Without reading the huge number of posts after this, I will say yes as my
225/60 16" which is the same diamater *just* fits under there with the help
of a C shaped bracket.  See http://www.volkswagen.org/Vanagon for pictures.

At 10:06 AM 01/02/2000 -0800, BRENT CHRISTENSEN wrote:
>Does the BFG All Terrain tire in the 27 x 8.5 size fit into the spare tire
>well under the front end?
>
>Time to replace the boring 185/75-14C street tires for some tires befitting
>the Syncro...
>
>Brent Christensen
>'89 GL Syncro Westy
>Santa Barbara, CA
>
>

--   David Marshall -                    - Quesnel, BC, Canada   --
--    78 VW Rabbit, 80 VW Caddy, 84 VW Westie, 85 VW Cabriolet   --
--       87 Audi 5000 Quattro, 88 2.0L VW Syncro Double Cab      --
-- David's Volkswagen Home Page        http://www.volkswagen.org --
-- Fast Forward Autobahn Sport Tuning  http://www.fastforward.ca --
-- david@volkswagen.org (pmail) or vanagon@volkswagen.org (list) --