Bigger wheels ?

[Axle Grease]

I was thinking of changing the diff on my ex-bt mk5 (1997). However a thought occured to me as i sat in her, eating my sandwiches, at tea break. Wouldn't bigger wheels have a similar effect of changing the ratio a little. Looking at my wheel arches there seems to be plenty of room. Or have i got it the wrong way round ? I'm confusing myself trying to work it out lol !

[MinorMatt]

you are correct

[Axle Grease]

Minormatt- hi and thank you. Your'e saying then that the bigger wheels will effectively give me a slight improvement on my gearing (which at the moment is a lot of revs for little mph). I did the adjustments Markm explained in one of the threads and this has had a great effect. Almost like my gearing has been altered. I.E. Much more forward movement per rpm of the engine. Thanks Mark.

[oldmadbiker]

hi mate.
i got a mk with 185/14 fitted when i got it.
i had the same problem as you a was getting really peed off with high revs at about 55/60.
i fitted 205/14 to the back and it made a great differance.
i reckon 215/14 will also fit making a greater differance..theres space fot them on the back but would only go 195 on the front.
well worth doing.
the 205s i got fitted on the back only cost me 55 each new and fitted...
now 60/65 and not revving anyware near as much..

[Axle Grease]

oldmadbiker- hi and thanks. (im saying to everyone cos i'm still new). Sounds good to me. 205's will do me if it makes a good difference. Are they easy enough to get hold of ? I have a mk5 ex-bt. Are the tyres much dearewr for your wheels ?

[oldmadbiker]

i went too my local called "just tyres" they were 55 each fitted.
ive just got the standard mk 5 14 inch steel rims.
theres 2 just tyres in my area.the other one quoted me 70 each so its worth shopping around.
look on ebay cos ive seen a trader on there selling them for about 45 each.
good luck

[Axle Grease]

yes i have the 14" rims too. My tyres are 195's. Are there any steel wheels that are 16" that would fit a mk5 ?

[MinorMatt]

not easily

[Axle Grease]

15" ? Transit connect wheels are 15" would they fit ?

When you say not easily do you mean i would have to make up an adaptor ? or do you know of one off the shelf ?

[oldmadbiker]

the tyres i got on dont give a lot space.if you put on bigger rims with tyres too fit.you still wont get a bigger
diameter...
you can only go as big as will fit inside the arches...

[Axle Grease]

i notice that the "350" has 5 stud wheels and they're 16". Would they fit ?

[Axle Grease]

oldmadbiker- as you can probably tell im trying to get my head around this. I'm now thinking that bigger wheels is the way forward with lesser sidewall depth on the tyres to get me overall diameter improvements without fouling the arches.

[angeleye]

its the profile that makes the difference not width(ie 195/75/14 would go further per reverlution than 195/65/14) if you can get them to fit 15" or 16" with a profile of 75 if you can get them with a wide tyre all the better,best standard fit 225/75/16
just an example
you could have a 195/75/14 fitted which would travel further per reverlution than a 205/55/15

[angeleye]

go on this site http://www.kabamus.com/garage/gears.html
put your wheel data /diff ratio in you will see what gains to expect try different wheel sizes profiles etc
this is providing your van will pull it all

[Axle Grease]

ok thanks angeleye - i'll get my notes and do some research on ther link you gave me.