Transporter transformation panel van to not a camper
Discussion
As suggested by @macron
Transferred over from car car buying https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Transferred over from car car buying https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Following a little bit of lowering yesterday thanks to Koni and CRS Performance.
Im hoping its low enough for the 20inch alloys with 40 profile tyres planned to not look lost. I need them to almost fill the arches, leaving about an inch and a half gap. Maybe 45 profile would work better ?
For the record I had adjustables fitted on the rear, to allow for the other carefully selected mods to come.
Im hoping its low enough for the 20inch alloys with 40 profile tyres planned to not look lost. I need them to almost fill the arches, leaving about an inch and a half gap. Maybe 45 profile would work better ?
For the record I had adjustables fitted on the rear, to allow for the other carefully selected mods to come.
Edited by macp on Saturday 11th October 17:39
Edited by macp on Saturday 11th October 17:41
I think 20’s will fill the arches nicely.
Depending on wheel width, there’s usually 8.5j and 10j widths and then you’ve got various tyre choices 275/35, 275/40, 265/40, 265/45 etc
But for a T32 I think 265/40 is the sweet spot and tyres are plentiful with at least a 103 load rating.
You may get a slight rub on full lock, a heat gun will allow you to persuade the inner arch to give some extra clearance.
On my old van the convertor put 102’s on my T32 and tried to convince me it was fine because they were 102XL, an email from the tyre manufacturer specifically stating otherwise meant he had to replace all 4 tyres at his cost.
Not teaching you to suck eggs, a T32 needs a wheel load rated to at least 860kg’s.
Depending on wheel width, there’s usually 8.5j and 10j widths and then you’ve got various tyre choices 275/35, 275/40, 265/40, 265/45 etc
But for a T32 I think 265/40 is the sweet spot and tyres are plentiful with at least a 103 load rating.
You may get a slight rub on full lock, a heat gun will allow you to persuade the inner arch to give some extra clearance.
On my old van the convertor put 102’s on my T32 and tried to convince me it was fine because they were 102XL, an email from the tyre manufacturer specifically stating otherwise meant he had to replace all 4 tyres at his cost.
Not teaching you to suck eggs, a T32 needs a wheel load rated to at least 860kg’s.
Yes when I was at CRS this guy was having the Koni def kit fitted to his Leighton T32 van, and he was wearing 265/40/20. He didnt mention rubbing, only that it was hard as nails currently. This being the reason he was having the Koni kit. I was thinking of going with a 255 or 265 with a 40 or 45 profile. For the record mine is a T30.
This was a pic before he had the kit fitted, wish I could have seen how it looked afterwards.
This was a pic before he had the kit fitted, wish I could have seen how it looked afterwards.
Edited by macp on Sunday 12th October 09:04
I always think it's great to see the transition from "car buying" to "here's the car I bought"!
Especially when you have plans!
I wouldn't worry too much about the height, there is deffo a trade off with ride when they get low, despite the decent wheelbase. I appreciate"scene" and some people don't like their spines, but far too many go far too far!
Especially when you have plans!
I wouldn't worry too much about the height, there is deffo a trade off with ride when they get low, despite the decent wheelbase. I appreciate"scene" and some people don't like their spines, but far too many go far too far!
macron said:
I always think it's great to see the transition from "car buying" to "here's the car I bought"!
Especially when you have plans!
I wouldn't worry too much about the height, there is deffo a trade off with ride when they get low, despite the decent wheelbase. I appreciate"scene" and some people don't like their spines, but far too many go far too far!
Agreed I dont want super low, I am desperately searching for the look I want, and having done some miles on this Koni kit I am really happy with the ride. I just dont want to fork out another £1.5k and the wheels looking lost in the arches. But as to ride quality the guys @ CRS swear that 20s with the right tyres and good suspension will still feel really good. And they strongly suggest a 40 or 45 profile.Especially when you have plans!
I wouldn't worry too much about the height, there is deffo a trade off with ride when they get low, despite the decent wheelbase. I appreciate"scene" and some people don't like their spines, but far too many go far too far!
119 said:
You will immediately notice a difference going from those to 20s with thin tyres on and will be a detriment to ride quality, depending on your level of acceptability of course.
I tend to agree with you, but it is subjective. And im not going super low profile. I also think my current Koni setup is quite forgiving, and seems to be more each time I drive.119 said:
Not sure i agree with all the 'it will settle and soften up over time' opinions, i think it's just more the fact you get used to it.
Anyway, the big problem is the cost of getting them, and then wishing you hadn't.
Good luck!
Yeah you could be right re getting used to it. I guess you have have gone down this rabbit hole then ?Anyway, the big problem is the cost of getting them, and then wishing you hadn't.
Good luck!
119 said:
You will immediately notice a difference going from those to 20s with thin tyres on and will be a detriment to ride quality, depending on your level of acceptability of course.
Not necessarily, factory 17’s with 107 rated XL commercial van tyres give a pretty harsh ride too.I thought my van rode worse on the factory Goodyear Vector Cargo’s or whatever they were called than my 265/40/20 Eagles.
But as you say, ride quality is very subjective.
macp said:
Yes when I was at CRS this guy was having the Koni def kit fitted to his Leighton T32 van, and he was wearing 265/40/20. He didnt mention rubbing, only that it was hard as nails currently. This being the reason he was having the Koni kit. I was thinking of going with a 255 or 265 with a 40 or 45 profile. For the record mine is a T30.
Different tyres of the same size can have a slightly different edge profile, Pirelli Scorpion didn’t rub, Goodyear Eagles did, both were exactly the same size.T30 - the world is your lobster, T32’s ride harder anyway.
Guys im considering amongst other things whether to go for a more A/T styled wheel & road biased tyre. If such a thing exists. A swamper low if you will 
A couple examples, both running 65 profile tyres on 17s
A couple examples, both running 65 profile tyres on 17s
Edited by macp on Sunday 12th October 21:07
Edited by macp on Sunday 12th October 22:44
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