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 The tire dealer said the Yoko Y370 has been replaced by the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
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