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Date:         Wed, 09 Apr 1997 21:43:46 -0700
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Peter Pistner <PPistner@awinc.com>
Subject:      RE: Handling Improvements

Chet Douglas wrote

>I have an 87 "westie" that is in dire need of tires, wheels, and a new >suspension. Here is what I would like to do with it..... > >1)Replace trashed steel wheels with 15" alloys. >2)Use lower profile 60 or 70 series tires. >3)New shocks (or is it struts??) all around and potentially stiffer >springs. I would like to lower the front end slightly from its stock >configuration. >4)Potentially add anti sway bars.

I put 235/60-15 on 15X7 Alloys on my Synchro and the work fine. Not great in snow though. The load rating is 1550 lbs/tire, the diameter is 1.6% greater than stock and the handling is much improved. I can still "make the tires laugh" and haven't come close to rolling it. I tried to find shorter stiffer springs but had no luck. I've put sway bars on just about every other vehicle I've owned but am content with the Vanagon without them.

I still run stock wheels with P195/70-14 snows in the winter as the big wheels don't steer well in new snow. I've gone uphill at full throttle and full steering lock in a straight line at 40 MPH! (Diff wasn't locked) I look forward to the big tires every spring though.

Peter Pistner 91 Synchro 90 Jetta 16v


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