hi Eric,

I forgot to mention the General Grabber AT2 are studdable - depending where
you live, this feature may be useful in winter. The BFG don't have it.

On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 12:14 PM, Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>