Original: Mike from Marin asks: Stock tire size for 198? Syncro
From:    Peter DiFalco <peter.difalco@GMAIL.COM

...... So, if you try to cram a 205 in the spare slot on a van made for
185R14s, it should, I think, seem quite obvious that a fatter tire
doesn't fit.

-Peter
---------------------------
Further tire trivial for Mike in Marin:

 From Lar's tire tome:
<http://www.roadhaus.com/tires/guideline.html>

Syncro Vanagon & Camper - 1986-1991
185R14C  6PR
- Max Inflation 55psi
205R14C 6PR/8PR
- Max Inflation 65psi
*205/70R14 97R
- Max Inflation 40psi
* Reinforced Sidewall Passenger car tire

  A couple of comments on the Stock/Optional spare tire carrier.

The Pans are the same, the front "L" brackets are different.
The bracket for the wider tires (the 2 - 205 profiles) is longer.
This extends the distance the Pan drops below the attachment point.
Uses the same bolt-length for both Carriers.

The Steel-Wire Bracket things, that act as hinge-pins and hold
the tire to the Pan... they are different also.. Different Part #s.
They are bent differently to give clearance to the wider tires.

The Radiator Hoses are different also. (believe they are NLA now?)
Both Hoses (for 205's) have a dog-leg in their shape to give more
clearance to
the wider 205 profile tires.

All the above said... a 205:65x16 tire can be stuffed into the stock
(smaller) carrier.
Get a longer 14mm Bolt (same diameter and thread pitch as the lug-bolts
but longer)
How long? About 2-1/2".
Deflate the tire down to about 3-5 psi. Cram into the carrier and get
longer bolt started!
Snug-up but do-not over-tightened. The Safety Catch will not be
functioning so be
advised: Take reasonable efforts to protect your toes when removing
spare tire!

Check for clearance between Spare-Tire: Radiator Hoses and the Steering
Rod.

Van Cafe makes an alternate set-up. Some talented listmembers have made
innovative
carriers by modifying a stock pan or made a new sling out of heavy
Webbing. VMMV

Phil Z.
Campbell River, BC