Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (August 1997)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Mon, 18 Aug 1997 21:09:54 -0400
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "Linda Bartnik" <lbart@preferred.com>
Subject:      Re: Tires for 91 westy - options?

Jahan and others,

My van has Michelin XZX 185 R 14 (a 78 series tire) tires all around, and I like them. They are reinforced sidewall tires, 6-ply. Unfortunately, these have also been discontinued, I have heard. Michelin does make a tire especially for the Vanagon but I can't remember the name, it may indeed be the MXT. That particular tire was designed specifically for the Vanagon and came on the van from the factory.

Regarding the 205/70R14 tires, will a 205 tire fit the Vanagon without interfering with turning radius and without rubbing on suspension components? That might be a nice upgrade from 185. I was considering buying the Yokohama Y370s when I needed tires, but I guess I won't if they are discontinued.

Of course, putting 205s on my '81 (no power steering) might cause me to build disproportionally large arm muscles after turning the wheel in low speed situations :-)

As far as tire height for each one goes, I'll do the math to see if speedometer error will be significant:

185 R 14 (defaults to 185/78R14) sidewall height = 78% of 185mm = 144.4mm sidewall height. 195/75R14 sidewall height = 75% of 195mm = 146.25mm sidewall height 205/70R14 sidewall height = 70% of 205mm = 143.5mm sidewall height

Wow, the 185R14 tire is actually taller than the 205/70R14 tire! Not by much tho, and not enough to cause a problem with speedometer error or engine cooling (for those air-cooled folks) if the 205/70 was selected. Well, that's nice to know as 205's would look pretty sharp on those wheels, I imagine, tho snow traction wouldn't be helped.

Any advantages or disadvantages to moving from 185R14 to 205/70R14, meaning differences experienced in going to a 20mm wider tire?

Anybody have 205s on their Vanagons? How do you like them?

This has piqued my interest, even tho I will not need tires for a good while.

Sean > > > > The choices for tires are sure becoming meager. From the > archives, I've gleaned the following popular options for my > (new to me) 91 Westy, non-syncro w/alloys: > > Michelin MXT 205/70R14 > Reinforced 6-ply > Approx. $93 in SF Bay Area > > Yokohama Y370 LT 195/75R14 > Light Truck 8-ply > Unavailable in SF Bay Area > > The tire dealer said the Yoko Y370 has been replaced by the > SD05, otherwise known as the "Super Digger" for $71. The name > Super Digger conjures images of an aggressive tread pattern, > and howling tire noise on the Interstate as a result. A call > to Yokohama HQ to confirm the demise of the Y370, a perennial > listserv favorite, has yet to be returned. > > The tire dealer said the Y370's 195/75R14 is not the > recommended aspect ratio for a top-heavy Westy, and that > 185/80R14 or 205/70R14 are the only suitable choices. He said > he's seen two Westys with the Y370s where the tire had > separated. He wasn't too hip on these, as you can surmise. > > The only other choice the dealer has available was one I'd > never heard of: > > Cooper Signet 185/80SR14 > 8-ply > $63 > > Has anyone ever heard of this tire brand? > > Does anyone know if the Yokohama Y370 is still available? > > Does anyone have any other recommendations that are less > expensive, and/or better than the Michelins? > > If you respond directly to me, I will gather up the responses > and post the findings to the group. > > > Thanks, > > Jahan > jahan_byrne@ccgate.apl.com


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.