unless there's another tire that I don't know... but with 27x8.5R14 it's
the largest diameter you can have with 14" rim...

next step up would be 215/75R15 - the 215/75R15 here is 27.7x8.5R15
equivalent so you have .7" more for the price 15" rims (x4)

On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 10:51 AM, Eric Wunrow <VW@ericwunrow.com> wrote:

> Thank You.
>
> My fronts are the 195/75 size, though I do like the 27x8.5 profile better…
> partly because I want as much ground clearance as possible (we've done some
> pretty wicked roads already, not a problem after 30 years backroading with
> street cars!). Going to 16" wheels would help, but unless I put in more
> horsepower, it seems prudent to not change gear ratios and make it harder
> to pull the bigger wheels. Maybe this isn't as bad as I fear...
>
> Some have suggested the Too Tall springs, but not sure if that's a good
> look with small wheels. Hence my asking all of you, and the help is greatly
> appreciated!
>
>  Eric
>  Eric Wunrow Pictures
>  85 S Union Blvd, #Q123
>  Lakewood, CO 80228
>
>  303. 988. 8717
>  VW@EricWunrow.com
>
>
>
>
> On Nov 17, 2014, at 9:49 AM, mcneely4@cox.net wrote:
>
> > Eric, not only is a 14" wheel with high profile tires an option, it was
> original equipment on most Vanagons.  On my '91, I currently run 195R14.
> That is actually a little taller profile than 80 -- maybe it is 83.
> Original equipment was 185R14, which would also be about 83 profile.  This
> gives maximum sidewall height, and so in driving back country (quite
> feasible with the 2WD version of the Vanagon, unless one encounters deep
> mud or sand, or very steep going) both the tires and the rims are less
> susceptible to damage than either would be with lower profile tires on.
> Air is a pretty good cushion.  mcneely
> >
> > ---- Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM> wrote:
> >> Thanks, Jeff, that certainly makes sense. My comment about wheel
> strength was not about tire sidewall height, just wheel height vs. strength
> in absorbing the shocks off off-road travel.
> >>
> >> Am I wrong that a taller wheel can aborb more shock than a shorter
> wheel? If so, is a 14" wheel with higher-profile tires an option?
> >>
> >> Thanks!
> >>
> >> Eric
> >> Eric Wunrow Pictures
> >> 85 S Union Blvd, #Q123
> >> Lakewood, CO 80228
> >>
> >> 303. 988. 8717
> >> VW@EricWunrow.com
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On Nov 16, 2014, at 3:08 PM, Jeff <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> >>
> >>> Actually, it works the other way around.  After 20+ years of off road
> racing (Baja 500 - 1000, etc.), I can assure you that the higher profile of
> the tire helps protect the rim from damage.
> >>>
> >>> Just look at the rim/tire combinations that are run by serious off
> roaders.  Off course, they also use bead locks...
> >>>
> >>> Cheers,
> >>>
> >>> Jeff
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> -----Original Message-----
> >>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of Eric Wunrow
> >>> Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2014 1:09 PM
> >>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >>> Subject: Re: Suspension for Off Roading
> >>>
> >>> Good advice. I have the alloy 14-inchers from VW and do wonder how
> tough they are  that said, I've hammered them quite a lot and they're still
> straight.
> >>>
> >>> I believe that the larger the wheel is, the more one can punish them
> without failure, and I suspect this is true of the alloys as well. Not sure
> which way I'll go when upping to 16"...
> >>>
> >>> Eric
> >>> Eric Wunrow Pictures
> >>> 85 S Union Blvd, #Q123
> >>> Lakewood, CO 80228
> >>>
> >>> 303. 988. 8717
> >>> VW@EricWunrow.com
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> On Nov 16, 2014, at 8:15 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Another consideration when working on your off road
> suitability....Alloy
> >>>> wheels are more prone to damage than steel ones.   Alloys will
> fracture or
> >>>> fail when you hit the rim into a pothole or smoosh a huge boulder with
> >>>> a low air tire....Steelies, if they do get damaged off road, they can
> >>>> be bent back often times....or at least enough to get the bead to seat
> >>>> for the tire, enabling you to keep moving.  I have twice bent steel
> rims in Baja
> >>>> and broken an alloy aftermarket one.   One of the steelies I bent, we
> were
> >>>> almost 60 miles from pavement and there was nothing around.   We
> >>>> straightened the rim with a rock and aired it up using our bicycle
> >>>> pump, with gasoline and a match to seat the bead....In Baja you may
> >>>> sit for days on end until another vehicle comes along...often finding
> >>>> an appropriate rim may involve long distances to help....I keep my
> rims in steel now.
> >>>>
> >>>> On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 7:43 AM, Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>> Yes I do deflate the tires when I do off road - usually I take out
> >>>>> 10psi and 15psi on sand - in any case I leave a minimum 20psi. As
> >>>>> Dennis mentioned there's a risk of damage to tires specially on the
> >>>>> side wall if the road has a lot sharp rocks such as the one from
> >>>>> Ubehe Crater to the Race Track in Death Valley. I always carry a 12V
> air pump, off road or not.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 7:26 AM, Dennis Haynes
> >>>>> <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> >>>>> wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Off roaders will air down the tires to improve traction and reduce
