interesting. the reason i didn't think just a hinge mod would work is that
my current 14" tires are 225s and the spare pused the fan cowling into the
fan, i have to carry it deflated a bit. i figure it would be even worse with
the slightly wider 16" wheels.

bob

On Mon, May 24, 2010 at 2:03 PM, Bob Stevens <mtbiker62@gmail.com> wrote:

> Bob,
> I had Nokian Hakkapeliitta C2 225/65-16's that fit in the spare clamshell
> carrier
> up front ..... BUT .... I installed some hinge extensions that lowered the
> rear
> attachment point about 2" to accomplish it. I also had to cut that end of
> the
> clamshell a little bit to allow it to swing on the hinges for tire
> installation/
> removal. Otherwise it binds on the frame crossmember it's bolted to.
>
> I have photo's that I can send along of the hinges installed on the van.
> They are no longer on there.
>
> bob
>
> On Mon, May 24, 2010 at 11:46 AM, Robert Downes <bobdownes@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > exactly. I'm shooting for 205/70, 215/65, or 205/65, though i believe a
> 225
> > would require me to modify my spare tire pan. the acceleration i'm not
> > worried about, i'm a bit of a fuel economy nerd, and the braking...i am
> > planning on larger steel wheels, so we'll see how it goes. i just rebuilt
> > (and painted to match the bilsteins) my brakes and all my wheel bearings
> > (new hub/discs)before driving to alaska so if i have to go to SA discs,
> > someone's getting lucky on ebay...
> >
> >
>