FW: [Syncro_T3_Australia] tyres

1
Roger,
The decision to store my inflated BFG 215 75 R15 spare wheel underneath was an easy one, especially as it helps the front/rear load balance and I do value the easier access through the rear hatch.
Cheers.
Ken







-----Original Message-----
From: <Gullyraker@aol.com>
Sent: Saturday, 3 July 2010 6:23 PM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] tyres



[The entire original message is not included]
2
Hi Ken
             I agree about the inconvenience of rear tyre carriers, and value the extra safety of carrying the spare underneath where the designer intended. Not only does it help with weight distribution and low centre of gravity, but it probably contributes to crash safety as well.

  I am pleased to hear that it's possible to fit a 215/75R15 BFG in the spare wheel carrier - I have read elsewhere that this is not possible. Did you have to take to the chassis with an angle grinder?

  Wot a pity we can't mount our spare wheels on the bull-bar like the old Kombi's, they were great for push-starting other cars, opening gates, and shunting dawdlers out of the way. Their value in venting road rage on hapless citizens was beyond value - provided you could catch them.

  The only thing that I miss more than that was the bent 6mm bar that supported the side mirrors on the old split-screen kombi's. If you adjusted it correctly the bar protruded just enough to part the hair of a pedestrian without penetrating the cranium. It was great sport on pedestrian crossings, and saved wear and tear on the brakes.

  I can remember actually looking forward to driving through the city in those balmy days of my youth.

Only last week I was stopped in the mall by one of my pedestrian playmates who thanked me profusely. He calculated that I had added hours of quality time to his life over the last 40 years by saving him 10 seconds each morning parting his hair. The scar was as straight as the course of a bullet. Every Anzac Day complete strangers bought him drinks.

  I'm thinking of reliving those glory days by mounting a discreet remote-controlled slingshot behind the front grille. Or do you think that this would be an insensitive thing to do - considering that I might have to drill holes in a classic vehicle to attach it?

Cheers, Roger.

3
Gday Roger,
 
Who's the mental giant who said the 15" BFG won't fit under?  Maybe I better get a job at mythbusters.
 
You would probably be aware the 2 main for/aft structural beams are already clearance shaped (curve grind) to make room for the spare wheel. Seems VW had no issues doing that, I simply ground out that shaping some more. It's a pretty trivial amount, even blind freddy can see it would make zero difference structurally to those beams. Look in the photo files section of the forum for Photo Albums > Fit a 15" BFG A/T wheel underneath , a couple of pics there will show you my finished and re-painted grinds.
 
All I can say is give it a try, that's all I did. I was simply curious enough to want to find out for myself yeah or nay. Obviously it is a tighter fit so you just need to evaluate the mods involved to achieve it, a case of suck it and see. For me, getting rid of the rear wheel carrrier was akin to winning the lottery.
 
It's appropriate to caution that this mod only applies to the usual BFG 215 75 R15 tyre. For any other tyre, you would need to do your own evaluation as tyre dimensions between different manufacturers and tyre models do vary.
 
Cheers.
 
Ken
 
 
 
     
 
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: Gullyraker@aol.com
Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2010 03:45:54 -0400
Subject: Re: FW: [Syncro_T3_Australia] tyres

 
Hi Ken
             I agree about the inconvenience of rear tyre carriers, and value the extra safety of carrying the spare underneath where the designer intended. Not only does it help with weight distribution and low centre of gravity, but it probably contributes to crash safety as well.

  I am pleased to hear that it's possible to fit a 215/75R15 BFG in the spare wheel carrier - I have read elsewhere that this is not possible. Did you have to take to the chassis with an angle grinder?

  Wot a pity we can't mount our spare wheels on the bull-bar like the old Kombi's, they were great for push-starting other cars, opening gates, and shunting dawdlers out of the way. Their value in venting road rage on hapless citizens was beyond value - provided you could catch them.

  The only thing that I miss more than that was the bent 6mm bar that supported the side mirrors on the old split-screen kombi's. If you adjusted it correctly the bar protruded just enough to part the hair of a pedestrian without penetrating the cranium. It was great sport on pedestrian crossings, and saved wear and tear on the brakes.

  I can remember actually looking forward to driving through the city in those balmy days of my youth.

