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Date:         Mon, 24 May 2010 23:35:53 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon wheels in Alaska?
Comments: To: Chris S <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <AANLkTimmqo-3cq438Wa47zxVM5sc2eKCfEH6auLwocuT@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Having an '83 you really need to think about brakes when increasing tire size. As for increasing top speed, you need horsepower to make speed. Horsepower is a function of both engine torque and speed. Unless your top speed is limited by the engine governor or mechanical limit or operating way above the torque curve taller gearing will not make the van go faster. You will also increase engine and transmission stresses and may cause other problems.

Dennis

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Chris S Sent: Monday, May 24, 2010 8:37 AM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: Vanagon wheels in Alaska?

Re braking and accelerating.

In strict terms if tire diameter as it relates to leverage and mechanical advantage, you are correct. Let us not ignore the wider contact patch which improves braking and the often lighter weight of alloy wheel and tire combo (6 lb each in my case) which reduce unsprung weight and rotational inertia.

2010/5/22, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>: > Just so you understand shorter sidewalls reduce rated carry capacity and > drastically increase wheel damage due to road impacts. Now since you also > want a larger diameter tire a larger wheel will help. Do keep in mind that a > larger diameter tire will reduce acceleration and braking ability. I would > consider a 215-65-16 tire. This will increase the diameter from the stock > 25.5" to 27 inch. No fit or rubbing problems. Standard load rating for this > size is 98 with 102 for XL or reinforced versions. A 225/60 will be about > 26.5" and slightly wider. > > Dennis > > -----Original Message----- > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of > Robert Downes > Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2010 8:28 PM > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Subject: Re: Vanagon wheels in Alaska? > > Basically this. with the turbodiesel, i can tell i could get more speed out > of 5 gear, and i'm not ready to mess with my gearing so a larger diameter > wheel is desirable. also, i am a traveler and live out of the van > off-and-on, so i pretty much always have it somewhat loaded. the extra > weight really begs the shorter sidewall. not to mention the wider range of > available tires. > > -bob > > On Sat, May 22, 2010 at 7:06 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> > wrote: > >> What are your goals for the 16" wheels? Since funds are tight and you are >> running the Diesel why not jest invest in a good set of 195/80-14 and go >> with that? >> >> Dennis >> > > On Sat, May 22, 2010 at 7:40 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans < > scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote: > >> I would always encourage moving away from 14 inch tires and wheels on a >> vanagon. >> >> almost any 14 inch tire is going to have more of a 'boaty feeling and >> handling feel than a good 15 or 16. >> You just can't 'get there' running a 14 inch wheel and tire.. >> not to the stability you can get to with 15's or 16's. >> >> a bit more diameter helps too, gearing wise..and the shorter sidewalls of >> the larger wheels add handling stability. >> >> Scott >> www.turbovans.com >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Dennis Haynes" <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> >> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> >> Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2010 4:06 PM >> Subject: Re: Vanagon wheels in Alaska? >> >> >> What are your goals for the 16" wheels? Since funds are tight and you are >>> running the Diesel why not jest invest in a good set of 195/80-14 and go >>> with that? >>> >>> Dennis >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf >>> Of >>> Robert Downes >>> Sent: Friday, May 21, 2010 3:13 PM >>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM >>> Subject: vanagon wheels in Alaska? >>> >>> Hello there, list! this is my first message to what appears to be a fine >>> community. sorry if i'm long-winded, thanks for being here. >>> >>> After acquiring my first VW last year, a 1983 Vanagon L diesel, i made > the >>> trip from florida to alaska this spring for a summer job on a hodge-podge >>> of >>> ill-suited but free tires and stock 14" rims and arrived confident in my >>> suspension/brake overhaul and all the work i've put into the transplanted >>> Quantum 1.6l TD, but acutely aware of the need for better wheels/tires. > so >>> i'm weighing my options for a new set of shoes before i make the trek > back >>> south this fall. >>> >>> i am very interested in a set of larger steel wheels (new alloys are >>> slightly out of my price range) but i am having trouble talking myself >>> into >>> the cost of shipping them up here. SO, my question is this: anybody know >>> of >>> a source for wheels in alaska? the options i'm considering are buying a >>> set >>> of these >>> 16"-ers< >>> http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_1263_341/16_inch_steel_wheel.h >>> tml> >>> and >>> getting someone from a rideshare to cart them up for me; and getting new >>> rubber for the 14s and trying to re-sell it, probably on this list, when > i >>> get down to cali. one blessing is that nokian tires are readily available >>> up >>> here. so, if there's anyone interested in pre-ordering 4 nice tires, >>> mounted >>> and balanced on stock 14" rims with about 4000 miles of wear, available >>> october-ish, i'd love to hear from you too. >>> >>> i know the whole tires/wheels issue is pretty overworked on here but i >>> thought my own spin on an old favorite would be a good way to introduce >>> myself. i really appreciate any advice you guys have for me. >>> >>> enjoy your weekend! and, seriously, THANK you for participating in this >>> community. >>> -bob >>> >> >

-- Chris S. "No solution is too complex to be executed incorrectly"


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