Date: Tue, 16 May 2006 13:21:37 -0700
Reply-To: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: Larger Wheels...
In-Reply-To: <83C1EBDA-A71B-4140-BF8D-A58FB0EB0070@mycommunitynet.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
Mercedes C220/230/280 15" wheels are among the easiest for a
do-it-yourself job. You need to drill out the lug holes for 14mm studs,
which I do with a hand drill. Longer studs are needed in the rear unless
you also drill the seats deeper, very iffy for a driveway hack. For 2wd
the fronts always need spacers AND longer lug bolts or conversion to
threaded in studs. 215/75/15 are about the largest diameter practical
tires that will clear fine and still can be made to go inside the spare
well, with mods.
Other Audi and VW wheels need the center hole enlarged and this is a
machine shop job. Most will want so much money that buying proper
fitting wheels to start with is cheaper than paying for modifications
and new studs/lugs. Mercedes wheels have the larger center hole already
but most need the lug holes drilled out. A few early S Class 15" wheels
have the right offset and don't need spacers, just longer studs/bolts
for the thicker metal at the lug holes.
Your question has no simple cheap answer, sorry.
Mark
Aaron wrote:
> ................
>
> Anyway, I am looking for information on upgrading wheels. I read the
> info on vanagon.com, but still have some additional questions.
> Basically I am looking for information on the least costly way of
> upgrading wheels. I see that there are several options and most will
> involve spacers and machining out the centers for my '85 2wd. I have
> a 2.5L Subaru in the van that works great in there and wouldn't mind
> the higher effective gearing with the larger tires. I currently run
> Bridgestone Dueler 27x8.5R14 tires on my van and am thinking of 235
> (perhaps if possible) or 225/75/15 tires which would move me from
> around 780 revolutions per mile to around 720/735 which I think will
> be fine. I like my current tires, but they seem to be getting louder
> and are getting worn. I was looking at the Bridgestone A/T Revo tires
> which are reported to be a bit quieter but still likely a lot louder
> than highway treads.
>
> I was looking for Passat alloy wheels as I figured that there would
> be a number of them out there and it looks like it might be the
> easiest to use. I still have a few questions.
>
> 1) How much would I be looking at in machining costs?
> 2) What wheels work most easily (if not passat '96" alloys)?
> 3) How much have you paid for the used wheels?
> 4) What size tires did you go to?
> 5) Will 225/75/15 or 235/75/15 fit?
> 6) Any post upgrade thoughts/suggestion/regrets?
>
> Thanks!
> Aaron
> '85 Sunroof vanagon, 2002 2.5L engine
>
>
| 
