TheSamba.com :: View topic - "What wheels fit?" The ultimate wheel post.

Wed Feb 03, 2010 11:45 pm

yes you can drill them.

Thu Feb 04, 2010 7:48 am

jkorn04 wrote: I was able to pick up mercedes 16" rims from a C class, they are ET37 and I have an 87 syncro. It appears that the bolt holes are too small, i searched for drilling them out but could not find anything... can this be done, should it??

appreciate the help.

Yep, like Crankey said, you can simply drill them to a larger diameter. I always suggest a 37/64" drill bit, but if you drill really straight, a 9/16" will work.

The stock Vanagon lug nuts won't fit the Mercedes lug pockets properly, so you will need to purchase a set of small ball seat lug nuts to suit the wheels.

One thing to keep in mind though. Almost all of the C Class Mercedes alloy wheels are fairly thick through the lug hole area. Most measure between 22mm and 25mm thick. If the wheels that you have are this thick, you will have to install a set of longer wheel studs both front and rear in order to allow the wheels to bolt on. The stock Syncro wheel studs only protrude about 23.4mm. Replacing the front wheel studs on a Syncro can be a big undertaking if your not prepared for it. If you need more information on this, please feel free to email me at Christopher@T3Technique.com

Thu Feb 04, 2010 1:39 pm

steelbutcher wrote:

Thanks Loogy for the killer help with this Vanagon. Our experience doing business with you was extremely professional and we would recommend you to anybody who is going to fit aftermarket wheels on their Vanagon.

Very nice wheels, can you give us some spec (size offset etc) on the wheels and tire. Look like you have a small drop on your Van..

Thu Feb 04, 2010 1:51 pm

nice set of Audi 16spoke 15" on Fleabay for $200 delivered Item number: 110488354341

would require some clearencing for the fronts, but I have had these on a Syncro, and the back of my baja (I run van rear drive hubs) a very nice look on vanagons.. I've seen one or 2 out here with them.

Dan in NY

Thu Feb 04, 2010 7:30 pm

Two weeks ago i bought a set of these:

They are M-B CLK 16x7 alloy rims i plan on wraping them with 205/60R16 falken tire.

And as soon as winter is over they will go on this babby.

It's a 1984 Vanagon wolfberg edition; I want to drop the van with some H&R springs and Koni shocks.

Big thanks to Christopher from T3Technique for answering my many questions and giving me great advice.

Fri Feb 05, 2010 7:50 pm

Quote: And as soon as winter is over they will go on this babby.

If you want to ues the merc caps, you'll need spacers. Otherwise, get creative
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=394310&highlight=clk
or contact Werksberg for some nice caps. I think Chris got a set of them and they look mighty nice!

Fri Feb 05, 2010 7:51 pm

By the way Chris, how far do those caps protrude from the wheel?

Fri Feb 05, 2010 8:45 pm

Yeah, those are Werksberg caps, but I had to modify them significantly to make them work. JM (Werksberg) sent me some caps to try on various wheels. These are the first that I tried and I think they look great. The next set (different than those shown in the picture above) will be machined to fit the stock Vanagon 14" alloy wheels. I will be offering the modified versions for sale once Werksberg has more in stock.

As for how far they stick out, I have that particular set above machine to a bare minimum (minimum machining = maximum stick-out), but I can machine them to a variety of depths/thicknesses to suit many of the Mercedes wheels. The set above sticks out 21mm from wheel hub.

Fri Feb 05, 2010 10:35 pm

bigsteveob wrote: Quote: And as soon as winter is over they will go on this babby.

If you want to ues the merc caps, you'll need spacers. Otherwise, get creative
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=394310&highlight=clk
or contact Werksberg for some nice caps. I think Chris got a set of them and they look mighty nice!

Yep, they are realy nice, i have a set of those ordered from Christopher, juste have to wait for the next batch to be ready.

Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:14 pm

http://www.1010tires.com/wheel.asp?wheelbrand=Wint...=62-76521S

These wheels sa 5x112 but i see 10 holes. how is this?

