To change rims or not, what is your experience like?

[andrek]

Need your opinion, I drive a 2018 3.2 Everest Ltd and it came with 20” rims and 265/50/R20 tyres. I am considering changing to 18” rims due to the loss of a tyre on a dirt road (piece of slate rock stuck right through).

I mainly drive tar roads and was told the 18” with thicker profile tyres will drive softer. Speaking to guys at Ford and tyre fitment centres they say it won’t make much of a difference.

Those that has changed from 20” to 18” rims, what has your experience been? It doesn’t seem worth spending R35k when I drive maybe 10 times a year on dirt roads.

[Orxy]

If you only drive gravel roads 10 times a years, it doesn't seem like it's worth it, although the 18" will improve the ride.

What brand of tyres do you have on now? I've been going off-road with my RRS on the 255/55R20 Eagle F1s, and so far no issues (touch wood).

[andrek]

If you only drive gravel roads 10 times a years, it doesn't seem like it's worth it, although the 18" will improve the ride.

What brand of tyres do you have on now? I've been going off-road with my RRS on the 255/55R20 Eagle F1s, and so far no issues (touch wood).

The standard Good Year efficient grip it came with

[Peter Connan]

While increasing the sidewall height will definitely help, this quite possibly has more to do with the specific tyres you are using and the pressures you are using them at than with the rim size.

However, any change you make to reduce this problem will have a negative effect on road-holding on tar.

A higher sidewall moves around more, and stronger tyres are heavier, both of which will compromise on-road handling to some degree.

Given your usage case, I would just live with it.

[pjf110]

Grandad use to run a Range Rover with 20'' rims and had endless issues when going to the farm on the short dirt road.

Swopped these for 19'' with higher profile and the rangie was more comfotable and never had issues again.

[RoelfleRoux]

How small a rim can your setup accommodate? Is it possible to go to 17" for a more substantial change?
But yes, every step in that ditection is a step away from highway setup towards offroad setup.
I went from 18" to 16" (but also with bigger overall wheel size) and the change is very noticeable in every aspect - which is exactly what I wanted, but maybe not what you would prefer.

[Veez]

Need your opinion, I drive a 2018 3.2 Everest Ltd and it came with 20” rims and 265/50/R20 tyres. I am considering changing to 18” rims due to the loss of a tyre on a dirt road (piece of slate rock stuck right through).

I mainly drive tar roads and was told the 18” with thicker profile tyres will drive softer. Speaking to guys at Ford and tyre fitment centres they say it won’t make much of a difference.

Those that has changed from 20” to 18” rims, what has your experience been? It doesn’t seem worth spending R35k when I drive maybe 10 times a year on dirt roads.

I also drive a 2018 Limited, I changed to 18's with a bigger profile shortly after buying the vehicle but just wasn't happy with the ride and handling, just felt like there was too much body roll. I went back to 20's with 275/55/20 tyres, vehicle feels much better, and got a slight lift with the bigger profile. Only draw back is that the speedo now under records so you have to watch your speed.

I've been up Sani pass, drove on beach sand to Ponto Molongane and the sand tracks in Bilene. I don't do any hardcore off-roading but drive the gravel roads in the KZN Midlands often enough and no issues as yet.

[andrek]

I also drive a 2018 Limited, I changed to 18's with a bigger profile shortly after buying the vehicle but just wasn't happy with the ride and handling, just felt like there was too much body roll. I went back to 20's with 275/55/20 tyres, vehicle feels much better, and got a slight lift with the bigger profile. Only draw back is that the speedo now under records so you have to watch your speed.

I've been up Sani pass, drove on beach sand to Ponto Molongane and the sand tracks in Bilene. I don't do any hardcore off-roading but drive the gravel roads in the KZN Midlands often enough and no issues as yet.

Sounds great, maybe I am just itching to change to Black Rhino or other mags

[andrek]

I also drive a 2018 Limited, I changed to 18's with a bigger profile shortly after buying the vehicle but just wasn't happy with the ride and handling, just felt like there was too much body roll. I went back to 20's with 275/55/20 tyres, vehicle feels much better, and got a slight lift with the bigger profile. Only draw back is that the speedo now under records so you have to watch your speed.

I've been up Sani pass, drove on beach sand to Ponto Molongane and the sand tracks in Bilene. I don't do any hardcore off-roading but drive the gravel roads in the KZN Midlands often enough and no issues as yet.

Which make of tires did you fit?

[Peter1949]

Given the low off-road use I would say just live with it and invest the R 35 K for future issues.

I seriously need to replace the 16" mags on my old Suuz due to them no longer being round (past adventures apply) and they constantly leak air.
Must pump every two weeks or so, otherwise FLAT.

Likewise I need to replace the battery.
Due to the vehicle now doing less than 5000 K a year (Covid etc.) - NOT worth it at this time.

Cheers
Peter