Got a stock 83 Brat. Bought a set of 14" pugs to put on it come spring. Question now is: can I run a 14" tire on the Brat without lifting it? If so, what size can I get away with? If not, what size tire may be optimal for a 3"lift (Ozzified) without completely bogging down the motor/ modifying the wheel wells? Until my brat gets rustladen, I plan to use it as a daily commuter. In a couple of years (Alaskan winters are tough on vehicles), I will look at making a mudder out of it.

Always lift it. You will still enjoy a great ride even lifted.

 

Since you want to keep it mild, go with:

 

3 inch lift, 27x8.5x14 BF Goodrich All Terrain K/O (actual diameter is 26.6)

A lift would:headbang:

27" or smaller would be optimal. cooper also makes some like 25" All terrains. a 3" lift is fine for most use.

I say go with a lift. It doent affect your daily drive at all, its the size of tire. You can always get more agressive tires when it comes time to beast-a-fy it! Theres no reason not to lift it unless you dont like how it looks.

lift.

 

pm me if you want a hand.

 

I got your back! hehe

 

Battle_Wagon_Medic loves to lift subies!

Lift it! Im running 14" pug rims with 26" Cooper Discoverer STT's, theyre great. ANd coupled with the alloy rims, the car doesnt have much bog at all.

 

If you want it installed right, read the instructions and keep BMW away!! hahahahaha

 

-Brian

 

p.s.

Just givin you a hard time Jon.

ya ya ya.. poke fun at me!

 

northguy, just make sure if you do get a PKDavis lift to have him AIR freight it. Don't let the stuff go through Cana-duh.

 

ill remember that that stuff and beer will be AFTER a lift. :bday:

hey your mail system don't work so great neither

Jon, I'll probably take you up on your offer. Was wondering if I could get away with not puting on a lift. just putting on bigger rims and tires.Will they rub? (And neither postal system - Canadian or American - is as bad as the postal system of Mexico.)

I know the biggest you can run on a 13" rim is 195/80R13.

 

Not sure about a 14" pug.

 

BTW: bushbasher... our mail system works $%^ fine.

Northguy, I run 195-75-14 Cooper Discovers on my 87 Brat. it has a 1-inch body lift, had to trim some of the inside edge of the mud flaps and tap a small piece of the front fender lip in. The tires have not touched any part since. With no lift I would say a 185-75-14 or 195-70-14 is the best you will get to work without some scrapping when turning and hitting holes or bumps. Your tire choices are limited to all seasons at those sizes also. Glenn Taylor

Thanks to all for the input. I'll post pics in the Spring when it is done.

you better let me help sucka!

Well Canadian mail works fine when you are in Canada, and American mail probably works fine when you're in the U.S.

U.S. to U.S. is fine if you air freight it.

 

Mine was trucked through Cana-duh.

Hey Matt, maybe we could lift ours at the same time this spring.

 

As for tires, if you are running the same ones all year, DON'T go with the BF Goodrich A/T's for driving up here. My dad put some on his truck this year, and he says they are really bad on ice.

 

And I did get four center caps for you. BUT three are ea82 generation, painted with spray-on "chrome-like" finish since the original finish was all scratched and faded, and the other is an ea81 generation cap in pristine condition. If matching is important, I would recommend putting the caps on the rear, and cleaning and painting the front hubs and putting on new castle nuts. If you want them, you can either pick them up, or I can drop them off on my way out of town on the 14th.

Kelly, thanks. I'll PM you when I get back in town. Right now I'm in Homer celebrating my tenth anniversary. How's that for dedication to the board; taking time during ny anniversary trip to share with the USMB boys.