Only last week I was stopped in the mall by one of my pedestrian playmates who thanked me profusely. He calculated that I had added hours of quality time to his life over the last 40 years by saving him 10 seconds each morning parting his hair. The scar was as straight as the course of a bullet. Every Anzac Day complete strangers bought him drinks.

  I'm thinking of reliving those glory days by mounting a discreet remote-controlled slingshot behind the front grille. Or do you think that this would be an insensitive thing to do - considering that I might have to drill holes in a classic vehicle to attach it?

Cheers, Roger.



Find it on Domain.com.au Need a new place to live?
4
fun reading.
about how big a spare tire will fit under the front ..ooops ..'tyre.'
 
width is one factor of course..and you can make a custom tyre holder, or lower a stock one..
and that the real limit is .............is diamter.
At some point a large diameter spare tyre rubs on the steering shaft.
At least on left hand drive models..
I would think yours would have the same issue, but on the right side of the van, rather than left like we do.
 
you can build a nice heavy duty front bumper with spare tire mount on top of it..
I like that ..'for opening gates' ....great reason to have the spare on the nose !
 
as for pedestrian assult with side mirror parts ..
modern cars are now designed shape-wise not only for aerodynamcis, and crash safety ..
now there are standards about reducing pedestrial injury when a car hits one.
 
is there some reason or law you can't put a spare on the nose of your Syncro's ?
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, July 05, 2010 12:45 AM
Subject: Re: FW: [Syncro_T3_Australia] tyres

 

Hi Ken
             I agree about the inconvenience of rear tyre carriers, and value the extra safety of carrying the spare underneath where the designer intended. Not only does it help with weight distribution and low centre of gravity, but it probably contributes to crash safety as well.

  I am pleased to hear that it's possible to fit a 215/75R15 BFG in the spare wheel carrier - I have read elsewhere that this is not possible. Did you have to take to the chassis with an angle grinder?

  Wot a pity we can't mount our spare wheels on the bull-bar like the old Kombi's, they were great for push-starting other cars, opening gates, and shunting dawdlers out of the way. Their value in venting road rage on hapless citizens was beyond value - provided you could catch them.

  The only thing that I miss more than that was the bent 6mm bar that supported the side mirrors on the old split-screen kombi's. If you adjusted it correctly the bar protruded just enough to part the hair of a pedestrian without penetrating the cranium. It was great sport on pedestrian crossings, and saved wear and tear on the brakes.

  I can remember actually looking forward to driving through the city in those balmy days of my youth.

Only last week I was stopped in the mall by one of my pedestrian playmates who thanked me profusely. He calculated that I had added hours of quality time to his life over the last 40 years by saving him 10 seconds each morning parting his hair. The scar was as straight as the course of a bullet. Every Anzac Day complete strangers bought him drinks.

  I'm thinking of reliving those glory days by mounting a discreet remote-controlled slingshot behind the front grille. Or do you think that this would be an insensitive thing to do - considering that I might have to drill holes in a classic vehicle to attach it?

Cheers, Roger.

5
Has anyone thought of putting their spare inside the back like the original?
This is not really suitable for campers, but remember having the spare under the front was an optional extra. M478

