Date:         Sat, 18 Jan 2014 17:09:22 -0600
Reply-To:     ralph meyermann <ralphmeyermann@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         ralph meyermann <ralphmeyermann@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: spare tire compatibility?
Comments: To: David M <covrambles@yahoo.com>
In-Reply-To:  <1390085362.6036.YahooMailNeo@web161305.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I've seen a 16" bfg all terrain  wheel, tire,spring AMD shock kit on
www.gowesty.com I think they even have street kits too.

Velma 82 1.9L AAZ td westy
On Jan 18, 2014 4:49 PM, "David M" <covrambles@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Where on earth do you get 16" or 17" wheels for a Vanagon?
>
>
>
>
>
> On Saturday, January 18, 2014 7:37 AM, Dennis Haynes <
> d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> That size is an upsize yes, upgrade! I don't think so. Especially for stock
> driveline it is at the upper limit of what will even work. The 89's have
> short springs so you may have to deal with rubbing on the front fenders or
> do a spring change. Brakes! Yep that upgrade will be needed for sure.
> Manual
> transmission will suffer overtime. It takes horsepower to move the vehicle
> at speed. Wind resistance makes for a constant load. Horsepower is a
> function of engine speed and torque, (force or pressure). Since these
> transmissions often break parts as much as wear them the increased torque
> requirement from the speed reduction does wear and break parts faster.
> This
> same effect also strains the engine in the same way. Actual top speed will
> be reduced. No more easy cruising at 75. You will get to down shift a lot
> more in hill driving. For an automatic you get to move into torque
> converter
> seal failures due to fluid overheating. If you get a flat or blowout in the
> front and you have to get onto any type of soft shoulder you may not need
> the spare. You may need the recovery truck to pick the van back up.
>
> Seriously, from experience 27" seems to be a good limit for these vans
> especially in mostly stock form. The difference from 27 to 18 is drastic.
> 16
> or 17 wheels lets you get there with more tire choices and the lower
> sidewalls make for a better handling van and makes things much safer in the
> event of a tire failure. 225/60-16 is a very good choice. Even VW went to
> this size at the end of the Eurovan error. Due to reasonable cost and
> availability of the AR95T wheels I have number of customers running
> 225/55-17 and they are extremely happy.  Both these sizes are readily
> available when traveling.
>
> Dennis
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Andre Fiedler
> Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2014 1:25 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: spare tire compatibility?
>
> Hello all,
> I am in the process of upgrading the tires on my 2WD 1989 Westy to
> 215/75R15
> size (diameter 27.8").  My current spare is 185R14 (diameter 25.7").  I am
> wondering if using this spare for a short drive in case I were to get a
> flat
> would potentially cause engine or drivetrain damage of any sort due to the
> difference in tire diameters?
> Thank you.
> Andre Fiedler
>