I've found a good deal on a set of original VW alloys, but need some
advice on what's required to install them on my factory orginal,
steel-wheeled, '91 Westy.  The set includes 4 alloy wheels with 10
original VW lug bolts, all from a late model Vanagon.  There are no lug
nuts for the rear wheels.

I'm perplexed about what's required to get these mounted safely and
securely on my Westy.  When I called the local VW parts folks, they
claimed that all I needed was the wheels and lug nuts and lug bolts.
However, when I removed one of the original rear steel wheels and placed
one of the alloys over the hub, the lug studs seemed too short;  in fact,
the lug nut from the steel wheel only caught about 50% of the nut thread.
 I realize that the alloy wheel nuts have a different shoulder angle, but
it still appears that the stud must be changed to fully engage even a
steeper shouldered lug nut.

Would appreciate any advice from folks that have dealt with this (I would
expect common) problem - that is just what needs to be changed when going
from steel to alloy?  Having had the unwelcome experience of suddenly
losing a wheel on an old chevy a number of years ago, I'm sort of
sensitive to the need to do this right <g>.

-Wes

Wes Neuenschwander
Seattle, WA
wesn@eskimo.com