Upgrading to 15" rims

Hello all,

Well I pretty much exhausted my options for what I'm looking for in a 14" tire for my 4x4 van. I pretty much wanted a good all around tire that would be rated for all season. The Michelin X I thought was my "go to" tire. It was rated at a 80,000 mile warranty and was an all season tire. The best thing was that it had the size, 205-75-R14 I was looking for! After being lead around for who knows how long by the tire guys at CostCo, it ends up now they are going to discontinue the tire. I really don't want to spend way over $500 for a set of four tires with really no warranty on them. Plus have to find someone to put them on!

So I'm wanting to see what's available by using 15" wheels. My goal on the using this size is to ultimately get the same diameter tires as the 14" above. Tires I want to use is a Michelin, BFGoodrich or Bridgestone tires on the 15" wheels. Anyone know what wheels I should be looking for that would work? I guess I'm also wondering what size tire I should look into getting. :dizzy:

Any help in this would be greatly appreciated.

(if this should go under "4x4 vans" sections, feel free to move this)

There are several threads on 15in rims but sidekick/tracker rims are the only real option, 205/70r15 tires fit with marginal trimming and the speedo is accurate.
I am running Pirelli's and very happy with them.

Alternatively you may want to check out General Grabber AT 27x8.5x14 if you want to stay with the stock rims.
BB

Thread moved because it doesn't apply to 2WD vans (that's the acid test — if a 2WD vanner can use the info, put it in "Vans" so it can be found by 2WD-ers). I don't mind moving stuff if people aren't certain. :)

I just ran into the same problem with Costco and Michelin. Ended up with a set of 205/75R14 (stock size) Toyo Eclipse tires from Les Schwab. Allegedly 70K (we'll see, of course). Tread is similar to the Michelins.

Gwen

I have the tracker wheel. love them. I put on some Good Year Assurance tires.
Attachment 746

I had a set of Suzuki Samurai wheels (15x5.5 +10mm offset) and they fit good with up to 215 width tires.

I have the same rims as Rawb here. I love them. I put beefier tires on them than Rawb and ended up having to trim a moderate amount to minimize tire rub.

I had my van posted at the other place but no photos here yet.

We use geo tracker rims. Three years on the set so far and the heavier van hasn't broken the tracker (lighter vehicle) rims yet.

I am looking for advice upgrading to 15" rims for my 87 4WD. I have done some searching and my understanding is that I will need rims ... preferably alloy ... with 5.5 inch center hole pattern ... are there other considerations? Also found these and assuming they will do the job? - http://www.jcwhitney.com/pro-comp-xt...119y1988g437j1

Any help greatly appreciated!

Ken

Search our site, lots of info on this topic.

Just got mine all sorted out today as a matter of fact.
205/75/15's on Sammy spokers
minimal trimming up front, 2 inch lift, tortion bar tweak in front, and mr gasket spacers in the back
next project is aerostar springs in the back, to get rid of those rubber spacers, keep spitting out :wall:

Attachment 4651

The tires are General Grabbers Amazon.com has em for $99.99 each free shipping

Looks fantastic! I am looking to do NO trimming on the body though .... I have 15"rims on the beast now with no trimming ... just looking to change the style of the rim..... I assume there was no trimming on the van because of he profile of the tires that are on there now? Which I am also going to be replacing. Thoughts?

Oh and meant to ask ... are those alloy are steal rims? I've been told better to run the alloy if you can because of the reduced weight. Thanks!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kenneth

Looks fantastic! I am looking to do NO trimming on the body though .... I have 15"rims on the beast now with no trimming ... just looking to change the style of the rim..... I assume there was no trimming on the van because of he profile of the tires that are on there now? Which I am also going to be replacing. Thoughts?

---

I suppose you could "trim nothing" with 70 series profile tires, I went with 75's a tad bit taller.
What 15 inch wheels do you have now? how come you want to replace them?
Mine are steel Samurai wheels, no alloy here. I've heard they can crack with heavy service, but
I don't plan on running the Rubicon any time soon.

I have attached a photo of the rims I have now .... just don't love the way they look .... I've just heard better than steel for stopping and not wearing the front end out because of the weight difference. It would be interesting to know what the actual weight difference is ... and whether or not it's that big of a difference.

