Date:         Sat, 4 Jan 2003 22:08:23 -0500
Reply-To:     Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Re: 14" or 15" wheels?
Comments: To: Jason Weisberger <jweis@WHY.BOTHER.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <Pine.LNX.4.44.0301041850070.11921-100000@hunter>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

??? I'm not sure you are going to get better handling/wear with 15"
wheels/tires on a Vanagon. What you will get is a broader selection of
tires available to purchase.

The big brake kit isn't necessary for 15" wheels. 15" wheels are
necessary for the big brake kit.

Based on my experience, unless you really want larger wheels for
esthetics, or need them for ground clearance (i.e. off road), you are
probably better off staying with the 14" wheels. Especially if you have
the stock alloy 14" wheels, or the 14x6 steel wheels. With those types
of wheels you can get 27x8.5R14 All Terrain tires or 195R14 street
tires.

The 15" (and larger) wheels (because of the larger rolling diameter)
are going to slow your acceleration time down (especially if you are
running a stock engine).

The fact that I'm upgrading all my Vanagons to 15" wheel shouldn't
unduly influence others, as I >DO< need the extra ground clearance (and
off road capability.)

On Saturday, January 4, 2003, at 09:51  PM, Jason Weisberger wrote:

> So, I'm needing new tires and am considering "upgrading" to 15" wheels.
>
> What are the benefits, really? Do I need to do the brake conversion
> immediately, or can I just upgrade the wheels to get 15" tires and the
> supposed handling and wear improvements?