Tyre selection

Submitted: Saturday, Apr 30, 2005 at 23:03
ThreadID: 22532 Views:3205 Replies:7 FollowUps:4
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I am after some advice about tyres, new to the board, any comments appreciated.
I have a Nissan Navara with 16 Inch wheels. The tyre guys all seem to recommend BFG AT's, which it seems i will go for unless any compelling evidence not to. One tyre guy told me to get 15 inch rims as they are more standard. He said the tyres would be the same price but cheaper in a 15 inch wheel.

Questions
1. is 15 inch wheels the most standard 4x4 size?
2. any negative effects from changing to this size? (it seems the cheaper option)
3. do i have to tell the insurance company?
it seems you cannot get a straight answer from any tyre sales people, and straight foward information is hard to squeeze out. if anyone has any tips, or info that sales people dont mention, please let me know.

Thanks.
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Reply By: Exploder - Saturday, Apr 30, 2005 at 23:26

Saturday, Apr 30, 2005 at 23:26
Gday

Mate the sales people will always push the brand they sell but BFG is a top 4WD tyre just make sure you get the BFG’s made in the USA, I use cooper AT’s my self.

Why change the rim unless you think it is necessary then you have to pay for the rims and tyres.

15inch are more common but unless you r going super remote getting 16 inch tyres wouldn’t be a big problem.

If you change rim size then I would tell the insurance company about it.


AnswerID: 109024

Follow Up By: sang - Sunday, May 01, 2005 at 08:26

Sunday, May 01, 2005 at 08:26
Hi Exploder,
I would have think 16" to be more common in the super remote area, since practically every one is running 750x16 out in the bush
Sanga
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FollowupID: 365747

Follow Up By: Exploder - Sunday, May 01, 2005 at 12:59

Sunday, May 01, 2005 at 12:59
Yes good point, but would they be stocking 235/85R16 tubeless tyres?

Would of thought that you could dig up a 15 inch tyre a lot easier, Don’t know never had to replace a tyre in what I would call a super remote area.

Anyway I would just keep the original rims unless he doesn’t like them?
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FollowupID: 365769

Reply By: muzzgit (WA) - Saturday, Apr 30, 2005 at 23:52

Saturday, Apr 30, 2005 at 23:52
This is only my opinion but.......................

Go for the BFG.
Rotate them regularly.
Stick with the rims that came with the car.

235/85/16 are a good fit if you want to go slightly taller than standard. No legal hassles, good off road. Speedo may be out a little but you get used to it real quick.
Just go for a drive with another vehicle. Get them to sit on 80 and see what your speedo says. Do the same at 100, and you know what's goin on.
AnswerID: 109026

Reply By: Member - Chrispy (NSW) - Sunday, May 01, 2005 at 08:38

Sunday, May 01, 2005 at 08:38
The guy who told you to fit 15 inch rims should have done some research before telling you that to push his stock. I wouldn't be too sure that if you have 16 inch rims, 15's would necessarily clear the brake calipers... not sure about the Navara though.
AnswerID: 109036

Follow Up By: Member - Jiarna (SA) - Sunday, May 01, 2005 at 12:43

Sunday, May 01, 2005 at 12:43
16 inch tyres are available very widely, especially in 7.50 x 16, so I wouldn't worry about availability. I know I couldn't put 15 inch rims on my 80 if I wanted to (which I don't) because they would foul on the brake calipers as Chrispy says. So since you know 16 inch rims fit, don't buy a set of 15 inch that might not, just to fix a problem that isn't a problem.

Just my opinion, FWIW

Cheers
John
Those who say something cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.

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FollowupID: 365768

Reply By: F4Phantom - Sunday, May 01, 2005 at 17:33

Sunday, May 01, 2005 at 17:33
Thanks for all the advice. One point the guy made was that i can get tyres no probs on the 16 inch, but if i go for 15 inch, the tyres will be wider and cost the same money. This is the advantage he put too me - same money wider BFG's.

So if by chance the smaller rims fit, i get wider tread, is this a sensible move?
AnswerID: 109089

Follow Up By: Patrolman Pat - Sunday, May 01, 2005 at 17:40

Sunday, May 01, 2005 at 17:40
I had a Navara, from memory the tyres were 215/75R16s and I never had a problem with needing wider tyres. Did a fair bit of sand driving and let the tyres down 15 -18psi and sailed through. I think the salesman just wants to sell you some rims. How much wider would they be anyway, probably negligible.
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FollowupID: 365791

Reply By: F4Phantom - Sunday, May 01, 2005 at 17:59

Sunday, May 01, 2005 at 17:59
i have no idea as to the different widths. You know how it is, the wider tyres look better etc.. it's hard not to want that "look". as for 4x4 ability i think it will make no difference.
AnswerID: 109094

Reply By: muzzgit (WA) - Monday, May 02, 2005 at 00:57

Monday, May 02, 2005 at 00:57
Wider tyres WILL NOT make your forby go ANY better in ANY situation, except maybe on rocks. I mean big rocks.

It's the nut behind the wheel that makes the difference.

I've had a navara with the stock rims and tyres and had no difficulty on the beach, boggy or not. Just let em down.

Before that I had an FJ45 with stock 750/16 on splits and went everywhere anyone else did.
AnswerID: 109157

Reply By: Footloose - Monday, May 02, 2005 at 09:14

Monday, May 02, 2005 at 09:14
Depends on what sort of driving you are going to do with your tyres.
The 7.50 X 16 are standard in remote areas. A good LT tyre with thick sidewalls is great on the western outback tracks etc but not good for highway travel. Rock and mud tyres are a different issue which have been covered here many times.
The holy grail of 4wd tyres is one that does everything equally well, and in my opinion there isn't any such creature. (and doesn't that fly in the face of million dollar advertising :)
Wider aggressive tyres look the part, but unless you're cruising the streets od Surfers, forget looks. One decent stake can turn your million dollar tyre into a pile of useless junk in the blink of an eye.
Decide what you are going to use them for then look around again.
Tyre salesmen are just that.
AnswerID: 109178

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