Should I change the wheel size on my 4WD ute for off-roading?
QUESTION
Hi John,
I am interested in a Mitsubishi Triton GLS.
Its intended use will be as a weekend get away, with trips becoming longer and more remote as time allows. (We are thinking Simpson Desert/Kimberly's etc). I have a question about rim size on this vehicle.
Apparently, and I've chatted to a few tyre dealers, Mitsubishi dealers and accessory dealers, one is unable to replace the 18inch rim it comes with to anything smaller due to the brake calipers.
Will a taller tyre be sufficient for a mom and pop trip to some pretty remote areas or would you recommend something different entirely?
I have a fair bit of rugged, off-road driving experience. Admittedly, from a lot of beach driving and African bush, and not so much over rocky tracks like what I've seen on some of the videos about the Vic High Country.
My main concern is whether a taller tyre will fit in the wheel arch even with a suspension upgrade and the 2” lift that will provide (I’ve never done a suspension upgrade before) and if we do go a taller tyre how difficult will it be to replace in the smaller out back towns as opposed to a more common tyre size.
My current vehicle is a 2009 MN Triton GLX-R which has 17-inch rims. I purchased it new and have done nothing to it (and it has been on some great trips). I have been really happy with it and it’s never missed a beat, therefore, I’m staying with the Triton. Just the concern over bigger rims. Maybe a little silly of me?
Regards,
Justin
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ANSWER
Justin,
OK - so this is the bit where i probably offend you with my opinion.
This approach is functionally insane. The ONLY reason to modify a vehicle is if it will not do what you want it to, standard. And then, you’d have to say: Why not just buy a different vehicle? Thirdly, the limiting factor for vehicle performance, on and off-road is driver ability. Most standard vehicles of this nature are quite capable…
A Triton with a 2” lift is going to handle like a bucket of shit mate - especially on made roads, which is where yours will spend the overwhelming majority of its life, even when you are off, ‘adventuring’.
GLX ADAS Triton has 16-inch steel wheels. I’d be surprised if it had different brakes to the GLS and GSR, but if the brakes are the same it seems that 16- or 17-inch wheels will fit.
But even here you’re making a mountain out of a molehill. If everything else is equal, the difference between 17-inch rims on your current Triton and 18-inch on the new one is 12mm of sidewall (subject to the same rolling diameter). It’s unlikely those 12mm will make much difference.
In my universe a better approach is:
Buy it, leave it standard, do some adventuring, and if you come up against a requirement for better off-road capability in some situations after testing the vehicle operationally, modify it as required, but try really hard not to ruin the on-road dynamics, because that’s where you’re most likely to come unglued at speed, flowing from a self-induced dynamic instability issue.
I know - you were so looking forward to making it worse at great expense, huh? And here I am, going all ‘professional engineer’ on you…
JC
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