----- Original Message -----From: plander@optusnet.com.auSent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 7:43 AMSubject: Re: Re: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] re: Fit a 215 75 R15 wheel underneath ... mod partThere are instructions on the internet somewhere. Probably a US site. Start with Derek Drew's site.
Phill
> Mark Kofahl <markkofahl@gmail. com> wrote:
>
> Phil - can you advise or indeed recommend someone in Sydney who would
> properly modify the clamshell to comfortably fit the BFG 275/75/15
> (inflated) ? This would be helpful for our forthcoming Christmas trip.
>
> Thanks
> Mark.
>
> On Tue, Oct 28, 2008 at 7:26 AM, <plander@optusnet. com.au> wrote:
>
> > > Does one think it would be possible to modify the existing
> clamshell
> > to
> > > fit
> > > the 215/75/15 ?
> >
> > It has been done.
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > Not having examined it closely, however, would the Van Cafe model
> below
> > > deal
> > > with the steering column issues as well?
> >
> > It may not fit a RHD.
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Mark Kofahl
> Solutions Outsourced Pty Ltd
> Main: 1300 33 1000
> Direct: 02 9375 2747
> Mobile: 0419 275 259
> Skype: markkofahl
>
> www.solutionsoutsou rced.com. au
> www.siteflex. com.au
>
> 16 View Street, Camden, NSW, 2570
> PO Box 658, Camden, NSW, 2570
>
>
>
>
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> Solutions Outsourced Pty Ltd.
Mark,
The word clamshell refers to a wheel carrier that
indeed looks like a clamshell. It is pressed out of a sheet of steel, has
no reinforcement and hinges the same as the Syncro wheel carrier. The
Syncro wheel carrier was, as far as I know, fitted to all Australian delivered
Syncros. This is constructed from heavy steel square tube.
Give me a couple of days and I will get back to you
on what is needed to modify it for the 215/75/15 tyre. I am running that
size but I am carrying a 14" as a spare until I can modify the carrier. I
have a decoupler, so I can run one 14" wheel if needed.
Les
Should have further explained that the pressed
metal clamshell carrier was fitted to all US Vanagons, both 2WD and
Syncro.
Les
----- Original Message -----From: Les HarrisSent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 8:28 AMSubject: Re: Re: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] re: Fit a 215 75 R15 wheel underneath ... mod part
Mark,The word clamshell refers to a wheel carrier that indeed looks like a clamshell. It is pressed out of a sheet of steel, has no reinforcement and hinges the same as the Syncro wheel carrier. The Syncro wheel carrier was, as far as I know, fitted to all Australian delivered Syncros. This is constructed from heavy steel square tube.Give me a couple of days and I will get back to you on what is needed to modify it for the 215/75/15 tyre. I am running that size but I am carrying a 14" as a spare until I can modify the carrier. I have a decoupler, so I can run one 14" wheel if needed.Les
Hi all. Acouple of possible solutions to modifying both the
clambshell and the heavy duty wheel carrier to accept a 215 /75/15
spare. Firstly the tin pressed clamshell. Cut your clamshell into
four equal peaces of pie and weld in a 30mm wide cross full length
and width to rejoin. Now with syncro on hoist place your 15inch wheel
combo into position supported by lengths of timber whatever. If you
wriggle it around it will fit snug as bug. Now you will need to
slightly adjust and refit the hinges and latch. [ WELD } This works
well on my van with minimal if any loss of clearance. See photos.
--- I've also modified the heavy duty carrier for my telstra van with
reasonable suxcess ABOUT 2 INCHES loss of clearance on the
approach. Again you will need access to a hoist to make the job
much easier. Remove the carrier from vehicle and grind off front
catch plate. if you are carefull you can cut existing welds with no
damage to carrier. Now with wheel in carrier support in position
with lengths of wood whotever. The hinges will now need to be
relocated on on the chassis to line up and re weld the front catch to
line up. This next step is important. You must weld four spacers on
each corner of the carrier between the carrier and the chassis. This
will allow the chassis to take the effects of bottoming out and not
drive your tyre up into all that delicate steering gear water pipes
etc. I"ve got photos of both these mods. Will post in photo
section. Bill
clambshell and the heavy duty wheel carrier to accept a 215 /75/15
spare. Firstly the tin pressed clamshell. Cut your clamshell into
four equal peaces of pie and weld in a 30mm wide cross full length
and width to rejoin. Now with syncro on hoist place your 15inch wheel
combo into position supported by lengths of timber whatever. If you
wriggle it around it will fit snug as bug. Now you will need to
slightly adjust and refit the hinges and latch. [ WELD } This works
well on my van with minimal if any loss of clearance. See photos.
--- I've also modified the heavy duty carrier for my telstra van with
reasonable suxcess ABOUT 2 INCHES loss of clearance on the
approach. Again you will need access to a hoist to make the job
much easier. Remove the carrier from vehicle and grind off front
catch plate. if you are carefull you can cut existing welds with no
damage to carrier. Now with wheel in carrier support in position
with lengths of wood whotever. The hinges will now need to be
relocated on on the chassis to line up and re weld the front catch to
line up. This next step is important. You must weld four spacers on
each corner of the carrier between the carrier and the chassis. This
will allow the chassis to take the effects of bottoming out and not
drive your tyre up into all that delicate steering gear water pipes
etc. I"ve got photos of both these mods. Will post in photo
section. Bill
Thanks Bill - will look at your photos online
Regards
Mark.
Regards
Mark.
