I know this is just slightly off topic, but I wish to talk about TIRES, and how much of a difference the right ones make...
A few weeks ago, when I finally decided it was time to get the 88 Vanagon some new shoes, I decided to try real light truck tires---
I got a set of Yokohama "Super Van" Y371s, 195/75 14, which are the correct tire for the vehicle... 6 ply sidewall, 8 ply tread light truck tires...
After 2 weeks, I have to say I now feel like I have a new vehicle.
The things look tall and skinny compared to the car tires that I (and most folks I see) run, but the difference in ride and HANDLING are enormous... The gas mileage appears significantly better... As they are taller, and run at higher pressure. (No #s yet, the odometer readings are like 10% different due to dia change)
They seem to work great in the rain as well.
The Vanagon also corners virtually flat now, and just feels totally stable--- I was SHOCKED how much of a difference they made.
It even seems to RIDE better, somewhat confusingly, as I am running them at 50 PSI (65 PSI max rated pressure)
Discount Tire, $79 ea + everything was like $320 total with the full meal deal road hazard warranty. Took 4 days to get them.
Just make sure you WATCH them jack your Vanagon, 2 guys tried to use the rear motor crossbar as a jackpoint...
(I managed to stop them...)
Tires on a Vanagon
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Piledriver
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Tires on a Vanagon
Addendum to Newtons first law:
zero vehicles on jackstands, square gets a fresh 090 and 1911, cabby gets a blower.
EZ3.6 Vanagon after that.(mounted, needs everything finished) then Creamsicle.
zero vehicles on jackstands, square gets a fresh 090 and 1911, cabby gets a blower.
EZ3.6 Vanagon after that.(mounted, needs everything finished) then Creamsicle.
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VWGirl
- Posts: 895
- Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2002 12:01 am
dumb question... where ARE you supposed to jack the vanagon? I suppose if I looked I could figure it out... I have driven my Vanagon probably a grand total of 15 miles in the grand total of ONE time I drove it... But i know nothing about it, so where are the proper jack points (whether I jack it up in the correct spot of not, atleast I will know!)
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Piledriver
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- Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2002 12:01 am
The factory jack points are obvious (for a factory jack...)
Ther are holes on the sides for it.
If you look underneath, tho, there are nice fat cross beams going across the van in the same places---Jack there assuming you have a floor jack.
It MAY even have the little holes ~17mm, so if you have the "Porsche" lift adapters, they will lock into said holes, so a floor jack cannot slip off. (Can't remember)
The rear motor mount is just a light duty support-- It just ties into the inner fenders, and the results would get ugly., probably bending the heck out of the cross bar and messing up the places where it bolts.
Ther are holes on the sides for it.
If you look underneath, tho, there are nice fat cross beams going across the van in the same places---Jack there assuming you have a floor jack.
It MAY even have the little holes ~17mm, so if you have the "Porsche" lift adapters, they will lock into said holes, so a floor jack cannot slip off. (Can't remember)
The rear motor mount is just a light duty support-- It just ties into the inner fenders, and the results would get ugly., probably bending the heck out of the cross bar and messing up the places where it bolts.
Addendum to Newtons first law:
zero vehicles on jackstands, square gets a fresh 090 and 1911, cabby gets a blower.
EZ3.6 Vanagon after that.(mounted, needs everything finished) then Creamsicle.
zero vehicles on jackstands, square gets a fresh 090 and 1911, cabby gets a blower.
EZ3.6 Vanagon after that.(mounted, needs everything finished) then Creamsicle.