Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2017 17:39:40 +0000
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Sharing the 16" Tire Upgrade on my 84 Westy
In-Reply-To: <MWHPR17MB100803A60401755AC67C8EBFA5580@MWHPR17MB1008.namprd17.prod.outlook.com>
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The difference between 25 and 30mm is less than ¼". For the 2WD and a 7.5 inch wide wheel this is a better fit for the front of 2WD. No spacers needed and will still clear the slider in back. This same wheel is available in 16" with a 30mm offset. The hub cover on that does not clear the front bearing caps without some hollowing out and denting the caps in, or spacers. Works fine on Syncros.
Dennis
From: steve meassick [mailto:stevem@tdhvac.com]
Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2017 11:51 AM
To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Sharing the 16" Tire Upgrade on my 84 Westy
Dennis
You recommend the AR95T wheel. When I look up their specs, the only one with a 5x112 bolt pattern is their model AR95T77545. However this one had an offset of ET25 which is smaller than that recommended in the T3 guide.
So I am assuming that you use spacers and maybe replacement studs. What would you use for a 87 2wd?
Thanks
Steve
-------- Original message --------
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM<mailto:d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>>
Date: 10/29/17 9:55 AM (GMT-06:00)
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Subject: Re: Sharing the 16" Tire Upgrade on my 84 Westy
You will find that tire to be really nice for handling. I have used that series of tires on many different vehicles over the last 4 year or so. They do seem to lose some grip after getting about 1/2 worn or so. They are good in winter in light-fluffy snow. They are not a winter tire replacement for sure.
Some other options that can be considered. Going up just one profile size (215/60-16) increased the load index for an XL tire to 99. This also gets you back to the stock 185/80-14 diameter. The 215/55-16 is a bit shorter like the 205/70-14XL VW supplied with the alloy wheels. Going to a 225/60-16XL gets you a load index of 101.
An additional benefit of the larger tires is the minor tweaking of the gearing and speedometer. Increasing diameter also increases the speed-distance actually traveled at a given engine RPM. I do only suggest minor increases. 225/60-16 to me is a reasonable limit especially with automatics.
I have pretty much moved on to 17" wheels using 215/55-17XL, 225/55-17XL for 2WD and 235/55-17XL for Syncros. I find many more performance and winter tire choices still at reasonable prices and a number of reasonable wheel options. For fit on 2WD the AR95T is still the best direct-bolt on fit especially with the 2,200 pound load rating. The Ultra 402's need to be checked carefully at the upper control arm and at full turn for 86 and later. They fit Syncros perfectly. They have a 2,000 pound load rating.
As for tires my favorite now for 17" is Toyo Celsius. There are two versions of this tire, normal and CUV. I have installed both. I don't see much difference except price and the CUV (crossover-utility vehicle) seems to have a deeper tread. These are being marketed as all-weather tires. So far they seem to be equal replacements for the Nokian WRG3.
For the Syncro folks looking for 16" the Nokia Rotiiva is available in a 215/65-16XL. This has be one the best tamed down all terrain tires out there. And it is an all-weather tire with the Mountain snow flake.
I'm throwing this out there as other will follow your lead. 14 inch tire choices are simply disappearing and tire technology has really changed for the better. Even the smallest of cars are using 16 and larger wheels. I will soon be experimenting with some 18" options.
Enjoy your new tire ride.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Jack R
Sent: Saturday, October 28, 2017 6:19 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Subject: Sharing the 16" Tire Upgrade on my 84 Westy
I just finished my tire adventure on my 84 Westy.
https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fphotos.google.com%2Fphoto%2FAF1QipN_82RX9-LbSGNZE5EVtTTzQmKz25JnLZyec9K6&data=02%7C01%7Csnuggle.pants%40HOTMAIL.COM%7Cbd098027248b44edb58108d51e51dfb6%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636448259352704764&sdata=0muLLb3acQn1pDt2ZssHK2tzruJqnHT3XzUO26jemBg%3D&reserved=0
$400 for 16" Benz wheels with 31 Off-Set, had to drill out to 14MM. Found a great set on E-Bay.
