Wheel Pros help me select syncro tires

[Jon_slider]

[ThankYouJerry]

I'd recommend you consider the Nokian WRC3 (not to be confused with the WR"G"3). They are D rated, have a mildly aggressive tread for occasional off-road use, but they also excel in rain/slush/snow.
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1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD

[Jon_slider]

[ThankYouJerry]

1. Couldn't one safely run a directional spare tire in the wrong direction if need be in an emergency (say for 100 miles or so) until it could be re-mounted to the proper rolling direction?

2. Couldn't one run directional tires and perform a 5 tire rotation by having 2 tires taken off and re-mounted for a fairly minimal charge?
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1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD

[Steve M.]

In regards to Directional tires:

"If your alignment is good, rotating from front to rear should be sufficient. Cross-rotating is usually only needed when you have a tire pull (generally caused by bad alignment). Cross-rotating can sometimes eliminate tire pull."

The Directional Tires make 5 tire rotation a challenge, you can only do it on one side. If you rotated the tires more often I think it would work, but that's a PITA!

I do like the siping on the Rotiiva that the "other" tire doesn't have!
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This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[Skidub]

To restate, I'm no pro, but for reasons similar to what the OP has stated, I too went with the Nokian Rotiiva ATs, temporarily.

When I had 15" wheels I was running on 215/75r15 BFG KOs. Loved them. When I found my 16" CLK's I switched to the 215/65r16 102 Rotiivas. I liked the Rotiivas a lot, about 85% of the time.

The other 15%, when I didn't like them they felt squishy, unstable, and dangerous. Typically this was in windy conditions at highway speed.

It could just be me, and how my van is set up, but I switched back to the BFGs and problem solved. 100% satisfied.

If you can find somewhere that you can push on the sidewall of an unmounted Rotiiva and an unmounted KO2 you'll be amazed at the difference. The KO2 sidewall is super stiff in comparison.

Consider all of this as just another data point in your analysis. Good luck.
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86 Syncro GL Tin Top
Subaru 2.5L Swap
Rblt Transaxle w/ R Locker + Decoupler

[Steve M.]

[Jon_slider]

[Waldi]

[casey79westfalia]

Thanks for all the feedback gentlemen. I really like the bfgs, I mean they look great on a syncro or any van. I have them on my doka and wasn't completely thrilled as they were a little noisy, it's a 2wd. I guess you pay to play. I think I want a somewhat aggressive looking tire since heck it's a syncro. Bfgs are hard on the trans?
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66 Westfalia
87 Westfalia Syncro "Phoenix"
88 Double Cab
76 Porsche 914
2014 Audi Q7
2010 Tdi Sportwagen

Currently looking for 62 Double Cab, 66 Westfalia Parts!
(Rear seat and pedestal, bumpers, mirrors)

http://www.baycountrymotors.com

My 87 Syncro Westfalia 1.8t Restoration

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=418933

"Do it the right way, or you'll pay for it"

[Waldi]

Its not the Bfg, its the size. If you get 65 of them you only take - the profile consums more fuel and it is noisy.

And it has not the rim safty belt like the genaral grabber with the same look.

On a Syncro you dont need profile for offroad because you have syncro.
If you want with a 2-wd going offroad open profile makes sense.

At all, you need the bfg or grabber just for the look.
No more pros, only contras.

[rubbachicken]

i can't remember, do you have a swing out tire carrier, if you do not, don't go bigger than a 216/65/16.
i have genral grabbers, 216/65/16 on burni, my syncro, and have got the 5th one under the front, i had to massage the metal a little to get it under there, but it's in, i tried with a friends 215/70/16 and that one was a no go, i have clearance above it, and have no need for a bracket to keep the wheel away from the steering shaft under there from the rack to the wheel
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lucy our westy

lucy's BIG adventure

meet 'burni'

[BUGSLEE]

I went with a 215/70/16 BFG A/T ko2's after having the original BFG A/T ko's on stock 14's on my last van.

The new KO2's are MUCH quieter and ride a lot smoother. I think they make a great tire as long as your not running a stock engine plus they look great on a syncro.

I have a taller 4th gear and a subi 2.5 but I cruise at 3200 RPM doing 65MPH

Kyle
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68 Beetle - 1776
89 Vanagon TinTop Syncro - Subi 2.5

[ThankYouJerry]

[Jon_slider]

[Waldi]

Jon is trying to confuse you.

