Bongo Fury

Hi people, had the Bongo 6 days now and just spotted that I have different tyre sizes front & back on a 2wd v6 1999 new shape. The sizes are: front 205/70/15, rear 215/65/15. There is also 4x4 on the fronts. They are paired across each axle ok.

Hiya. Have you got the handbook. It will state spec in there. Mine has different front to back 2 wheel drive and it is supposed to. It does make a big difference on the handling especially around roundabouts.

There should be a plate inside the driver's door opening. This will have the correct size(s) for the model.

The usual sizes are 195/70-15 92 front and 215/65 15 96 rear.

The really important bit is the last two digits of each size it must be at least 92 on the front and 96 on the rear.

Within limits different sizes are not a problem on 2WD but they MAY be a problem on a 4WD.

A lot of us have the same all round, I have, 215's 96 rated, cost £35.00 each fully fitted. Nankang make.

If its a 2 wheel drive it shouldn't be the big issue it is with 4 wheel drive, where it really does mater that you have the right tyres on in order to avoid 'wind-up' between front and rear diffs. I'd say if it drives nicely, don't worry about it. What do others think?

There is a 95T on the fronts and 104/102T on the rears. Are these the numbers referred to? They are found just on the rim not on the main tyre wall. The plate says 195/80/15 96S front and 215/70/15 98S rear, Pressure stated are 1.8 bar & 2.4 bar.

Well now youve gone and done it
I've been and checked mine tonight
All brand new tyres, came with the van
All are 195's ( but I have a 2WD) so until they wear down a bit Then I will fit 215's to the rear

Dooh

pete wylie wrote:There is a 95T on the fronts and 104/102T on the rears. Are these the numbers referred to? They are found just on the rim not on the main tyre wall. The plate says 195/80/15 96S front and 215/70/15 98S rear, Pressure stated are 1.8 bar & 2.4 bar.

Well the 95T is almost, but not quite, the correct load rating for the front and the 104/102T on the rear (is it 102 one side 104 the other or what?) is Ok.

But it certainly looks like later versions have higher profile tyres than earlier ones, 80 instead of 70 front and 70 instead of 65 on the rear, as well as a higher load index.

The 104/102T is the number on both rears.

pete wylie wrote:The 104/102T is the number on both rears.

Never seen that before, I wonder which it is, 102 or 104? or does it vary under different conditions.

102 is 850kg and 104 is 900kg

Here we go, I have to go and have a look now.

pete wylie wrote:The 104/102T is the number on both rears.

102T means 850 kg load capacity,118 mph speed rating (up to).

It would appear to imply that the maximum load rating (at normal speeds?) is 900 kg (104) and the load rating is reduced when running at its maximum speed rating (118mph) hence 118 mph= 850kg max load per tyre.

I'll remember that the next time i'm cruising at 120 in my bongo...

scanner wrote:But it certainly looks like later versions have higher profile tyres than earlier ones, 80 instead of 70 front and 70 instead of 65 on the rear, as well as a higher load index.

Here is the plate from our '99, which quotes alternatives:

Mine is much the same without the 195/80 it just has the first 195 without the 80 (which is superfluous, as 80 the default profile anyway).

If somebody understands Japanese could they tell us what the alternative tyre size relates to - where I've seen it elsewhere it has referred to Snow tyres.

I think it's safe to assume that 195/70-15 Front & 215/65-15 Rear, are the "correct" sizes.

This is the plate on my Bongo.

http://s268.photobucket.com/albums/jj20/petewylie/