Date:         Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:01:49 -0800
Reply-To:     BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Benz ML alloy wheels for vanagon ...on CL
Comments: To: Harry Hoffman <hhoffman@ip-solutions.net>
In-Reply-To:  <4F295629.6030104@ip-solutions.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Hi Harry,
 
If you pmail me the details about your Vanagon (2wd, Syncro, modified or stock, weight) and specs of the wheels you are contemplating ( offset/ET, height a d width), I can probably tell you what it would take to make them fit. There are too many wheels which can fit or be made to fit. Not all wheels which fit because of load rated capacity. The Vanagon is a heavy beast. For example, a fully laden Syncro Westy can be as heavy as 6500l bs. vs. my 2wd Doublecab which only tips the scales at 3310 lbs. Of course, you should pick a load rated wheel that can handle the fully laden weight of the vehicle and not the empty one.

Tires will become a factor as well especially on 2wd. Whilst a wheel might fit, the bulge of the sidewalls can be a concern on the wider wheels. And on Syncros, you have to use same size wheels and tires front/rear to avoid damaging your viscous coupling.


Regards,

BenT



On Feb 1, 2012, at 7:11 AM, Harry Hoffman <hhoffman@ip-solutions.net> wrote:


> Does anyone have a list of rims (wheels), by make/model,  that will work on the vanagon? I've read the Ultimate Wheel Post (parts 1/2) but am unsure if everything that fits those standards will just work.
> 
> I'd like to upgrade to 16" wheels on my vanagon but gowesty is a bit more then I can afford at the moment.
> 
> Cheers,
> Harry
> 
> On 02/01/2012 12:46 AM, BenT Syncro wrote:
>> The ML320 wheels shown in this CL are about ET62. I can't remember exactly. They will require very thick spacer/adapters to install even on a Syncro. They look good on a Vanagon IMHO.
>> 
>> Here's John Daron's old Doka with them:
>> http://www.primafoundry.com/cars/Images/MVC-006F.JPG
>> 
>> And another:
>> http://lh6.ggpht.com/_46OzHwL9CsY/SWk2Yrv-9tI/AAAAAAAAAEM/C82ErxwG-U8/IMGP0014.JPG
>> 
>> And another:
>> http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/403717.jpg
>> 
>> Mocked them up on my Syncro 16 back in '00.
>> 
>> 
>> BenT
>> sent from my electronic leash
>>