I can't find any real answers to this, so wondered if anyone knows what the maximum size tyre would be for a 2007 1.2 4x4?

Having just come back from some quite severe off-roading in Wales, it did brilliantly, but raising the tide height would make it even better. (There are loads of photos and videos from the trip starting to go up in the Classic Panda Facebook group if anyone is interested).

Tall aggressive off-road tyres would raise it a fair bit, and seem to start in 15". Can say 215/75/15 be made to fit? Are they too wide for clearance, and are they too tall?

What is the biggest wheel/tyre people actually know fits? I'm sure someone has fitted bigger ones, as there have been several questions over the years - just no actual reports back.

We'll be looking at raising the height other ways too, but if I can find out what will fit a standard car, that would be a big help!

Many thanks

The bigger the tyre the more it will throw out the speedo.

AndyRKett said:

The bigger the tyre the more it will throw out the speedo.

Click to expand...

... Not exactly an important consideration for a dedicated off-roader, who would probably have the kudos to make a mental adjustment when driving on-road, but worth remembering for normal driving.

Sweetsixteen said:

... Not exactly an important consideration for a dedicated off-roader, who would probably have the kudos to make a mental adjustment when driving on-road, but worth remembering for normal driving.

Click to expand...

Yes, thanks. Worth remembering, but my aim is to raise the ride height & get aggressive tyres on it.

I'm used to cars of varying "accuracy" so would compensate for it, though to be honest the original 14" wheels are likely to be back on for road use - not sure I fancy driving on knobbly tyres on the motorway. Some of the mk2 Pandas do the same - it's a bit of a faff but probably the safest/sensible option if you can fit them in the car (might need a big roof rack too!).

You might be on your own here doing the development.

You could remove the springs. Lift the wheel to maximum compression and check the clearance at both steering locks


However you still need a fair gap for mud build up. Maybe a 4x4 forum could advise.


A Panda was prepared for a African rally. Both the suspension and tires were upgraded. If you zoom in on the photo you can read the sidewall


http://www.africarecordrun.com/team.html

Yes I know its not the same model. Also note that it had a negative effect on its handling.

koalar said:

You might be on your own here doing the development.

You could remove the springs. Lift the wheel to maximum compression and check the clearance at both steering locks


However you still need a fair gap for mud build up. Maybe a 4x4 forum could advise.


A Panda was prepared for a African rally. Both the suspension and tires were upgraded. If you zoom in on the photo you can read the sidewall


http://www.africarecordrun.com/team.html

Yes I know its not the same model. Also note that it had a negative effect on its handling.

Click to expand...

Yes I think we're probably in our own. We'll get there, but I was hoping someone had already done this.

They have modified mk3 Pandas in Italy, so we're hoping to tap into their knowledge. I fear we're blazing the uk trail here though, so maybe no one actually has an answer to this yet!

This has been asked before and I don't think anyone has found an answer.

The wheel arches/body are the limiting factors.
Sure you can flair them out if needed for wider tryes, but there's no clearance front to back.

There's just no gap (well, only a 2 cm gap) between the rear of the fronts and the body work (front doors) and the front of the rears to the body work (rear doors) to accommodate larger tyres that would give a noticeable lift.

I've seem a few images around the net of 169 Climbings with jacked up suspension, but they all seem to be on standard wheels and tyres.

But this obviously comes with it's own problems.!

Taller suspension will affect the handling just be sure the drive shafts have enough extended length to cope. Knobby tyres don't grip especially well on tarmac so probably not a big issue.

Larger tyres will raise your gearing including the bottom gear ratio. As off-roading often needs a low first gear (if not a crawler gear) this is likely to be a probem.

DaveMcT said:

Taller suspension will affect the handling just be sure the drive shafts have enough extended length to cope. Knobby tyres don't grip especially well on tarmac so probably not a big issue.

Larger tyres will raise your gearing including the bottom gear ratio. As off-roading often needs a low first gear (if not a crawler gear) this is likely to be a probem.

Click to expand...

Yes handling shouldn't be an issue.

Does more power overcome this - excuse my lack of knowledge, that's why someone else will be doing any modifications! A more powerful engine is a possibility currently being considered as the current one doesn't have enough torque really & results in having to go faster than is ideal to keep momentum.

Sweetsixteen said:

... Not exactly an important consideration for a dedicated off-roader, who would probably have the kudos to make a mental adjustment when driving on-road, but worth remembering for normal driving.

Click to expand...

There is an online calculator

https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=165-70r14-165-80r14

Palio said:

Yes handling shouldn't be an issue.

Does more power overcome this - excuse my lack of knowledge, that's why someone else will be doing any modifications! A more powerful engine is a possibility currently being considered as the current one doesn't have enough torque really & results in having to go faster than is ideal to keep momentum.

Click to expand...

A Panda will never be the ideal off-roader but its still very capable for what it is.

