Date:         Fri, 4 Apr 2014 21:59:17 -0700
Reply-To:     Ben <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ben <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 944 Wheels
Comments: To: Gregory Smith <gfs@GREGORYFSMITH.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <20140404213642.ba2d9648c4914d5f56715942772a6035.64c9e88667.wbe@email02.secureserver.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

First off, digest users should change the subject line so that the topic will be easier to search later.

Some basic info about Vanagon wheels which has been rehashed many times before:

1) Vanagon's have a wheel bolt pattern of 5 x 112mm.

2) Stock alloy wheel offset is ET30

3) Studs and/or bolts are 14mm

4) Minimum centerbore is 66.1mm

On the subject of your target wheels, the 944 like most other Porsche's came as 5 x 130mm. So 'no' they will not bolt on without adapters or serious modification to your bolt pattern (unless you have a B32 'Vanagon' which had both 112mm & 130mm patterns).

The 944 got wheels with different offsets. Typically they are around ET23. Not only are they wider, they will stick outward 7mm more than your Vanagon alloy wheels. Add to that the extra width plus adapters, and you might find your wheels sticking out of your wheel arches! Then there's the sliding door. If you have a van vs. Doka or Singlecab truck, your sliding door may require an extended hinge if you select a wheel and tire combo which is too wide. Now the rear track of a Vanagon is roughly an inch narrower in the back. That will help a little in avoiding the sliding door dilemma. 

You may want to consider the "phone dial" wheels from the 924S, if you are after the look. The 924S retained rhe narrower body which required narrower wheels. 928's also came with "phone dials" but most are 16's with a a large offset which is unsuitable for use in a Vanagon. The 15" version used on the 928 can be adapted but they are rare in the US.

That said, I have installed all of the above on my various Vanagon's and still have a set on one van.


Cheers,

BenT
sent from my teledial wheels 

> On Apr 4, 2014, at 9:36 PM, Gregory Smith <gfs@GREGORYFSMITH.COM> wrote:
> 
> A local junk yard has a Porsche 944 with some of those wheels that have
> the large ovals around the circumference.  Do they fit Vanagons without
> trouble/hassle/modification beyond wheel bolt/stud length?  Are they
> strong enough?  Are tires available?
> 
> Gregory Smith
> '88 Vanagon GL
> '77 Lancia Scorpion
> Olympia, WA