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Christopher Schimke
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005
Posts: 5529
Location: PNW
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 Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2024 5:24 am Post subject: Re: FAS Inc., T3 Technique, and Rhein Wheels |
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| MsTaboo wrote: |
How much do the new 16" Rhein weigh?
I have a set of the first run FAS 15" Rhein, very beautiful wheel, well made, but kinda heavy compared to the forged wheels like the CLKs. |
This wheel will not be as light as a forged wheel. Forged wheels are very expensive to produce. While we may entertain the possibility of doing a forged wheel in the future, a flow formed wheel will be the next best thing. I don't know the exact weight as of today, but the samples should be in my hands very soon, so I can let you know the exact weight then. I expect them to be in the low to mid 20s.
_________________
"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] |
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Christopher Schimke
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005
Posts: 5529
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2024 6:02 am Post subject: Re: FAS Inc., T3 Technique, and Rhein Wheels |
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| Gnarlodious wrote: |
| Don't get too excited about this, I've been waiting for 6 months on an engine install kit. They seem to have a severe problem delivering. |
I'm sorry that you are having that experience with the engine related stuff. However, I can tell you that I'm the one in charge of heading up the wheel program, and while I can't promise you an exact date that the wheels will land at my feet, I can tell you that it IS happening and that we expect the wheel to be ready to ship near the end of 2024.
_________________
"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] |
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4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 4266
Location: MD
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| Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2024 6:03 am Post subject: Re: FAS Inc., T3 Technique, and Rhein Wheels |
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I forgot what these wheels are. Hopefully someone else can chime in with the name. I looked for like a year for a set. No dice.
I think a 16x7 rally style wheel would be awesome. Compomotive TH or whatever the cooler looking one above is.
_________________
'87 Syncro Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
'85 Westy Sciuridae Domus Edition |
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Christopher Schimke
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005
Posts: 5529
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2024 6:54 am Post subject: Re: FAS Inc., T3 Technique, and Rhein Wheels |
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| 4Gears4Tires wrote: |
| I forgot what these wheels are. Hopefully someone else can chime in with the name. I looked for like a year for a set. No dice. |
Zender Turbos...
| 4Gears4Tires wrote: |
| I think a 16x7 rally style wheel would be awesome. Compomotive TH or whatever the cooler looking one above is. |
I agree!
_________________
"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] |
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E1
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 8322
Location: Westfalia, Earth
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| Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2024 7:27 am Post subject: Re: FAS Inc., T3 Technique, and Rhein Wheels |
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If we’re talking great-looking retro wheels for a Vanagon, Minilites:
https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-LL2109ANT--Selected...gL0nPD_BwE
_________________
1984 Westfailure/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s
AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere." — Colin Chapman
Jonathan Weisheit, Race in Peace:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3dS7xiFn7I&t=500s |
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4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 4266
Location: MD
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| Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2024 7:49 am Post subject: Re: FAS Inc., T3 Technique, and Rhein Wheels |
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| Christopher Schimke wrote: |
| 4Gears4Tires wrote: |
| I forgot what these wheels are. Hopefully someone else can chime in with the name. I looked for like a year for a set. No dice. |
Zender Turbos...
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That's it. Thanks.
I am not interested in the design of the Rhein Wheels, but I am glad you are making them. However, if you come out with some rally style wheels with flat faces I would be very interested. I don't like GW's option because the faces are so rounded, and they only come in black I think.
_________________
'87 Syncro Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
'85 Westy Sciuridae Domus Edition |
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bobbyblack 
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4622
Location: United States, Iowa
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| Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2024 11:25 am Post subject: Re: FAS Inc., T3 Technique, and Rhein Wheels |
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T3 and FAS, way to go!! Good to see this, and thank you.
The past few years I have been collecting various Mercedes rims. I have two sets of your spacers and fasteners.
How will these new rims be fastened? (hope I am not asking a redundant question) I mean, will they require the full fastener kit I've been used to purchasing to get my Merc's to work?
Also, I know Rhein are the original go-to 'cool' rims, and that is sweet, but I would push up '98-'00 CLK's to top of list for many of us.
Thank you so much for all the help and the great products you have been bringing to us!!!
-bobby
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 8462
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2024 11:43 am Post subject: Re: FAS Inc., T3 Technique, and Rhein Wheels |
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| 4Gears4Tires wrote: |
| I don't like GW's option because the faces are so rounded, and they only come in black I think. |
They are ASA Type 9. ASA used to make them in a slew of colors; GW sold 3 of them: silver, bronze (shown below), and black. I was set to buy the 16" silver version of those wheels a couple years ago when I needed new tires, but saw that they were no longer available. ASA is only producing the black version.  Dumb; a lot of folks out there, like myself, have a profound hatred for all-black wheels.
If T3 produces a similar rally-style wheel to those in silver, I'm in!  Next tire replacement, my van will need to upgrade to 16" due to clearance issues in the front with the 15" alloys and I want something different from the standard Mercedes knock-offs.
_________________
~Kamz 
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
 1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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syncrodoka
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005
Posts: 12330
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2024 12:04 pm Post subject: Re: FAS Inc., T3 Technique, and Rhein Wheels |
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These are copies of the method 502 wheel |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 8462
Location: Arizona
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Wellington
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2004
Posts: 2008
Location: Montreal
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| Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2024 2:08 pm Post subject: Re: FAS Inc., T3 Technique, and Rhein Wheels |
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This a large undertaking, and fantastic news.
