Date:         Mon, 14 May 2007 10:21:23 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Tires!
Comments: To: dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

The rim size itself does not determine the outside diameter of the tire and
if you try hard enough, you can find 14" tires that are too large to use.

What are your ultimate goals? Do you want to have a matched spare and where
do you want to store it? Do you want truck tires or performance or touring
tires? This will affect the sizes available.

The original factory tire sizes were 185/80-14 or 205/70-14. The 185s were
~25.5 inch diameter. The 205/70 slightly less. Without too much effort, you
can get a 27" X 215 wide tire into the tire carrier. This gives your
215/70-15. The 7" wheels will allow up to a 235 or 245. You will have to be
careful about sliding door and front fender clearance if you go this wide.

You do need to ensure that the tires can carry 44 psi so you can balance the
front/rear inflation pressures. A 225/65-15 tire will make for outstanding
ride and handling.

Dennis


>From: David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
>Reply-To: David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Tires!
>Date: Sun, 13 May 2007 14:34:36 -0700
>
>I got a set of 4 15" Audi Alloy (15x7, ET-45) and I plan to purchase
>a set of tires for these rims soon. Please advise what size of tires
>I should consider. I understand I need 1/2" spacer and longer lug
>bolts for the front. I may need longer wheel studs even if I don't
>use spacer for the rear. I already got 10 longer audi lug bolts
>and 10 longer Porsche studs. So there is no need to get into that
>again, unless someone else wants too. I think VW stock is 14x7 ET-30.
>I should use 15mm spacers for the front but 1/2" should be close
>enough. My 83 westy is a 2WD.
>
>Just tire size, such as 195/75R, 205/75R, 215/70R, etc. I am
>not sure which is what I should have. I don't want them too wide.
>I like 15" rims because I can increase a little cruising speed at a
>same engine RPM. I think 205/75R will do that. What's your experience
>about that? Oh, yeah what's the actual brand names and models recommended?
>
>The Audi Alloy I got look extremely like VW OEM, except being 15" and
>probably stronger than VW stock. From 10 yards away you will think they
>are stock. Longer bolts were $0.50 each from a Junk Yard. All Audi bolts.
>The Porsche studs were $2 each. A little pricy but not bad.
>
>Please include this in the original thread of tires. Thanks.
>
>David
>
>
>
>____________________________________________________________________________________
>Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection.
>Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta.
>http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/features_spam.html