Modified spare tire clamshell to hold BFG 215/70R15

Sodo · Last edited by Sodo on Fri Jul 11, 2014 2:48 pm; edited 1 time in total

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.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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

coclimber · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 2:26 pm Post subject:

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! Smile

)

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!
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'83.5 Westfalia Camper - SOLD
'86 Westfalia Weekender
2001 Subaru Legacy 2.5L donor
Rocky Mountain Westy kit

PDXWesty · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 2:46 pm Post subject:

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.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

coclimber · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 2:49 pm Post subject:

Sodo · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 2:51 pm Post subject:

furrylittleotter · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 2:53 pm Post subject:

Nice mod. Thanks for sharing

Neil2

Sodo · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 3:01 pm Post subject:

coclimber · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 3:12 pm Post subject:

Sodo · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2014 1:18 pm Post subject:

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

Sodo

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

montanasurfer

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.
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1987 Vanagon GL - Wolfsburg Edition

davideric9

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)

Sodo

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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