old 7x16 that used to be an option for LR. I used to run 235's on a "68, 88" and I like the 215's more. They push less air around going down the highway. The steering stops need to be adjusted just a bit as mine was set up for the old 6.50x16's. The old skinnies were worn out ancient Kelly's and they rocked even in mud.
7068

Too bad as pizza cutters work very well on these old rigs. Easier steering too.

[Broadstone]

Not bad - I'd say maybe 40% tread life left (just a guess) - no sidewall cracking etc. I can take some pictures for you and measure the tread depth.

I'd sell you all 4 and the spare (different make tire but same size and brand new) make me an offer - but you'd have to come get them. I see you are in CT so maybe that would work out - I am in Wilton which is SW CT a bit north of Norwalk.

They are LT235/85R16 Baja Champion KO - nowadays BFG dropped the "Baja Champion" moniker and just call them "All Terrain".

I appreciate the offer and reply but I need more tread so will likley buy new. Thanks

[emmotto]

Ok I checked - I have 6/32 tread - brand new is 16/32. So 35 or 40% tread left is accurate. They are all terrain KO - they say Baja Champion on the inside sidewall and All Terrain on the exterior.

[emmotto]

I appreciate the offer and reply but I need more tread so will likley buy new. Thanks

No worries!

[NC_Mule]

Researching tires and found this post. Sounds like the 215/85/16 is the way to go for snow. Leaning towards Goodyear Wrangler Dura Trac because they are made in the USA, 10 ply and have the snow flake rating. My tire guy said these will be skinner then the 205R 16 that I'm replacing. I looked at the 2 pics on this post but I'd like to see a few more pics of a IIA with 215/85/16. Can anyone help?

One more thing, will my spare fit on the back wagon door? My current set up isn't close to fitting.

Thanks pb

[o2batsea]

I think you'll be very happy with Duratracs. 4x4.com has them the cheapest when you figure in the $60 rebate and the 5% coupon code, and shipping for either 4 or 5 is $25!

[NC_Mule]

Yeah, I think I've decided to go with the Duratracs. Just want to make sure I don't end up with the "mail truck" look on my 88" IIA with the 215/85-16 vs I see lots of people run the 235. I'm going to order in the next week or so, may be someone will post a pic of a 88 IIA with the 215/85-16.
pb

[Andrew IIA]

Researching tires and found this post. Sounds like the 215/85/16 is the way to go for snow. Leaning towards Goodyear Wrangler Dura Trac because they are made in the USA, 10 ply and have the snow flake rating. My tire guy said these will be skinner then the 205R 16 that I'm replacing. I looked at the 2 pics on this post but I'd like to see a few more pics of a IIA with 215/85/16. Can anyone help?

One more thing, will my spare fit on the back wagon door? My current set up isn't close to fitting.

Thanks pb

Hmm. Perhaps I am misunderstanding, but seems that 215s should be 10mm wider than 205s, not narrower.

[NC_Mule]

Thats was I was thinking but the tire guy said it would be narrower, by an inch. The 205R-16 that I have on were installed when the truck still lived in England, 10 years ago. My 205's don't have a middle number so I thought may be that had something to do with it.
May be I should have him clarify and make sure I heard him correctly.

[Andrew IIA]

Thats was I was thinking but the tire guy said it would be narrower, by an inch. The 205R-16 that I have on were installed when the truck still lived in England, 10 years ago. My 205's don't have a middle number so I thought may be that had something to do with it.
May be I should have him clarify and make sure I heard him correctly.
Perhaps measure the width of the tread (only) in mm (or inches and convert) of your current '205' tires and see what it is (more or less than 215mm ?). Old style English tyre sizing might be the culprit, as you said.

[nategracie808]

Maybe this will help clear things up.....

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Metric_To_Inch_Tires.html

[NC_Mule]

Well I measured just the tread that makes contact with the road and found 6.5" which is 165mm. While I was measuring I found 205/80-16 in small print on the tire. Think I'm just going to wing it and order the 215/85-16. Using the link below my 215's will increase my diameter by 1.5". I have 16x7 wheels so if these 205R-16's are a true 205 then you can put 205's on a 16x7.
Thanks for everyones input.
pb


Perhaps measure the width of the tread (only) in mm (or inches and convert) of your current '205' tires and see what it is (more or less than 215mm ?). Old style English tyre sizing might be the culprit, as you said.

[gudjeon]

I shod my ser1 88" in 215/85/16. They were as skinny as I could get without resorting to a vintage specialty tire. Skinny tires rock in snow,mud, what have you. These rigs don't have the power to push big wide things and spin mud off of them. Also, skinnier is better for anything that has manual steering.

7202

[NC_Mule]

Had my 215/85-16 Duratracs installed today. I think they look awesome. The truck is 1-1/2 taller so now my rear work light hits the door when I try to pull in to the garage. The rear comes with in an inch of the exhaust pipe. Posting some pics for future tire shoppers.
730573067307
7308

[jac04]

Looks good.
Is it just me, or do those look really wide for a 215/85/16?

[NC_Mule]

I thought the same thing, I feel like the sidewall bends out more then most that plus the sidewall tread makes them look wider. I'm excited, let it snow!

[REDrum]

Is it just me, or do those look really wide for a 215/85/16?

Duratracs have soft sidewalls, I'm on my second set.



I feel like the sidewall bends out more then most that plus the sidewall tread makes them look wider. I'm excited, let it snow! Duratracs are ok in snow, but far from great.