Increasing wheel and tyre size.. would these fit?

[Didicoy steve]

I have a wheelchair adapted 2013  Multispace xtr. It’s adapted to drive from my wheelchair. Due to chassis modifications (lowering of floor and electric ramp) I’m finding the local councils obsession with speed humps in every village surrounding me, that I’m forced into the gutter or scrapping outriggers or exhaust pipe on ramps. I have looked at two charts on the forum relating to wheel size fittings and it appears possible to fit 4 x Alloy wheels with nearly new tyres 215/50 R17. off of eBay. 

I understand it may cause issues with correct speed indication on the speedometer, But as is. The steering wheel was also changed for a detachable OMP steering wheel. Which is much smaller, making viewing of the 20mph/30mph needle position practically impossible from my preferred wheelchair driving position. So I intend getting a gps heads up display to get around that.
I’m hoping replacing my existing 205 65 R15 wheels and tyres to 215/50 R17 will give me a valuable inch or so ground clearance. 
Can I ask your opinion, will it work? Eg, first of all, will they fit? And will it be the best way to increase ground clearance or is there a alternative method. 
Cheers Steve 

[Multispacer]

I have a wheelchair adapted 2013  Multispace XTR. It’s adapted to drive from my wheelchair. Due to chassis modifications (lowering of floor and electric ramp) I’m finding the local councils obsession with speed humps in every village surrounding me, that I’m forced into the gutter or scrapping outriggers or exhaust pipe on ramps. I have looked at two charts on the forum relating to wheel size fittings and it appears possible to fit 4 x Alloy wheels with nearly new tyres 215/50 R17. off of eBay. 

I understand it may cause issues with correct speed indication on the speedometer, But as is. The steering wheel was also changed for a detachable OMP steering wheel. Which is much smaller, making viewing of the 20mph/30mph needle position practically impossible from my preferred wheelchair driving position. So I intend getting a GPS heads up display to get around that.
I’m hoping replacing my existing 205 65 R15 wheels and tyres to 215/50 R17 will give me a valuable inch or so ground clearance. 
Can I ask your opinion, will it work? Eg, first of all, will they fit? And will it be the best way to increase ground clearance or is there a alternative method. 
Cheers Steve 

While I cannot comment on 17" wheels, what I can tell you is that my Berlingo Multispace XTR [2008] has standard 16" steel wheels fitted with 215/55 R16 tyres.

[Sol]

If you fit the Citroen 17" and tyre sizes mentioned, they work fine (I've done the same) with no issues rubbing or otherwise. But the rolling radius is very similar, meaning the speedometer is pretty much unchanged (in fact it came closer to the GPS speed than with the standard steels on) and the ride height is pretty much unchanged.

They look taller on 17s with 50 series tyres but it's an illusion. Maybe fit rubber coil spring assisters to all 4 corners? That could gain you an inch or more of ride height.

[Didicoy steve]

Thanks for your views, obviously an illusion isn’t what I’m after. I’m going to look into rubber coil spring assisters. Is there a suspension uprating I could look into?
I’m really loving the improved mobility & increased independence this car has given me so far. Although I now appreciate this car will be a money pit that I can’t really afford. It’s more important than ever that I spend wisely. The cosmetic stuff is still way down my list. The vehicle originated in the most rural area of Wales. (Mountain tracks). 2.5inch exhaust ground clearance and 3.5inch subframe ground clearance has left it with scars to the re-manufactured outriggers, etc. Road salt over the 9 winter years, has also led to a degree of rust/corrosion to the aftermarket outriggers and subframe to some extent. I’ve a right mission to de-rust these outriggers and protect them there after..

[Sol]

Aftermarket suspension is nearly non existent and what there is, will be standard or lower, not higher. No one wants to raise the vehicle normally, they want to lower it and even that is scarcely available.

Rubber spring assisters are likely your most available options and are cheap. The rear shocks on the B9 are unique to it, and the C4 Grand Picasso. Nothing else on the road uses the same design. This and the "old man's car" image of the Berlingo means aftermarket parts are few and far between.

[Didicoy steve]

Thanks for clarifying that Zion. Looks like I will continue crawling over speed humps and avoiding potholes here on in. I will research rubber spring assisters and possibly have them fitted come mot time. Thank you again for your time and knowledge, much appreciated.

[Sol]

No worries at all. The question comes up a lot from young van owners looking to lower them, we have spoken direct to manufacturers of suspension and very little is available, that's how we know. We had hoped to offer something as a forum benefit with a reduced price but the demand wasn't there.

I've used those spring assisters in the past and they are pretty straightforward to fit, they stiffen the spring a bit and lift it up a bit. Meant for use when towing caravans to prevent spring sag when pulling the load, especially from rest.

They simply push in between the coils and have a groove round the top and bottom, so they hold on themselves. They don't work loose either.

[RattyCortina]

Looking at it from the other way, could you raise the exhaust? I assume it's low because it's been modified/re-routed as part of the WAV modifications?

[Didicoy steve]

There is a chance to raise the exhaust possibly 3/4 inch higher, but this would require cutting and rerouting. Theres 2.5inch ground clearance from the horizontal exhaust pipe just after down pipe. Fortunately the exhaust pipe is routed to the passenger side, so just clears the island type speed humps if the nearside wheel is kept off the speed humps.
The box section (sub frame) surrounding the lowered floor is 3.5 inch from ground, but the nut head fixings protrude downwards through this box section, giving only 3inch ground clearance.
to

[RattyCortina]

I don't know if you've used this? https://tiresize.com/calculator/