> >>>>> sinking
> >>>>>> on soft dirt, mud, and sand. As the pressure is lowered the contact
> >>>>>> patch increases. They will often air down low enough that the
> >>>>>> sidewalls can
> >>>>> also
> >>>>>> provide a floatation effect, 12-16psi is common. The down side of
> >>>>>> this is an increased chance of rolling the bead off the rim and
> >>>>>> having a tire completely air out and hitting any type of sharp
> >>>>>> object can damage a tire internally. Note this approach is for low
> speed operation.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> You didn't say what tire you are using, size or type, If using a
> >>>>>> regular passenger tire you reach full capacity at ~35 psi. Above
> >>>>>> that you are
> >>>>> going
> >>>>>> for handling or reduced rolling resistance.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Dennis
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> -----Original Message-----
> >>>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> >>>>>> Behalf Of Stan Shapiro
> >>>>>> Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2014 10:14 AM
> >>>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >>>>>> Subject: Re: Suspension for Off Roading
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Another question on suspension.   I have a 90 Westy, 16 in wheels,
> >>>>>> Michelin tires, and Bilstein shocks from GoWesty.    It is terrible
> on
> >>>>>> washboard roads.     I notice the 4 wheelers let air out of their
> tires
> >>>>>> before going off road.    Does anyone have any experience in
> letting a
> >>>>>> small amount of air out for a washboard road??    If so, how much
> do you
> >>>>>> let out?   Do you carry a 12 volt compressor to refill?
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Thanks
> >>>>>> Stan
> >>>>>> Idaho
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> -----Original Message-----
> >>>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> >>>>>> Behalf Of Chris S.
> >>>>>> Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2014 2:58 PM
> >>>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >>>>>> Subject: Re: Suspension for Off Roading
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> See Burley Motorsports' custom upper control arms that eliminate the
> >>>>>> finicky bushings. Also, for a good off road ride you may consider
> >>>>>> progressive long travel springs. I have Schwenk springs on my Syncro
> >>>>>> and they are wonderful.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Chris.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Wyslane z iPhone'a
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Dnia Nov 15, 2014 o godz. 14:47 Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM>
> >>>>>> napisal(a):
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>> Hello:
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> I thought about posting this on the Samba but you all seem a bit
> >>>>>>> more
> >>>>>> civil  and helpful.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> We are traveling full-time in a 1984 Westy we bought just months
> >>>>>>> before
> >>>>>> leaving, and are about to end Month 16. Challenging, yes  and
> >>>>>> perhaps
> >>>>> equal
> >>>>>> parts commendable and committable. But we are in for the long haul.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> I have had four alignments done in 12K miles. At first I thought
> >>>>>>> the
> >>>>>> mechanics weren't torquing the right upper control arm enough, as it
> >>>>> keeps
> >>>>>> coming loose and knocking toe way out  last time it was over AN INCH
> >>>>>> out, and now a few hundred miles later, it's out again and baking
> >>>>>> our new BFG ATs. Ugh.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> The easiest solution seems to be replacing the control arm bolts,
> >>>>>>> as I
> >>>>>> do not think Loctite will solve it in the proper way. But, if the
> >>>>>> arms
> >>>>> need
> >>>>>> to come off anyway, and possibly new bushings are needed as well,
> >>>>>> what
> >>>>> are
> >>>>>> my options for upgrading the suspension for constant dirt travel? I
> >>>>>> saw a gray panel Synchro at Buses by the Bridge in January with Fox
> >>>>>> shocks and
> >>>>> it
> >>>>>> looked like a great solution. I am willing to trade highway comfort
> >>>>>> for
> >>>>> off
> >>>>>> road softness before parts start flying off at will.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> We hope to keep our Bus forever, and though we are short of funds I
> >>>>>>> do
> >>>>>> not necessarily want a quick fix. We have to rely on this Thing
> >>>>>> (Ahem, sorry, Bus) for a long time and may take it around the globe.
> >>>>>> So
> >>>>> anything I
> >>>>>> can do for the long-term good is of prime interest, and getting to
> >>>>>> remote places is partly why we live in it.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> Also, if you know of anyone in So. Cal. or near Yuma capable of
> >>>>>>> this
> >>>>>> work (where we're wintering), I'm all ears. I found a cooperative
> >>>>>> tire store owner in Pahrump who owns a few Vanagons, but have yet to
> >>>>>> ask if
> >>>>> such
> >>>>>> an upgrade is within his realm.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> Thanks in Advance,
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> Eric
> >>>>>>> Eric Wunrow Pictures
> >>>>>>> 85 S Union Blvd, #Q123
> >>>>>>> Lakewood, CO 80228
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> 303. 988. 8717
> >>>>>>> VW@EricWunrow.com
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >
> > --
> > David McNeely
> >
> >
> >
>