Another Tire choice to make!

bonge31 · Post by **bonge31** » Mon Dec 25, 2017 2:22 am

Hi everyone. I just introduced myself yesterday and after two years of research I finally found my 1991 Delica LHD!
I know this topic as been discussed many times but all the threads are quite old.
I'm planning to drive from France to Lapland in March and I'm looking for a good set of tires.
My mechanic want me to put some lite truck tires like the Kuhmo KC11 in 225/70/R16 but it looks like a lot of people here are equipped with 235/75/R15, Wich seems to be the closest size from the stock tires.
I don't have the budget this year to get a pair of winter and summer tires so I'll probably drive with them all year long...
I bought it with some 32x11.5 R15 Cooper STT M+S but I almost died three times when bringing it back from south of France to my place trough the French Alps... [emoji28]

Wishing you a Merry Christmas by the way!
Thanks

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bonge31 · Post by **bonge31** » Mon Dec 25, 2017 7:13 am

I just saw that I didn't ask any questions^^! I'd be glad if you have any advice about what kind of tires I should choose ;)
Thanks a lot

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Lapprentis · Post by **Lapprentis** » Mon Dec 25, 2017 10:21 am

If you expect any swow for some part of the year: here if the perfect contender: GEOLANDAR A/T G015 (P235/75R15 108T XL GL A/T G015 or 30X9.50R15 104S C GL A/T G015)

An all around (4 seasons) tire with the certified winter flake: not sure if it is for sale in Europe....I have no experience as for how fast it wear in summer time hot pavement but perform as good as any specific winter tire I tryed in the snow

https://pneu.yokohama.ca/tires/geolandar-a-t-g015

EDIT: do you have 15 or 16 inches wheels ? Anywhy, there is a G015 for you

EDIT2: Here, most of us are driving P35W or P25W chassis. In Europe, it is different....Here (P25-35W), when using 235/75R15 or 30X9, your are getting close to the maximum tire size whitout modification. Stock tire, I think, were at bit smaller.

Lapprentis

bonge31 · Post by **bonge31** » Mon Dec 25, 2017 1:51 pm

Thanks a lot for your answers. Here is a picture of my Delica. It's a P35W imported from Japan. I'd like to find the stock bull bar but it is almost impossible over there... It's already lifted due to the size of the Cooper STT [emoji28]
I've got 15 inches rims btw. [img]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201712 ... b59f8c.jpg[/img]

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sk66 · Post by **sk66** » Tue Dec 26, 2017 7:43 am

From the looks of it, those 32" tires were not meant for that width of a rim... that's the problem with the stock rims as well, they're too narrow for a lot of tires.

I would get 16" rims if I were you and put some good AT tires on them (30-31"). I've been running Falkens for over a year now and I'm very happy with them.

bonge31 · Post by **bonge31** » Tue Dec 26, 2017 9:42 am

Ok, thanks for those infos. The rims I have are not stock rims.
I've read some reviews about the Yoko, but do you think I should take them in 15 or 16 inches?
I mean, if they fit on those rims, it could spare me some money [emoji28]!

Thanks

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bonge31 · Post by **bonge31** » Sat Jan 06, 2018 4:23 pm

Hey sorry to ask again but as my Delica is lifted a little bit ^^, is it not a problem to stay with 15 inch rims?

Thanks ;)

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lrp374 · Post by **lrp374** » Sat Jan 06, 2018 4:56 pm

The wheels you have are very nice aftermarket ones. I would think they are likely much wider than stock so you may be limited to how narrow a tire you can use. Changing the wheel diameter will do nothing for your traction. Changing the tire width and winter tread may help. These vans are not known for great traction in 2 wheel drive! IMHO

Crankshaft Culture · Post by **Crankshaft Culture** » Mon Jan 15, 2018 4:05 pm

I have The Geolandar A/T G015 from Yokohama on my Delica and love them. I've had them in sand, snow, mud, gravel, dirt, and of course, pavement. I love 'em.

I wrote a review on them for our website: http://crankshaftculture.com/2017/12/01 ... ain-tires/

bonge31 · Post by **bonge31** » Mon Jan 15, 2018 4:27 pm

Crankshaft Culture wrote:I have The Geolandar A/T G015 from Yokohama on my Delica and love them. I've had them in sand, snow, mud, gravel, dirt, and of course, pavement. I love 'em.

I wrote a review on them for our website: http://crankshaftculture.com/2017/12/01 ... ain-tires/

Thanks a lot! I chose the Geolandar after reading your review!! My mechanic just ordered them and I'm waiting impatiently for them to be delivered [emoji14]
By the way, I was reading some stuff about manual locking hubs, does somebody have any thoughts about them?

Thanks again for your answers guys ;)

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Post by **Growlerbearnz** » Mon Jan 15, 2018 5:16 pm

Manual hubs are alleged to be stronger than auto hubs, but I've not managed to break an auto hub yet. Manual hubs also allow you to use low range in 2WD- just don't lock the hubs.

On the other hand, I find that about half the time I need 4WD I need it immediately, and having to get out of the cab to engage it would be a pain (I often reverse into a parallel park on a steep hill, but if it's been raining there's just not enough traction on the rear wheels alone).

sk66 · Post by **sk66** » Wed Jan 17, 2018 4:42 am

These will go through a lot in 2wd... I don't usually engage 4wheel until after I'm stuck. Getting out in muck and mud to lock hubs sucks...

x-wind · Post by **x-wind** » Sun Sep 22, 2019 8:15 pm

Auto hubs spin the cv joints and front differential all the time. Manual hubs do not so you have less wear and tear and better fuel economy.

sk66 · Post by **sk66** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 11:13 am

x-wind wrote: ↑Sun Sep 22, 2019 8:15 pm Auto hubs spin the cv joints and front differential all the time.

No, they shouldn't. They should be free to spin at the hub when unlocked... that's kind of the point.
If they are spinning the CV joints and driveshaft there might be a problem (dinged splines, overpacked, etc.)... if they are just turning a little when cold it's probably just stiction.

STL · Post by **STL** » Sat Oct 05, 2019 9:31 am

I have a set of Hankook RF10 on my L300 Long version (imported from Holland) to France. I don't like them so much but there are nearly impossible to wear

My next set of tires that could accomodate some snow but still all weather will be the Nokian Rotiva AT in 235/75 R15. We tried them on a heavier truck and they are a good compromise without weary too much on sand and very warm weather.

STL