[stooge]

Short version: will 225/75 AT tyres be usable offroad in a stock 2001 GV with only the 'bend the metal tab' modification?

Long version: Just got back from the first decent drive in my 'new' 2001 LWB V6 Grand Vitara. I'm pleasantly surprised by its stock capability, but of course more clearance will be handy.

Having done a bit of reading on this forum, my plan was to get an OME lift first, then go for 225/75 tyres - probably BFG ATs seeing as they are doing the free compressors at the moment.

Now I'm thinking that I can get by for a bit (while saving up the cash for the lift) with just the tyres and a front bash plate.

In this post ODA1 says that 225/75 will fit without a lift:

http://www.auszookers.com/index.php?nam ... ic&t=10641

But will they be usable for moderate 4x4 tracks without excessive rubbing?

Any advice is welcome!

[steak_knife]

I ran 235/70r16's on sagged spring's for month's, thay do scrub a lil bit.
225's are the same height..so you should be fine..

[stooge]

Thanks!

[Fatzook]

I've got 225/75's with no lift on my SV420. Its not a GV, but has the same clearances etc.

Scrubs a little bit, but not too bad.

[ODA1]

Fatzook wrote:

I've got 225/75's with no lift on my SV420. Its not a GV, but has the same clearances etc.

Scrubs a little bit, but not too bad.

you have muddies.

[Fatzook]

ODA1 wrote:

Fatzook wrote:

I've got 225/75's with no lift on my SV420. Its not a GV, but has the same clearances etc.

Scrubs a little bit, but not too bad.

you have muddies.

does that matter?

[Samurai81]

I'm trying to figure that out too but I'm keen to use a 225X75X16 MT with a bit of lift on my SV420 without cutting the guard.
Of course there's an inch difference between 15s and 16s. Some of the posts don't detail the wheel diameter.

[ODA1]

ht, at and MTs all have different tread depths so they very in size and also between makers.

a 225/75/16 mud with side lugs can scrub but a A.T. the same size may just tuck right up into the wheel well instead of catching the wheel arch lip.

[ODA1]

Samurai81 wrote:

I'm trying to figure that out too but I'm keen to use a 225X75X16 MT with a bit of lift on my SV420 without cutting the guard.
Of course there's an inch difference between 15s and 16s. Some of the posts don't detail the wheel diameter.

fatzooks 2L vitara with stock suspension scrubs - 225/75/16 Kuhmo KL71 MT

[Samurai81]

Thanks Tim. I'm looking at a set of Hankook 03s. Dont want to make a size mistake at their price.
Steve.

[ODA1]

no worries

225/75/16 is the biggest you want on the 2L, they will scrub on the chassie when turning unless you go a GV rim for the bigger offset. this puts the tyre out further making it easier for the tyres to scrub on the wheel arch.

a 2 inch lift should fix this.



225/75/16s with a 40mm spring lift, no scrubbing on the arches but scrubbing on the chassie at full lock - with the factory rims

[Samurai81]

Looks good. I'm keeping a lookout for GV wheels but am aware that later ones came with a small diameter (57 mm) inner hole which wouldn't fit over my front free wheeling (or auto) hubs.

[ODA1]

Samurai81 wrote:

Looks good. I'm keeping a lookout for GV wheels but am aware that later ones came with a small diameter (57 mm) inner hole which wouldn't fit over my front free wheeling (or auto) hubs.

98 - 05 grand Vitara or XL7 rims



this shape.

[Fatzook]

ODA1 wrote:

Samurai81 wrote:

I'm trying to figure that out too but I'm keen to use a 225X75X16 MT with a bit of lift on my SV420 without cutting the guard.
Of course there's an inch difference between 15s and 16s. Some of the posts don't detail the wheel diameter.

fatzooks 2L vitara with stock suspension scrubs - 225/75/16 Kuhmo KL71 MT

I have a feeling that mine scrubs the upper flare in the rear wheel arch ONLY because of the extra offset on the XL7 rims. Ofcoarse as you said, keeping the stock rims may stop scrubbing in the rear, but will cause it in the front

225/75 16's of any sort and 2" lift will see it done

[Samurai81]

I've put in a 40 mm suspension lift and a 1 inch body lift. My wife complained she couldn't get into the Samurai after I jacked that up too high for her.

[ODA1]

sounds like you will be fine then.

[stooge]

I had the 225/75 BF Goodrich AT fitted during the week, with no tyre rubbing during road driving. Although they did have to remove the rear mudflaps, as clearance at the rear of the back wheel wells is tight.

Have just returned from an offroad test drive, and am very happy with the performance of the tyres, the performance jump is huge. The only catch is that I'm getting some rubbing during articulation of the rear axle, most notably when negotiating large roll-overs that are unavoidably diagonal to the line of the vehicle. But this was expected (thanks to above posts), and it sounds like a lift will sort things out, and overall I'm very pleased with the capability of the GV.

Finally, tyres as fitted were at 40-41 PSI - very glad I checked this before heading out today. Dropped it to 26 PSI which seems a good all-round pressure.

[bailey08]

i have 235/70/16 with a 2in/3in lift with no rubbing at all, not even close.