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Old 12-08-2015, 10:33 PM   #1
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installing smaller tires?

so I want to get rid of those pestky wheel wells and was wondering if putting in smaller tires was an actually feasible thing. these are the tires i was thinking about

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Old 12-08-2015, 10:43 PM   #2
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Smaller tires equal a lower top speed. Best to check on the available replacement gearing options - you may not be able to get a decent top speed back.
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Old 12-08-2015, 10:53 PM   #3
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i mean im not expecting to go more than 60mpg, hell i drive a prius, ive become too comfortable in the slow lane. so tht being the case would it be an all too difficult thing to do?
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Old 12-08-2015, 11:06 PM   #4
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Plug your numbers in at the bottom of this calculator page and check your engine speed. 60 may or may not be possible at acceptable RPM's with smaller tires. And more RPM's = more wear & less mpg.

http://www.csgnetwork.com/multirpmcalc.html
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Old 12-08-2015, 11:06 PM   #5
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You'd have to match the load range of the tires you have now and check to make sure the new tires don't rub together when loaded as dualies, but I would think the tire installer would check that. Otherwise, I don't see why it wouldn't work. A few Skoolie members are in the bus business and may give their opinions.

Smaller tires would reduce your rear ground clearance and if you don't re-gear the differential will also drop your MPG too.
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Old 12-09-2015, 10:31 AM   #6
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I don't want to be the person to squash your dreams, but you will lose ground clearance, top speed, wear out your engine and transmission faster, and spend a good amount of money on new tires, wheels, and gears for the rear differential.

You would almost be better to try and lift the bus higher than to run smaller wheels.

The wheel wells arent impossible to deal with.
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Old 12-09-2015, 05:06 PM   #7
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Put in about a 12" lift kit. And install a boarding ladder, too.
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Old 12-09-2015, 06:47 PM   #8
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Most of what I was going to say has been said already.

The biggest issue I see is if the smaller tires can handle the weight of the bus. The small donut tires that are in the picture of the Blue Bird bus are barely sufficient to carry the load of that bus.

In regards to the wheel wells, if you have a type 'D' bus you won't be able to eliminate the front wheel wells unless you lift the bus a lot. But the rear wheel wells can be eliminated without a lot of problems. It will require some lifting but a flat floor was available from the factory from all of the school bus OEM's.

Alternatively you can raise the roof a lot and then install a new floor over the tops of the wheel wells creating a lot more space under the floor for storage.

It may just be easier to deal with the wheel wells as they are in place currently.

Good luck and happy trails.
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Old 12-09-2015, 08:04 PM   #9
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FWIW.
The small tires mentioned do have lower wt. cap. than their 22.5 counterparts, depending upon size/ply.

I run 265/70/19.5 16PR that are rated to carry 6010 lbs. single. My actual axle wt. is 9640 so there's a little reserve of about 2300 lbs. +.
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