To keep the opinions varied:  I've run the GoWesty 16" w/the 215/60/16's for
just over a year and couldn't be happier.  My 91 Weekender w/new Bilstein
shocks/struts and this wheel/tire setup handles and rides quieter, smoother,
and more stable (e.g. crosswinds) on dry/wet roads than any other Vanagon
I've owned.  Snow would be a problem, but she stays safely tucked inside on
the rare occasions that there is snow on the ground around Seattle.  Rim
diameter alone isn't as important a consideration as the overall tire/wheel
combo's diameter adversely affecting your gearing, odometer/speedo readings,
etc and the 16's w/the lower profile tires is nearly the same as the former
14" Carat rim/tire setup.

Date:    Thu, 6 Sep 2007 14:32:21 +0000
From:    Dave Vickery <davevickery@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: wheel size recommendation

Short Answer: 15"

Long Answer:  Look at the tires available in both 15 & 16, maybe use
tirerack.com and check with Discount tire or similar to see availability of
styles(Hwy, M&S, AT) and diameters close to what you want.  If you want
original diameter, you'll be hard pressed to find that in a 16" tire.  My
gut says 15" gives you more options in tires, but there aren't too many
choices available.  Also the 16" rim is wider, for better or worse.  With
everything else stock, you don't really want a diameter bigger than about 1"
(4%) over stock.

Dave in Denver
15" SA Carat IIs

>From: Ron LK Johnson <adhocMedia@COMCAST.NET>
>Reply-To: Ron LK Johnson <adhocMedia@COMCAST.NET>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: wheel size recommendation
>Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2007 21:04:04 -0700
>
>I need to replace the tires on my '91 - it has stock 14" alloy
>wheels. There has been a lot of praise for going to larger wheels. To
>be honest, I don't feel that there is a stability issue on my
>vehicle, but I would like to have wider discretion in tire selection
>so am considering an upgrade to the 15" or 16" wheels. (I installed
>Bilstein shocks earlier in the summer and believe they improved the
>ride a bit.)
>
>Is there a large advantage (or disadvantage) in choosing the 16"
>wheels over the 15" wheels? GoWesty offers packages for both with
>only $100 difference between them.
>
>Any advice appreciated!
>
>Sincerely,
>Ron Johnson
>PDX, OR