Why won't ATV rims/tires work?

[Bratenstein]

Okay, I am sure that I am not the first person to think of using ATV rims to get offroad tires that will fit in the wheel wells. I was looking at this link:

http://www.maxxis.com/products/atv/product_detail.asp?id=155

There are some 8 spoke 12x7 ATV rims that are 4x136 bolt pattern (which is tantalizingly close to 4x140, particularly if the lugs are narrower and would need a bit of drilling anyway), or you could drill the four holes in the other four unused spokes to get a 4x140 pattern.

 

That said, what would be the problem? 1. Would twelve inch rims be big enough around for the brake rotors/calipers and brake drums? 2. Are ATV rims strong enough for a Brat? 3. Are there ATV tires that are street legal? Is there anything else I am missing?

[chef_tim]

You are correct this has been brought up. There are ATV rims with the 140x4 pattern but as you said their 12" rims, there would be no logical reason to put on a smaller tyre. Tim

[archemitis]

cuz, theyre small, they wont hold a cars weight at highway speeds, arent street legal, look funny, all that. 6 lugs or pugs, is about the only (good)way.

[ezapar]

Okay, I am sure that I am not the first person to think of using ATV rims to get offroad tires that will fit in the wheel wells. I was looking at this link:

http://www.maxxis.com/products/atv/product_detail.asp?id=155

There are some 8 spoke 12x7 ATV rims that are 4x136 bolt pattern (which is tantalizingly close to 4x140, particularly if the lugs are narrower and would need a bit of drilling anyway), or you could drill the four holes in the other four unused spokes to get a 4x140 pattern.

 

That said, what would be the problem? 1. Would twelve inch rims be big enough around for the brake rotors/calipers and brake drums? 2. Are ATV rims strong enough for a Brat? 3. Are there ATV tires that are street legal? Is there anything else I am missing?

 

You could always swap them on when you get to the mudhole. . . Sweet 82 uses them on his monster garage creation.

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/member.php?u=584

[Mike W]

If this is purely for offroad abuse, there are also agricultural tires that will fit stock rims. Tractor tires have been used for racing by a number of guys including Bret (BYB) in Oz, that XT6 at WCSS3, and that WRX powered Hatchback in the Czec Republic.

[Bratenstein]

If this is purely for offroad abuse, there are also agricultural tires that will fit stock rims. Tractor tires have been used for racing by a number of guys including Bret (BYB) in Oz, that XT6 at WCSS3, and that WRX powered Hatchback in the Czec Republic.

Yet another interesting idea for tires, Thanks!

[MorganM]

I entertained this idea. After lots of phone calls, web searching, and number crunching it wasnt worth it to me. Cost was still high and there are pros and cons to consider (as noted in previouse posts here).

[Sweet82]

I may be able to shed some light on this topic...

 

RIMS;

There are several rims that are close to Subaru's 4X140. Most notibly the 4X144. However there are NO ATV rims that will directly bolt to our lugs.

Things to consider are the ATV rims were designed for a #500 - #600 vehicle. A subie on a good day is 4 times that weight. Five times on a bad day fully loaded for wheelin. Rims may fail under this weight and they are not Highway rated or street legal. The Offset of an ATV rim may also get you in trouble...

 

TIRES;

As for the ATV tire size being smaller? that is not the case. It simply depends on what size you buy. They make them in a 28X12X12 Your stock tire will measure about 22.5".

 

http://www.rockymountainatv.com/Product_Details.atv?pid=00017587

 

What I did;

I'm running a 6ply tire for strenght because I'm over steping the recomended weight rating on the tire. I'm also running at close to 30psi and normally you'd run 3 - 5 psi.

 

I'm running Dirt Devil 26X12X12:brow:

My Lugs are 1 1/4" deep they make them up to 2" deep

Note; I have noticed the difference in gearing while running my 26's.

 

http://usmb.net/gallery/albuo21

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showgallery.php?cat=500&page=1&sort=1&perpage=12&ppuser=584&=

 

I also had custom rims made to insure that they would be able to handle the punishment I would be putting them up to and to insure that the offset would be proper.

 

You can run ATV tire...! It's not easy or cheap...but it sure is fun

Glenn

82 SubaruHummer--ATV tires

01 Forester--Factory tires :-\

[ezapar]

Thanks Glenn, I'm gonna add that to the Frequently Asked Questions Sticky.

[Snowman]

Actually, I'm not so sure there are not ATV rims that bolt up to soobs. We put the donut spare from my mom's 87 wagon onto our 91 Suzuki King Quad once just to see if it would work.

[Sweet82]

In talking with dealers I found that the 4X144 rims were only available in a ATV front rim. I was not able to find any 4X144 rear ATV rims? If you were going to use an ATV rim you'd want the wide rear rim not the front narrow rims-4X144.

 

Because of the lug hole size of a Subaru spare you may be able to fit it on to the 4X144 hub on an ATV but it still would not bolt properly. The reverse would not work. An ATV 4X144 rim would potentially have smaller lug holes than a Subaru Hub? Either way it won't bolt right.

 

I considered purchasing a set of ITP steel ATV rims and drilling them out to 4X140 but they would not be as strong as a custom rim or have the correct offset. One other note, getting the 4X140 lug pattern dead center w/o having the 6 lug "template" would be difficult.

 

Someone up in the northwest is off-roading a Justy on ATV tires. In my quest for rims, I found the tire shop who mounted them for the Justy guy, but I never found the Justy guy.

 

http://www.rhinobuggies.com.au/images/stalkerdualy.jpg

 

This guy is driving on "dualies". He has an interesting writeup on manufacturing oversized "Subaru" rims.

 

Glenn,

82 SubaruHummer

01 Forester

[LosDiosDeVerde86]

with how much a car weights vs. how fast it goes, the tires and rims would destroy themselves.

[subie94]

cuz, theyre small, they wont hold a cars weight at highway speeds, arent street legal, look funny, all that. 6 lugs or pugs, is about the only (good)way.

 

 

 

unless your driving a justy(did they come 4wd?)

[kevinsUBARU]

yes, justys were available with 4wd

[PetterFan]

Okay, I am sure that I am not the first person to think of using ATV rims to get offroad tires that will fit in the wheel wells. I was looking at this link:

http://www.maxxis.com/products/atv/product_detail.asp?id=155

There are some 8 spoke 12x7 ATV rims that are 4x136 bolt pattern (which is tantalizingly close to 4x140, particularly if the lugs are narrower and would need a bit of drilling anyway), or you could drill the four holes in the other four unused spokes to get a 4x140 pattern.

 

That said, what would be the problem? 1. Would twelve inch rims be big enough around for the brake rotors/calipers and brake drums? 2. Are ATV rims strong enough for a Brat? 3. Are there ATV tires that are street legal? Is there anything else I am missing?

 

ATV wheels aren't street legal, and definitely not fit for the highway. They might be alright for offroad use, but any amount of measurable pressure or torque could suqash that little ATV rim. Another concern I have is with the lugs not fitting on. The ATV rims are weak enough, drilling larger holes will further weaken the structure.