Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2011 19:24:53 -0800
Reply-To: David Vickery <david_vickery@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Vickery <david_vickery@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: 16" wheel kit
In-Reply-To: <SNT141-w460320EEBF5879A375BC56A0D40@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
I don't think you find too much difference with other bigger wheels. The 16" CV 9000 is 6.5" wide and ET 30. That would stick out 3/4" less than your current wheels (16 x7.5 ET 23) if my math is right. That might be your best bet in a 16" alloy. I think you can find some 15" Mercedes wheels in 6.5" with ET 37 which would stick out 1" less and just fit without spacers but have to be modified to fit (a hassle). Old CLK alloys I guess don't need anything except larger bolt holes. I think they are 16x7 ET 37 so similar to the CV9000 but hard to find a used set.
I think steel wheels are likely to be the best for not sticking out. Some of those have ET 30 or 37 and can be found in 6" and 6.5" wide. Audi wheels usually are ET 45 so you have to use spacers to get them equivalent to 37 ET and the centers need to be bored out and maybe longer studs/bolts too (a hassle).
If you are shopping new wheels, BusDepot, Van-Cafe and Gowesty have somewhat different choices.
--- On Fri, 2/18/11, Jamie Fitterer <fittdog8848@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
> From: Jamie Fitterer <fittdog8848@HOTMAIL.COM>
> Subject: 16" wheel kit
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Friday, February 18, 2011, 2:55 PM
> Hey everyone,
>
> Happy Friday!
>
> First YES another wheel and tire post. Yes I know 14s
> work great. But once I went to a wider tire and larger
> I will never go back as the ride is Amazing. I know folks
> use different wheel converts and I am looking for
> alternatives to gather information and make an educated
> buy.
>
> I am reaching out to the list to see if anyone else is
> having an issue with the GoWesty 16 wheel kits? The
> issue I am having is that the frnt wheels stick out way too
> far and spray rocks all up the sides of the van even with SA
> mudflaps. I do not want to get flares onteh
> fenders as I do not like the way they look. I don't
> think that dropping down to the 15s will help either as they
> are almost just as wide.
>
>
>
> Looking for advice and also suggestions as to what wheels
> 15 or 16 I could use instead. Should I go with Audi
> wheels and bore out he center for a better offset? Is
> there a way to fix the 23mm offset on teh gowesty wheels to
> increase the offset bring the hweel in further?
>
> and last.....If anyone wants a set of GOWESY wheels and
> Yokohama 215/65/16 tires let me know.
>
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
>
>
