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Too long we have had list members installing wheels of unknown weight ratings on these vehicles, and according to my research many are using wheels rated at only 590kgs., which comes out to less than the maximum gross weight rating of the vans!
But the ET of 53 should be avoided even if with a given tire it can be demonstrated to fit.
That's because all bearings are set up for a certain ET, and if you go very far away from the factory ET you will see premature bearing failures. The difference between the factory ET30 and this wheel's ET53 is large. Michael Sullivan's research (see his Web site), suggests that if the ET is to stray, it should stray into the 20s, not up into the 30s, 40s, and 50s, and our European T3 experts seem to agree, typically choosing to go into the 20s (e.g., ET25) when they do stray from ET30.
As Tim Smith dryly stated this morning, without further comment: "ET-53? 35 maybe? tim".
So start thinking about a very large spacer to go with this wheel, as David Marshall suggested.
The spacer will have the added benefit of allowing a larger range of chains to fit on the vehicle that would otherwise fit without spacers.
Also, it would be good to know the weight of the wheel plus the weight of the spacer to compare with other wheel choices. Ideally, the combination would come in around 21 to 23lbs or less, which is the weight class of competing wheels (reference http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/9209).
Another issue for some users will be the width of this wheel. To me, it sounds a little narrow if it is really only 6". This is 1/2 inch narrower than even the South African 15" Vanagon wheels. The 6" width will not properly fit some large tires such as 245/75/16 should you wish to go that route at some time in the future you would then have to change wheels again.
Also, listmembers will need to know what the cone seat is of the lugnuts on the rim. Do these wheels come with nuts and/or studs or do they have to be purchased separately at extra cost? Listmembers wishing to reuse their old nuts and or studs would need to know the seat style and angle in order to find out if they can reuse their own nuts and studs, or have to have the seats machined as well, at extra cost.
Wasn't there *another* Eurovan wheel available with an ET48 and a width of 6.5"? To my view, that other wheel preserves upside in the migration path to larger tires. But even with that wheel, you are into spacers again. And the cost of those spacers must be factored in as well.
I would drum my fingers on these issues a bit.
END
NEW!!! : Amusing picture of list member Rick Koller at Tom Forhan's holiday party over the weekend demonstrating 245/75/16 on 16x6.5, 5x112,72 center bore, 21lbs, ET30, without its hubcap, test mounted on 2WD: http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/vanagon/images/245on2wdvsstock.jpg
Now THAT's a difference to write home to your mom about.
(Test fit OK except for rear trailing arms and possible fender trimming.)
At 10:26 PM 12/10/2001 -0800, you wrote:
Quick history: '01 & '02 Eurovans come with a 'performance summer'
tire. VW offers these customers a chance to purchase a full set of 16"
steel wheels with 225/60R16 Dunlaps and hubcaps for $150.00 complete.
Several requirements apply.
I have tried several times to order a set for, er, uh, a customer (yeah,
that's it!), but to no avail. Finally, a customer came in and ordered a
set. After making excuses that they would take 10 days to get (I am
BAD), they arrived this morning, woo hoo! I tried one out on my syncro
this evening, perfect fit! The load rating is 900kg per wheel, more
than enough for us. The rim is 6J16 ET53. Okay, start calculating! I
have taken a bunch of pictures of the rims on and off my syncro. I will
post them tomorrow and post a link.
I made a few notations. I run Passat steel wheels now with 215/75R15LT
Futura Dakotas. The tires are 4,000 miles new. They weigh in at
47lbs. The Eurovan 225/60R16 with rims weigh in at 49lbs. This shows a
significant weight increase once fitted with 7.00R16 or some such tire.
Another thing I noted. The Passat rims have 1.25" clearance between the
rim lip and the rear spring (Steve's springs). The eurovan 16" has 1.5"
clearance. Clearly, no significant difference between the 2.
So far, I see no way to get this special offer for rim and tire
package. However, the rims are available from any VW Dealer (or me).
The P/N is 7D0 601 027 091 and ETKA lists them for mid '01 and newer.
They list for something short of $100 each, and listee price is about
$80. Please note that these rims still need to be center bored to
2.625" to clear the front syncro hubs. I did this to my Passat rims for
$50 for a set of 5.
I will report more when my set shows up next week. I managed to make a
deal with a customer, so she let me purchase her set. If they pan out
and I can locate some good 16" tires, then my Passat rims and tires will
be FS.
Rennie
VolksDragon@...
Los Angeles
Peyton Cramer VW
61 crew cab (911 powered)
86 syncro (shwenked)
01 jetta wolfsburg 1.8T (girl friended)
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