VX Starts ok, but runs terrible...

[Riff Raff]

Also, FYI, 31x11.5x16's are pretty much the biggest tires you can stuff under a vx without a lift...

Well; I'd say you're close, but off by a full inch. According to my calculations, the biggest 16" tire you can fit on a OEM stock 1999 VX without lifting is 32x11.50-16LT or LT285/70R16 (both in 32" O.D.). Tires in these sizes are currently manufactured by Interco, Pit Bull, and Toyo. Due to its 11.5" width, this 32" O.D. tire may possibly require slight hammering of the back portion of the front wheel-wells to clear when turning in addition to normal trimming. The biggest culprit for possible rubbing is the far inner bolt on the back portion of the front-left (driver side) wheel-well. Some VX owner's simply remove this inner bolt entirely without further issue.

Whether a tire rubs or not depends greatly on the wheel it's mounted on. If you use the stock OEM (16x7 or 18x7)wheel when mounting aftermarket tires; this will greatly reduce any rubbing issues, as it has the correct offset and backspacing to help keep the tire neatly tucked within the front wheel-wells.

As a general rule of thumb, the biggest possible tires you can mount on a 100% stock OEM "non-lifted" VX using the stock OEM wheels are:

1999 VX w/16x7 stock wheels:

32x11.50-16LT (32" O.D.)*
LT285/70R16 (32" O.D.)*
*Creative trimming and/or hammering required.


2000/2001 VX w/18x7 stock wheels:

P255/70R18 (32" O.D.) - Bolt-on Perfect.
P275/65R18 (32" O.D.) - Bolt-on Perfect w/slight trimming.
LT285/65R18 (32.5" O.D.) - Creative trimming and/or hammering required.
LT275/70R18 (33" O.D.)**
**Yes, it is possible to mount 33" O.D. tires on a "non-lifted" VX in the narrow 275 series width due to its narrower turning swing-arc. Creative trimming and/or slight hammering required as necessary. Typically; the narrower the tire, the less rubbing interference.

By both not-lifting; and using taller aftermarket tires, you increase both ground clearance and save your VX from possible CV related issues.

[tom4bren]

IIRC, tire diameter is measured at the body of the tire & does not include the tread depth. A more agressive tread tire can be significantly taller than the same sized tire with a mild tread.