What front tyres
Discussion
Just bought a 93 Chim 4.3BV.
The steering is less than great and the front end crashes over any little bumps, shock seem ok but the front tyres, wich are new and a dubious make are 205 60 15s wich look way to tall on the rim, tyre pressure is probabley to high as well, I checked the hand book and low an behold this is the correct size but not the correct speed rating (they are Rs) I have also seen 205 55 15s on Chims too, it has Falkens on the back, 245 55 16s. What they best thing to get? Also are 4.3BV Chims unusual? Seems to go well, even compared to my Cerb.
The steering is less than great and the front end crashes over any little bumps, shock seem ok but the front tyres, wich are new and a dubious make are 205 60 15s wich look way to tall on the rim, tyre pressure is probabley to high as well, I checked the hand book and low an behold this is the correct size but not the correct speed rating (they are Rs) I have also seen 205 55 15s on Chims too, it has Falkens on the back, 245 55 16s. What they best thing to get? Also are 4.3BV Chims unusual? Seems to go well, even compared to my Cerb.
Yep, you want 205/55/15's on the front and 225/50/16 on the back, although some people squeeze 245/45/16's on. As for Tyres well there are a lot of threads on this one as its a bit of a "topic" since the demise of the SO2pp. I'm running BF Goodrich G Force Profilers but am in a minority (of one I think!), other people are having success with Eagle F1s and Toyo's although there is some debate on the Rating of Toyo's in the size for the front IIRC.
Cheers
Matt
Cheers
Matt
Edited by M@H on Wednesday 2nd August 11:10
Falken do some good tyres so it might be worth binning the front set and putting some of those on the front as well if they raelly are a bit poor. Mind you I would put the existing fronts at about 24psi anyway and take it for a drive as this should tell you if the banging about is simply overinflation or more of a suspension issue.
All the purists are going to come down on me like a ton of bricks but I run 205/50 ZR 15 R888 Toyos on the front (matched with SO2s on the rear just to get then twittering some more) and love the handling. I also run significant toe-out on the front and that is a no-no too. Works for me 
I have just got a 93 4.3 as well and the tyres are 205/60/15's on the front Bridgestone RE71's and 235/50/16 Michelin Pilots on the back.
The fronts need replacing and I was thinking of going 205/55/15's as this seems the most common, back tyres are virtually brand new so will stick with them for the time being, ride seems fine on mine, but then don't have a lot of experience to compare.
Seems all sorts of combinations were put on Chims over the years. My service book says 205/60/15 fronts and 225/55/16 rears. Done a fair bit of internet research and now thoroughly confused about what size and what are the best tyes.
The fronts need replacing and I was thinking of going 205/55/15's as this seems the most common, back tyres are virtually brand new so will stick with them for the time being, ride seems fine on mine, but then don't have a lot of experience to compare.
Seems all sorts of combinations were put on Chims over the years. My service book says 205/60/15 fronts and 225/55/16 rears. Done a fair bit of internet research and now thoroughly confused about what size and what are the best tyes.
Nick,
Glad to see you're back on the V8's.
I would go 205/55/15 but SP9000's. Only tyre in that rating which is from a reputable manufacturer. Toyo is only V rated so will have to inform insurance and if you want to change insurer may be a problem. I wouldn't drop the rating unless there was no other choice.
I can't believe someone has RE71's as these must be best part of 10 years old - we had them on a Chim in 1996. Tyre life is around 5 years so do replace them as it's your life they're protecting. Otherwise you're on borrowed time. I wouldn't do it in any car never mid a Tiv.
I've just changing the front on a car which was around 3mm but when I took the wheel off the tyre was starting to crack deep down in the tread and was just over 5 years old. Otherwise it looked fine but on close inspection it wasn't. If any of you saw the Fifth Gear show when they tested 2 identical cars, one with brand new tyres and one with just MOT legal, ie 1.6mm ish and the speed the rear car (with the just legal tyres) hit the other car (both going the same speed and braking at the same time) was unbeleivable. It was as though it hadn't even touched the brakes - it went underneath the front car and spun it around. I will never let them get anywhere near the bars again.
I got the 2 SP9000's for £134 delivered form Blackcircles last week.
FFG
Glad to see you're back on the V8's.
I would go 205/55/15 but SP9000's. Only tyre in that rating which is from a reputable manufacturer. Toyo is only V rated so will have to inform insurance and if you want to change insurer may be a problem. I wouldn't drop the rating unless there was no other choice.
