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-   -   Will downsizing/radials help ride quality? (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-technical/91182-will-downsizing-radials-help-ride-quality.html)

Hello Jeep Gurus,
My friend has purchased 2006 Major 2WD, which he plans to convert to 4WD( mainly for his estate trips at Vagamon).His mechanic has advised to downsize the wheel discs from 16' to 15' and to use 235/70R15 radials. (The tyres on this Jeep at present are cross ply and there is not much life left in them. )The mechanic is cocksure that these modifications will

1.improve handling

2.improve ride quality at par with an IFS :uncontrolwhile retaining the leafsprings(this he mainly attributes to the radials)

These alterations will cost approximately Rs24000(5500 each for Bridgestone 235/15Radials and Rs 500 for Gypsy rims from used market.)

Now the question is whether the mechanic is right or not and will spending hard earned money as stated supra will bring forth the desired results?

Please answer to issues 1 and 2please:

yes handling will improve a little but the steering will become alot heavier and the ride will become very good

but will suggest getting used tires and feel them before going in for new tires

Ashley before downsizing why doesnt your friend look at CFL's?

Even on 16", radial's will give you more comfort than the original crossply.

Also note that going for 15" will result in your vehicle being lower, considering his use (estate trips) does he want to go lower?

If the current 16" tyres are the 6.00x16 and is shifting to 235 R75/15 then the ride height will actually increase by a marginal ~ 0.5 inch and the ride will also be better. Have gone through the same change and its well worth it.

Manikjeet's suggestion is also good. Explore this option with cheaper used tyres before going in for new ones.

Also, a suggestion about tyres - Given that your friend's planning some estate trips that may entail off-road/no-road situations, you should try Yokohama Geolandars AT/S or the BF Goodrich A/T. They usually suit the purpose much better than the Bridgestone Duelers H/T (Am assuming you meant this when you said Bridgestone)

Cheers,
Aditya

Precisely what he wants! As to heavier steering, he is 6feet in height and likes flexing his muscles!
The miser doesn't like taking chances!
I presume that it will be by increased side wall height, isn't it?
offcourse, we shall check them also before buying.
Thank you all for the very prompt replies.

Yeah, there are better options than Bridgestone for roughly the same money, including Michelins.

Downsized radial tyres will definitely help the riding quality & also the handling, but the steering will become little heavier & hard.
You can try for Geolander A/T S or BF Goodrich A/T.

I think going for a smaller wheel will improve the creature comfort at the cost of less crisp handling. Also, the steering effort should decrease if the patch width is reduced.

The thread title "downsizing" is actually not the case as effective diameter of the radial 15" tyre (235s) is slightly higher than the crossply 16" tyre. (6.00)

On ride quality: Not contradicting what I posted earlier but I think with Jeeps radials don't make the ride more comfortable than crossplies; rather less uncomfortable than crossplies. :D

Cheers,
Aditya