Fitting 17 x 8 rims to Mk11

[Ray]

This is far from a new topic so thanks to all who have discussed this over the last 10 years or so.

Time for new tyres on Pajero and Tvan so seems wise to try and make them the same. Pajero rims are 17 x 71/2 with +46 mm offset and Tvan has 15 x 7 with 0 mm offset.

I'm thinking 3 x Dynamic or ROH 17 x 8 with 0 mm offset for the Tvan with 6 new Bridgestone 697 265/65/17 LT tyres on the road and 2 best off the Pajero as spares, about $2000 all up.

I was thinking +15 offset on the Tvan may fit (and not stick out so far for emergency use on the Pajero) but the slightly wider 8 inch rim may make the slightly wider tyre too wide (I have 30 mm clear to the shocks now), current tyre is 260 mm wide and 697's are 265.

Am I on the right track (no pun intended)?

Ray  btw, does anyone have a spare 6 stud 40 mm spacer they no longer need?

This is nearly has complex as 12 volt stuff

[Phil G]

Gday Ray,
Yes I think you have pretty much nailed it! 
As you already realise there are a heap of variables and it is a minefield, especially with a Pajero.  I don't have personal experience with the Pajero but am aware of some issues.  Maybe someone else who owns a Pajero will chip in.

#1  Will a 17x8" Dynamic steel wheel fit on the Tvan?  As your current wheels are zero offset, you have the common standard 130mm Tvan axle length.  So the Dynamic wheels need to also be zero offset - if you were to go P15 offset, it is still possible the tyres could touch the shocks when the tyres push up into the guard but impossible to know for sure without trying it out.  The wider wheel doesn't really matter because the tyre sidewall will only push out a few mm if that.  And the wheel centre bore needs to be 106mm or greater.  The wheel load rating will be 1400kg so no issue there. 

#2  Will the 17x8"  Dynamic steel fit the Pajero?  I expect yes in an emergency but as you say they will stick out 46mm and may hit the guards on articulation.  You won't know until you try one on.  The Pajero wheel nuts might be an issue if they are special nuts to suit the Pajero mags, so you may need to carry a set of standard 12x1.25mm lug nuts to fit steel wheels on the Pajero.
This is probably the most important thing to know because if you can keep the Pajero rolling you're OK.   Also if fitting a Dynamic wheel to the Pajero it is better they go on the rear.
If you were fitting aftermarket mags to the Tvan there can also be an issue with the length of the wheel studs on the Pajero.  I fitted a caravan mag to an Isuzu MUX once and everything fitted except the wheel nuts only went on a couple of threads because of the thickness of the mag.  Steel wheels and the thinner factory mags fitted up fine.

#3   Will the factory Pajero wheels fit the Tvan?  No!!  While 46mm pos offset is the obvious problem, the biggest problem is the Pajero wheel centre bore is only 67mm so it won't have a hope in hell of going over the wide Tvan parallel bearing hub.  Second problem might be the Tvan wheel nuts don't fit the Pajero mags - particularly if the Tvan is fitted with the later Alko hubs that have Imperial (1/2") thread on the studs and not the usual 12x1.25mm thread.
So will 40mm spacers overcome this issue in an emergency?  Possibly but again you'd need to try it at home to be sure. The spacer would need to sit proud of the flange on the dust cap (which is 70mm diameter). A 40mm spacer should do it but a 50mm spacer might be better. And I think spacers are usually supplied with metric threads so if you do have the Alko hubs with imperial, you'll need to sort out a solution and have nuts that are small enough to fit the spacer to the hub.

Would I do the same as you?  Yes, but I wouldn't bother about #3 - it is a very unlikely scenario. 
And for remote, rough country trips I'd carry a spare casing as a lightweight get out of trouble option which can be used on any of your wheels.

Cheers
Phil

[Ray]

Phil G,

Wow, a very comprehensive response, thank you.

I have been checking studs and wheel nuts today so thanks for the spec's re the Pajero wheel nuts.

The Pajero has a 2 inch lift so I expect the steel wheels to clear the body ok,  the rear should certainly be ok.

I agree needing to put Pajero wheels on the Tvan is unlikley so will see how we go there. I do carry tyre levers, wooden blocks and soap so hopefully could change a tyre over if really desperate.

Thanks for your other comments, I will go ahead and order rims and tyres with a little more confidence.

Ray

[Phil G]

Gday Ray,

All good.  It keeps the brain active :-)
I'd be interested to know how you get on.

Cheers
Phil