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Post by Mowser on May 6, 2007 23:03:45 GMT -5
Okay peoples, I'm gonna need to buy a set of rubber for my bus before I can get it through inspection. What are my options and what is the correct sizing for my rig? I'm seeing different sizes everywhere I look and discrepancies in side wall specs/ weight ratings.
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Post by Mowser on May 7, 2007 1:36:10 GMT -5
I guess I should add some info....
I'm going to be using 15" wheels on the bus. It just keeps my options as far as wheels open. That and that is what is on it right now. I know it should have 14's but for some reason it has 5 - 15" wheels.
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Post by commercialair on May 7, 2007 9:04:34 GMT -5
Proper 15" tires for early buses are next to impossible to find as of late. Too many companies are discontinuing them. I'm still searching for 195R15s for the '56. Westlake makes a 195-70-15 in a reinforced side wall. Of course, they are shorter than stock. There is also a 195-75-15 in a passenger car tire available if you want to go that route. I'll see if I can find the brand.
Ken came through with Conti 185R14's for the double cab. If you can find a set of 14" rims, you'd have more luck.
Let us know what you find. Because you are running a taller rim, a tire with a shorter sidewall may be your best bet.
Chris
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Post by karmann57 on May 7, 2007 20:13:15 GMT -5
When I was planning on going with 15" wheels I had my eye on the Continental Vanco 8 in a 195/70R15. They are very slightly undersized, but they have a D load rating and you should be able to get them from OK Tire or Tirecraft.
Shane
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Post by 1970bayboy on May 7, 2007 21:08:07 GMT -5
Hay all ,
I'm running smart car rear tires , got them from ken at concept 1 and they were even a fair price @ $110 bux a tire ( not installed )
they are very skinny but look OK once they are on the rig and since i paid all that cash to drop Milton a little I did not want to loose it all in side wall height. Just my 2c but they are running good so far and are nice and low. The tire size is 175/55 r15 and they are continental brand . Let me know if you want a pic and I'll snap one for ya.
Joby
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Post by Mowser on May 7, 2007 23:11:36 GMT -5
Thanks Gang,
It's looking like Shane has the answer. I'd come across those tires in my search but wasn't convinced they were the best solution.
Joby, just to keep you in the loop if it were just as simple as to find a set of tires it would be a cake walk. The thing is I'm up against an out of province inspection. That means I have to put on tires designed for the bus. ie: 1540lb rating, reinforced sidewall. Passenger car tires simply don't cut it. The side wall is too soft and makes for a very wishy washy ride. It reminds me of driving my Landcruiser home after playing on the mountains. We typically would run about 6 - 10lbs of air while rock crawling / muckin around. Luckily we had a compressor onboard one of the rigs.
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Post by karmann57 on May 8, 2007 7:03:02 GMT -5
Since your bus was made to run with 185R14 the 195/70R15 is less than 2% shorter, so I doubt you would notice the difference on the speedo. And from the searching I've done the Conti's generally have a really good feedback rating.
Shane
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Post by 1970bayboy on May 8, 2007 22:11:14 GMT -5
I see,
The tires i put on mine are passenger tires and rated as such , No good for oop. But they do not have any side wall deflection as they are only 11/2 thick ( rim to tread ) and so far they handle very nicely, mabie look into them after the insp.
Joby
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Post by Mowser on May 10, 2007 1:29:55 GMT -5
So I went and priced out tires today. Just over $800.00 out the door with all the taxes (but they can't balance them on my wide fives). A bit higher than I was expecting but I'll likely order them up tomorrow. Everything I've heard about them has been good and Continentals last forever. I only other thought would be would larger tires than stock fit under there? Something like a 205/70/15 Again it would come down to finding one adequate for the bus but I wouldn't mind the extra top end it would give me.
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chadm
Slightly NUTS
Posts: 8 
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Post by chadm on May 13, 2007 12:07:55 GMT -5
Hey Mo, I put the Vanco's on our bus and I like them. Not sure what they would look like with your rim choice, but for the stock rim, they look great. Nice bus by the way!
Chad.
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Post by Mowser on May 14, 2007 0:16:35 GMT -5
Well it's now looking like I'll be going the 205/ 75/ 15 route.(slightly larger diameter than stock) Can't use the stock wheels with them as they are too narrow @ 4 1/2"s but the wide five fuch's will look nice.
I opted out of the Vanco's as I'm gonna be camping 3 seasons and not fond of having a pure summer tire. I'll post up what I end up going with but for now the search continues.
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Post by karmann57 on May 16, 2007 19:06:02 GMT -5
205/75 15s should look good, someone just posted this...  Shane |
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Post by Mowser on May 16, 2007 20:41:08 GMT -5
Thanks for the picture. None of the shops around here would mount those tires onto the stock wheels but I guess where there's a will......
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Post by Mowser on May 19, 2007 14:11:18 GMT -5
So the tires have been ordered and will be going on the wheels Tuesday. I opted for Bridgestone Dueller's in 205/75/r15. A bit more of an aggressive tire than others I found and with the reinforced sidewall. For those interested this size tire is readily available in a 97s rating.(1585 lbs) and is used on minivans. You just need to have a set of wheels that they will mount on.(or someone willing to mount them on 4 1/2" wheels  |
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