Attachment 4653

I agree lighter weight means less rotational weight means easier to stop, easier on the suspension and wheel bearings.
have you considered powder coating them to change the look a bit?
I think they look cool, are you looking for a more rugged look or something?
Those wheels on Summit's website won't work wrong offset, and they'll hit your slider door.
theres not much room with Samurai's and 205's
Attachment 4654

You know powered coating them is a fantastic idea! I was hoping for something less chrome .... so I may just give that a shot ... thanks for the idea!

I've seen your style powder coated black, looks cool, I went with hammer tone silver for mine, just a bit different, and goes well with my tundra blue exterior. I look forward to seeing yours when finished! post some picks!:thmbup:

Attachment 5367

has anyone used these wheels from a sidekick? were all the offsets/etc. the same for the sidekick tracker wheels?

i have sidekick wheels on mine currently. they're the 91-98 model year 10 slot wheels. the ones you pictured should be the same except for looks.

Attachment 5368

Kenneth, hey just wondering what vehicle application you used to find those rims, also do you know the ideal back-spacing relative to stock wheel.

Mine are Suzuki Samurai steel, The alloy ones are Suzuki Versa (not sure the spelling)
The difference in "off set" in outward 1 inch. So consequently you get a 2 inch wider track width, that doesn't suck.
That's what I know for now.

I need to buy one for 1997 Toyota Previa LE. Where can I order online? I have been really busy with work and have no time to go to an auto shop.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by toyofan

I need to buy one for 1997 Toyota Previa LE. Where can I order online? I have been really busy with work and have no time to go to an auto shop.

---

If nothing else, you could try stock wheels: http://www.stockwheels.com/toyota-Wh...!-#!10!#-!5729

Hey all,

Just got my van and looking to also upgrade to 15". I'm really digging the Samurai wheels and am looking for a set currently. These come stock 5.5 width? Also anyone know the offset off the top of there head? I'm seeing some aftermarket samurai look-a-like wheels and am curious if those are a viable option.

Thanks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pchristian87

Hey all,

Just got my van and looking to also upgrade to 15". I'm really digging the Samurai wheels and am looking for a set currently. These come stock 5.5 width? Also anyone know the offset off the top of there head? I'm seeing some aftermarket samurai look-a-like wheels and am curious if those are a viable option.

Thanks

---

don't know about Samurai wheels but mine has wheels from a Suzuki sidekick/geo tracker and they fit and look great.

Sammys offset: +10. OEM is +14. Your wheels will stick OUT by 4mm more = safe = way clear of sliding door. Assuming 205 /70 tires: taller tires = more side wall bulge =all bets are off :wnk:

Carbonized sent this to me after I asked for some clarification. Super helpful.

http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/i...quote_icon.png Originally Posted by Pchristian87
Hey bud,
Was reading your post on the 'Upgrading to 15" rims' thread and wanted to clarify some things. You said the stock Van wheels are +14 offset. If they stick OUT 4mm more does that mean that's better for sliding door clearance? I thought the less they stuck out would mean more clearance. I don't know much about offset so please, school a newbie. haha



"Offset" is the distance between the imaginary center line of the rim and the mounting surface of the hub. Positive is when that surface is outboard (street side) of the center line (of the rim). Negative is when that hub surface moves to the inboard side (inside of van) of the rim's center line. 0 offset is when rim's center line and hub mount surface are matching. It get very confusing when you get " less positive offset or more negative offset :cnfsd: In a comparison between Van OEM (+14) and Sammys (+10) you are staying on the positive side of the centerline but losing 4mm of distance between the rim center line and the hub surface therefore, physically, the outer part of the rim has moved outboard by 4 mm in relation to its hub. Some times also expressed as "the dish is deeper" :wnk:
It get really, really messed up when you also change the rim width, as you can make the dish deeper without changing offset :dizzy::LOL2:. Or as is the case on my LE where I went from the 5.5 wide +25 offset OEM to the 7 wide +8 offset Supra witch moved the rim 1.37 inch out, with my 205-70x14 boots on, the sliding door clears by maybe 2 mm.:dance1:

In our case it doesn't improve clearance, it reduces it, but it si safely within what the sliding door allows, assuming reasonable tires.
Hope that helps
Feel free to copy to the thread, as it could help others too :)

I did some in depth measuring on my 4x4's front end if this helps. if you follow the basic steps you can figure out what wheels you can put on it. its a bit of a mind roflroflroflrofl but once you ave your head around it things will make sense.
just keep in mind as mentioned up above that especially on 4x4 tyres there is a lot of sidewall bulge! also clearance should be higher than you think as when the car is bumping about under compression especially on lock it needs more of a gap than you'd think!
anyway here are my measurements.

