Date:         Thu, 2 Apr 2015 13:44:57 -0400
Reply-To:     TJ Hemrick <x53gunner@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         TJ Hemrick <x53gunner@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Wheel Weight
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

OK, after much searching on the net for what a stock 14" rim weighed, I
ended up doing it myself.  There is a LOT of info (courtesy of Derek Drew &
some others) about wheel weights for *other* rims but nowhere could I find
the weight for a stock 14" rim.  I ended up going to my shop, snagging a
rim, took it to the tire shop, stripped that thing down, and put it on the
digital scale back at the shop.  Just to be sure, I did it three times.
Add this to your records:  17.8 lbs per rim.  71.2 for a set of 4.

Speaking of rims and such.  Do they make a "stubby" dust cap for the front
axles?  I have some Audi rims that I want to mount and the centerbore is
too small for the dust cap so it will also need a little clearancing from
the back side but to minimize the amount of material removed, I need to
check the clearance between the rim and the face of the disc.  A shorter
dust cap would help.  I'm not a fan of spacers but they are an option.

While I'm on the subject of rims, for the Sycronauts in the crowd or other
with some 4wd experience, this one's for you.  Do you think it's better to
go with a 15" rim (a Porsche forged Fuchs alloy so that they bend not break
under extreme stress) but run 5 x 112 to 5 x 130 adapters OR run 17" cast
rims that mounts directly with just slightly longer studs?  I don't do all
that much "wheelin" in FL and it's not like Moab or anything around here.
The worst mother nature has down here is when you transition on and off
road and the sand has washed away from the edge of the asphalt.  The worst
humans have to offer (read: Me) is jumping curbs when I lose my cool behind
Snow Birds who are rubber necking through town.  Hey, I have a Syncro, I
can drive over anything I want, anytime I want.  Can't I?  What's a few
curbs between friends, Officer?  ;)

Regards,

TJ