Wanted: Drivers (RHD) sill tread plate

[BigJohn]

I am wanting a drivers side front sill tread plate. Mine appears to have been in an argument with the safety belt catch, and I would like to replace it with one which is not badly battered. Many Thanks, John.

[johnnydog]

Front tread plates in good order are now quite difficult to find as fronts obviously take a lot more hammer than rears.
I can check to see if I have any good used and get back to you?
I 've often thought of options around this - the only alternative solution I have come up with is to cut two new 'old stock' rears to the correct length using a good mitre saw (for a precise 90 degree cut) at the least visible place and butt the two sections together. This is dependent on ensuring a precise 90 degree cut, but I'm sure it would look more than acceptable with care, especially if you swap the fronts over, with the newly cut plate fitted to the passenger side. I'm certain someone must have tried this before????
Chris Witor lists new old stock rears at £12.50 plus VAT but unfortunately is out of stock.

[BigJohn]

Hi John, that would be very kind of you, I have seen a pair of rears on eBay, but no fronts. It is not a rush item for me, just part of the "Jobs noted after purchase" list.
I intend to fit new tyres all round later this month as although the current ones have lots of tread they have no date marks and the spare is a Xply! The drivers seat will get a new diaphragm from Witors to reduce sinkage, an in-line fuel filter, tune up inc. carbs balancing, just minor jobs so far.
A new aerial, head unit and speakers have already been fitted over Christmas/New Year. The aerial is on the nearside front wing, I have big hands, now with added scar tissue!
I might even get my dollies and hammers out and see how much I can improve the damaged plate. Cheers, John.

[johnnydog]

Just on the subject of tyres John, 175 80 13 tyres (the same as the original 175 13) are now becoming a less common size unfortunately, with many classed as van tyres which have stiffer sidewall, so are not ideal for a saloon car. However, Maxxis make the correct 175 80 13 in a summer tyre, and I have a set on one of my Triumphs. I also know of several other people that have them on their classics and are also happy with their appearance / sidewall profile when fitted, the tread pattern, and the handling, road noise and wet / dry grip, so they may be an option worth considering. The price isn't through the roof either.
The only down side is that some of the sizes have a thin white wall, but as they are not directional, the tyre place fitted mine with the white wall on the inside, and the only time I see it when I'm underneath the car!

[johnconradlee]

If John W doesn't have one readily to hand, I have a vague feeling I have a sill tread plate or two in the loft. I'll have a look later in the week when I put the Christmas decorations away.

[johnnydog]

Are fronts the same as the Triumph 1300 /1500? There are a set of 1300/1500's on Ebay at the moment; three of them have marks and a bit of damage, but one of the fronts looks in pretty good order. Might be worth asking the seller to confirm the length of the fronts - you never know - could be the same as ours....

[BigJohn]

Thank you for the hints and tips everyone.
Tyres, Mmm I was going to go Firestone 175/70/13, which would give me a slight speedo over read, and lower fuel consumption. I don't like the available Chinese Ditchfinders as an option.
If the loft proves fruitful I will definitely be interested.
1300/1500 sill plates? I would have thought the door aperture would be narrower, are the doors interchangeable like Maxis and 1800/2200s?

[johnnydog]

Personally, I would not go with 175 70 13 on a Triumph 2000. They will look 'under tyred' in my opinion. On a PI, because 185 80 13 tyres were virtually non existant except as van tyres, people opted for 185 70 13, probably not understanding the relevance of the tyre profile sizes. The 70 profile on a 175 or 185 tyre in a 13 looks to small for the wheel arch and, as above, 'under tyred'.
If you opted for alleged 'ditchfinders' such as Nankangs, Woosungs and the like, then I'd agree I would look for some other make, but Maxxis had some good reviews when I bought mine 18 months ago. I spoke to a chap at Tatton Park who had them on a early 60's Ford Capri and he thought they were very good tyres which, along with the reviews, persuaded me to buy a set, and 18 months down the line, I don't regret doing.
1300 and 1500 doors are not interchangeable with 2000 doors, but a few components were the same, such as the over riders for example. Must be worth asking the question of the seller as to their length? I haven't got a 1300 / 1500 parts book which would indicate if the part number is the same.

[BigJohn]

I understand the under tyred look, I had to search to get 80 profile tyres for my Rover P6B, at the time all I could get in 14" were GoodRide as the Michelins fitted were over 20 yrs old and as hard as coal. It was a temporary fix as they had shocking reviews but they stayed on the car.
I had heavy duty Police spec suspension fitted and the tyres transformed the car, it was seen cornering with one wheel off the tarmac like a fast rwd Ford and yet it still gripped. The 8 MPG that day was the scariest part. I would like a make that would be relevant to the age of the car if possible. I don't think I need to hurry as I've nowhere I can drive to at the moment...........

[Mike Stevens]

I have 185/80-14 on both the PI and Stag and I'm very pleased with them. Hankook I think? (It's too dark and cold to go and see).

Yes, I've found the electronic invoice -
Hankook OPTIMO K715 185/80 R14 91T.

They are quiet and road holding seems fine but these days I don't drive quite like I used to! Wear is probably not relevant as they will time-expire before they wear out.

They are fine on the Stag (that size was original fitment). On the PI the speedo is slightly out but a simple change of the speed pinion drive (on a 'J' type anyway) can help fix that.

They might be a bit old hat now but are still listed at around £67.

Cheers,
Mike.