Tyre Help!
 

Vehicle is: Toyota Hiace 4WD 2.8
Current Tyres: Bridgestone 'Winter Dueller'
Current Tyre Rate: 195/80 R15 960
Planned Usage: On road though europe, Bad road through Russia and Kaz, Off Road in Mongolia, Unpaved through Stans.

I don't know much about tyre info, but i assume these are winter tyres and so would be knackered driving on road through southern europe in June / July. Also they are about 10 years old and showing some cracks in the tread!

So I want a really hard all terrain tyre. Do I have to search for tyres that have the same specs as the ones already on (eg: 195/80 R15), i can work out that they got to be 15" but what about the Width and Ratio?

Massive Thanks in advance!

if they are cracked 10 year old tyres then yes change them

There is a LT215/75R15/C BF goodrich all terrain which is about the right diameter needs a 5.5 - 7 inch wide rim , a bit wider than your current tyres

I'm sure bundubasher could confirm if they'll fit or not ok and will be along soon

I have a hilux with the very same engine and I'm guessing running gear, but larger tyres as standard.

Looking around the internet it seems that some models of the Hiace 2.8 4WD had 205/70/15's fitted as standard, so I agree with the poster above that BFG A/T's 215/75/15 would be my choice.

I don't know they will not rub at all on full lock though but the size differance is not massive.

Awesome! sounds good. I guess that means new wheels though...

Any recommendations of a supplier in the UK for tyres / wheels?

Cheers

I doubt you will need new wheels, the last set of BFG's I bought came from Camskill who were quick and cheap.

I have been using BFG's for ten years on my Hilux and although they are not cheap, they last for ages.

Toby, does the Hiace have a separate chassis like a Hilux?

Twenty4Seven.... separate chassis?!!? Im afraid thats beyond my current mechanical knowledge! and cant confirm via google! How would i check and what are the implications!!

(p.s. have a day booked with a local hiace fanatic / mechanic before departure)

I never asked the question very well.

A Hilux has a separate chassis to the body, where as most modern cars (expect in general real 4x4) are monocoque chassis design meaning the body and chassis are one.
A separate chassis is stronger and if rust sets into the body it's not the end of the world.

I was just wondering if your Hiace is a Hilux with camper / van body or a monocoque with hilux running gear.
You should be able to tell by looking under :)


Either way you have a fantastic truck there IMO, the 2.8 non turbo engine is very simple without any electronics and does good MPG.

Hey twenty4seven!

Thanks for clearing that up... I don't think it is a separate chassis unfortunately. I think they were designed as MPV's and light commercial vans. This one was converted from an MPV off the production line.

But yea.. Having the mighty Hilux 2.8 engine in it was a massive selling point for me!

As far as I can see the only disadvantages to it are, its automatic :( the low ground clearance and the roof clearance (nearly 3m!). Though being tall was a must as I'm 6"3 and plan to be on the road for a year + so don't want to live like a hermit!

And with only 40k miles on it i hope the transmission will hold out for another 20-30k for this trip!

Back to tyres... Would it make any sense to buy them in Turkey, to do the europe on the ones i have, then pimp up before hitting the rough roads??

I would be amazed if you wore out a set of BFG A/T's in 40K miles, if like mine the fronts wear quicker than the backs so it maybe worth rotating them at some point.

If it was me I would get them before you go because if yours are very old you may have problems before you get to Turkey.

Do you have a website to follow your trip?

Matt

i'd agree - you are going to get tyre problems with the ones you've got

Change them before you go , the bfg all terrains should easily last that mileage and alot more (60k seems to be common - i have seen a claim for 100k miles), you'll only be worrying about them until you change them

take a look at Cooper Discoverer tyres too as an alternative to BFG.
I've found the STT pattern to be fantastic on a very wide range of terrain, but especially impressive on rocky/stony surfaces. I still haven't had a puncture on one in three years of off road use and they grip tarmac very well, wet or dry.
tend to be a little cheaper than BFG as well which is a bonus.

Great peeps... Thanks for all the advice... So 5 £100+ tyres to add to the budget!! EEk!

Yeap defiantly doing a website (I'm a filmmaker / photographer so loads of media). But the GF and i cant quite settle on a web address yet!