Help with safe wheels swap - have kids

All things round and their alignment to your direction of travel

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

Middle29
Registered user
Posts: 231
Joined: 19 Apr 2015, 17:48
80-90 Mem No: 14427
Location: Near Bishops Stortford

Help with safe wheels swap - have kids

Post by Middle29 »

ok I've got no experience when it comes to tires & wheels so need plain speaking. I've done some reading. I have a 3 year old & a new baby & want to make sure I choose a safe option & get confused whenever I look at this. My tyres have been on 5 years & need replacing so makes sense to do any wheel upgrades now.

I have 5 speed box, AAZ with carats on 195/75/r14c, I'm toying with 3 options that I have read about on here:


  • 2. I like slowcoach's setup seen here: http://forum.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.p ... 6&start=30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
    and noticed he got Merc steels from De eBay. I don't really know the difference between Merc steels & mefros - can I get the equivalent from Brickwerks ? Or somewhere else.


Basically I'm hoping someone with more experience could help me make a decision, I want to be sure the setup is safe. As far as I know the advantages of number 2 are cheaper tyres & maybe no AT noise etc - advantages of the other options are ATs look cool & I can order them today - but not sure if 16" is too big without a lift.

I would like to order something ASAP and avoid potential pitfalls i.e rubbing and so on and extra hassle - I haven't time to wait for ebay, powder coating etc etc - in that sense is option 3 the best?? Can I just order the rims, order the tyres & no extra bolts etc?

thoughts & comments much appreciated. :ok
Last edited by Middle29 on 24 Feb 2016, 15:00, edited 2 times in total.
1990 Atlantic Westy Pop-Top... 1.9TD

tforturton
Registered user
Posts: 2178
Joined: 17 Mar 2012, 23:06
80-90 Mem No: 11177
Location: Cardiff

Re: Help with safe wheels swap - have kids

Post by tforturton »

Most sensible option? Stick with 14".
1990 2.1 DJ Syncro Caravelle/Westfalia conversion RHD

User avatar
Winchweight
Registered user
Posts: 1510
Joined: 26 Jul 2013, 17:19
80-90 Mem No: 12697
Location: Shrewsbury / Brize Norton

Re: Help with safe wheels swap - have kids

Post by Winchweight »

We have the 15 Mefros and the General Grabbers.

Even on our JX they didnt make a discernable difference to performance but transformed the looks.
They are a simple straight swap and have great manners on or off road, in the wet or dry and are relatively quiet.
http://www.thelittleredbus.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

VW 2.1 WBX DJ Syncro Doka - SOLD
VW 1.9 TDi AHU Syncro Camper

Middle29
Registered user
Posts: 231
Joined: 19 Apr 2015, 17:48
80-90 Mem No: 14427
Location: Near Bishops Stortford

Re: Help with safe wheels swap - have kids

Post by Middle29 »

just updated the links -it was a link to your post Winchweight that I meant for option 3.

So were the 15s and ATs a straight bolt on, no removing retaining bolts on drums or changing bolts, stuff like that?
1990 Atlantic Westy Pop-Top... 1.9TD

Middle29
Registered user
Posts: 231
Joined: 19 Apr 2015, 17:48
80-90 Mem No: 14427
Location: Near Bishops Stortford

Re: Help with safe wheels swap - have kids

Post by Middle29 »

tforturton wrote:Most sensible option? Stick with 14".

You would think so but I am running tall tyres so they aren't really as VW designed them I don't think? Maybe I'll be corrected - sensible on the pocket though.
1990 Atlantic Westy Pop-Top... 1.9TD

User avatar
marlinowner
Registered user
Posts: 1530
Joined: 28 Jan 2014, 12:02
80-90 Mem No: 13646
Location: Scottish Borders

Re: Help with safe wheels swap - have kids

Post by marlinowner »

Original sizes were 185/80r14c or 205/70r14xl. Your size of 195/75r14c is between the two in diameter and height ratio so perfectly fine. I'm running 195/80r14c at present which are fine if a little hard riding due to high load rating.
1993 SA VW T25/T3 2.5i Microbus/homebrew camper
1981/1968 Marlin Kitcar TR6 Engine

Middle29
Registered user
Posts: 231
Joined: 19 Apr 2015, 17:48
80-90 Mem No: 14427
Location: Near Bishops Stortford

Re: Help with safe wheels swap - have kids

Post by Middle29 »

Ha! See, that'll teach me...
1990 Atlantic Westy Pop-Top... 1.9TD

User avatar
Winchweight
Registered user
Posts: 1510
Joined: 26 Jul 2013, 17:19
80-90 Mem No: 12697
Location: Shrewsbury / Brize Norton

Re: Help with safe wheels swap - have kids

Post by Winchweight »

It was so long ago I fitted them, but I definitely didn't have to modify anything, or use spacers, longer bolts or anything.

