Date:         Mon, 8 Jun 1998 21:40:36 -0700
Reply-To:     dearbo@EROLS.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         dearbo@EROLS.COM
Subject:      Subject: Re: Tire Question (27x8.5x14 vs 205/40 14)
Comments: To: Vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

> I just put on 27x8.5x14's on my Multivan.  I went with the Bridgestone
> AT's.  The difference is 5% for me. I checked this out with a friends
> GPS.  When the speedo shows 61 mph, I'm going 65 mph.
> What I really noticed is a drop in torque.  I now need to be in thrid
> to climb hills that I used to be able to climb in forth.
> Unfortunately for me there are a lot of hills in the area which I live
> in!  On the flip side, cruising on flat lands, slight inclines or >
> downhill the engine turns a little quieter.

Hmmm - I just did the same (increased tire diameter by 2") on a 4x4 that
I have and got the same results.  Quiet on the flats, downshifts more on
hills - less torque. I haven't checked the speedo yet. It should be going
faster than the speedo indicates - right?  Also the milage trip meter
will be off so its going to be difficult to determine gas milage.  I was
going to do some conversions of RPM to mph as I made up a little chart of
"before" readings: 2000rpm = 50 mph in top gear but I'm getting the same
readings after the tire diameter increase. Any ideas on this?

Gary
88GL, 80Westy