Thanks Phil - I was wrong on both counts. But who could have imagined you'd
need to look up your tire size before ordering coolant hoses? Only in
VW-land.

On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 11:54 AM, Phil Zimmerman <philzimm1@shaw.ca> wrote:

> 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
>