Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 12:31:30 -0800
Reply-To: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: [Syncro] 16" Trailing Arms / BIG 15" Tires
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Chris, I have mounted 215/75/15 spares up front in the well on 5 Syncros
and Vanagons. I know what is involved, that is why my post said "though
mods are needed to make it go in there".
My answer to the overall riddle was and is 215/75/15. I have had these
on my stock geared 87 Syncro for 9 years now and with the same size
spare mounted in the spare well. I have also had these on my 82 Westy
for 3 years with the same size spare mounted in the spare carrier. The
Syncro has no clearance issue with that tire/rim combo. Gearing and
braking is slightly negatively affected. Depending on your type of use
and mix of use a gearing change may be desired. Stock 2.1 waterboxers
don't have the power band to allow much widening of the range from 2nd
to 4th so don't go overboard with a super tall 4th to try to get a
better cruising gear. This has all been beaten to death last year and
the few years before. The ghost horse returns yearly it seems. No more
from me about this.
Mark
80 Westy Pokey wrote:
>
> Hi Mark,
>
> Actually 205/65-15 is about as big as you can get up front.
> Whith some minor modification you should be able to get
> 215/75-15, in fact VolksCafe is on the verge of introducing a
> kit:
>
> http://volkscafe.com/projects.html
>
> My initial post mentioned something about (assuming you don't
> care about storing the tire in the stock location). But
> Admittedly I did not mention it in my most recent post (which
> has of course changed anyway). My newest question (courtesy
> in part to Tom F) is:
>
> (Assuming you dont care about storing the spare in the stock
> location) What is the maximum diameter tire size that people
> have been running with chains, unmodifided trailing arms, and
> syncro.org springs? Please state if you are running stock
> gearing.
>
> I find this thread VERY interesting because each time someone
> replies I am learning that there is something else to
> consider.
>
> Thanks,
> Chris
>
> ---- Original message ----
> >Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 11:23:03 -0800
> >From: Mark Drillock <drillock@earthlink.net>
> >Subject: Re: [Syncro] 16" Trailing Arms / BIG 15" Tires
> >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >
> >AFAIK, 215/75/15 is the largest tire that is practical to
> use on the VW
> >SA 15" wheels without other modifications. I refer to
> Syncros here but I
> >think it also applies to 2wd models.
> >This is also the largest tire that can be made to fit in the
> spare tire
> >area up front though mods are needed to make it go in there.
> Different
> >brands have slightly differing dimensions. My numerous
> fitments of this
> >size on Syncros and 2wds were all Michelin.
> >
> >
> >
> >Mark
> >
> >
> >Forhan, Thomas wrote:
> >
> >>Chris,
> >>
> >>I would not start by looking for looking for max width.
> >>
> >>If you don't want to get into heavy vehicle upgrades, the
> first thing you
> >>need to find out is the maximum tire diameter that people
> have been running
> >>with chains on unmodfied vehicles.
> >>
> >>As a starting data point, regular chains worked fine when
> my Syncro was
> >>stock and I was running the BFG 27x8.5x14s, which have a
> diameter about
> >>26.5".
> >>Anybody done better than 26.5" ? Chime in now and help
> Chris out!
> >>
> >>Once you have a maximum diameter established, go to the
> tire catalogs and
> >>find 15" tires that meets vehicle load specs, are at or
> below the diameter
> >>requirement, and fit on your rim width.
> >>
> >>Finally, within that universe, you can further limit it
> down by picking the
> >>widest of the batch.
> >>
> >>Hope this helps
> >>
> >>Tom F.
> >>
> >>
> >>
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