16 inch wheels on Ivory Vanagon

[The Big Cheese]

I'm debating between purchasing the following wheels for my ivory Vanagon:

16 inch Van Cafe Mefro steel wheels
16 inch GoWesty Steel wheels (Black)
16 inch GoWesty Steel wheels (White but painting them ivory). See https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-volkswagen-vanagon-westfalia-2/ for a reference

I'm curious to see how these wheels look. Anyone out there have these wheels on an Ivory Vanagon or wheels other than stock?

[vanagonjr]

[geoffraynak]

welllllllllllll


that BaT van now belongs to me!!!

we've named it 'Butters'


and yes ... those wheels just 100% bring the whole van together
you will not regret it!

cheers
geoff

[danfromsyr]

Might want to change that trans ground strap Geoff
https://cdn.bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/152770085061f4f8f0f5558IMG_3907.JPG.jpeg

[geoffraynak]

Big Cheese: i love the mefros ... but the painted-to-match are pretty sweet ...

and ... Dan: yes ... it has been replaced already with the GW strap...

along with ninety (90!) other action items ...
only 35 things to go ... until another 35 pop up!

[jimf909]

FWIW, I much prefer the Van Cafe metro hole pattern. I think the GW wheels need more holes. YMMV.
_________________
- Jim

[The Big Cheese]

I've decided to go with the 16 inch Mefros and a 1.5 lift. Does anyone recommend a tire?

[E1]

BFG KO2... if you want an off-road tire that is great on pavement, too.
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[The Big Cheese]

[elizer]

I have bfg ko2 215/65/16 my speedo is off by around 3-4 mph. Any taller than stock tire will make it be off by a little. But I use GPS to get a more accurate speed.

I will be looking at the nokian wr c3 van line tires for my next go around.

[E1]

With our 14s and 195/75s, if we showed 55 we were maybe doing 52 (as designed).

With the BFGs, when showing 55 we're doing about 56.

(both according to "Your Speed is" signs)
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[joetiger]

Congrats on the new van! I saw that van in person with its previous owners in Baja a few years back. Gorgeous.

_________________
Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present

www.josephtrussell.com

[creative native]

I recently bought the GoWesty 16" black steel wheels and chose the Nitto Crosstek 2 215/70R16 and am very happy with this upgrade. THIS is how a Vanagon should have been from the factory. Admittedly, the larger tires did rob some of the power, but ultimately, I have no regrets, especially considering the improved ride and performance.

[The Big Cheese]

[creative native]

Thank you, The Big Cheese. I opted for the GoWesty 1.5" lift springs. I meant to mention that. I'm very happy with this set up.

[The Big Cheese]

[Marshj]

16” 7 spoke Passat wheels from a 2005 Passat Wagon.

Suspension is stock ‘86 which sits high:

Suspension from center of hub to bottom of fender:
Pass Rear 17”
Drive rear 16.5”
Drive front 16.33”
Pass Front 16.33”

I now have the second set of Michelin Defender 215/65/16 tires on it. I drive 98% paved roads and like these tires. Ok in snow, not great. Excellent in rain and everything else this van usually sees from March-Nov in the northeast

215/65/R16
Michelin Defender T + H 98H 1653 lb loadboth are m+s

[The Big Cheese]

Here we go!