VARIOUS OPTIONS

100mm from hub face to arch inside front clearance.
3.93 inches.
7 inch wheel is ok.
225 tyre 8.58 inches wide. Would equal
Half the tyre width is 112.5mm 4.43 inches


100mm clearance so 12mm overlap.
So a minimum of et12 needed for 225 tyres.




Et7 on 215 tyre
Wheel width 177.8mm
Half =88.9mm
With et7 wheel 81.9mm sticking out towards arch.
-18.1mm clearance.


Et 30 wheels on 215 tyre
88.9mm half wheel
-30mm offset
=58.9mm sticking out
107.5mm half tyre width
77.5mm of tyre sticking out towards arch. 100mm to arch clearance
-22.7mm total clearance.


Et0 on a 215 tyre
107.5mm half tyre width.
Arch gap 100mm
+7.5mm sticking out.

these are some of the offsets I found available on aftermarket wheels in our stud patterns and centre bores.
the pic is of mine on some et7 by 7'x15 on 215x75x15. this took quite a bit of modding. the rear door hits the wheel but still can be forced open. without going to a lower offset (less than et7) the door won't open.
most aftermarket wheels I've found push the wheel further out. this causes more and more problems especially if you go for a wider tyre.

Is there a 15" tire that doesn't require modifications for the 4wd Toyota Van?

As I understand it, on 15" there are few options, it depends on how much you are willing to "lift"..... Come to think of it , isn't lifting already "modding" :?:
You could start there but there is a lot more if you search :) https://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/...es-tires-tires!

Are there any options for stock?

95-le,
After searching you've got to actually read. :yes: Hint hint: go back to page one, post#2 of this very thread :wnk:

I guess that you didn't read my question, but thanks anyway.

He did, actually, and both questions are answered at post #2

And if you want to keep the 14's and not run the grabber style boot, there is another thread on the Korean versions.
Going to an "R" tire (passenger rated) leaves one with only low grade, soft sidewall tires.
All the quality 14in tires are gone, even 15's are getting hard to find these days.

I asked what size 15" is possible stock. Post 2 says that size will fit with "marginal" trimming. When I say stock, I mean zero modifications to the body. But thank you anyways, happy holidays!!!

I'm finding the above request for information very confusing, and it's obvious I'm not the only one.

Stock rims are 14" (5 bolt) on the 4WD Vans.

15" RIMS are not stock for the Vans, ever.

I believe the actual question is whether any tires on any 15" rims can be used without modification to the Van. If that is the question, the answer (based on current collective knowledge) is no ... unless you can find (and want) low-profile tires.

Gwen

Yes that was my question, I would prefer to not have to trim a van just to put 15" wheels and tires on it.

Thanks for clarifying all that Gwen

And just to take it a little further:

The 205/75R14 tire has an overall diameter of 26.1in and overall width as 8.0in
The 205/70R15 is 26.3in and 8.2"
As previously stated the 15in rims have a slightly different offset and will move the tires slightly outward.

Different manufacturers tires will have slightly different measurements in overall sizing, but the charts should get you close.
You could move to a +2 upgrade (16in rims) but while you can get something in 26.1 OD the OW is 8.6in and I suspect may cause issues with fenders and sliding doors, but haven't tried it yet.

The only "grinding" I had to do was to take the squared corner off the bottom of the plastic finisher at the front of the wheel,
hardly what I would consider a "modification", perhaps a concourse judge might take issue, but most people wouldn't even notice.
The plastic was just catching on the rather square tread face of the tire (Pirelli Scorpions), a different tire may clear just fine or cranking the torsion bars 1/8in over stock height would have accomplished the same thing, but the file was faster and easier.

Happy Holidays to all

Put these two sites in your favorites. There's a lot of information, esp on tiresize.com, with visualization too, including offset. They even helped me figure things out (!), and there are several other similar resources if these don't do it for you (e.g. wheel-size.com doesn't have Van stock rim specs listed, unfortunately). These were just the ones I chose to use for reference for my Previa.

https://tiresize.com/

https://www.wheel-size.com/

I was just looking through a mail in catalog from JEGS.com and found theses BFGoodrich by Coker tire from 205/70 to 245/60 in 14" and a bunch in 15"

Happy new year everyone!