Mon Feb 08, 2010 3:05 pm

Probabely dual bolt pattern. The offset is wrong for the vanagon, spacers probably needed. They look good thought!

Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:10 pm

jacob. wrote: http://www.1010tires.com/wheel.asp?wheelbrand=Winter%20Rims&wheelmodel=Universal%20Fit%20Steel&pc=62-76521S

These wheels sa 5x112 but i see 10 holes. how is this?
At your same source:

http://www.1010tires.com/wheel.asp?wheelbrand=Wint...LK%2DClass

The same wheel but for MBZ.. ET37.
Bolt on.. no spacers necessary with 205s, or lower profile 215s (65 or 70 series)

Wed Feb 10, 2010 11:39 am

got them on, and loving it.

225/60R16
loogy 32mm spacers in front and 30mm in rear.

these will be my "street" wheels, now I have to look for a deal on some mercered 16" steel wheels with some AT tires.

Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:47 am

Toomanyveedubs, those wheels look great on there. If you ever decide to sell that truck, would you let me know? I love it!

Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:52 am

I thought i'd post this in the wheel section for those looking for something that is a direct bolt on. These are Ronal R28's. I bought these directly from Ronal a couple of years ago and require no modifications whatsoever. They are 16"x7". I no longer own this van, but thought this info might be helpful to someone.

Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:11 pm

I bought a set of these alloy center caps. They are gorgeous and match the gorgeous CLK wheels well.

There a few things you ought to know before you get them.

One, they will not clear the grease caps if you're not using wheel spacers. The inside of these caps was not cast around a Vanagon grease cap. I even cut down a spare grease cap to see if that would help, but it didn't. I also thought about clearancing them, but was afraid that would remove too much material and exacerbate the problem below.

Two, because the inner diameter is small it not only causes problem above, but also means the set screws that come with the kit are too short to secure the cap with fully seated threads. The pic below shows the set screws as they would just touch the inside of wheel hub opening. As you see they protrude quite a bit showing just how much bigger these inside diameter could be. This is fixed easily by visiting a hardware store and purchasing set screws in sufficient length, preferably stainless steel if you plan on removing the center caps at some point in the future.

In conclusion, these are works of art that need an engineer's touch. I'm very satisfied with the appearance. Just be aware of the need for spacers and longer set screws when purchasing.

Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:41 pm

And that above is exactly why the versions that will be sold through T3 Technique (available soon) will be modified to eliminate any installation problems.

MrPolak, I would be happy to modify yours to make them fit properly. Send me a PM if you are interested.

Sat Feb 13, 2010 7:08 pm

Ready to get tires...I'm going to stick with 14's

I seem to be having a bit of trouble finding tires with a heaverier load rating....something rated for say 1300-1400lbs isn't going to cut it is it?

Wed Feb 17, 2010 4:08 pm

Hey guys,

I have been following this post since before I got my van. Thanks for all the helpful information and pictures. I picked these up for a steal a few months back haven't had the chance to get tires yet:

My current wheels are wrapped with relatively new Hankooks and I have been experiencing some traction loss lately in wet weather. I live in Portland, OR and it rains here pretty often and i tend to lose traction on the metal grating over the bridges, manholes, and going around turns. Has anybody else experienced the same with Hankooks or other brand tires?

Basically, I am looking for opinions about whether I am in need of biting the bullet and buy the new tires for my snazzy new rims, or should I just wait until the existing ones need replaced and do it then?

Fri Feb 19, 2010 9:16 am

I saw a set of these for sale and am wondering what it would take...17x7.5, ET 25. I'm assuming longer studs/lugs? In searching the archives, I found a post in this thread that led me to believe that the center ring could be removed, which might give enough clearance for the grease cap (that was on a Syncro, though, and mine is 2WD.)

Any thoughts?

http://www.autoguide.net/apf/audi-wheels_rims/allr...65u20.html