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BartM
Member
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Hoorn, Netherlands
Vehicle(s): 1979 280GE
Posts: 18
| Tubed to Tubeless - Rim suitable?
Hey all. I searched the forum but could not really find anything on this: I've currently got Michelin 215/70R16 fitted. These are tubed tyres, but they are worn and need replacement. I was wondering if these rims are suitable for tubeless tyres? I have the standard steel 5.5 JK x 16 H2 wheels.
It may be a daft question (but the daftest question is the one never asked :-)
I'm still not certain what tyre to go for, but I do know I want to go for 235/85R16's, as these will give me the most groundclearance (unless I change rims too). Will this fit on my rims, and what types would you recommend?
I know this much discussed, and will probably be discussed much more, as everyone has his own opinion :-)
Cheers guys,
Bart |
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79percent
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Remscheid / Germany
Vehicle(s): 300 GE
Posts: 537
| RE: Tubed to Tubeless - Rim suitable?
BartM - 10/13/2006 1:49 PM Hey all. I searched the forum but could not really find anything on this: I've currently got Michelin 215/70R16 fitted. These are tubed tyres, but they are worn and need replacement. I was wondering if these rims are suitable for tubeless tyres? I have the standard steel 5.5 JK x 16 H2 wheels. It may be a daft question (but the daftest question is the one never asked :-) I'm still not certain what tyre to go for, but I do know I want to go for 235/85R16's, as these will give me the most groundclearance (unless I change rims too). Will this fit on my rims, and what types would you recommend? I know this much discussed, and will probably be discussed much more, as everyone has his own opinion :-) Cheers guys, Bart as long you are talking about standard equipment rims the H2 will be able to accept tubeless tires. The 5,5 will be able to take 235/85. This has been done many times before. If you are looking for more clearance you may look for 255/85. This might end up with too less space in the fender wheel house and require a spring or bodylift. |
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BartM
Member
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Hoorn, Netherlands
Vehicle(s): 1979 280GE
Posts: 18
| RE: Tubed to Tubeless - Rim suitable?
Thanks a lot Klaus. If I'm getting my calcs right, 255/85 would come down to total 33 inch high right? I always thought 33" could still be fitted without any mods? 255/85 will fit on my rims too or would I need wider rims? |
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Brent
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: SW Colorado USA
Vehicle(s): '13 Wolfsburg GTI
Posts: 1754
| RE: Tubed to Tubeless - Rim suitable?
It is generally the width of the front tires that limits you. The 255/85-16 should fit. However there are lots of different springs for the G and some offer more clearance than others. If your old springs are sagging you may also have an issue.
The 5.5" wide rim isn't ideal for that width tire but they will work fine. You just have to remember that you have a 10" wide tire being supported by a 5.5" wide rim. High speed cornering is out  |
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hipine
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: US, CO, Bailey
Vehicle(s): 460 1980 280GE w. 617A
| RE: Tubed to Tubeless - Rim suitable?
The rim is fine. for tubeless tires. I've run 255/85 on 5-1/2" rims on my 280 GE. There are pix around somewhere. Search the benzworld forum for "cooper" (the tire brand I was running then) under my username and you should find a picture. My problem wasn't with cornering stabiltiy, but with the lack of power for hill climbing that resulted from the larger tire. But since you're at (or below!!!!) sea level there, on pretty flat land, you should be fine in that regard. My troubles were on 7% grades above 2000 meters. The tires tucked into the wheel wells just fine, but as Brent mentioned, I have 2-stripe-white springs fitted which will effect things a little. Not too much though. As long as your springs aren't sagged out really badly the 255's should fit fine. Right now I'm running 235/85-16 BF Goodrich Commercial Traction T/A tires on 6" wide (461) steel wheels. This works out to be a pretty good overall combination for me. The Cooper and Dunlop tires I used wore out too fast (25,000 miles). These BFGs go at least 40k before they're no good for snow. JMO -Dave G. |
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BartM
Member
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Hoorn, Netherlands
Vehicle(s): 1979 280GE
Posts: 18
| Re: Tubed to Tubeless - Rim suitable?
Gents, many thanks for your comments. And yes dave I'm below sealevel here. But I suppose that's a reason to want to go up! 
I think I will go for the 235's, at least for now. One step at a time!
Dave you mean A/T, not T/A right? Or am I missing something? |
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hipine
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: US, CO, Bailey
Vehicle(s): 460 1980 280GE w. 617A
| Re: Tubed to Tubeless - Rim suitable?
