Hi Stewart,

        I had this problem last year.  the 205 tire just won't fit with the existing clamshell.  apparently there is a clamshell that is meant for the 205 and came with the vans that came stock with that tire size.  
        I purchased the larger carrier from Van cafe.  I'm not very happy with it over all.  it has no adjustments and is better suited to a 215 not the 205 tire.  As a result the 205 is loos and you have to come up with a solution like big plastic zip ties. the Van cafe holder works without the big wires.  

        I've heard that some folks have modified the existing clam shell but I've never seen it to see the results.

        My local garage finally fabricated new wires to go with the Van Cafe holder.  it holds my spare snugly but the fabrication cost they charged me was crazy.  Sadly they did the work without asking me first.

the thing I don't like about my existing set up is that the tire and wheel are exposed.  i liked the way the clamshell protected the tire and the hoses and such above the tire. I also think the clamshell is part of the safety planning for the crumple zone.  I don't think the Van cafe holder would do the same function.

The Van Cafe holder does seem to be nicely constructed.
If I was to do it all over again I would either use the 185 as the spare or find out how to modify the existing clamshell.  

Eric Caron 
85 GL Auto 

On Nov 1, 2014, at 1:55 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> Son�s �86 Westy came with steel wheels with 185 tires, and we picked up a
> set of 5 Carat wheels with 205 tires and the spare is too wide to fit.  Is
> there some modification I need to make?  The door tire pressure sticker
> shows both 185 and 205 tires, but it looks like the rods that hold the spare
> are too low.
> 
> 
> 
> Any ideas other than using the steel wheel spare or do I need to lower the
> clamshell or get Van Caf�s bigger bracket?
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> 
> 
> Stuart