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Subject:Wheels upgrade
From:Jonathan Edwards
Date:Sat, 4 Jun 2011 11:27:41 -0600

OK - first off, I've searched the archives, read thesamba, talked to someone
at GoWesty, so I've done my homework. Just looking for a little more advice.

I want to upgrade my '85 weekender's (2wd) 14" wheels.  I currently have a
recently rebuilt 1.9 (less than 10k on the motor) which runs great. Long
term plan is to go suby (2.2 or 2.5, but that's another topic).  But that is
probably several years off.  For now, it seems going to bigger wheels would
be an instant noticeable upgrade, right?  I'd also like to go with bigger AT
tires for more clearance, improved off-road and winter conditions (I live in
MT).  My concern is that going too much bigger than stock will be more than
the 1.9 can handle. So should I just wait until I do the engine conversion,
or is there a wheel/tire combo I could go with now that will improve highway
driving (shorter sidewalls, less "sway" in the wind) but keeps close to my
current tire outside circumference. Then, down the road, when I've got a
motor that can handle it, I'd like those same large wheels to be able to
accomodate bigger AT tires (like the BFGs everyone raves about). And yeah, I
might need a slight lift then too, but I can deal with that then.

I saw that GoWesty currently has a special on 15" wheels with Michellin
Harmony Tires for $899, but they warn that the offset on the wheels (ET40)
is not ideal for bigger tires.  Details here:
http://gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23381&category_id=334&category_parent_id=

Is that something that longer studs and spacers could correct if down the
road I want to go with larger tires?  Or should I consider a different
wheel. Or is this even possible? I don't want to buy wheels twice!

Thanks

Jon

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