Suzuki vitara mud tyres

[Nathanvitara]

Hi just wondering if anyone can help. I Want to know what's the biggest mud tyres I can fit on a suzuki vitara 1997 2.0 diesel 5 door with a 2" lift kit on ? and what size wheel spacers can i fit aswell ? Thanks

[MustangGT]

Number of questions:

What wheel size?
Have you modified the arches?
Have you modified the gearing?

Probably more questions needed before anybody can answer the question posed.

[Nathanvitara]

They're 16s and no modification to arches or gearing

[MustangGT]

That is somewhat limiting. Going too big (diameter) with the tyres will give you gearing issues, I normally accept 3-5% as the maximum.

In terms of width you will be limited by wheel-arch clearance.

Would I be correct in thinking you have 215/65/16s?

You could probably get away with 225/70/16, have a look at:

https://tyresdirectuk.co.uk/ or https://www.johncraddockltd.co.uk/tyres/ or https://www.tyres.net/

Good luck!

[Nathanvitara]

Oh okay I didn't realise it would affect gearing. What does it do to the gearing then ? And thankyou very much for your help I will have a look 👍

[MustangGT]

The gearing is altered in a direct proportion to the increase or decrease in the wheel/tyre circumference.

Your 215/65/16 have a rolling circumference of 215.48cm. Changing to 225/70/16 would change that to 226.63cm This is an increase of 5.18%.

Your speedometer will still read based on the original tyres, so would be under-reading 5.18% compared with the standard tyres.

This also means that the car has 5.18% more speed per 1,000 rpm so alters the effective torque available to move the car, this has a small effect on hill-climbing ability and acceleration.

Edited by MustangGT on Tuesday 14th March 15:40

[Nathanvitara]

Thanks very much much appreciated 👍