Phill



> Scott Daniel - Turbovans <ScottDaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
>
> fun reading.
> about how big a spare tire will fit under the front ..ooops ..'tyre.'
>
> width is one factor of course..and you can make a custom tyre holder, or
> lower a stock one..
> and that the real limit is .............is diamter.
> At some point a large diameter spare tyre rubs on the steering shaft.
> At least on left hand drive models..
> I would think yours would have the same issue, but on the right side of
> the van, rather than left like we do.
>
> you can build a nice heavy duty front bumper with spare tire mount on
> top of it..
> I like that ..'for opening gates' ....great reason to have the spare on
> the nose !
>
> as for pedestrian assult with side mirror parts ..
> modern cars are now designed shape-wise not only for aerodynamcis, and
> crash safety ..
> now there are standards about reducing pedestrial injury when a car hits
> one.
>
> is there some reason or law you can't put a spare on the nose of your
> Syncro's ?
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Gullyraker@aol.com
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Monday, July 05, 2010 12:45 AM
> Subject: Re: FW: [Syncro_T3_Australia] tyres
>
>
>
> Hi Ken
> I agree about the inconvenience of rear tyre carriers,
> and value the extra safety of carrying the spare underneath where the
> designer intended. Not only does it help with weight distribution and
> low centre of gravity, but it probably contributes to crash safety as
> well.
>
> I am pleased to hear that it's possible to fit a 215/75R15 BFG in
> the spare wheel carrier - I have read elsewhere that this is not
> possible. Did you have to take to the chassis with an angle grinder?
>
> Wot a pity we can't mount our spare wheels on the bull-bar like the
> old Kombi's, they were great for push-starting other cars, opening
> gates, and shunting dawdlers out of the way. Their value in venting road
> rage on hapless citizens was beyond value - provided you could catch
> them.
>
> The only thing that I miss more than that was the bent 6mm bar that
> supported the side mirrors on the old split-screen kombi's. If you
> adjusted it correctly the bar protruded just enough to part the hair of
> a pedestrian without penetrating the cranium. It was great sport on
> pedestrian crossings, and saved wear and tear on the brakes.
>
> I can remember actually looking forward to driving through the city
> in those balmy days of my youth.
>
> Only last week I was stopped in the mall by one of my pedestrian
> playmates who thanked me profusely. He calculated that I had added hours
> of quality time to his life over the last 40 years by saving him 10
> seconds each morning parting his hair. The scar was as straight as the
> course of a bullet. Every Anzac Day complete strangers bought him
> drinks.
>
> I'm thinking of reliving those glory days by mounting a discreet
> remote-controlled slingshot behind the front grille. Or do you think
> that this would be an insensitive thing to do - considering that I might
> have to drill holes in a classic vehicle to attach it?
>
> Cheers, Roger.
>
>
>
>
6
Scott,
Never ever believe you guys on the wrong side of the planet don't amuse us ok .. haha
 
re: "about how big a spare tire (erm ... tyre) will fit under the front". As I said previously, well suck it and see. There's no magic bullet on this. Given the past edict of a mental giant that it can't be done, then this issue has remained dormant and unchartered. All I know is I have a BFG 215 75 R15 under, sitting on an unmodified wheel holder/skidplate. Meaning my entry clearance remains stock. So why would I want to consider major mods the like of which you suggest?
 
re: "At some point a large diameter spare tyre rubs on the steering shaft". Yep, the wider the tyre, the harder it rubs. The steering shaft clearly is THE limiting determinent to tyre width in a stock standard wheel holder. But do you know where exactly and how much interference on the tyre does the shaft rub? Now in my case, if it rubs to the degree that after real life testing, (and I don't have power steering so rubbing would be far more noticeable) I determined that it doesn't pose as a problem, neither to the tyre nor the steering action. You seem to be contending this issue is a problem, do you still think so should I?
 
I did the mod nearly 2 years ago. Heh I'll keep you posted on how I'm doing ok haha. Enjoy your rear tyre carrier.
Cheers.
Ken
 
 
 

 
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: ScottDaniel@turbovans.com
Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2010 15:56:03 -0700
Subject: Re: FW: [Syncro_T3_Australia] tyres

 
fun reading.
about how big a spare tire will fit under the front ..ooops ..'tyre.'
 
width is one factor of course..and you can make a custom tyre holder, or lower a stock one..
and that the real limit is ............ .is diamter.
At some point a large diameter spare tyre rubs on the steering shaft.
At least on left hand drive models..
I would think yours would have the same issue, but on the right side of the van, rather than left like we do.
 
you can build a nice heavy duty front bumper with spare tire mount on top of it..
I like that ..'for opening gates' ....great reason to have the spare on the nose !
 
as for pedestrian assult with side mirror parts ..
modern cars are now designed shape-wise not only for aerodynamcis, and crash safety ..
now there are standards about reducing pedestrial injury when a car hits one.
 
is there some reason or law you can't put a spare on the nose of your Syncro's ?
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, July 05, 2010 12:45 AM
Subject: Re: FW: [Syncro_T3_Australi a] tyres

 
Hi Ken
             I agree about the inconvenience of rear tyre carriers, and value the extra safety of carrying the spare underneath where the designer intended. Not only does it help with weight distribution and low centre of gravity, but it probably contributes to crash safety as well.

  I am pleased to hear that it's possible to fit a 215/75R15 BFG in the spare wheel carrier - I have read elsewhere that this is not possible. Did you have to take to the chassis with an angle grinder?

