I would like to use 14" rims and 185/65R14 or 175/65R14 tires on my 95 CARRY without a lift kit. It looks like there is clearance. One will give 7.25% reduced RPM and the other 5.19%. Anybody got thoughts?
I think the reduced RPM will result in an effective loss of power that gets on the ground - it's like going to different gearing. My Carry would not do well with taller tires - it is not exactly overpowered even in stock form.
Yes, its true. Bigger tires are a misconception of lower RPMs You will in theory get your reduced RPMs but the engine doesnt have the torque to spin them. Of course, with wider tires you will have more rolling resistance as well as less traction. At the end of the day, you will likely end up with a slower truck that uses more fuel. The engines are designed to rev high. Dont let that bother you. Based on your numbers, you likely have 155/80R12's now. Thats a good size. We run 145/80/12s most of the time. You dont have to go much bigger to have a noticeable decline in performance and fuel economy. I would think that if a taller tire would be better, they would have put them on at the factory level. But thats just my opinion. Before you spend the money, see if you can try someone else's truck with bigger tires. You may like it, you may not.
Above posts offer good info. If you absolutely have to go bigger try: 165/65R13 which is only 1.45% bigger than stock.
you might want to double check your math... going from 145/80R12 to 185/65R14 is an 11% increase, i know because i did it. check here most tire dealers will recommend that you stay within 4% of stock to maintain your engine's advantage.
I did it on my 2000 carry. I had some trouble with the struts hitting. The newer trucks have large springs on the struts. I had clearance without but went ahead and gave my truck a 2" lift. The strut springs were still a problem. I had a machine shop try 3 different things that did not work. I ended up cutting the brackets off the bottom of the struts and welding on 2" of pipe. Then welded the brackets on this "extension". It raised the bottom of the spring by 2" if that all makes sense. It is perfect and looks great. I ordered the wheels off the internet for $69 each. The problem that I see is that the only wheels readily available new are those with a large offset for a front wheel drive car. It works but less offset would work much better and would leave more room for tire chains as I needed here in Wyoming! I just bought the wheels and started modifying until it worked! I have pics of my truck under another post. check it out. I have other mods too like bumpers and a radio.
I did loose top end. My truck will run about 55 MPH comfortably and 60 if I push to the limit. The ride is way better though with the larger tires. No problem off road from the standpoint of power though. I don't try and drive 55 off road though. I take it a little easier than some of the videos I have seen!
Thanks for all the input. I went with 13" wheels from Ulmer farm service and they look and work great! Slowed the RPMs about 4% with no loss of power.
First gear was useless on my Carry so I went to a bigger wheel. I opted for 185/65R14. Now I have to use first gear for take-off. Check speedometer before and after with my Garmin GPS. I was -2% off before I changed the wheels, meaning at 100Kms I was actually going 98 Kms 6700 RPM. Now with the new wheels I'm +7% meaning at 100 Kms I'm actually going 107 Kms. So about a 9% change. It doesn't quite match the math for some reason. Tire inflation maybe, insufficient weight, tire specs or maybe tire wear compared to new ones. I prefer the bigger wheels because it gives a smoother ride and the use of first gear. When U live in Pot hole capital of the world U need all the help U can get. I find low range also usable at this point.
