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Sodo Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007 Posts: 9618 Location: Western WA
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:52 am Post subject: Modified spare tire clamshell to hold BFG 215/70R15 |
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Originally did this in 2007 (an old "Big Brakes thread) I repeated it here to have a more "searchable" subject.
It's been working fine. Gets easier as the tires wear down. It's a Syncro. I don't know if it works on a 2WD. Also, there are tolerances on any vanagon chassis and theres probably no way to pre-confirm if a tire's gonna actually fit in YOUR vanagon. Other than getting the fully mounted tire, on the rim, and testing it. It's that tight.
If you have questions about the spare tire clamshell, I'd prefer to answer them in this thread.
I started out using that large "nut" as a spacer at front then found it wasn't necessary but decided to 'store' it there in case some condition occurred (slightly larger tire? Overinflated?) then if I needed it, it's there.
If there are any questions about the spare tire clamshell I'm happy to help. Probably better to post in this thread because it has a better searchable title. _________________
'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb
Last edited by Sodo on Fri Jul 11, 2014 2:48 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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coclimber Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2013 Posts: 245 Location: Morrison, Colorado
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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Sodo - thanks for this. I thought I'd add in our private discussion on the hinges, so everyone benefits.
Hinge Angle: You mentioned it was 10 degrees (or 170, however you look at it! )
Location of Hinge (above vs. below the clam shell): You mentioned it was better to keep inside so it doesn't get caught on road debris (especially with a syncro). I'd agree. Will do the same! _________________ '83.5 Westfalia Camper - SOLD
'86 Westfalia Weekender
2001 Subaru Legacy 2.5L donor
Rocky Mountain Westy kit |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6247 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 2:46 pm Post subject: |
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I had a thought about the location of the hinge being inside that it could rub/wear the tire or rim. Located on the outside might be better if the clamshell is not also being used as a skid plate for a 2wd. _________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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coclimber Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2013 Posts: 245 Location: Morrison, Colorado
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 2:49 pm Post subject: |
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PDXWesty wrote: |
I had a thought about the location of the hinge being inside that it could rub/wear the tire or rim. Located on the outside might be better if the clamshell is not also being used as a skid plate for a 2wd. |
If hinges were attached under the clamshell, on the outside, I wonder if a little bigger angle would be better? _________________ '83.5 Westfalia Camper - SOLD
'86 Westfalia Weekender
2001 Subaru Legacy 2.5L donor
Rocky Mountain Westy kit |
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Sodo Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007 Posts: 9618 Location: Western WA
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 2:51 pm Post subject: |
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PDXWesty wrote: |
it could rub/wear the tire or rim. |
Whenever placing the tire in the clamshell, I have to lever the tire away from the steering shaft before tightening the bolt. It never migrates back to touch the shaft, so I don't think there's any "motion". But agreed wouldn't want the hinge touching on the rim. _________________
'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb
Last edited by Sodo on Fri Jul 11, 2014 2:53 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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furrylittleotter Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2008 Posts: 1506 Location: West Seattle
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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Nice mod. Thanks for sharing
Neil2
Last edited by furrylittleotter on Fri Jul 11, 2014 5:00 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Sodo Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007 Posts: 9618 Location: Western WA
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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furrylittleotter wrote: |
Sure it could be done different. Hopefully people will actually try different methods and post them rather than try and say what you shoulda/woulda/coulda done.
That gets old with a quickness.
I love mods like this. Keep them coming!
Neil2 |
Hmmmm. A second look from a different point of view, even from a guy who will never do it, can still be a GREAT idea.
A different angle (and spacer at front bolt) would accommodate a wider tire or wider wheel. The wheel in this pic is a 5.5" Audi 5000 wheel. I don't think it's an ideal wheel for a Vanagon, but it was only $25.
If your wheel is wider than 5.5, i think it would be advisable to use a steeper angle (and you may need a spacer at front). Just cram it up in there and weld the hinges to work with the tire you have. And the spacer. _________________
'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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coclimber Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2013 Posts: 245 Location: Morrison, Colorado
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 3:12 pm Post subject: |
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Sodo wrote: |
A different angle (and spacer at front bolt) would accommodate a wider tire or wider wheel. The wheel in this pic is a 5.5" Audi 5000 wheel. I don't think it's an ideal wheel for a Vanagon, but it was only $25.
If your wheel is wider than 5.5, i think it would be advisable to use a steeper angle (and you may need a spacer at front). Just cram it up in there and weld the hinges to work with the tire you have. And the spacer. |
I'll be putting a 15" x 7" rim in there, so when I figure out the angle & spacer requirements for that mod, I'll report back to here. It will be a week or two, but I will get 'er done! _________________ '83.5 Westfalia Camper - SOLD
'86 Westfalia Weekender
2001 Subaru Legacy 2.5L donor
Rocky Mountain Westy kit |
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Sodo Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007 Posts: 9618 Location: Western WA
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Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2014 1:18 pm Post subject: |
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Here's a pic of my current bolt. My van has the regrettable situation where the front lugs are 19mm bolts and the rear lugs are 17mm nuts. So I set it up so whichever wrench I have will let the spare tire pan down.
Also, if on the road, and for some reason my tire pan can't hold whatever tire I'm putting up there, then I can put the spacer on the other side to spacer it down a little.
If you're cramming a fat wheel up there, pay attention that your fat wheel doesn't pinch off the radiator hose when you crank it up tight.
Try a "tinfoil thickness guage" Ball up some aluminum foil leaving it a little fluffy but able to compress and hold a set. Tape it near your hoses, then crank everything up and see how far is squashes the tinfoil then you'll have an idea what its doing to the hoses. There can be springback in the tinfoil ball, do some testing so you know what it's telling you. _________________
'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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Sodo Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007 Posts: 9618 Location: Western WA
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Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2020 9:30 am Post subject: Re: Modified spare tire clamshell to hold BFG 215/70R15 |
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Link showing 7x15" Rhein wheels:
Clamshell does fit 215/75R15 BFG AT on 15" Rhein updated _________________
'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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montanasurfer Samba Member
Joined: March 06, 2014 Posts: 319 Location: United States
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Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2023 6:14 pm Post subject: Re: Modified spare tire clamshell to hold BFG 215/70R15 |
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Question for folks who have done Sodo's clamshell mod. Has anyone done it with a 2WD successfully? Does the syncro subframe provide more clearance?
I have a 1987 2wd and I'm thinking of doing this mod. _________________ 1987 Vanagon GL - Wolfsburg Edition |
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davideric9 Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2009 Posts: 1002 Location: Oakland CA
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Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2023 10:03 pm Post subject: Re: Modified spare tire clamshell to hold BFG 215/70R15 |
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I may have missed it but I have not seen any mention of the two different clamshells sizes and protective brackets.
ETKA lists clamshell 251-801-901D and then 255-801-901A for tire size: 205
ETKA list left bracket 251-801-913A and then 255-801-913 for tire size: 205
Just thought I'd throw this out there in case your results don't match the work being shown in these threads.
_________________ 1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012) |
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Sodo Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007 Posts: 9618 Location: Western WA
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Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2023 10:19 am Post subject: Re: Modified spare tire clamshell to hold BFG 215/70R15 |
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Good call davideric9 the smaller tab on the 2WD clamshell can be seen in your ETKA pic (near bolt#5).
Going up this page couple replies is a pic of the 'long tab' of a Syncro that had the VW Alloy 14" wheels (205?).
Heres a 'smaller' 2WD clamshell with the front tab extended for wider tires.
The pic is kinda "upside down' where the extension allows the clamshell to drop down farther. _________________
'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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