I am driving my 215/70 Goodyear Wrangler HP on a diesel which has his torque peak at about 2200revs. Over 4k revs no more power like on every 1,9 diesel.
And i use them mostly driving an empty syncro over the highway.
I am not driving in USA where you will be shot if you dont hold on with the traffic. So i slow down going uphill to save fuel. I am also not beeing forced to drive contant 75. I am free to drive how fast i want on highways without speed limit.

I realy dont care what tires you pick.
If you want spend money on ppl selling van parts, take the biggest, as they have the best look.

[casey79westfalia]

You all are confusing me. 😊 so here the simple truth. I want some feed back from people with a 1.8t conversion and 16" wheels. Mileage, rpms in 4th gear at top speed??I do have a decoupler and will probably be driving the vehicle most of the time in 2wd. I'm sure the syncro will take me off road at one point or another. It really sounds like it comes down to tire sidewall height and load rating. The 1.8t is a pretty tolerant motor I am told, but I would like to keep the rpms similar to what they would have been in the Jetta gli they came out of originally. 1.8t syncro guys where are you??
_________________
66 Westfalia
87 Westfalia Syncro "Phoenix"
88 Double Cab
76 Porsche 914
2014 Audi Q7
2010 Tdi Sportwagen

Currently looking for 62 Double Cab, 66 Westfalia Parts!
(Rear seat and pedestal, bumpers, mirrors)

http://www.baycountrymotors.com

My 87 Syncro Westfalia 1.8t Restoration

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=418933

"Do it the right way, or you'll pay for it"

[Jon_slider]

> 1.8t syncro guys where are you??

out driving, because they took my tire advice and don't need to entertain themselves online

My friend Ubercool has a 1.8t in a syncro. He runs 215x75x15 BFG AT Ko tires that are the same diameter as the 215x70x16 option Im proposing to you. He has the stock .85 4th, so his overall gearing is 10% tall. No transmission failures. He is very happy with how the car drives. He turns off the chip Offroad, for crawling.

My friend Vwhead has a 1.8t in a syncro single cab, he runs 225x75x16 BFG AT Ko tires, he is very happy, no transmission failures. The gearing is a bit tall offloading, but he manages very well. He wanted the extra ground clearance, the tire is 16% taller than stock and has that effect on RPM

Vwhead also has a 1.8t in a 2wd, that he put 215x75x15 BFG AT Ko tires on. It runs great, same 10% tall gearing that Ubercool uses.

I have not heard of any 1.8t transaxle problems, not even from Stephans vastly powerful chipped Syncro.

Imo the 1.8t is the least likely motor to be associated with tranny failures. Part of the reason is that it can use higher RPMs than stock. High RPMs are less destructive than low RPM power

Waldi has the exact same tire size, yes its a diesel, but that makes no difference in terms of the forces the tire exerts on the transmission. If anything, his diesel is more destructive than your 1.8t, because it has higher torque levels at lower rpm.. iow high amplitude, low frequency pulses, that are more destructive than the lower amplitude higher frequency power pulses of the 1.8t

You will be fine with 10% tall tires, even with your .82 4th, that Waldi also uses.

Just try to understand that lower RPM is less powerful, so don’t fool yourself into avoiding going over 4000rpm on hills, it is healthier for your motor and tranny, than lugging uphill under increasing throttle pedal travel, to keep RPM down.

It is a myth that lower rpm produces higher gas mileage. The only thing lower rpm is good for, is it makes less noise. We are used to modern cars that downshift to 2000rpm when cruising on the flats. This is not “normal” for a 4 speed Vanagon. 4000rpm is closer to the power band, and the power output and fuel efficiency is higher at that rpm

imnsho, the 215x70x16 tire, which is 28" diameter, and reduces RPM by 10%, is the sweet spot for the`1.8t motor.. you won't be sorry

Enjoy your new Tires!, whatever they may be
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My Soapboxes: Inflation; Handling; Gearing; Decoupling; Swepco

[casey79westfalia]

Thanks Jon. So these puppies right here are the ones?

https://m.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BF...17R6KO2RWL
_________________
66 Westfalia
87 Westfalia Syncro "Phoenix"
88 Double Cab
76 Porsche 914
2014 Audi Q7
2010 Tdi Sportwagen

Currently looking for 62 Double Cab, 66 Westfalia Parts!
(Rear seat and pedestal, bumpers, mirrors)

http://www.baycountrymotors.com

My 87 Syncro Westfalia 1.8t Restoration

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=418933

"Do it the right way, or you'll pay for it"

[syncrodoka]