------------------------------

Date:    Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:37:14 -0800
From:    sam mccarthy <sfcompost@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Rim/Wheel selection

>When
looking at a place like Tire Rack, what vehicles can be selected that
would be >equivlent to the Vanagon? Mercedes I believe is one, but what
model? Are there other >vehicles that can be selected? I just saw up on
the Samba these Rims >http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?ta=
rget=3DwheelCloseUp&
wheelFinish=3DSilver+Painted&wheelMake=3DAT+Italia&par=
tnum=3DS7032G9AS&wheelModel=3DS5,
but don't know what vechicle to select if I wanted to buy them new from
>Tire Rack. Help!=A0 BTW, I have an 89 2wd, not syncro, so what offset is
needed so that >spacers are not required? I think Go Westy has this on
their site, but thought I would ask >while I'm here

I am using a set of 15" alloys from a 83/84 Mercedes sel 500 that are the
f=
actory wheels that Gowesty wheels are modeled after.=A0 The offset is 23 or=
 25 and the only modification needed to use them on a Vanagon is to enlarge=
 the wheel stud holes and seats slightly. I have a local machine shop that =
straightens wheels that will do this for $15 per wheel. Tire rack sells thi=
s wheel - ASA Type 8 - for $99. Add shipping -$48 for 4- and $15 per wheel =
for machining and you have $126 not including tax.

Alternatively, you can get lug nuts and bolts at this site -=20
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=3D656981=A0=A0=20
that allow use of the Mercedes wheel with no machining at all. Cost is $55 =
plus shipping.

Either way, there is a slight savings over the Gowesty price, unless you ca=
n find them on ebay or at the wrecking yard like I did for $80 bucks!
These wheels look great on the van by the way.

Sam M.

Whoops! sorry about the faulty link to the Samba.
Try this:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=656981

Sam M.