The issues are single range transmission - you can't select a low range to crawl along with engine running at a speed where it's making useful (but not too much) power.

There is no axle differential lock so once a wheel spins you are stuck.

The wheels are small. - bigger wheels negatively affect the above

Ground clearance is not up to full off roader spec.

Bash plate under-trays add weight and reduce ground clearance.

On the plus side it's small and surprisingly capable.

Use it within its limits and it's great but if you want more you'll need to be looking for something more off road focussed.

DaveMcT said:

A Panda will never be the ideal off-roader but its still very capable for what it is.

The issues are single range transmission - you can't select a low range to crawl along with engine running at a speed where it's making useful (but not too much) power.

There is no axle differential lock so once a wheel spins you are stuck.

The wheels are small. - bigger wheels negatively affect the above

Ground clearance is not up to full off roader spec.

Bash plate under-trays add weight and reduce ground clearance.

On the plus side it's small and surprisingly capable.

Use it within its limits and it's great but if you want more you'll need to be looking for something more off road focussed.

Click to expand...

Thanks, but using them outside of their limits is part of the fun! There is also a locking diff kit available from Italy, which is used by the Italian group.

The mk2 Pandas have been modified successfully, and we're looking to do something similar to a mk3 - the older ones are starting to get too valuable. A bit of lift and protection, helps us do this sort of silly stuff (the Strata Florida in this case).

I agree going outside the limits is all part of the fun, but without diff locks those limits can be pretty close.

I would say some proper job bash plates and sill bars are a must-have.

If you can get low ratio diffs, the larger wheels would be a great upgrade. Fiddle brakes on the back end would also help. That's separate hand brake levers for each side. The good ones have a retractable ratchet so they can park the car but also be used off road without locking on when you don't need it.

Fabulous for car trials.

http://www.austin7club.org/thetrialscar37.htm

Did you make any progress with this question?
I'm toying with taking a Panda 4x4 through Morocco, on and off pieste. Standard tyres won't be great, too prone to sidewall damage from sharp rocks imho.
Grip probably won't be the issue but a little extra height would be good.
Thanks

These guys didn't get a puncture. Although they did wear out yen fronts

http://www.africarecordrun.com/build.html

koalar said:

These guys didn't get a puncture. Although they did wear out yen fronts

http://www.africarecordrun.com/build.html

Click to expand...

Yes I'd followed them
They stuck to roads (of varying quality) the desert in Morocco doesn't actually have that much sand. Mostly rocks so tough on tyres.
They used van tyres. Could work well, taller and tougher than normal all season car tyres.
Thanks for the link, I'd forgotten to check what they did.

Hi guys..

Whilst I have a Panda Cross from new that my wife won't let me use I have kept the 2007 4x4 it was supposed to replace as a shoot wagon and dog vehicle removing the back seats for a dog cage.

The best tyres I can find at the moment are Avon WT7. Whilst at the Classic Car Show at the NEC there was a brilliant stand with a couple of off road pandas with Univergomma tyres which would defo get me in and out the fields. I realise these are Italian/Bridgestone... I think. But any suggestions of something as nobbly as that available in the UK?

Thanks Ross

Bald Silver Surfer said:

Hi guys..

Whilst I have a Panda Cross from new that my wife won't let me use I have kept the 2007 4x4 it was supposed to replace as a shoot wagon and dog vehicle removing the back seats for a dog cage.

The best tyres I can find at the moment are Avon WT7. Whilst at the Classic Car Show at the NEC there was a brilliant stand with a couple of off road pandas with Univergomma tyres which would defo get me in and out the fields. I realise these are Italian/Bridgestone... I think. But any suggestions of something as nobbly as that available in the UK?

Thanks Ross

Click to expand...

They are available in the UK. All the Pandas at the NEC are using tyres from UK suppliers or places which will supply to the UK - there are a few I think
AndyPanda4x4 will have a better memory than me....

Hiya, the tyres which we use are available at Tyres Direct UK for the 13" Trac 4x4 models.

For a 14" or 15" rim though which I presume yours will be you'd have to get a set imported from Italy. The tyre you need is by a company in Italy called Ziarelli and the model is "Mud Power". The company is good to deal with and efficient with delivery.
panda1408 was the latest member to get a set for his Mk3 Cross, he may be able to help if you get stuck ordering.

Andy is correct, for proper mud terrain tyres in standard Mk3 sizes you will need to go direct to Italy, there is not currently a UK supplier who stocks or can order them in.

Again as Andy says Ziarelli do the Mud Power tyre which is available in both 185/65/14 and 175/65/15. They also do 185/65/15 which is what I went for to gain some ground clearance with the trade off being a small amount of rubbing when off road.

Ordering is very easy, so don't be put off by the fact they are in Italy! Just email Ziarelli direct and they will sort it all out, tyres are 55 euros each and postage to the UK was around 60 euros and took a week.

http://www.ziarelli.it/mud-power.html





See my car in action here