VW was rather clever about that.
instead of having different and longer rear studs.........
the used a lug nut for the alloys with a 'cone seat' , not a ball seat
........and it's a kinda narrow angle cone too...........so the stock alloy
wheel nuts reach down further and grab enough stud threads to be strong
enough.

oh........I have, a set of 10 'cone face' shiny new rear alloy lug nuts.
They were sold as being exactly the same at stock alloy nuts, but they
aren't actually. But they are close. The have less contact area on the cone
face than the stock VW alloy wheel nut. I'll sell that set of 10, brand new,
unused, for not that much at all, if anyone is interested.
Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris S" <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 2:40 PM
Subject: Vanagon alloy wheel question

>A friend of mine bought a set of stock 14'' alloys for his '89 Westy.
> He said when he tried to mount them the rear studs were too short.  Is
> there a difference in stud length in alloy-equipped Vanagons?  I know
> the nut seats are different.
>
>
> --
> Chris S.
> Disclaimer: "Death and serious injury may occur"