Date:         Thu, 8 Jul 2004 20:00:57 -0400
Reply-To:     Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Another "upgrade" completed
Comments: cc: syncrolist@yahoogroups.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

So, in the never ending tale of "upgrades" to my Vanagon fleet...

After I had upgraded my wheels and tires (to 215/75R15 tires on  15"
wheels) I could not put the spare tire in the original tire carrier.
While there are all sorts of ways to approach this, I decided to go fo
the VolkCafe spare tire carrier (which replaces the original one).

It's a pretty straight forward install. Pop off a couple of retaining
clips on the old, pull the "wire" forms that form the hinge, Drop the
old carrier out of the way. Then install the new (using bolts instead
of the wire forms).

As they suggest, I deflated my spare down (they suggest 10psi, I didn't
measure). That way it shouldn't rub against the steering linkage. This
also means I'll be carrying a tire pump in the future (probably should
anyway).

Since I have the fiberglass bumpers with my front air dam still intact,
you can't see the tire (if you don't have the air dam, you will be able
to see the tire.

This also means that when I next go driving off road with Derek Drew,
I'll have to pull the spare out and put it someplace safe. My old
carrier was a bit dented up after Syncro de Mayo Este (good thing my
spare wasn't in there.) :)