15" or 16" Rims?
Submitted: Saturday, Jan 24, 2004 at 11:38
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isaac
Hi All,
I have just clocked over 70000 km on my 2000 model 3L diesel d/cab hilux and am looking for new tyres to replace the standard road gripper F's/spilt rim combo. I have gone to the tyre dealers and got all the brochures and searched this site (thans guys very helpful) and have decided on either the 30/9.5/15 (6 ply) or 225/75/16 (10 ply) Coopers ST. My main use is for rocky country in the hills east of
Perth and beach driving.
I have had no problems on the beach with the splities down at 20 psi, except towing my mates 15ft tinnie (but it's a heavy lump with cheese cutter tyres on the trailer) and the splitties suit my bush work
well. I recently got a set of 16 X 7 Prado GXL rims cheap from my local toyota dealer when they moved
shop and was wondering whether to put the 225/75/16's on them or sell them and buy a set of 15 X 7 ROH or similiar and fit the 30/9.5's on them.
Apart from 15mm wider tyre and as I can get them both for $225, I was wondering what the advantages /disadvantages (if any) between 15 and 16 in rims in this size range of tyre. The only thing I can see as that there is less tyre subject to side wall damage on the 16' rims. Any other pros/cons?
Cheers, Isaac
Reply By: gompy - Saturday, Jan 24, 2004 at 18:17
Saturday, Jan 24, 2004 at 18:17
Hello Isaac,
The only difference I know is the price of tyres, 15 inch are for some reason a lot cheaper.
Good luck.
AnswerID:
44219
Reply By: Diesel1 - Saturday, Jan 24, 2004 at 20:46
Saturday, Jan 24, 2004 at 20:46
G'day Isaac,
I guess you've really got to weigh up what you're going to be doing most of the time - on the beach or in the bush. The tyre manufacturers come up with all sorts of advertising about so-called 'all rounders', but it's a bit like choosing a fishing rod, you wont find one that will do everything that you want.
I drive a late model troopy and I started with 16 inch splitties which were good in the scrub and rocky terrain but useless in the sand. Went to big thumper muddies after that and have now gone to 15x10.5 all terrains - they are the closest I can find to the proverbial 'all rounders' - great in sand and hold their own in the scrub.
One thing I have found is that no matter what width your tyres are, you will cop some sidewall damage in the scrub.
Diesel1
AnswerID:
44229
Reply By: Phil G - Saturday, Jan 24, 2004 at 21:43
Saturday, Jan 24, 2004 at 21:43
I prefer tubeless tyres, so I'd be using the Prado rims. 225/75 are too skinny for the 16x7. 245/75 will fit up nicely and give you a little bit more diameter. I know people who have gone up to the 235/85 - but the gearing will suffer a bit on a normally aspirated diesel.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Dean Mc - Saturday, Jan 24, 2004 at 21:53
Saturday, Jan 24, 2004 at 21:53
G'day Isaac,
Not wanting to distract you from your choice, but I run 235/85/16 MTR's on original splits (it's a 2000 3.0L dual cab Hilux also) and I'm pretty happy with the size offroad. I mainly do forestry tracks etc also, never venturing onto a beach, and the extra height comes in handy often.
Re the gearing, it becomes a bit much sometimes wih the edge taken off the top end (or what little there was to start with), so contemplate the OD increase carefully, because I really can't two much at all now, and overtaking etc is basically a no go zone also.
Cheers
Dean
AnswerID:
44239
Reply By: desray - Sunday, Jan 25, 2004 at 00:50
Sunday, Jan 25, 2004 at 00:50
Hi Isaac I would use 31x10.5x15 tyres with the 15x7 ROH rims . The rims are $ 50 each new in
Perth ,you should be able to sell the Prado rims for that. The 31" diam tyres would lift the Hilux and the 3 litre will have no problem pulling the car. The tyres are cheap and easy to get anywhere.
AnswerID:
44250
Follow Up By: Phil G - Sunday, Jan 25, 2004 at 10:38
Sunday, Jan 25, 2004 at 10:38
Des and Isaac,
31x10.5R15 are cheap for a reason - they only come in a "6-ply" construction with a load index of 109. The upside of this is that they last a long time because the thin sidewalls dissapate heat. The downside is that they can be a bit fragile offroad.
The 245/75R16 fitted to the Prado rims are a way stronger tyre with a load index of 120 ("10 ply" equivalent). Just means that the tyre has a lot more in reserve for heavy loads and is more
puncture resistant. They also have the same diameter as your 31x10.5R15, so the gearing should be OK.
FollowupID:
306478
Reply By: ianmc - Monday, Jan 26, 2004 at 00:27
Monday, Jan 26, 2004 at 00:27
I have used 205x16 standard size on Triton ute then 30x9.5x15 all terrains which gave wider track & better cornering on bitumen & bit more flotation on sand but as you start to go down the wider footprint pushes a bigger load of sand in front.Then went from 205's to 225x16 which was fine all round but bought a v.cheap secondhand set of alloys & fitted 30x9.5 recaps for day to day bitumen & sand.
The alloys reduce the unsprung weight considerably hence better ride & handling & less bounce on the shocks.
Wider the tyre the more fuel U use, yes it is measureable but they probably last longer.
AnswerID:
44323
Reply By: Leroy - Monday, Jan 26, 2004 at 11:34
Monday, Jan 26, 2004 at 11:34
Make use of the Prado rims. Excellent size and maybe go for a 265/70.
check out this site link text
Leroy
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - KG (QLD) - Monday, Jan 26, 2004 at 20:09
Monday, Jan 26, 2004 at 20:09
i went from the standard cheese cutter splits to 235/75r15's on 15x7 sunraysias and noticed a big difference in ride comfort...
i put it down to more rubber = more give = more comfort
but I'm not tyre technician... ymmv
cheers,
KG
AnswerID:
44388
Reply By: isaac - Thursday, Jan 29, 2004 at 12:10
Thursday, Jan 29, 2004 at 12:10
Thanks for the
feedback guys, I'm going to use the 30/9.5/15's, anyone looking for a set of 5 brand new Prado rims...
AnswerID:
44729
Reply By: da_wart - Thursday, Feb 12, 2004 at 22:32
Thursday, Feb 12, 2004 at 22:32
I have a similar problem at the moment chasing 30/9.5's or 265/70/15's for a Triton.
Problem being there are limited decent off road tyres in this size that comply with manufacturers vehicle specs (load & speed ratings).
16's will give a better load rating but 15's 'should' give a better road ride.
I have noticed there is a better range of manufacturer compliant tyres in 16.
AnswerID:
46537