On Wed, Oct 29, 2008 at 9:00 AM, muddy3267 <marg_bill@westnet.com.au> wrote:
Hi all. Acouple of possible solutions to modifying both the
clambshell and the heavy duty wheel carrier to accept a 215 /75/15
spare. Firstly the tin pressed clamshell. Cut your clamshell into
four equal peaces of pie and weld in a 30mm wide cross full length
and width to rejoin. Now with syncro on hoist place your 15inch wheel
combo into position supported by lengths of timber whatever. If you
wriggle it around it will fit snug as bug. Now you will need to
slightly adjust and refit the hinges and latch. [ WELD } This works
well on my van with minimal if any loss of clearance. See photos.
--- I've also modified the heavy duty carrier for my telstra van with
reasonable suxcess ABOUT 2 INCHES loss of clearance on the
approach. Again you will need access to a hoist to make the job
much easier. Remove the carrier from vehicle and grind off front
catch plate. if you are carefull you can cut existing welds with no
damage to carrier. Now with wheel in carrier support in position
with lengths of wood whotever. The hinges will now need to be
relocated on on the chassis to line up and re weld the front catch to
line up. This next step is important. You must weld four spacers on
each corner of the carrier between the carrier and the chassis. This
will allow the chassis to take the effects of bottoming out and not
drive your tyre up into all that delicate steering gear water pipes
etc. I"ve got photos of both these mods. Will post in photo
section. Bill
--
Mark Kofahl
Solutions Outsourced Pty Ltd
Main: 1300 33 1000
Direct: 02 9375 2747
Mobile: 0419 275 259
Skype: markkofahl
www.solutionsoutsourced.com.au
www.siteflex.com.au
16 View Street, Camden, NSW, 2570
PO Box 658, Camden, NSW, 2570
=======================================
This e-mail, including all attachments, may be confidential or privileged. Confidentiality or privilege is not waived or lost because this email has been sent to you in error. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received it in error please notify the sender immediately by reply email and destroy all copies of this email and any attachments. All liability for direct and indirect loss arising from this email and any attachments is hereby disclaimed to the extent permitted by law. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Solutions Outsourced Pty Ltd.
Hi again. Photos of wheel carrier ended up in DIGIFANT REWIRE album.
Sorry about that. Bill
Sorry about that. Bill
Hi Mark and all,
Here is a copy of some instructions I received several years ago from Seth Hatfield, a US
syncro member. I hope he doesnt mind me passing them on. I haven't tried them yet but
will probably give it a go these summer holidays.
They read:
"Here's the short story;
Remove the pan and the tire hold down things. Throw away the hold down pieces. Take a
sawzall and cut off the pivot points for the tray. Flip them upside down and re-weld them
to the van, even with the bottom of the sub-frame. Looking straight at the front of the
sub-frame there are 2 holes each a couple of inches to the inside of the pivot points. Cut
a straight line between the 2 holes. Now cut another curved line that goes between the
two holes and curves up about a 1/2" in the middle. Get large ball peen hammer and
hammer down the upper portion of the sub-frame in the middle were the lower rear
portion of the tire will sit. Now the 2 cuts you made will line up and you can re weld the
sub-frame between the holes. The critical part of fitting a larger tire is the steering
column. Pay attention to this when installing the tire. Now cut the portion of the tray off
on a straigt line just behind the where the pivots are. You will need a couple nuts and
bolts to re-secure the tray. Use nylock nuts to prevent them from coming apart. Shim the
front mount down about 3/4" or cut and weld in a extension. Not to difficult if you have
the tools.
Seth Hatfield H&R Motors."
Hope these help together with the other instructions you have received,
Nick Bellgrove.
Here is a copy of some instructions I received several years ago from Seth Hatfield, a US
syncro member. I hope he doesnt mind me passing them on. I haven't tried them yet but
will probably give it a go these summer holidays.
They read:
"Here's the short story;
Remove the pan and the tire hold down things. Throw away the hold down pieces. Take a
sawzall and cut off the pivot points for the tray. Flip them upside down and re-weld them
to the van, even with the bottom of the sub-frame. Looking straight at the front of the
sub-frame there are 2 holes each a couple of inches to the inside of the pivot points. Cut
a straight line between the 2 holes. Now cut another curved line that goes between the
two holes and curves up about a 1/2" in the middle. Get large ball peen hammer and
hammer down the upper portion of the sub-frame in the middle were the lower rear
portion of the tire will sit. Now the 2 cuts you made will line up and you can re weld the
sub-frame between the holes. The critical part of fitting a larger tire is the steering
column. Pay attention to this when installing the tire. Now cut the portion of the tray off
on a straigt line just behind the where the pivots are. You will need a couple nuts and
bolts to re-secure the tray. Use nylock nuts to prevent them from coming apart. Shim the
front mount down about 3/4" or cut and weld in a extension. Not to difficult if you have
the tools.
Seth Hatfield H&R Motors."
Hope these help together with the other instructions you have received,
Nick Bellgrove.
On Tue, Oct 28, 2008 at 3:32 PM, muddy3267 <marg_bill@westnet.com.au> wrote:
Hi again. Photos of wheel carrier ended up in DIGIFANT REWIRE album.
Sorry about that. Bill
Bill,Once you sign in to the Group page, one of things that pop-up is "New Photos". That will take themdirect instead of looking in directories.Anyway, if you can weld something so complicated as a cross patch on the old pan, making a carriersimilar to the one Van Cafe sells should be a piece of cake. Basically it's two short lengths of tubingwelded to a rod shaped in U or V shape with legs (the vertical portion). Then you weld a tab on one tipof the U or V with a hole for the retaining bolt. That's pretty much all there is to it. This design was beingfreely shared shared on the worldwide Syncro List for a long time before Van Cafe started selling themcommercially.This kind of make me glad my Doublecab carries it's spare under the back seat.BenT(this is NOT van cafe)
Thanks Ben. Have reposted in 'new album' Regards Bill