Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2021 04:27:39 -0700
Reply-To: Ben T <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ben T <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Centre bores Syncro Wheel option
In-Reply-To: <CAK9Aa+=d1nDZPk3wW-48+kpUDh8cnV=dghG2FjrkRNFDnWwTxQ@mail.gmail.com>
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Bruce,
At an estimated diameter of 685.9mm, that is definitely near the extreme edge of what I would suggest for the front spare tire carrier (clamshell) even one modified to expand the area.
There are two different clamshells offered by VW. Vans which originally came with 205/70/14 tires can accept a slightly wider tire. Probably at least 1/2”. In order to expand the area, I made some longer hooks, replace front bolt with longer one, and replaced the washer with a solid steel spacer. Then the rear edge of the clamshell is trimmed along the hinge halfs and small notches cut to allow the use of u-bolts. All these are done to drop the clamshell 1.5” or 2.0”. Final fit will be dictated by which clamshell you originally had.
The larger tires will no longer sit in the clamshell as before. The rear edge will test on the crossmember. This results in various complications. The worst is in manual trans 2WD vans. Pushing the shifter to engage reverse can bump into the tire, unless you modify the hinges further. Sometimes the radiator hoses might make contact with very wide tires. Then there’s the matter of rubbing on the steering shaft. Some contact issues may be resolved by securing the wheel/tire to the clamshell with a belt or strap. To be certain to clear the steering shaft, I made a bracket similar to what was available in market. Except I made everything in stainless steel to reduce corrosion. I hate nothing rust more than anything else down there. Plus on the positive side, making the parts in my own cost 50% of commercially available solutions.
Larger diameter tires as Mark mentioned, will require some grinding at the pinch weld in the upper frame rail. Just half moon notches to match the shape of the tire does the trick.
You can view pics in my Samba ad. I’m not currently doing any sales until further notice. Complications at work due to Covid doesn’t leave me time to do any shipping. But the photos should help give you an idea of what I just wrote about.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1927581
Ben T
> On Apr 1, 2021, at 11:33 AM, Bruce Todd <beeceetee@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> 215/65/16 - 7” rim width.
>
>> On Thursday, April 1, 2021, vw_van_fan_Mark <madvws@cox.net> wrote:
>>
>> The width of the 16" rim as well as the size of the tire are important
>> factors.
>>
>> ET38 is at the hairy edge of what can work without spacers.
>> What size tire did you have in mind?
>>
>> Mark
>>
>> Bruce Todd wrote:
>>
>>> I checked into buying Ultra wheels (the Alpines) in Canada and found they
>>> were about $255/ rim (CDN) not including tax. I've been searching for
>>> alternatives online as I would like to spend a bit less. Although I
>>> considered 17" rims, I've pretty much decided to go with a 16x7 so that I
>>> can look at moderately aggressive all terrain tires - the Rotiiva is in
>>> the
>>> group of comparables which all hover around 27" full tire diameter. Most
>>> of the rims that seem applicable in terms of load rating and bolt pattern
>>> are around a 38 to 45 ET. According to the literature out there - the
>>> ideal ET is 30 to 35 - so I am wondering if 38mm is cutting it a little
>>> close especially for the fronts?
>>>
>>> There is a pretty good wheel site called Canada Wheels that allows you to
>>> search wheels with multiple filters. RWC, Vision, and ION wheels all have
>>> wheels that look to work - the ION 103 in particular looks nice to me but
>>> is not in stock anywhere.
>>>
>>> Bruce
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