  Wot a pity we can't mount our spare wheels on the bull-bar like the old Kombi's, they were great for push-starting other cars, opening gates, and shunting dawdlers out of the way. Their value in venting road rage on hapless citizens was beyond value - provided you could catch them.

  The only thing that I miss more than that was the bent 6mm bar that supported the side mirrors on the old split-screen kombi's. If you adjusted it correctly the bar protruded just enough to part the hair of a pedestrian without penetrating the cranium. It was great sport on pedestrian crossings, and saved wear and tear on the brakes.

  I can remember actually looking forward to driving through the city in those balmy days of my youth.

Only last week I was stopped in the mall by one of my pedestrian playmates who thanked me profusely. He calculated that I had added hours of quality time to his life over the last 40 years by saving him 10 seconds each morning parting his hair. The scar was as straight as the course of a bullet. Every Anzac Day complete strangers bought him drinks.

  I'm thinking of reliving those glory days by mounting a discreet remote-controlled slingshot behind the front grille. Or do you think that this would be an insensitive thing to do - considering that I might have to drill holes in a classic vehicle to attach it?

Cheers, Roger.





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7
I have a 15 inch road tyre,the same diameter as my 16 inch wheel/tyre under the front,with no modification.
Phill,I will get one of those BFGs of yours when you are done,if OK.
I will see you on Thursday probably.

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Ken Garratt <unclekenz@...> wrote:
>
>
> Scott,
> Never ever believe you guys on the wrong side of the planet don't amuse us ok .. haha
>
> re: "about how big a spare tire (erm ... tyre) will fit under the front". As I said previously, well suck it and see. There's no magic bullet on this. Given the past edict of a mental giant that it can't be done, then this issue has remained dormant and unchartered. All I know is I have a BFG 215 75 R15 under, sitting on an unmodified wheel holder/skidplate. Meaning my entry clearance remains stock. So why would I want to consider major mods the like of which you suggest?
>
> re: "At some point a large diameter spare tyre rubs on the steering shaft". Yep, the wider the tyre, the harder it rubs. The steering shaft clearly is THE limiting determinent to tyre width in a stock standard wheel holder. But do you know where exactly and how much interference on the tyre does the shaft rub? Now in my case, if it rubs to the degree that after real life testing, (and I don't have power steering so rubbing would be far more noticeable) I determined that it doesn't pose as a problem, neither to the tyre nor the steering action. You seem to be contending this issue is a problem, do you still think so should I?
>
> I did the mod nearly 2 years ago. Heh I'll keep you posted on how I'm doing ok haha. Enjoy your rear tyre carrier.
> Cheers.
> Ken
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> From: ScottDaniel@...
> Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2010 15:56:03 -0700
> Subject: Re: FW: [Syncro_T3_Australia] tyres
>
>
>
>
>
> fun reading.
> about how big a spare tire will fit under the front ..ooops ..'tyre.'
>
> width is one factor of course..and you can make a custom tyre holder, or lower a stock one..
> and that the real limit is .............is diamter.
> At some point a large diameter spare tyre rubs on the steering shaft.
> At least on left hand drive models..
> I would think yours would have the same issue, but on the right side of the van, rather than left like we do.
>
> you can build a nice heavy duty front bumper with spare tire mount on top of it..
> I like that ..'for opening gates' ....great reason to have the spare on the nose !
>
> as for pedestrian assult with side mirror parts ..
> modern cars are now designed shape-wise not only for aerodynamcis, and crash safety ..
> now there are standards about reducing pedestrial injury when a car hits one.
>
> is there some reason or law you can't put a spare on the nose of your Syncro's ?
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Gullyraker@...
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Monday, July 05, 2010 12:45 AM
> Subject: Re: FW: [Syncro_T3_Australia] tyres
>
>
>
> Hi Ken
> I agree about the inconvenience of rear tyre carriers, and value the extra safety of carrying the spare underneath where the designer intended. Not only does it help with weight distribution and low centre of gravity, but it probably contributes to crash safety as well.
>
> I am pleased to hear that it's possible to fit a 215/75R15 BFG in the spare wheel carrier - I have read elsewhere that this is not possible. Did you have to take to the chassis with an angle grinder?
>
> Wot a pity we can't mount our spare wheels on the bull-bar like the old Kombi's, they were great for push-starting other cars, opening gates, and shunting dawdlers out of the way. Their value in venting road rage on hapless citizens was beyond value - provided you could catch them.
>
> The only thing that I miss more than that was the bent 6mm bar that supported the side mirrors on the old split-screen kombi's. If you adjusted it correctly the bar protruded just enough to part the hair of a pedestrian without penetrating the cranium. It was great sport on pedestrian crossings, and saved wear and tear on the brakes.
>
> I can remember actually looking forward to driving through the city in those balmy days of my youth.
>
> Only last week I was stopped in the mall by one of my pedestrian playmates who thanked me profusely. He calculated that I had added hours of quality time to his life over the last 40 years by saving him 10 seconds each morning parting his hair. The scar was as straight as the course of a bullet. Every Anzac Day complete strangers bought him drinks.
>
> I'm thinking of reliving those glory days by mounting a discreet remote-controlled slingshot behind the front grille. Or do you think that this would be an insensitive thing to do - considering that I might have to drill holes in a classic vehicle to attach it?
>
> Cheers, Roger.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> View photos of singles in your area! Looking for a hot date?
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>
8
Ken
Can you tell me what your wheel size is for your BFG A/T . I'll be buggered if I can see how my 6 1/2"J x 15 H2 fit in without having to modify the skid pan.
 