It's T/A.... here's a link: http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/overview/commercial-t-a-traction/48.html All the best, -Dave G. |
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kerry460
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: tasmania australia
Vehicle(s): 1984 300GD LWB WAGEN
Posts: 611
| Re: Tubed to Tubeless - Rim suitable?
G,,day 255 85 16 bfgs work well on 5.5 rims ,probabably better on narrow rims because the beads are protected better ,no clearance problems ,on road performance is a bit comprimised ,but off road makes up for it .i wont run anything else,hope it helps,kerry. |
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BartM
Member
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Hoorn, Netherlands
Vehicle(s): 1979 280GE
Posts: 18
| Re: Tubed to Tubeless - Rim suitable?
Thansk again guys. I am tempted by the 255/85 option after all, but still a little worried the wheel wells can't take it. My springs are original and fine as far as I can see / feel. What if you are in terrain and a wheel is pushed right into the well? Would it still not rub? |
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kerry460
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: tasmania australia
Vehicle(s): 1984 300GD LWB WAGEN
Posts: 611
| RE: Tubed to Tubeless - Rim suitable?
G,,day have not had any problems with tyres touching body ,the only thing is you will need to do is adjust steering stop bolts to stop the tyre rubing on longitudinal axle link on full lock . 3 G,s here running them ,my 460 with king springs. 460 with standard springs. 461 with standard springs . i dont know how to post photo here ,if you want send me a message and i will email you some , my rims are standard , 5.5 x 16 , cheers kerry. |
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BartM
Member
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Hoorn, Netherlands
Vehicle(s): 1979 280GE
Posts: 18
| Re: Tubed to Tubeless - Rim suitable?
OK, so turning circle would be (even! :- ) smaller. Thnaks again. I still havent made up my mind but I know what i need to know. |
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T.Schuhe
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Olympia, Washington State, USA
Vehicle(s): 460 1985 LWB 300GD five speed
Posts: 711
| Re: Tubed to Tubeless - Rim suitable?
BartM,
It has been noted somewhere in this thread, the taller the tyre/tire, the more you will suffer power loss. This becomes important with a 460. If you live or go to areas that are less than smooth, you will be a gear lower than if you run stock sized tires. With the stock 617 (non-turbo) diesel engine and its 88 trusty horses, anything taller than the stock size tire really changed my driveability. So, I returned to a Dunlop of near normal stock size (30" OD). The Dunlop does seem to wear faster than others, so now I am likely at about 29.6" OD, but it has great wet/ice/snow capability.
I think Harald had once even worked up a formula that examined wheel + tire O/D, and a given gear box, axle ratio, and resulting horsepower/torque.
The only performance department that did gain anything for me was highway speed, but it would take a fortnight to get up to that blistering speed, and I never did like the resulting "seat of the pants feeling" of driving in this 'out of original specification' arrangement. But, I am fussy about automotive harmonics and the "feel" of "mechanical symphony." I have this fantasy that I actually drive my Gwagen with a director's baton... (Just humor me...  )
Best wishes, |
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BartM
Member
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Hoorn, Netherlands
Vehicle(s): 1979 280GE
Posts: 18
| Re: Tubed to Tubeless - Rim suitable?
Thanks Tomas,
Yes I am aware of that. Yet it seems to me this should not be a huge issue, at least ion my case. I presume the problem is only on-road (off-road you'll be in lower gears anyway). Over here in holland there are hardly any high-speed inclines. If I do happen to come across one I don't mind shifting down one!
I have a few more horses than you, though it will affect any car of course. But if it takes me 20 instead of 15 seconds (im guessing here, could be double that! to reach 70MPH i couldn't care less!
But thanks for the good advise!
Bart |
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BartM
Member
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Hoorn, Netherlands
Vehicle(s): 1979 280GE
Posts: 18
| RE: Tubed to Tubeless - Rim suitable?
Thought I'd add a few pics with the new tires. I went for the 255's after all. As warned it does affect acceleration, turning circle and breaking, as well as the overall feel of the drive. I had to get used to it, but now that I am, I LOVE it. No second thoughts Breaking is still more than ok (which is the main thing of course). Since they are MT's they are a little noisier but to be honest it is hardly noticeable.
The width is also (just) roadlegal And off-road, well....GGRRRR
Kerry, thanks for the tips!
Bart
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kerry460
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: tasmania australia
Vehicle(s): 1984 300GD LWB WAGEN
Posts: 611
| RE: Tubed to Tubeless - Rim suitable?
G,,day i am pleased you are happy . as i said they are just the right size. and they work . 16 to 20 lbs in sand just about unstopable . yes they are just legal ,but legal glad to be of help,kerry . |
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