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Hi all you slightly crazy 1998-2004 Grand Vitara owners / modifiers,
How have you gone about fitting 245/75R16 (30.5") & even 235/85R16 (32") tyres on your car??
I have a car, that has been reasonably happy running around on BFG A/T Ko & currently Cooper S/T Maxx 225/75R16 tyres.
I say reasonably happy, as a little bit more height would be a good thing.
The suspension is an OME kit - same springs for 240,000km & could do with changing - dampers / shocks are about 40,000km old & feel fine.
I bought a s/hand set of 215/85R16 Hankook M/T via Built-For-Thrashing, that I thought would be a good way to go - these work out to be very close, OD wise, to the 245/75R16 size, but obviously a bit narrower, which will help with chassis rub on lock, on the standard 7" rims.
I fitted one up, took the springs out to be able to fully cycle the travel & they hit lots of stuff - but especially the 'lump' that sticks out of the footwell.
I would love to get these on, but don't want to compromise the car too much - as is, it does most of what I ask of it reasonably well (It's a tourer, not a crawler) but sandy Little Desert tracks can really give the skid plates a work out.
I can cut the car, but even then, it looks like bump stop spacing will be required - that obviously reduces travel & I get my car on the stops every now and again as it is (probably the old springs, as much as anything), so not ideal.
The car is a 1999 'Limited', so has ABS & dual front SRS - a body lift is out.
Am I doing wishful thinking in trying to get a 30+" tyre on?
As the springs could do with replacing, happy to look at Dobbins / Kings / XL7 etc - you tell me. Would prefer not to use coil spacers / packers & plan to keep the existing OME shocks?.
Touch wood, I've never broken a CV & hope not to - thinking diff drop brackets will also be on the list - who does good / strong ones? - Bits for Vits?
Thanks for your thoughts,
Rgs, Michael
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