Hello there, list! this is my first message to what appears to be a fine
community. sorry if i'm long-winded, thanks for being here.

After acquiring my first VW last year, a 1983 Vanagon L diesel, i made the
trip from florida to alaska this spring for a summer job on a hodge-podge of
ill-suited but free tires and stock 14" rims and arrived confident in my
suspension/brake overhaul and all the work i've put into the transplanted
Quantum 1.6l TD, but acutely aware of the need for better wheels/tires. so
i'm weighing my options for a new set of shoes before i make the trek back
south this fall.

i am very interested in a set of larger steel wheels (new alloys are
slightly out of my price range) but i am having trouble talking myself into
the cost of shipping them up here. SO, my question is this: anybody know of
a source for wheels in alaska? the options i'm considering are buying a set
of these 16"-ers<http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_1263_341/16_inch_steel_wheel.html>
and
getting someone from a rideshare to cart them up for me; and getting new
rubber for the 14s and trying to re-sell it, probably on this list, when i
get down to cali. one blessing is that nokian tires are readily available up
here. so, if there's anyone interested in pre-ordering 4 nice tires, mounted
and balanced on stock 14" rims with about 4000 miles of wear, available
october-ish, i'd love to hear from you too.

i know the whole tires/wheels issue is pretty overworked on here but i
thought my own spin on an old favorite would be a good way to introduce
myself. i really appreciate any advice you guys have for me.

enjoy your weekend! and, seriously, THANK you for participating in this
community.
-bob