Can bigger wheels be approved?

smiles · Post by **smiles** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 4:16 am

Hi everyone,

I know that you can't go more than 15mm bigger than stock tyre diameter, but what about if we get engineered approval. I'm running 195/60 15 (24.2 inch diameter) tyres on peugeot rims in WA on my Brumby so I'm wondering how lenient they would be over here. I might be screwed just on the changed offset of the rims alone.. Do people get this kind of mod engineered or do you just take the risk, or what?

Bumpty · Post by **Bumpty** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 7:11 am

I've gone from this -

To this -

And I haven't worried too much about them getting me into trouble. If anything they get me out of a lot of trouble, if you know what I mean

Note: It would be a different story if your tyres were wider then the guards. Then you'd have to put flares on etc, but that doesn't necessarily mean the tyres are that much bigger then stock to be wider.

*If your wheels are wider then guards, then fit flares (to make them legal)
If you have muddies like mine, then yes I believe you can get them engineered, but!
Do many people actually get them engineered.. From what I hear and see, I believe not.

discopotato03 · Post by **discopotato03** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 7:37 am

From an engineering point of view the CrossBred kit solves that one mainly because you end up with larger front hubs/bearings/knuckles - the ones intended for larger wider Subaru wheels . Engineers tend to like better brakes too .

Gareth had his kits type approved by Vic roads so shouldn't be a problem most places in Aus .

A .

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 9:46 am

You're in WA? Yeah, not really worth bothering. If you ever do happen to get a yellow sticker from an unreasonable cop, just bung on some 13's and go over the pits then put your 15's back on. Simple as that. This is assuming your car is in good enough nick to confidently go over the pits first, but that just requires the basics - not too much rust, brakes work, lights work, not too many oil leaks (wipe them with a rag before you go!), horn works, heater works, get a decent inspector on the day!

smiles · Post by **smiles** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 4:52 pm

Thanks guys, that's a great help.

My next question is- what would be the costs involved in going over the pits?

And here is a photo of my front wheel- Do you reckon I need guards? I'm pretty keen on the idea of pulling the top of the tyre in a bit and reduce the camber by slotting the strut tower holes too.

Sorry the picture isn't great..

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 5:22 pm

Can't hurt to put some small flares on.
I think it's about $70 to go over the pits, and about half to go again if they turn you away to fix extra things up.
That's a guess though. I got a yellow sticker once about 5 years ago in my old RX-7 and it was about 50 bucks then.

Bumpty man that's a great pic of your car, makes me want to turn my legacy into an offroader!

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 5:42 pm

576 is the nom rolling diameter of 175 70 13 as fitted factory, 615mm is your 195 60 15 nom rolling diameter

Not sure of the exact reasons of the Australia wide rules, but if it is to ensure accuracy of the speedo Id bet your 15's will read truer gps speedo on flat than the 13's

GOD · Post by **GOD** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 11:11 pm

smiles wrote:Thanks guys, that's a great help.

My next question is- what would be the costs involved in going over the pits?

And here is a photo of my front wheel- Do you reckon I need guards? I'm pretty keen on the idea of pulling the top of the tyre in a bit and reduce the camber by slotting the strut tower holes too.

Sorry the picture isn't great..

$59.70 for an initial inspection, but be aware the inspectors are useless for anything beyond making sure blinkers work and seatbelts retract. If they don't notice a mod, like my engine swap, they will pass it without question. However, if you point something out to them that is outside the specifically allowed range of mods, like your oversize tyres, they will probably reject it. You then have to submit lots of forms in triplicate, pay more fees, bend over, wait a month or so for it to be approved or (more likely) knocked back.

Bottom line, just don't get defected. If you want to be extra careful, make your own tyre size placard and stick it on in place of the original.

AndrewT wrote:Bumpty man that's a great pic of your car, makes me want to turn my legacy into an offroader!

Do it!

Dane.

smiles · Post by **smiles** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 12:17 am

Yeah- the speedo seems to be more accurate now- if the other traffic on the road is a reliable indication. I used to be amazed (and annoyed) at how everybody seemed to be speeding past me but now we are all at the same speed. The car is cornering better, braking well and of course there are improvements offroad.

Does anyone else have an opinion on the offset here attracting attention without flares? I'm just reluctant to put them on because I would only need them for the front wheels- if at all.. and that might look a bit funny.

guyph_01 · Post by **guyph_01** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 1:34 am

From my experience, the pits is about 85 first time and 55 after that. I have some 15 on my car and don't bother about it. Dont drive it everyday but i was stopped a few times for checks etc but they never gave me shits. Dont drive crazy, speed or drive drunk and you should avoid a yellow sticker.

Post by **TOONGA** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 3:18 pm

I have now got 215/65 r14s on my brumby and in the last 2 days Ive been passed by 2 highway patrol cars, driven through a spotcheck point, and had my son wave at a police car next to us at a set of lights much to my bemusement, they did nothing and my tyres stick out way more than yours if you are really worried get some guards flares like the ones guyph_01 has on his L series

TOONGA

daza · Post by **daza** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 3:25 pm

It's very hit and miss over here,
Yarney's L wagon had about 20mm of tyre outside the guard for years and he never had any trouble, but the first trip i did with the Super trippers on the Brumby some pretty little police lady gave me a talking to about it!
Daza.

GOD · Post by **GOD** » Fri Dec 25, 2009 7:14 pm

By the looks of that photo, your Brum seems pretty unremarkable (in a nice way). I wouldn't worry about flares. Plenty of cops have seen my L with oversize tyres, including 27x8.5" ATs and no flares, and haven't said a word. You'll be right.

Dane.

smiles · Post by **smiles** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 3:41 pm

Yeah my car does look pretty stock, and the wheels themselves aren't too flashy either so they don't look too different from the original at a glance. Thanks for the replies everyone. Have an excellent new year!

Cliff R · Post by **Cliff R** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 5:27 pm

In NSW there is an RTA ruling of, something like, 25mm bigger in diameter and the same in offset for tires and rims. I cant recall the relevant RTA ruling/regulation ID number. The engineer I use wont go outside these regulations and he is a very reasonable and laid back bloke.
My main concern is insurance.
If I was an insurance company and one of my customers (you or me for example) had an accident I as the insurance company would look for anything to get my company out of paying up.
I know it may come down to did the bigger wheels cause or contribute to the accident but still it is up to you as the person making the claim to prove your innocence.
Another thing I have discovered. Insurance companies will generally insure a vehicle for bigger wheels and other mods and only void insurance if there is a claim when they find out the vehicle is outside of standard specs. In other words, take your money for as long as they can.
I may be getting old and turning into a reluctant kill joy but I personally wont take that risk so I opt to stay withing the guidelines. I don't like it but imagine you end up in an accident involving claims and counter claims and people are injured (3rd party claims) and your insurance company bails and you are stuck with paying a 3rd party claim (thousands and thousands)
Best of luck to you either way.