The J indicates that is has the safety ridge inside the bead seat to
prevent the tire from separating from the rim during cornering while the
tire pressure is insufficient to carry the side load. VW was among the
last manufacturers to adopt this. Beetles and type 3's got it in '68.
The Busses did not get it until '71.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Daniel Stevens
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2003 2:56 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 15" steel wheels

Mazda MPV steel rims have the same bolt circle. the lug holes need to be
drilled form 12mm to 14mm
and I'm not sure on the center hub hole though I believe it fits. (have
to gethome and double check mine)
the rims are a 15Jx51/2 rim  I am not sure what the "J" offset
designates

they are usually $16 +/- at your local junk yard.

I hear that Ford exploder.. err explorers also have  5X112mm patttern
as do Audi 5K Turbos and Mercedes (off sets are ET49mm vanagon are ET45)

just a FYI

---- Original message ----
>Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2003 15:27:31 -0400
>From: No Name Available <Vanagonluvr@AOL.COM>
>Subject: 15" steel wheels?
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
>I am in search of some steel 15" wheels.
>any one have a source.
>
>Chris
>VT
>91 westy
>89 syncro westy