815da and big wheels

[Andrewhodgkin]

Having spent many hours researching the options for getting a bigger set of tyres on my 815da I had decided on getting some 19.5 inch ones made. I have now seen a few with r20 rims and I think I can fit some 10.5r20's / 275/80r20's on. Do unimog rims fit straight on? I've seen 9x20 unimog rims which seems like the best value solution if they fit.
TIA Andy

 

[Andrewhodgkin]

 

[Gretar]

Hi Andy
I fitted 9x20 Unimog wheels with 275/80R20 XZL Michelin tyres on my 814DA yr 1997. I only had to do very minor alterations. On the picture the white Varios have these tyres. You could also use 17" wheels and for example Toyo Open Country tyres.

 

[Joe917]

Hi Andy,where do you plan to take your truck, be aware 20" tires are unavailable in south America.

 

[Andrewhodgkin]

Thanks very much for the information. I am planning on an extended south American trip. I have heard about the difficulties in obtaining r20 tyres in South America. The other option for me is 19.5 rims but tyre choice is very limited. I am thinking about taking two spares. I keep going too and fro on new rim choice. Its partly because I want to increase my ground clearance that I am looking at the biggest tyres I can fit. There is only 18cm clear under the rear dif at the moment. Partly because I want to get the revs down for cruising. And partly because I really like the look of some big nobbly off road tyres.

 

[Andrewhodgkin]

Are r20 tyres completely unavailable in South America or just exceedingly hard to get hold of? With 2 spares I would have a bit more leeway. I once spent a month in France waiting for a Peugeot scooter dealer to get hold of a tyre for a French Peugeot scooter only to have to give up and get one sent from the UK(which arrived in France the day after I ordered it).

 

[Joe917]

I have 22.5" so no issue down here but I have run into a couple of overlanders with 20" rims unable to get tires. One had destroyed both his spares and was able to buy a tire from one of the Dakar teams after the race, a used tire at full retail!

 

[Andrewhodgkin]

So I have found rims and tyres that fit but now I have a question about offset. Does anyone know the offset I need? Or how I can measure the current offset?

Cheers

 

[Andrewhodgkin]

When I say they fit I mean centre bore etc is all good but I need to know what the offset is or if there is a way around it being different

 

[Wazak]

When I say they fit I mean centre bore etc is all good but I need to know what the offset is or if there is a way around it being different

Andrew do a Google search on measuring wheel offset and backspace there's quite a few videos and lots of information on how to do it.

Barry

 

[Neil]

There is very little difference in the overall cicumference of 20 inch tyres with an 85 % profile and 22.5 inch rims with a 65% profile.

I concur with Joe. 20 inch rims are not the best choice for south America

Neil

 

[Andrewhodgkin]

Andrew do a Google search on measuring wheel offset and backspace there's quite a few videos and lots of information on how to do it.

Barry

I am completely confused about why I didn't think to look this info up. Thanks for the pointer I am going to measure them this weekend. Once I have got this sorted I'll post all the relevant information here for others to use.

 

[Wazak]

I am completely confused about why I didn't think to look this info up. Thanks for the pointer I am going to measure them this weekend. Once I have got this sorted I'll post all the relevant information here for others to use.

I think that it's called Brain fade,

 

[charlieaarons]

The lug nut seats don’t look good....

 

[Andrewhodgkin]

The lug nut seats don’t look good....

That rust looks worse than it is.

The lug nut seats don’t look good....

They are fine, just a tiny bit of rust. I'm sure if you look closer you'll be able to find something to really worry me about. I think you may of ascertained from my post that I am working with a limited budget so I need to accept things not being perfect, something I'm sure you would never put up with.....