I have given up on the clam shell and think it would be a good spot to pack
tarps or other things.  I use a tire holder in its place - no cramming or
jamming required.

Thanks for the input.

BT

On Thursday, April 1, 2021, vw_van_fan_Mark <madvws@cox.net> wrote:

> That tire size and rim should be fine on a Syncro, other than squeezing it
> into the stock spare tire area. That could be a chore to make happen.
>
> On a 2wd that combo will usually rub up front on the edge of the upper
> control arm.
> Depending how badly, you can remove some metal from the lip/edge of the
> upper control arm to make some room or use spacers along with long enough
> front lugs/studs. I'm not a fan of spacers so I grind off the lip/edge as
> needed.
>
> I put some black spray paint over the bare metal where I grind some away
> and then check for that paint to be rubbed off to let me know if it still
> rubs after some driving. New tires may seem to clear for a while but the
> shape of the tire can change over time and rubbing can result.
>
> There is considerable variation in the dimensions of tires of different
> brands and models even with the same supposed size.
>
> Mark
>
>
> Bruce Todd wrote:
>
>> 215/65/16 - 7” rim width.
>>
>> On Thursday, April 1, 2021, vw_van_fan_Mark <madvws@cox.net
>> <mailto:madvws@cox.net>> wrote:
>>
>>     The width of the 16" rim as well as the size of the tire are
>>     important factors.
>>
>>     ET38 is at the hairy edge of what can work without spacers.
>>     What size tire did you have in mind?
>>
>>     Mark
>>
>>     Bruce Todd wrote:
>>
>>         I checked into buying Ultra wheels (the Alpines) in Canada and
>>         found they
>>         were about $255/ rim (CDN) not including tax.  I've been
>>         searching for
>>         alternatives online as I would like to spend a bit less.
>> Although I
>>         considered 17" rims, I've pretty much decided to go with a 16x7
>>         so that I
>>         can look at moderately aggressive all terrain tires - the
>>         Rotiiva is in the
>>         group of comparables which all hover around 27" full tire
>>         diameter.  Most
>>         of the rims that seem applicable in terms of load rating and
>>         bolt pattern
>>         are around a 38 to 45 ET.  According to the literature out there
>>         - the
>>         ideal ET is 30 to 35 - so I am wondering if 38mm is cutting it a
>>         little
>>         close especially for the fronts?
>>
>>         There is a pretty good wheel site called Canada Wheels that
>>         allows you to
>>         search wheels with multiple filters.  RWC, Vision, and ION
>>         wheels all have
>>         wheels that look to work - the ION 103 in particular looks nice
>>         to me but
>>         is not in stock anywhere.
>>
>>         Bruce
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>