[Marn]

Hi all. I have a 1997 sj80 that i purchased with no wheels. I borrowed a set of 15 inch vitara wheels to try to get it rolling but they foul on the front brake calipers. I need to buy some new wheels soon so my question is what size rims did they come out with and what would be a larger tyre (but not too large) to put on it?
BFGs are on sale at the moment buy3 get fourth free. I was thinking of 235/75/16??
1.3 GTi motor doing the turning.
So my question is what size and offset rims would suit this vehicle?
Thanks!

[ZUZUKI]

The original wheels were 5.5" x 15" Steel, with round holes. these wheels were also fitted to Jinmys.
Earlier Sierras had a 'Sunrasia' style spoked steel 5.5" x15" wheels - these also fit a SJ80.
Virara's also had 5.5' X 15 steels - some with round holes but most with a 'teardrop' shape hole. These Vitara rims have less offset, due to the design limitations of the IFS.
235/75R15 is too wide for these 5.5" rims, 6" to 7" is approved fitment.
The widest tyre on the original 5.5" is 215, so 215/75R15 at 703mm O.D. (27.7") is a possibility, but on the small side.
235/75R16 is a rare (non-existent?) size.
235/75R15 is a good size on an otherwise stock Sierra as it fits ok & doesn't stuff the gearing too much - this works out at 734mm O.D, or almost 29", but you need to fine wider than stock rims.

A 16" equivalent O.D. is 235/70R16. 225/75R16 is a more common size, but getting bigger at 744mm O.D.
Some people have run SQ series (1998-2005) Grand Vitara 7" x 16" wheels - available in steel or at least 5 designs of alloys.
These seem to fit ok, but I'm not sure if a coily control arm is in the same spot as a W/T leaf.
There are legality issues to keep in mind also - check with a RWC tester or tyre store - there are limits to track increase & O.D. compared to what's on the tyre placard.

Rgs, Michael

[Gwagensteve]

A small correction Michael, The factory wheels for a SJ80 are the round hole vitara type. Coil sierras use the same offset at Vitara (25P). Jimny use a variant of the leaf sierra wheel but with 5P offset rather than 10P offset on the leaf sierra.

Marn, perhaps post a photo of the actual rims you have and the car- Vitara rims should not foul the callipers on a SJ80.

Otherwise Marn, everything posted is perfectly accurate.

[Marn]

Ok thanks i will try and grab a photo. They are vitara rims that are 15 inch and the tyre plackard says 15 inch as standard, yet they are fouling on the calipers. I wonder if the PO has fitted some sort of larger brakes?

[jdk81]

Has it got vented rotors etc?
maybe someone installed the later LWB vit brakes.

[Marn]

it does have auto hubs that i believe are from a vit so the brakes are a possibility. Im guessing they are larger?

[Gwagensteve]

They still clear vitara 15” rims unless someone has swapped in 2.0litre vitara brakes which will require funky caliper spacers that aren’t off the shelf items.

[Marn]

Yes they are ventilated rotors. I cant upload pics as the file is too big, but it looks like i am going to have to go with the 16 inchers. Thanks everyone

[Gwagensteve]

It’s impossible to assist more without photos. I have ventilated rotors on my Sierra and they absolutely clear all 15” rims. As I’ve pointed out, ventilated rotors from a 2.0 litre vitara aren’t a bolt in and will require custom work as machined spacers are required.

16” rims are generally an inferior choice on a Sierra (especially in small sizes) due to high tyre load ratings and reduced sidewall flexibility.

[Marn]

Attachment:

IMG_2945.JPG

[Marn]

sent it too myself as a smaller email then it let me post it

[Marn]

Attachment:

IMG_2946.jpg

[Marn]

ok got this picture thing sorted

[Gwagensteve]

Yep, they look like SQ or GV calipers to me. Weird.