 
Regards

Michael


From: Ken Garratt <unclekenz@hotmail.com>
To: Syncro _T3_Australia forum <syncro_t3_australia@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Mon, 5 July, 2010 7:53:18 PM
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] tyres

 

Gday Roger,
 
Who's the mental giant who said the 15" BFG won't fit under?  Maybe I better get a job at mythbusters.
 
You would probably be aware the 2 main for/aft structural beams are already clearance shaped (curve grind) to make room for the spare wheel. Seems VW had no issues doing that, I simply ground out that shaping some more. It's a pretty trivial amount, even blind freddy can see it would make zero difference structurally to those beams. Look in the photo files section of the forum for Photo Albums > Fit a 15" BFG A/T wheel underneath , a couple of pics there will show you my finished and re-painted grinds.
 
All I can say is give it a try, that's all I did. I was simply curious enough to want to find out for myself yeah or nay. Obviously it is a tighter fit so you just need to evaluate the mods involved to achieve it, a case of suck it and see. For me, getting rid of the rear wheel carrrier was akin to winning the lottery.
 
It's appropriate to caution that this mod only applies to the usual BFG 215 75 R15 tyre. For any other tyre, you would need to do your own evaluation as tyre dimensions between different manufacturers and tyre models do vary.
 
Cheers.
 
Ken
 
 
 
     
 

To: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com
From: Gullyraker@aol. com
Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2010 03:45:54 -0400
Subject: Re: FW: [Syncro_T3_Australi a] tyres

 
Hi Ken
             I agree about the inconvenience of rear tyre carriers, and value the extra safety of carrying the spare underneath where the designer intended. Not only does it help with weight distribution and low centre of gravity, but it probably contributes to crash safety as well.

  I am pleased to hear that it's possible to fit a 215/75R15 BFG in the spare wheel carrier - I have read elsewhere that this is not possible. Did you have to take to the chassis with an angle grinder?

  Wot a pity we can't mount our spare wheels on the bull-bar like the old Kombi's, they were great for push-starting other cars, opening gates, and shunting dawdlers out of the way. Their value in venting road rage on hapless citizens was beyond value - provided you could catch them.

  The only thing that I miss more than that was the bent 6mm bar that supported the side mirrors on the old split-screen kombi's. If you adjusted it correctly the bar protruded just enough to part the hair of a pedestrian without penetrating the cranium. It was great sport on pedestrian crossings, and saved wear and tear on the brakes.

  I can remember actually looking forward to driving through the city in those balmy days of my youth.

Only last week I was stopped in the mall by one of my pedestrian playmates who thanked me profusely. He calculated that I had added hours of quality time to his life over the last 40 years by saving him 10 seconds each morning parting his hair. The scar was as straight as the course of a bullet. Every Anzac Day complete strangers bought him drinks.

  I'm thinking of reliving those glory days by mounting a discreet remote-controlled slingshot behind the front grille. Or do you think that this would be an insensitive thing to do - considering that I might have to drill holes in a classic vehicle to attach it?

Cheers, Roger.



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