What wheels fit - a simple supplement

[oasis]

I know there is an ultimate thread running and some day I will consume enough coffee and aspirin to try to weed through it. Let me ask something simple before I go there ...

Do all 1980-91 Vanagons use the same bolt pattern and offset. If not, do they differ by year, syncro and non-syncro, and/or anything else?
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Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI

[iceracer]

YES, Well let me see. All buses from 71-91 use the same bolt pattern. 5x112. As for offset, offhand I do not know what the steel wheels are but the alloys are 30et. And same goes for the syncro.
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86 Syncro Wolfsburg edition
63 Beetle (The Iceracer)

[hiram6]

2wd has a much larger front spindle/grease cap than the syncro. Requires the center of some wheels to be modified to fit.

Alloy wheels require longer bolts/studs than steelies.
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1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited

You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning.

[Christopher Schimke]

......and the Syncro can handle a higher offset wheel better than a 2wd due to it's differing uprights and control arms.
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"Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)

*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
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[VisPacem]

Hello everyone

I know that the subject of alternate choices for Vanagon wheels has been beaten to death, however, even after reading 99% of the posts on the subject there is an issue that has never, hmm or almost not been clearly established.
Most of the lucky chaps who have adapted other wheels than stock to their Vanagons do not state whether they were upgrading from stock steel or alloy wheels which leads to my question as Hiram6 has said

[Christopher Schimke]

All 2wd and Syncro Vanagons came with the same stud lengths in the rear. The Syncro's all came with studs in the front however, 2wd's used bolts. The bolts and nuts for the steel wheels have a ball seat. The bolts and nuts for the factory alloy wheels have a conical (tapered). The factory alloys themselves are thinner than most other alloys where the shank passes through the wheel. This is what allows them to be used with the short rear studs. Most alloy wheels are thick enough in this area that they require longer studs and bolts.

There are a few wheels out there that can be installed using the stock, short wheels studs but these wheels have a somewhat high offset. This is okay on a Syncro and the rear of a 2wd but the front of the 2wd would need a spacer in order to clear the suspension components. This means longer wheel bolts obviously. What's a little less obvious is that if you add spacers to the front and not the rear (adding spacers to the rear would necessitate longer studs), the front track width will be greater than the rear. Not that it is the end of the world but it's not the best for handling or for looks.
_________________
"Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)

*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected]

[freshintulsa]

i just put some 16s from a 2007 jetta on my westy. gotta enlargethe center holes for 2wd but they fit with spacers, look sweet too. anything with 5x112 will fit, just might need some modifications here or there.
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"go slower, go lower!!!"

85 westy svx
Fresh front end rebuild
Front cab changed from brown to black with new homemade door panels, etc.
Soon to remove fridge/sink/cabinet and make custom bench seat!!!



89 wolfsburg/ bluestar.... finished the stick to automatic conversion,
tiico motor
Daily driver, 20mpgs and has enough hair in it to make a few dogs.

[faith2es]

I am new to your website and would like direction to where i might find this info as i am sure that others are having a hard time finding tires this side with a load rating of >102.
thanks for your patience and directions to this info!
New Member

[levi]

Probably Nokian will have a 16 in that 225 /60 that will meet your 102 goals.

If not, I can't imagine anyone else that would.

If you want that 102 or better, you might have to be willing to flex a little on your tire size.
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but till I do I won't be hangin round.
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[chmielex]

Ive got a pair of mercedes c class steel rims for my syncro and im planning on putting 29,5x9,5 15 maxxis buckshot on there but someone told me the rims themselves were weaker in the construction and might crack?
I was also planning on widening them (the rims) and was figuring it isnt very fun to put alot of time and work in a set of rims that is less than perfect?

[kwikarl]

Help! Will stock Eurovan 15's fit straight across to a 2wd 84 vanagon? If spacers needed how thick? I cant get to try one on first.

[AdrianC]

[Jake de Villiers]

[AdrianC]

[Christopher Schimke]

[AdrianC]

[Jake de Villiers]

[Far_West]

Would 15" wheels off a 2000 MK4 fit a 87' vanagon? Any help would be great.

[kamzcab86]

[bigdog1189]

Hi All,
would oem wheels (alloys) from 1999 audi A4, 15x7 with an ET39 fit an 86 2wd vanagon without needing any mods to the wheels? thanks!

Ps, this is an awesome site!