2001 RAV4 4(A)WD - Will 15" Rims Fit?

G

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Discussion starter · #1 · Nov 7, 2006

Hey everyone,

After several years of slip and slide winter driving, I am going to be equipping my 2001 RAV4 4WD (these things are AWD, technically...) with winter tyres.

With most of my cars I downsize one size for winters, in order to

1) Reduce cost
2) Increase the sidewall height in order to reduce rim damage should the car be curbed.

I can't find any information online or by searching the forum to answer the question:

'Can I install 15" rims on a 2001 4WD RAV4 (2.0L North American-spec)?"

Thanks for any help!

 

waltrav

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Joined Dec 31, 2004

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3,031 Posts

#2 · Nov 7, 2006

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Amorak,

Your doing the right thing. Unfortunetly, Many people think that an AWD or a FWD vehicle doesn’t need winter tires.

It’s up to you if you want to go with a 15”.

Here are the closest tire matches for it:

Stock 235 tire = 21.15 cm

215/70/15 = 21.42 cm

235/65/15 = 21.56 cm

Here are rims specs. 5 bolt @ 114.3, 38 to 42 offset.


Having said that, I have never heard of anyone here going to a 15” rim. But you can.

For your requirements (cost not incl.) they go to a larger diam. Tire on a stock 16” rim.
So 215/70/16” @ 22.22 cm and the speedo will read 2.8 % too slow.

I personally would not worry about cost as long as you had plenty of time to search around for a used set of 16” rims, if you are lucky you can find tires too. But for this year it’s to late for that.

Cheers, Walt

 

AussieRAVer

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Joined Jun 20, 2006

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2,888 Posts

#3 · Nov 7, 2006

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The following link : http://members.tripod.com/ri_rav4/wheel_tire.htm will show you what is available and give you some more resources... Personally, I would just go with a slightly larger tire on the stock 16" rims...... (If you were to drop the rim to 15" you would end up having to more than likely go with light truck specification tires in a 215/75R15 to keep the size near enough...)

stock - 215/70R16 - OD = (215x2x70%)+(16x25.4) = 301+406.4 = 707.4
smaller rim - 215/75R15 - OD = (215x2x75%)+(15x25.4) = 322.5+381 = 703.5

 

Goodthrust

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Joined Feb 25, 2006

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17 Posts

#4 · Nov 8, 2006

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amorak said:

Hey everyone,

'Can I install 15" rims on a 2001 4WD RAV4 (2.0L North American-spec)?"

Thanks for any help!

Click to expand...

Hey amorak.

I had a set of 15" rims from my previous vehicle (1993 Buick Park Avenue) with the right bolt pattern, but the inside of the wheel rubbed the shock mount on the rear wheels. I didn't try the front wheels...

So I don't think 15" wheels will work. I could be wrong ... that happens a lot ;-)

 

waltrav

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Joined Dec 31, 2004

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3,031 Posts

#5 · Nov 9, 2006

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Now that I think about it you probably wont be able to clear your Front Disk Brake Calipers.
So the Extra money you save trying something new might end up costing much more money and time.

Cheers, Walt