Transit mk7 ride heights and tyre sizes

[Beaker]

Standard 15" tyres, as used on the 260/280/300 are 195/70/15, heavier vans use 215/75/16, so nearly 10% larger rolling radius on the heavier vans.
Interestingly, although the bigger tyres will reduce the revs at a given speed, when I fitted them to my 280, it actually increased the fuel consumption slightly, probably due to it being slightly over geared, and needing more gear changes around town

Yep, 195/70/15 on my T300 Mk7. I know that 'cos I've just had to shell out on four new tyres last week.

[bigjohnthomas]

I've got 2x good mitch agrilliwotsits on 15s sat here that I've been trying to give away for months

Must be 330s that have bigger discs then

[DickP]

Thanks for the replies guys!

So with the larger tyres mentioned by Altransit, does this put the SWB over 2.00m in height?

[the dutch guy]

yes. you would get another 4cm more height. it would probably end up near 205~210cm at the rear.

if you want to keep it at or below 2m you need 195 wide R15's

[Rosso]

Guys appreciate this is an old thread, but I would like to change tyres on 16” rims from 215/75 to 235/65 (same tyre as mk8 but still mk6/7 rims)... I understand the rim is 5.5J so have some concern that this is too wide. Anybody done this or any thoughts on this tyre size? From my research it seems anything wider that 185 shouldn’t be put on 5.5J so I’m not sure how Ford donut safely.

Cheers

[the dutch guy]

The rim is 135 wide and the tire you want is 185. That is quite a bit of difference if you go way beyond that. There is no technical advantage to going even wider. It will only kill the tires faster, increase fuel consumption and probably make it slide even more in poor conditions.

[Rosso]

The standard ford fitment tyre is 215/75, so technically I’m only trying to gain an additional 20mm width, with a slightly smaller sidewall. I’ve always thought an additional 20mm should be within rim tolerance but I’m having sevond thoughts here.

Beyond the additional 20mm, tyres are cheaper and higher load rating hence why I’m looking to change.

[andz327]

yes. you would get another 4cm more height. it would probably end up near 205~210cm at the rear.

if you want to keep it at or below 2m you need 195 wide R15's

Guys appreciate this is an old thread, but I would like to change tyres on 16” rims from 215/75 to 235/65 (same tyre as mk8 but still mk6/7 rims)... I understand the rim is 5.5J so have some concern that this is too wide. Anybody done this or any thoughts on this tyre size? From my research it seems anything wider that 185 shouldn’t be put on 5.5J so I’m not sure how Ford donut safely.

Cheers

The standard ford fitment tyre is 215/75, so technically I’m only trying to gain an additional 20mm width, with a slightly smaller sidewall. I’ve always thought an additional 20mm should be within rim tolerance but I’m having sevond thoughts here.

Beyond the additional 20mm, tyres are cheaper and higher load rating hence why I’m looking to change.

Aren't mk8 wheels 6.0 or 6.5 .....215 on a 5.5 is about as wide as you can go

[knobby1]

Aren't mk8 wheels 6.0 or 6.5 .....215 on a 5.5 is about as wide as you can go

Yep, you're quite right...Mk8 16" wheels are 6.5"....Mk6 & 7 16" wheels are 5.5".

Lord Knobrot

[birdie]

I thought mk6 16” wheels were 6” wide whereas mk7 16” are 5.5”

[Altransit]

I thought mk6 16” wheels were 6” wide whereas mk7 16” are 5.5”

Yes, that was my understanding too, for some reason they went narrower with Mk7 16's

Maybe there were problems with the Mk6's wearing the outside edges of the tyres, and the narrower rim would 'squeeze' the tyre, pushing the centre up further
That's my possible theory anyway

[knobby1]

I thought mk6 16” wheels were 6” wide whereas mk7 16” are 5.5”

Yes, that was my understanding too, for some reason they went narrower with Mk7 16's

According to the Mk6 parts list the T330 & T350 have 5.5 x 16" steel wheels. There's also a reference to 5.0 I guess for the dually's and a 6.5" as well..!

http://www.catcar.info/ford/?lang=en&l= ... U0OTkyMCsw

Lord Knobrot

[Altransit]

I can't check now, as the Mk6 16's that I had were sold with the Mk6, I only have the Mk7 set now, which I need to sell

[Rosso]

mine are stamped 5.5J, same on mk6 and mk7, unfortunately looks doubtful a mk8 tyre 235/65 will squeeze onto a mk6/7 rim safely, however appreciate the input from you guys.