$450 for the Continental XL rated 16" tires (215/55R16) 700AA 51PSI. Tire-Rack https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tirerack.com%2Ftires%2Ftires.jsp%3FtireMake%3DContinental%26tireModel%3DPureContact%2Bwith%2BEcoPlus%2BTechnology%26partnum%3D155HR6PURECXL%26vehicleSearch%3Dfalse%26fromCompare1%3Dyes&data=02%7C01%7Csnuggle.pants%40HOTMAIL.COM%7Cbd098027248b44edb58108d51e51dfb6%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636448259352704764&sdata=QEuzC6hjriqG4%2BOvDSklX22q7XQ9XCaEyDfRALAFoSA%3D&reserved=0
$60 for Costco Mount & Balance of 4 tires
$100 for 4 Wheel Center Hubs. https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.t3technique.com%2Flug-nuts-studs-and-bolts%2Fwheel-accessories%2Fcustom-center-caps-3%2F&data=02%7C01%7Csnuggle.pants%40HOTMAIL.COM%7Cbd098027248b44edb58108d51e51dfb6%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636448259352704764&sdata=2cJ0XT5IWDJLYQYZaxaxkPLype44%2F%2FdzGpk7uBRlCDA%3D&reserved=0
$50 for the T3 17mm Nuts & Bolts https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.t3technique.com%2Flug-nuts-studs-and-bolts%2Flug-bolts%2Fsmall-ball-seat-lug-bolts.html&data=02%7C01%7Csnuggle.pants%40HOTMAIL.COM%7Cbd098027248b44edb58108d51e51dfb6%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636448259352704764&sdata=75DpxdzUlz1Uk2nmAzRwen%2BbCj89gYNnNNBHsa3LpAU%3D&reserved=0
$80 for the 7mm T3 Spacers (rear wheels are 14mm closer together than front, this helps stabilize the van more.
https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.t3technique.com%2Flug-nuts-studs-and-bolts%2Fwheels-adapters%2Fcustom-wheel-spacers.html&data=02%7C01%7Csnuggle.pants%40HOTMAIL.COM%7Cbd098027248b44edb58108d51e51dfb6%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636448259352704764&sdata=A2Lez58fL89Ou8cO46S4KM%2BsHjdIWBhsly9dSYneHiE%3D&reserved=0
$50 wheel T3 Wheel Studs (not too hard to remove, and a friend had a press I used for free). Checked torque of axle bolt at work 360 ft. lbs.
https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.t3technique.com%2Flug-nuts-studs-and-bolts%2Fwheel-studs%2Fpress-in-wheel-studs.html&data=02%7C01%7Csnuggle.pants%40HOTMAIL.COM%7Cbd098027248b44edb58108d51e51dfb6%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636448259352704764&sdata=25nzvQjWjBKgN7rbHEGZ%2F%2FCnypCtSoZlptkG9EJwaxA%3D&reserved=0
$1190.00 complete, with easily available replacement tires.
I can say that since I've owned my Westy (purchased in 1987) it is the BEST drive and handling I've ever experienced.
Tire/Wheel decisions are a very personal choice, I kept my old tires/rims/hub-caps... I case I ever show it at a "pure VW" event.
This whole project took way too much time, thought, research.
Thanks to some great support from the List and T3 Technique, I'm very happy.
https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fphotos.google.com%2Fphoto%2FAF1QipNmIUrN2nPRA2EvljzKqGt0ENd3qEKbQvs6XeGs&data=02%7C01%7Csnuggle.pants%40HOTMAIL.COM%7Cbd098027248b44edb58108d51e51dfb6%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636448259352704764&sdata=rDdtYF%2FaYcMyaAAVelOBsjymF7N%2BmPnHI031PgzoXyc%3D&reserved=0
Now, to place it into winter storage :(
Looking forward to next summer!
Jack
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