I hope this is considered related, but what brand of tires are available in 16" with proper load rating that suit the power of the 2.1?
LT rating, I'm aware of only the K02.
Is XL acceptable? A heavily loaded Westfalia will have trouble with large tires, and the gear box is already stressed.
Yes, I've seen the sticky, "what tires fit", but I think that most of the tires are discontinued so the info is outdated. |
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calsurf
Samba Member
Joined: June 28, 2022
Posts: 188
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2024 9:07 am Post subject: Re: FAS Inc., T3 Technique, and Rhein Wheels |
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| I'm running FALKEN WILDPEAK A/T TRAIL tires size 215/65R16 102H XL on my 2WD Westy Camper 1.5 in lift. I've ran these tires in a different size on my other car for some time. Both ride well, decent mpg, sound (mild low hum at speeds) and has good load rating, performance, grip. Checks all of the boxes for me. |
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Muftobration
Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2014
Posts: 110
Location: Acton, MA
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| Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2024 8:36 am Post subject: Re: FAS Inc., T3 Technique, and Rhein Wheels |
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I was recently in the market for a set of Rhein wheels and contacted FAS to see if they still had any stock. They did not, but they mentioned this upcoming reproduction in 16". I have a set of Michelin Agilis CrossClimate tires that are under recall and eligible for replacement until October, so I couldn't wait for these reproduction 16" wheels. I opted for a set of used Rheins in excellent condition. If this new reproduction is the same quality, they'll be beautiful. I'm also curious what the price point will be.
_________________
1985 Westfalia full camper - Bostig v2.0 with several updates |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 8184
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2024 11:16 am Post subject: Re: FAS Inc., T3 Technique, and Rhein Wheels |
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| Wellington wrote: |
I hope this is considered related, but what brand of tires are available in 16" with proper load rating that suit the power of the 2.1?
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Nokian makes a few models such as the WRG5 and the new Nordman Solstice4. Unfortunately, it looks the the WRC3 has been discontinued in 16" sizes suitable for the Vanagon.
https://nokiantyres.studio.crasman.cloud/pub/web/a...US_web.pdf
_________________
- Jim
| Butcher wrote: |
| This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 8462
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2024 8:32 pm Post subject: Re: FAS Inc., T3 Technique, and Rhein Wheels |
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Thread has now been cleaned up by two different moderators.
Going forward, please keep discussion to T3's new wheel production. Thank you!
_________________
~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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Christopher Schimke
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005
Posts: 5529
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2024 5:53 am Post subject: Re: FAS Inc., T3 Technique, and Rhein Wheels |
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Thank you for all of the positive input. We have received lots of great input on both the current Rhein 2.0 wheel as well as future wheel designs, etc. Please keep the input coming we are definitely listening to you and your input will help shape the current and future wheel offerings.
If you haven't already, please go to the following link and vote on your preferred wheel color. We value your input whether you plan to buy wheels or not. https://t3technique.com/pages/rhein-wheels
In addition, as others have done here on this thread, please share what you would like to see offered in the future regarding alloy wheels. If you have a favorite wheel design, let us know. If you have a specific fitment concern you would like to see addressed, let us know that too. I can't promise that every person's wishes can be fulfilled, but we will certainly try to cover as many as possible as we get further into this.
_________________
"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] |
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borninabus
Samba R&D Dept.
Joined: May 18, 2006
Posts: 4739
Location: Arizona Highways
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| Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2024 7:02 am Post subject: Re: FAS Inc., T3 Technique, and Rhein Wheels |
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maybe different than most, but my main beef with what's available is the width. no way is a 7" wide wheel going to fit in the clamshell--especially a 16. i don't care about reins, CLKS, BBS or big brakes. i just want a spare that fits in the clamshell and for that reason, i've stuck with factory 14s.
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88 Van WBX, A/T - 13 JSW TDI 6M/T - 2012 Touareg TDI Sport |
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E1
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 8322
Location: Westfalia, Earth
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| Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2024 7:35 am Post subject: Re: FAS Inc., T3 Technique, and Rhein Wheels |
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^^^ This *is* an inconvenience for sure.
We have 16s with a 14” spare, but considering the rarity of flats it’s not enough inconvenience to not benefit from using 16s. We recall four over 4,100 days’ travel.
Chris, voted. For what it’s worth, not having all the colors shown will indeed skew results towards the ones that are shown… which are both *really beautiful*.
_________________
1984 Westfailure/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s
AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere." — Colin Chapman
Jonathan Weisheit, Race in Peace:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3dS7xiFn7I&t=500s |
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Christopher Schimke
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005
Posts: 5529
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2024 5:41 am Post subject: Re: FAS Inc., T3 Technique, and Rhein Wheels |
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| E1 wrote: |
Chris, voted. For what it’s worth, not having all the colors shown will indeed skew results towards the ones that are shown… which are both *really beautiful*. |
Thanks for the vote. Yes, I completely agree with you here. Unfortunately, we only have the samples in the colors shown. Additional samples in other colors cost way too much, so it is what it is at this point. We are just trying to gauge what people would like to see. And this is only for the initial run of wheels. Future runs can be done in other colors.
_________________
"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] |
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Christopher Schimke
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005
Posts: 5529
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2024 7:06 pm Post subject: Re: FAS Inc., T3 Technique, and Rhein Wheels |
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Link
_________________
"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] |
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