Are T4 wheels a straight fit?

[tforturton]

I've got a Syncro Caravelle with 14" wheels. I had intended to go down the Mefros route to 15" wheels sometime soon, but have been offered a set of 15" steel wheels from a T4. Are they a straight swap? Anyone envisage any problems fitting these to a Syncro? Will probably use 215/75/15 Goodrich tyres with them.

[Synkraut]

They both have 5 x 112, so there is no problem there, but the centre bore on t4 wheels are smaller, so they don't fit on directly. On the other hand, they have a larger offset (between 46 and 55 mm), which means you'll need spacers. This should also solve the centre bore problem.

[tforturton]

Not a straight fit then. Ah well, thought it was a bit too easy...

[syncro up]

I run T4 Steels, can't remember if they needed bored but I dont use spacers, just bolt on, will work fine with 215 tyres

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=77306" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[tforturton]

If I'm reading the threads correctly, then T4 wheels will fit on a Syncro, because the hub centres are smaller than an 'ordinary' T25. Is that right?
But then I get confused over the different offsets, ETS, and all that. Aren't all T4 wheels the same, then?

[Synkraut]

There are three different 15" steel wheels for the T4: the early ones (until '95) had 6J x 15H2 with offset (ET) 44mm, after that, it was 6J x 15H2 with offset (ET) 55mm (part no 7DO 601027 A). VW also had optional wider steel rims: 7J x 15H2, offset 46mm (part no 7DO 601027 B) which are hard to find nowadays. With all T4 steel rims, the hub centres are 57,1mm.

Here' a picture of the 6" and 7" rims (6" - late version, ET55 is the lower one, 7" wheel has slightly oval holes as compared to the round ones of the 6" wide rim)

[syncropaddy]

There are three different 15" steel wheels for the T4: the early ones (until '95) had 6J x 15H2 with offset (ET) 44mm, after that, it was 6J x 15H2 with offset (ET) 55mm (part no 7DO 601027 A). VW also had optional wider steel rims: 7J x 15H2, offset 46mm (part no 7DO 601027 B) which are hard to find nowadays. With all T4 steel rims, the hub centres are 57,1mm.

Questions about T4 wheels anyone ........ ?

[tforturton]

So which ones are best for a T25?

[max and caddy]

The 55 offset I guess as a 25 mm bolt on spacer could be used to produce a Et of 30 and no other mods needed. Expensive way of getting them on but then, if like me, you run ML rims in 16" you need the spacers anyway.

[syncropaddy]

Get a set of Mefros because by the time you have bought long studs, spacers and faffed about getting them fitted you'd be up and running with the Mefros. If you need to fit spacers (on the ET55 wheels you will need to) you will need to fit longer wheel studs and that involves new wheel bearings and seals on the front, no so on the back though.
My advice - for what its worth - is a set of Mercedes W126 steel wheels, 7x15 H2 ET25, cheap as chips, bolt straight on and perfectly strong enough for normal Syncro use. If you want to go extreme laning or behave like a nutter then go Mefro

[max and caddy]

Hmmm...bolt on spacers are available in 22 mm thick steel for a measely £43 a pair, or in ally at 25 mm for a bit more, if you don't want to replace front Bering at £50 a side plus grief it is worth it, rear studs are cheap and easy. As it happens I just "won" a set of t4 rims for nowt...but also want to be able to put my MLs on for long hauls, so jobs a good un.

[Simon Baxter]

The T4 wheel up there with the oval holes tend to be fitted on heavy things, coach built campers and the like, usually in conjunction with heavy duty front brakes.