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Subject:Re: 1986 Westfalia with 16" tires
From:Alain Thibault
Date:Sat, 28 Sep 2013 17:08:46 -0700

They come with the Mercedes replica wheels... 

Sent from my iPhone

> On 2013-09-28, at 16:20, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> That size tire is only slightly taller-wider than stock. Should not be an
> issue at all if the wheel offset is acceptable. You do need to be aware of
> the load capacity. There are very few tires in this size with the XL rating.
> A standard tire in this size has a load index of only 95, (1,521 lbs.).
> After de-rating for light truck this is a marginal fitment. The XL rating in
> this size gets you to a 99 load index, (1,709 lbs.). Hopefully when they
> installed the lower springs they also changed the bump stops at the top of
> the shocks. If not you may not have sufficient suspension travel for rough
> roads. Maintaining caster and camber alignment sometimes becomes an issue.
> Next tire change consider the 225/60-16. That slight change ups the load
> rating considerably and gets you onto a common tire size including a lot of
> XL offerings. 
> 
> Dennis
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Alain Thibault
> Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2013 6:54 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: 1986 Westfalia with 16" tires
> 
> Allo
> The van that I am looking to buy ( (1986 Vanagon westy) comes with 215-60-16
> tires. Looks pretty cool... The van has been lowered with shorter springs
> from Van Cafe and adjustable Koni shocks were installed. The owner says that
> with the combination of shorter springs and Koni shocks the highway handling
> has improved dramatically and keeping up with traffic through the corners is
> no problem and brake dive is almost nonexistent. I am wondering however if
> there would be any rubbing issues with such a setting...he says no but I
> have doubts as I have never seen 16" tires on a Vanagon...what would you
> guys say? 
> Thanks
> Alain
> 
> Sent from my iPad 2