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Thread: tyres for 18" rims, factors in ride quality

  1. #1
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    tyres for 18" rims, factors in ride quality

    hi guys,

    i've had a bit of a look on the p38 section and can't find much info about tyres, aside from the sticky. i would like to keep stock rolling radius though.

    the car has a harsh ride compared to my gems car. both are on coils, both have factory rims (16 and 18" respectively). the early car has konis, the later car blue/yellow bilstiens. i'm not sure which is the biggest contributor to the ride which i find unacceptable. i hope it is not 16 vs 18 as i like the look of the bigger wheels.

    in any case the later car needs a set of fresh tyres, and having never purchased tyres for a 4x4, could do with some guidance.

    some factors -

    i want to keep stock size to not alter gearing, speedo accuracy, etc.

    use is mostly on sealed road, mix of fast windy country, highway, and suburban stuff. rough dirt now and then. soft sand now and then. i can't see doing much in the way of really rough tracks and mud, but never say never.

    don't want to spend a fortune.

    the 16s with taller/slimmer rubber seem a more natural choice for offroad?

    any input would be much appreciated.

  2. #2
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    i had 18's on my p38 and thought the ride quality was great but i was on airbags.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
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    Mine rides on 18’s, and I’m running the same bilsteins as you too. Unloaded the ride is rough and I don’t like it. With my usual load, about 400kg, it rides very well. I have 255/60/18 tyres on mine.

    I have noticed the shock absorbers to be the culprit. That said, when put to work they do handle very well.

    Cheers
    Keithy

  4. #4
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    I never noticed any real difference between the 16 en 18"'s Sure, higher sidewalls cause a bit more leaning in the corners but it's just not that much in this case. Bumps can be felt a bit more with the lower tyres but that's about it. I would also suspect the shocks. I have found the terrafirma adjustables to be quite nice! I do run airbags though.

    On bitumen a low tyre is just fine, of the black top I think the 16" standard size is a tad bit on the low side already. From what I read you have no real need for a terrain tyre, not even an A/T. If you do wish to go A/T's (I can't really recommend going any further than that) stick with a tyre that does best on road, with decent off road abilities like a duratrac. Still if you are 90% on bitumen, go with a decent H/T tyre. Much more quiet and smooth and less fuel consumption

    -P

  5. #5
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    thanks guys, will start looking around at prices. might swap shocks over with the gems car.

    i have a wreck arriving today still on eas... i must be the only person in the world to attempt to convert one of these back to bags, but here goes nothing.

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    Unless it’s been butchered, you won’t have an issue mate.

    Ive done two conversions for other people - one was swapping to coils, the other was swapping back to bags. As long as the wiring harness is good, you should be fine.

    Cheers
    Keithy

  7. #7
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    I agree with keithy

    The EAS might be intimidating at first but it is pretty easy to replace the bags, replacing airlines (if needed) is a bit of routing work but still simple as can be. Rebuilding the compressor and or valve block is a job which requires some patience and careful work but still no hassle. Finding leaks however can be a royal pain in the .... There are valves on the underside of the valveblock where you can't spray leak finder (or see what's happening). I would recommend taking the block out of the housing and routing the pipes in so that the block is a bit on it's side, this way you can search for leaks on both ends. (should you come to that)

    Good luck mate! you'll appreciate the ride once it is done

    -P

  8. #8
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    thanks to all for the responses. attention to shocks definitely required!

    the wreck arrived. EAS compressor wasn't running, bypassed the fusebox relay and the compressor kicked in and built up pressure, but no other action, running/doors closed/etc.

    i presume i have to reset/clear codes. hopefully jaycar sell obd plugs to turn into a serial cable so i can run the unlock thingo

  9. #9
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    They could have used a bypass harness you should check for those oh and check the relay under the left hand seat to see if it is fitted, without it, the EAS won't run.

    Good luck!

    -P

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