My 89' B250 maxi conversion came with new Cooper Trendsetter SE 235/75R15 tires (35 psi max). In the road ruts with a bit of wind the driving was "white knuckle" at first. After a new idler arm, shocks all around (Blistein front and Rancho rear,
I couldn't get Bili's for the back), handling improved quite a bit. I'm still thinking that the 4" wheel width difference in the front vs the back makes handling squirly in the road ruts. I found these AR Outlaw 2, 8x15 rims (-19mm offset), with 265/50R15 Hercules (almost new) Front and 295/50R15 Dunlop Rears. I put them on to see how they'd look and to judge clearance. They dropped the height by 1". Not a big deal, but it changes my sewage pipe road clearance from 5" to 4", I don't want that to get knocked off on a speed bump. I couldn't drive with the Dunlop tires on the highway, they are cracked badly, but stay inflated.
Before 235/75R15:
[img]
https://photos.app.goo.gl/t2KBhkj79T36t3Jm7[/img]
After 265/50R15 front 295/50R15 rear:
[img]
https://photos.app.goo.gl/KNU1dN14aC2BTKoeA[/img]
From a ride quality and handling point of view, I'd like your opinions/experience on the following 4 options using the AR 8x15 rims:
1. Four 235/75R15 but with a stiffer tire like the Michelin Defender LTX or Yokahama Geolander.
2. Keep the 256/50-15 Hercules fronts and get BFG or Cooper Cobra 295/50-15 rears, and live with the 1" ride height drop and passenger rated tire. (what would you use for the spare tire size?)
3. Four 265/70R15s Yoko or 31/10.5R15s Michelin's. Increase ride height by 0.5"-0.75" and tread width by ~1".
4. Go with 235/75/15 front and 265/70R15 rears
I've only started to look at A/T tire options(Wrangler, BFG KOA2, General Grabber AT). I figured they'd have worse handling on roads, but I'm reading reviews that say the opposite. I like the knobby look, but will not be off road much. All the commercial Sprinter fleet vans here seem to have A/T tires.
Thanks!
RSD