The one thing I think I had to do was remove the disc retaining screw on the front wheel which sits a little proud and is not required as the wheel holds everything tight anyway (someone will correct me if I'm wrong). It was a quick, easy job.

Just make sure you buy the correct wheel bolts for the Mefros with radius seats not tapered. Brickwerks sell them too.
http://www.thelittleredbus.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

VW 2.1 WBX DJ Syncro Doka - SOLD
VW 1.9 TDi AHU Syncro Camper

Middle29
Registered user
Posts: 231
Joined: 19 Apr 2015, 17:48
80-90 Mem No: 14427
Location: Near Bishops Stortford

Re: Help with safe wheels swap - have kids

Post by Middle29 »

well that sounds good - I remember now when reading one of your older posts questioning in my head if it made a difference that you have a syncro & me a 2wd Atlantic - I'm assuming not unless I went up to 16" with big tyres
1990 Atlantic Westy Pop-Top... 1.9TD

User avatar
CovKid
Trader
Posts: 8409
Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 13:19
80-90 Mem No: 3529
Location: Ralph - Coventry (Retired)
Contact:

Re: Help with safe wheels swap - have kids

Post by CovKid »

Merc steel 15" are the simplest way to go and tyres tend to be a lot cheaper in 15" than 14" due to availability. You gain slightly on top speed too.
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.

User avatar
R0B
Moderator
Posts: 18852
Joined: 07 Oct 2005, 17:33
80-90 Mem No: 864
Location: Cheshire

Re: Help with safe wheels swap - have kids

Post by R0B »

Disk retaining screw on the front.?
2.1 LPG/Petrol Auto Caravelle

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"

silverbullet
Trader
Posts: 16311
Joined: 08 Jun 2009, 09:51
80-90 Mem No: 6908
Location: Surrey Syncronaut #156
Contact:

Re: Help with safe wheels swap - have kids

Post by silverbullet »

Syncro detail

User avatar
Winchweight
Registered user
Posts: 1510
Joined: 26 Jul 2013, 17:19
80-90 Mem No: 12697
Location: Shrewsbury / Brize Norton

Re: Help with safe wheels swap - have kids

Post by Winchweight »

R0B wrote:Disk retaining screw on the front.?


As I said, I did it a while ago so memory is a bit foggy... the screw might have been on my T4.. Or maybe in my imagination :roll:
Theres not one on the T3 and the wheeels are straight bolt on... I think.

Or its a Syncro thing as Silverbullet says...
http://www.thelittleredbus.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

VW 2.1 WBX DJ Syncro Doka - SOLD
VW 1.9 TDi AHU Syncro Camper

User avatar
NickBab
Registered user
Posts: 179
Joined: 20 Aug 2014, 12:33
80-90 Mem No: 13949
Location: Near Reading, Berkshire
Contact:

Re: Help with safe wheels swap - have kids

Post by NickBab »

Going back to your original question I think all 3 options would be safe, it's then just a matter of choice. Just go for big brand tyres and avoid remoulds if safety is your no.1 concern.

This is a good site for comparing sizes : https://tiresize.com/comparison/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I had the same debate when first getting my van, ended up going 15" Mefros and 215/75/15 BF Goodrich AT tyres. Seems to be a popular choice.

Go with All Terrain not Mud Terrain tyres if you just want the off road look. I just bought a set of MT's for a trip to Wales and the road noise is massively increased. Great off roading though.

Good luck

Nick
87 Syncro, 73 Bay, 67 Beetle and other non VW stuff

Middle29
Registered user
Posts: 231
Joined: 19 Apr 2015, 17:48
80-90 Mem No: 14427
Location: Near Bishops Stortford

Re: Help with safe wheels swap - have kids

Post by Middle29 »

Well I've got the 15" Mefros in my garage from brickies and the nuts and bolt extensions/adaptors.

I'm assuming once these are fixed with the thread lock I will need to get more if I change my discs? (Discs are lipped)

I like the look of the KO2 bfg's as they are all season and off / on road 50 50 split or something. Cost a lot though so my sensible side is not sure yet, might just get normal tyres.

I'm still not entirely sure if I need to remove retaining bolts on the back wheel or do anything else. Wondering if I should get tyres fitted then wheels swapped (adaptors added) at 1 location or get tyres put on and then add the wheels myself
1990 Atlantic Westy Pop-Top... 1.9TD

Post Reply