Guide to VW T2 hubcap types and sizes

[furgo]

VW T2 hubcap identification guide

There were only two types of original hubcap types for the VW T2:
• the early bay ones ('68-'70) are popularly known as domed or baby moon hubcaps;
• the late bay ones ('71-'79) are known as flat caps.

Domed hubcaps (left) were for early models until 1970, flat hubcaps (right) subsequently took over

With the introduction of the T3, a slightly different type of flat hubcaps with a higher outer rim were made available. They will also fit the T2b and are nowadays the only parts still available from VW #251 601 151 A.

Flat hubcaps evolution: original (left) vs. later caps with a higher outer rim (right). Either will fit a '71-'79 bus with stock rims

Hubcaps were either chromed or painted: in the early years the non-deluxe buses were fitted with spray-painted hubcaps. These were mainly for German vehicles, the export models were soon after delivered with chromed hubcaps.

You can skip the rest

If you are not interested in the facts and a bit of history, you can skip the next sections. In summary, assuming your bus has got stock rims (check them out and compare them with the first picture), it all boils down to the question:

Do you own a ...?
• '68-'70 bus - you'll need domed hubcaps
• '71-'79 bus - you'll need flat hubcaps, either type will do.

Domed hubcaps

[airschooled]

Yes. Yes yes yes. This is even better than my treatise on throttle positioners.

Robbie
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[Tcash]

Added
Tech Tips>PARTS IDENTIFICATION>Hub Cap ID

Thank you
Tcash

[wcfvw69]

Nice job with this!
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[70Crew]

Furgo has 19 total posts and he comes up with this? Welcome to the bay forum!
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1970 Crew Cab

[wcfvw69]

[Tcash]

Here is some more information. Feel free to incorporate what you choose.

T2 Hub caps - Wheel disc
1968-70
111 601 151 Primed
113 601 151 Chromed
1971-79
111 601 151 E
251 601 151 Primed
251 601 151 A Chromed
311 601 151 D Chromed

Note: 311 601 151 D came out of the 1968-72 parts manual and is described as being used from chasis number 211 2000 001. Which is the first T2 off the line in 1971. The first three digits of the part number specify the model, which in this case is 311 = Fastback.
So if the parts manual is correct the Type 3 hub caps where availible in 1971?
http://www.jerseylooker.com/FicheDump/EarlyBaywindow/6-003.jpg
VW Part Numbers Explained


111 601 151 1950-70. This must be one of those parts that was modified but the part number remained the same and was not given a modification code at the end ie (A,B,C) of the part number.

NOS 111 601 151: note the VW script is different and bridged at the bottom of the V.
Anyone know what year this ended?

Note: the Hub Cap removal holes are located at 12 & 6 O'clock. Some aftermarket caps the holes are located at 9 & 3.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7703356#7703356
NOS chrome hubcap, 19.2oz

Grey hubcap, NOS, varied in weight from 17.3oz to 18.9oz

Grey hubcap, NOS, 18.9oz

vwed wrote: NOS Silver Grey Hubcaps, Correct for commercial late Bays, rather than microbuses/campers that had chrome ones.

NOS 251 601 151 Black wheel hub cap t2b

Joe Caraway wrote: 3 differnt nos hub caps

RareAir wrote: NOS hubcap remover, "bear claw" hub cap tool. Part #000 093 001.

Thanks again for posting
Tcash

[busdaddy]

Great post(s), to add a little the painted logo is an early splitty thing, bays never had those.
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[aeromech]

[furgo]

[furgo]

[chimneyfish]

For your research here is a link to the thread on the official VWoA aftermarket accessory hubcaps (number 5 in the first image below), manufactured for VWoA by DEL-MET.

The 'correct' ones for a bay were the white ones that came out circa 78-79, whereas the chrome ones apparently came out at the start of the Vanagon era. Number 6 in the second image below are inspired by the 'SA Rostyle' design.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3023544

_________________
1965 Type 1 Deluxe (1200cc)
1976 Type 2 T2b Microbus L (1800cc Type 4)
Previously...
1972 T2 Camper (Devon), 1988 Golf, 1972 Type 1, 1984 Polo, 1972 T2 Camper (Danbury)

[furgo]

[Tcash]

I did not catch that. Made the correction.
Anyone know of a post noting the parts manual corrections?

These may need correcting.
8 | 251 601 151
F 211 20000 001> 210 2300 000 | | 4 | 211,231
F 211 20000 001> 218 2300 000 | | 4 | 211,231

(8 | 251 601 151 A
F 211 20000 001> | | 4 | 211,231
F 219 20000 001> | | 4 | 211,231

- Where the NOS black and silver grey hubcaps given a specific part number
Looks like it is the 251 601 151 number. Notice on the tag though it has (LO 331)(Nature 1), I cannot find it, best quess is "LO 331" is the paint code and "Nature" means primer?

- My bus has actually got green-painted hubcaps, which I suspect were done by a previous owner. Out of curiosity, was it possible to get painted hubcaps on a given color from the factory?
Maybe the dealer, I would not think the factory would do it.

With the introduction of the T3 in 1979 the flat hubcaps were slightly redesigned to give them a higher outer rim. Some experts say these hubcaps were introduced earlier than '79, but there seem to be no sources to confirm.
Part number 311 601 151 D is in the 1968-72 parts manual.

311 = Fastback
So if you can believe the parts manual the Type 3 hub caps where available in 1971.

[Tcash]

These where advertised as T2 Hub Caps. I have never seen them. May be aftermarket.

Tcash

[mark d]

thks
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1972ish westfalia

"what good are tractors without violins ?" jose figueres

[Tcash]

I would still like to know when the Script changed. The brochure pictures that I could find show the Top right Script.

1.Top left --------------------- 2.Top right

This is advertised as a NOS standard beetle / commercial bus hubcap. Note the script looks the same as #1. But the font (letters) appears to be bigger than #1.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1871899
3.

Thanks
Tcash

[furgo]

[Hikelite]

Great write up. Thanks for confirming mine are original
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~Kevin

My 1968 Campmobile

[Tcash]

According to this post the 311 601 151 D started production 1968.
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=84526&page=3
[qoute]Dyno[/quote]
They went to the conventional 4 stud cap 311601151D as we know them in 1968.

So the question remains.
When did VW start production on the 251 601 151/151A ?

If the Vanagon folk's don't know. You might try asking the Type 3 group.

Tcash