So having looked through options more I see another option is Nokian WR C
Van tires in 215/65/16.  Are these too tall for the brakes on an '84?
Otherwise I think they'd be great.  The load index is 107.

(The whole catalyst for my move to larger wheels is just to be able to run
all-weather Nokian tires.  The 215/60/16's I'm looking at are XL rated,
they're Nokian WRG2 tires.)

The 225 option sounds good but I can't use tires that wide on the 16 inch
wheels I'm getting without using spacers, which I want to avoid for now.
(I don't relish the idea of removing those rear wheel nuts just to remove
the hubs and change out to longer studs.)

I know having a smaller spare is a fine option but I consider that a
downgrade in capability for us.  When we have gotten a flat I've really
appreciated the full spare.  (With Nokian's there's a 50/50 chance your
spare is mounted in the wrong direction but I consider this a non-issue.)
I think either of these 215's will at least go in the oversized van-cafe
spare carrier.

On Wed, Jun 27, 2012 at 10:58 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>wrote:

> For that size tire you want to make sure you get the "XL" or "reinforced"
> version. In that size the standard load index is 94, 1477 pounds without
> the
> derate. By going up one more size, 225/60-16 the standard load index goes
> to
> 98, 1653 pounds. There are also many more choices in that size. Depending
> on
> wheel offset sliding door clearance may be real tight.
>
> For the spare tire carrier later vans that came from the factory with the
> 205/70-14's also had a different tire tray, hold down bars, and even
> radiator hoses to make some more room. The later tray would be easier to
> get
> a 215 section tire in it. The 225's won't make without extreme effort. Be
> careful that the tire does not rub on the steering shaft. Since it is not a
> syncro I would go with a thinner spare. The 225/60 are available if needed
> while traveling.
>
> Dennis
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Robert Stevens
> Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 1:33 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: 16" wheel in front spare location?
>
> On Jun 27, 2012, at 9:33 AM, pickle vanagon wrote:
>
> What modifications would be involved to get a 16x7 wheel with a 215/60/16
> tire to fit in the stock tire location?
>
> This is in a (non-syncro) 84.
>
> Your tire diameter is only just over 1/2" greater than stock, at 26.1".
> The section width is wider but not enough to make fitting that into the
> spare area a problem. It's when you get above 27" diameter that things get
> crowded. If you do get rubbing, take the spring steel device out, which
> holds the spare clamshell onto the frame crossmember, and use bolts to hold
> it on.
>
> bob
>