14" wheels & tires on Sambar - no lift

Just wondering if a 185 X15" is the same height as a 185X14". I seen a set of wheels with a 4x100 bolt pattern but they are 15". Would they work on a 1998 Highjet? Does using a 14" wheel and tire give more ground clearance than the stock 12"?

 

good post, thanks

 

Hi guys, looking to do almost the exact same thing on a 2000 Suzuki Carry DB52T.

I found on the Discount Tire Direct website a set of wheels 14" x 5.5 wide, with a 35mm offset (4x100 bolt pattern), and a set of winter ice radial tires 175/65R14. Pretty much the same set up as 350v8 went with, but with a narrower tire.

I haven't found if that set up would work on the Suzuki, looks like it works great on Sambar. Any experience/opinions welcome!!

 

Hey, I know I'm late to the party.... again.... Have a 1999 Sambar and looking at wheels and tires.... pretty sure a 165/65/14 with a 14x5.5 wheel +38 offset will work.... However I want to use 175/65/14 tires on a 14x6 wheel.... Never mind.... I'll flip a coin....

 

Did you answer your question? Any updates?

I also have a 1999 Sambar and just got delivery of a set of 175 65R14 Lexani tires (Walmart). Have on order a set of RTX Spark 14x5.5 4x100 ET38 wheels (also Walmart) which are due on 4/11 (I live in Hawaii). I will let you know what happens.

 

Update, the above wheels and tires fit great, no issues. I have limited mileage so far with only the driver and no load in the bed but so far so good!
Cost, shipping included: (I live in Hawaii and had everything shipped here)
Wheels. $485
Tires $201
Mount/Balance. $80
Lug Nuts $20

 

Ok let's see some pics @Gwelo

 

Hey Phil,
This is all I’ve got so far. I’ll take some more showing offset and wheel poke today. Thanks for the suggestion

 

Looks great !!!!

 

Hi @Gwelo did you need to use any spacers for those wheels? I'm looking to replace mine with the same size 14x5 or 14x5.5 They are currently 12x4 with 145 series tires so the overall outside diameter is about 20-1/2". I ran your numbers through a calc and it comes out to about 23" outside diameter. Is that about right?

 

Hey @PhilD, no spacers, the fit is excellent. I have a little bit of poke but not enuf to require wider mud flaps and the bed side doesn’t hit the tire when lowered. Yes, the diameter of the 175x14’s is 23” which, of course changes the speedo. I have a gps app on my phone so good for now but would like a better fix.

Is the bolt circle on your Suzuki 4x100 like the Subaru?

 

Great thanks! And yes I have the 4x100 spacing. My km/h is currently reading a little high on the cluster that I swapped in from an Alto. In this pic I'm doing 39 mph on a gps speedo but the gauge is showing 69 km/h when it should be more like 63 km/h. Oh well. I'm on the hunt for Minilites like you could get on the Mira Gino I had Minis in the past and ran Minilites on those. When I sold my Mk III Mini it went to Hawaii I guess my main concern on a 5.5 is that they would stick IN too far but good to hear that's not an issue.

 

The 5.5" wheel sticks IN an additional 12mm (.47") according to this wheel calc but not an issue for the Sambar, not sure with your Van.
What are the specs on the minilites? Got a pic?

https://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Whe...r1tbYTgTmyYT8xPqUGkIWZHpWCB54LkG4GiL2cYZuQAQ#

How do you like your GPS speedo? Looking for something similar. This A pillar pod from A-Aron 3D print looks pretty good and I think it will fit my TT2. Great for Tach and Speedo.

 

@Gwelo I do like the gps speedo. It's my second one. The previous one was huge and didn't work as well. This one is low-key, it picks up the speed quickly, and it sets the time automatically. It's plugged into a key-on USB source. It has all sorts of modes but I just leave it on MPH and time. I did pick up another cluster from a Suzuki SUV ... it has the same plugs on the back and an MPH speedo, but as soon as I plugged it in, it made this wicked loud constant beep so I went back to the one in the pics
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNQDSTCM

 

Thanks for the link, looks like a really good value.

You hooked it up to a key on source instead of the cigarette lighter?

 

@Gwelo well sort of ... I replaced the cigarette lighter with a double USB

 

These are the Minilites. They are also 14x5.5 There's a set in Japan with big shipping costs but it is what it is.

I also found some Miata "daisy" wheels from the 1990-1992 era Miata which are seven spoke instead of 8 like the Minilites. Those look ok but they have big Mazda logo center caps which I don't like.



And on a Diahatsu Mira Gino

 

@PhilD, Is your lighter socket hot all the time or switched? Not sure about mine, need to check. If hot all the time the GPS would be on all the time, right? Is there an off switch?

I like those Minilites! What color is your van? Could you cover up the Mazda logo with a Suzuki sticker?

 

@Gwelo luckily the cig lighter is only live when they key is on. Which makes it nice! Good call on a Suzuki sticker

The van is white. Right now it just has the boring 12" steelies

 

@PhilD, Does the Display unit come with the “cigarette lighter interface”? Can’t tell for sure from the ad. I can get one separately if needed I guess. I ordered one so thanks for the suggestion!

Your van looks great, very clean! Either wheel plus new tires will really wake it up in handling and appearance!!

 

That speedo just has a USB port in the back.



I can't remember but I think it came with a cord. Right now I have one of those USB adapters in the cig lighter so I run the cord to that. I just put in a new radio and it's got some USB in the back of it so I may run the speedo wire to that so it's not sticking out.

 

Thanks @PhilD, I had ordered the same adapter! Checked my lighter and it is hot with key on as well.

So, which wheels are you going with? How close are you to Nick from Way Before the Fame? He seems to have a large wheel collection, maybe meet half way (?).

 

Got the GPS speedo installed a few days ago. Mounted it on the dash centered on the heater control panel, the steering wheel blocked it from view otherwise. Works well and is accurate as compared to the speedo in my other car and the GPS app on my phone.

 

Fits right in

 

@Gwelo Not sure if you're the type to read directions in the box ( I'm not ) ........... but if you happen to bump the top and your clock or MPH disappear ..... there is a little button on top. If you push it to the left rather than in/down, the left half display changes and it cycles through MPH and other modes. If you push right, it changes the clock side.

 

I read the directions far enough to get it set up but missed that gem, so thanks!
Too bad it doesn’t accumulate mileage, only the trip. That would be nice as the speedo error plays hell with calculating true mileage for fuel economy, oil changes and other maintenance.