maybe it's me... now: one step forward, two steps back...

[Pete M]

... but the Jeeper in me can't leave well enough alone, even when it comes to my van. I was in desperate need of tires and just couldn't stand the thought of a simple replacement and so wondered, "how big of a tire can I shove under that thing?" :D So I did some research, took some measurements, and went from balding 225/60 tires to a 215/70 brand new winter tires up front and lots-o-tread used tires in the back. And none too soon either, as one of my rear tires developed a nasty rot in the sidewall which made for an interesting drive to the tire place today (yay co2 tank!). I'm sitting an inch or more taller than I was this morning.

 

 

shipping tires is actually very reasonable. the new ones came from Tire Rack and were 66 each plus like 25 shipping, the used ones came from ebay (vyc tires to be exact) and were like 70 shipped to my door.

 

 

 

yes I could have shoved a bit more rubber under there (still have a little more room before the front tires would have contacted the coil buckets), but was worried about hurting the van's performance (she's old and I don't want to stress her out too much) and could only afford to do this once.

 

[Comanche County]

I tried to do this on a 07 Grand Caravan. But it was with dodge Intrepid wheels and some slightly taller studded snow/winter tires. The Intrepid wheels didn't have enough backspacing and would rub the calipers. So I used some cheapo 1/4" spacers and that did the trick. No, you are not alone good sir, your logic is sound.

[whowey]

Well... technically the difference between a 225/60 and a 215/70 is 15mm on the sidewall.

 

Half your gain is from tread depth and tire shape rather than an actual increase in tire size.

 

 

I'd like to find a tire with a little stiffer sidewall. With the entire family in the van... I can really feel some sidewall movement when make turns/lane changes, etc. The Douglas tires I have been running are cheap and they last quite awhile.

[Pete M]

Half your gain is from tread depth and tire shape rather than an actual increase in tire size.

 

 

I know. :thumbsup: but I couldn't go much higher without contacting the coil cups (stupid ifs). plus the new 215 tires were the cheapest size. :D WalMart refused to mount them because they were "too tall" and might get sliced by the fenders. phooey on that. :fs2: The tires would touch the cups long before touching any part of the fender.

 

There's generally only me in the van (and carly of course) so I have a different set of requirements. The cushy ride is kinda nice. :D but I agree there isn't much sidewall strength in a 1 ply tire. :ack:

[Geonovast]

I had Wal Mart do one tire for me. Only because the stupid thing went flat that day, I was out of same-size spares, and it was Sunday. Sunday = Wal Mart only tire place open.

 

Luckily I had an extra rim sitting around that I got from Worlds Fastest Comanche during the AMC guy's visit. I carried it into Wal Mart, they mounted the tire, I wheeled it out, and changed it in the parking lot.

[whowey]

I didn't know about the Wally ban on mounting larger than normal tires.. I always walk in with them loose and they don't say anything to me.

[Pete M]

in their defense, he did say he'd mount whatever I brought in as long as I rolled them in separate. that was a bit more hassle than I wanted to deal with on this occasion.

[dasbulliwagen]

I thought about doing this on my Hyundai Tucson, but chickened out, as the car is still too new, though I did mount a set of Yokohama Geolander AT's in stock size. Maybe next time.... after the warranty lapses.

[robfg67]

Pete, I've been running these Winterforce tires for about a year on my MJ and are very happy with them. Tonight on my ride home in about an inch of snow, they can't be stopped.

[HOrnbrod]

Hmmm. I think I remember reading once or twice that you had never bought new tires. Or is my memory failing - again? :yes:

[Pete M]

technically my dad bought them. :D but mostly I found that decent used winter tires near me were almost as expensive as the ones I bought. :dunno: my particular size was the cheapest though.

 

 

also, I have purchased new tires before (2 sets of bfgs). I just swore I'd never do it again. :yes: but when a deals a deal, I can't pass it up.

[Dirteatr717]

GREAT TIRE! I have em on my manche in the 235/75/15 flavor... You'd be surprised how hard it is to break them loose on a few inches of hard packed snow.... I have about 10,000 miles on them and they're wearing a little unevenly... Rotated every 3k too :cheers:

[jpnjim]

I like the high clearance rear bumper. ;)

[xjrev10]

I like the high clearance rear bumper. ;)

what i was thinking the whole time I was reading the thread

[Pete M]

some lady was kind enough to mod that for me a couple winters ago. :D I still gotta get around to clearancing it a bit so I can open the rear door again.

[Sir Sam]

some lady was kind enough to mod that for me a couple winters ago. :D I still gotta get around to clearancing it a bit so I can open the rear door again.

 

Been a few years since you opened the rear door?

[Pete M]

at least one. can't remember if this happened last winter or the one before. curse my feeble brain.

 

 

so far the tires have been handling great in the icy parts of the side streets. can't wait for the next snow!

[Pete M]

well, that was fast. I got the tires mounted, what, Monday afternoon? so I got a day and a half getting a happy vibe from my van. Now I get angry when looking at it. Seems someone sideswiped it early this morning. :fs1: with some tweaking of the plastic trim the door still opens. And it even sorta kinda closes too. the door was pushed down slightly in relation to the catch and so it makes a gawd awful thunk as it shuts. called the cops and had a report made. not that it'll do any good, but it made me feel a bit better.

 

I gotta say, I'm a little pissed. :rant:

 

[Geonovast]

Isn't it amazing how most people forget how to drive in the snow over summer?

[Pete M]

yup. all they had to do was negotiate the corner. the van was just sitting in front of my house. If they had hit the back door I wouldn't have cared. if they had hit the side door I wouldn't have cared. but no, they had to hit the one door on that side that still worked. :rant:

 

I wonder if my window still rolls down...

[Pete M]

nope. only goes down about 3/4 of the way. :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant:

[Geonovast]

nope. only goes down about 3/4 of the way. :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant:

 

Big problem in the dead of winter... :rotf: