Actually the 27 is a bit of exaggeration. Placed side by side it is the
same height as a 215/70-14. ~ 26.5 inches. Especially after 1/2 the deep
thread is worn off. A 205R/14 will be ~ 27".

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Reinhard Vehring
Sent: Sunday, August 05, 2007 12:56 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Increase ride height on 2wd front

JT

I always get confused with the non-metric tire code.
27x8.5 would be ~ 215/75 R14, I guess. Slightly bigger
in diameter than the 195R14 and  a bit wider. If my
math is right it would raise my van about 1 cm  and
the clearance to the steering knuckle would be less
than 5 mm. What type of tire is this?

Thanks
Reinhard

83 "Half-Syncro" Westy, Moose

--- Tromper <tromper@comcast.net> wrote:

> A couple of other notes.
>
> I've rarely run chains, but did a few times some
> years back on my previous van. - I live in a mild
> climate these days, & don't trust the other drivers
> 'nuff to drive in the snow when they're out there
> much.
> I have all four done so it's not just the front.
> Makes things easier to rotate.
> Front suspension maintenance has been pretty normal,
> couple O ball joints, & shocks.
>
> JT
>
> --
> Curiosity Kills More Mice then Cats.
>
> -------------- Forwarded Message: --------------
> From: tromper@comcast.net (Tromper)
> To: Reinhard Vehring <rvehring@YAHOO.COM>
> Subject: Re: Increase ride height on 2wd front
> Date: Sun, 5 Aug 2007 04:26:35 +0000
>
> I am running 27 X 8.50 R14 LT's.  They seem to work
> rather well since my odometer is about dead on,
> which it never was when I ran stock tires.  I note
> this is the second of two vanagons I've had that
> with, both diesels.
>
> I've never wanted for ground clearance even after
> losing a few CM to my turbo return.  Makes the ride
> a bit smoother too.  No issues with shocks et al.  I
> suspect some of the smaller 15's would give the same
> affect.
>
> JT
>
> --
> Curiosity Kills More Mice then Cats.
>
> -------------- Original message --------------
> From: Reinhard Vehring <rvehring@YAHOO.COM>
>
> > Bigger tires is a good idea, apart from the added
> > weight messing with the suspension. What do you
> run (I
> > assume on your 2wd) ? I have Hankook 195R14 right
> now,
> > and am pretty happy with them. I wonder when the
> > clearance problems start. The 195R14 clears the
> > steering knuckle enough so that I can still put
> chains
> > on. Can't get much closer there, though. 15"
> wheels
> > may be worth a thought. Does anyone know what the
> ET
> > on 15" South African steel rims is?
> >
> > Have fun,
> > Reinhard
> >
> > 83 "Half-Syncro" Westy, Moose
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
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>
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__________________________________________________________________________
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Check out fitting gifts for grads at Yahoo! Search
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