Thanks for clarifying that.

Chris

---- Original message ----
>Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 12:31:30 -0800
>From: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
>Subject: Re: [Syncro] 16" Trailing Arms / BIG 15" Tires
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
>Chris, I have mounted 215/75/15 spares up front in the well
on 5 Syncros
>and Vanagons. I know what is involved, that is why my post
said "though
>mods are needed to make it go in there".
>
>My answer to the overall riddle was and is 215/75/15. I have
had these
>on my stock geared 87 Syncro for 9 years now and with the
same size
>spare mounted in the spare well. I have also had these on my
82 Westy
>for 3 years with the same size spare mounted in the spare
carrier. The
>Syncro has no clearance issue with that tire/rim combo.
Gearing and
>braking is slightly negatively affected. Depending on your
type of use
>and mix of use a gearing change may be desired. Stock 2.1
waterboxers
>don't have the power band to allow much widening of the
range from 2nd
>to 4th so don't go overboard with a super tall 4th to try to
get a
>better cruising gear. This has all been beaten to death last
year and
>the few years before. The ghost horse returns yearly it
seems. No more
>from me about this.
>
>Mark
>
>
>
>80 Westy Pokey wrote:
>>
>> Hi Mark,
>>
>> Actually 205/65-15 is about as big as you can get up front.
>> Whith some minor modification you should be able to get
>> 215/75-15, in fact VolksCafe is on the verge of
introducing a
>> kit:
>>
>> http://volkscafe.com/projects.html
>>
>> My initial post mentioned something about (assuming you
don't
>> care about storing the tire in the stock location). But
>> Admittedly I did not mention it in my most recent post
(which
>> has of course changed anyway). My newest question (courtesy
>> in part to Tom F) is:
>>
>> (Assuming you dont care about storing the spare in the
stock
>> location) What is the maximum diameter tire size that
people
>> have been running with chains, unmodifided trailing arms,
and
>> syncro.org springs? Please state if you are running stock
>> gearing.
>>
>> I find this thread VERY interesting because each time
someone
>> replies I am learning that there is something else to
>> consider.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Chris
>>
>> ---- Original message ----
>> >Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 11:23:03 -0800
>> >From: Mark Drillock <drillock@earthlink.net>
>> >Subject: Re: [Syncro] 16" Trailing Arms / BIG 15" Tires
>> >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> >
>> >AFAIK, 215/75/15 is the largest tire that is practical to
>> use on the VW
>> >SA 15" wheels without other modifications. I refer to
>> Syncros here but I
>> >think it also applies to 2wd models.
>> >This is also the largest tire that can be made to fit in
the
>> spare tire
>> >area up front though mods are needed to make it go in
there.
>> Different
>> >brands have slightly differing dimensions. My numerous
>> fitments of this
>> >size on Syncros and 2wds were all Michelin.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >Mark
>> >
>> >
>> >Forhan, Thomas wrote:
>> >
>> >>Chris,
>> >>
>> >>I would not start by looking for looking for max width.
>> >>
>> >>If you don't want to get into heavy vehicle upgrades, the
>> first thing you
>> >>need to find out is the maximum tire diameter that people
>> have been running
>> >>with chains on unmodfied vehicles.
>> >>
>> >>As a starting data point, regular chains worked fine when
>> my Syncro was
>> >>stock and I was running the BFG 27x8.5x14s, which have a
>> diameter about
>> >>26.5".
>> >>Anybody done better than 26.5" ? Chime in now and help
>> Chris out!
>> >>
>> >>Once you have a maximum diameter established, go to the
>> tire catalogs and
>> >>find 15"  tires that meets vehicle load specs, are at or
>> below the diameter
>> >>requirement, and fit on your rim width.
>> >>
>> >>Finally, within that universe, you can further limit it
>> down  by picking the
>> >>widest of the batch.
>> >>
>> >>Hope this helps
>> >>
>> >>Tom F.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>