I can't believe someone has RE71's as these must be best part of 10 years old - we had them on a Chim in 1996. Tyre life is around 5 years so do replace them as it's your life they're protecting. Otherwise you're on borrowed time. I wouldn't do it in any car never mid a Tiv.
I've just changing the front on a car which was around 3mm but when I took the wheel off the tyre was starting to crack deep down in the tread and was just over 5 years old. Otherwise it looked fine but on close inspection it wasn't. If any of you saw the Fifth Gear show when they tested 2 identical cars, one with brand new tyres and one with just MOT legal, ie 1.6mm ish and the speed the rear car (with the just legal tyres) hit the other car (both going the same speed and braking at the same time) was unbeleivable. It was as though it hadn't even touched the brakes - it went underneath the front car and spun it around. I will never let them get anywhere near the bars again.
I got the 2 SP9000's for £134 delivered form Blackcircles last week.
FFG
FlipFlopGriff said:
Nick,
Glad to see you're back on the V8's.
I would go 205/55/15 but SP9000's. Only tyre in that rating which is from a reputable manufacturer. Toyo is only V rated so will have to inform insurance and if you want to change insurer may be a problem. I wouldn't drop the rating unless there was no other choice.
I can't believe someone has RE71's as these must be best part of 10 years old - we had them on a Chim in 1996. Tyre life is around 5 years so do replace them as it's your life they're protecting. Otherwise you're on borrowed time. I wouldn't do it in any car never mid a Tiv.
I've just changing the front on a car which was around 3mm but when I took the wheel off the tyre was starting to crack deep down in the tread and was just over 5 years old. Otherwise it looked fine but on close inspection it wasn't. If any of you saw the Fifth Gear show when they tested 2 identical cars, one with brand new tyres and one with just MOT legal, ie 1.6mm ish and the speed the rear car (with the just legal tyres) hit the other car (both going the same speed and braking at the same time) was unbeleivable. It was as though it hadn't even touched the brakes - it went underneath the front car and spun it around. I will never let them get anywhere near the bars again.
I got the 2 SP9000's for £134 delivered form Blackcircles last week.
FFG
Glad to see you're back on the V8's.
I would go 205/55/15 but SP9000's. Only tyre in that rating which is from a reputable manufacturer. Toyo is only V rated so will have to inform insurance and if you want to change insurer may be a problem. I wouldn't drop the rating unless there was no other choice.
I can't believe someone has RE71's as these must be best part of 10 years old - we had them on a Chim in 1996. Tyre life is around 5 years so do replace them as it's your life they're protecting. Otherwise you're on borrowed time. I wouldn't do it in any car never mid a Tiv.
I've just changing the front on a car which was around 3mm but when I took the wheel off the tyre was starting to crack deep down in the tread and was just over 5 years old. Otherwise it looked fine but on close inspection it wasn't. If any of you saw the Fifth Gear show when they tested 2 identical cars, one with brand new tyres and one with just MOT legal, ie 1.6mm ish and the speed the rear car (with the just legal tyres) hit the other car (both going the same speed and braking at the same time) was unbeleivable. It was as though it hadn't even touched the brakes - it went underneath the front car and spun it around. I will never let them get anywhere near the bars again.
I got the 2 SP9000's for £134 delivered form Blackcircles last week.
FFG
Arh, still got my V8 cerb too :-) Good to here from you, how is the pearly white monster of yours? To be hounest, I bought this to play about with, didnt realise it was a BV till I got it home, makes it a little more interesting. I am also looking for a really nice Griff but they seem few and far between, seen some real heaps, ow well keep looking. Need to bin the front tyre anyway as they are H rated yikes! Also the hood looks faded but the build sheet says it has a grey roof, is this likley?
Edited by nsparey on Wednesday 2nd August 13:01
Edited by nsparey on Wednesday 2nd August 13:07
FFG
Thanks for the advice, I think the more I find out about my car the more I suspect it may have been laid up for a long period hence still having the RE71's. I plan to change them in the next few days and won't be using the car till after that as I am not happy with the condition of one of them.
Thanks for the advice, I think the more I find out about my car the more I suspect it may have been laid up for a long period hence still having the RE71's. I plan to change them in the next few days and won't be using the car till after that as I am not happy with the condition of one of them.
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