Switching to 15 inch steel wheels
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- Rik
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- Location: Alkmaar, The Netherlands
Switching to 15 inch steel wheels
Hey all,
I can imagine you thinking "not again!! Everything about this subject has been written 220 times already!", and I'm sorry for that. However, I have developed a serious case of not being able to see the forest through the trees (I hope that works in English as well). What I mean is: so much has been written that I can't find what I want to know.
My van has the shortest gearbox they made. I also can't find AT tires in 14". So I'm looking to change to 15 inch steelies. I want to keep everything as simple as possible (so no spacers etc).
I figured this out:
I need 15" x 6j rims. Bolt pattern 5x112 (radiused or otherwise i need tapered wheel nuts and stud converters). The offset has to be between 30 and 39 mm and the centre bore at least 66mm.
Apperantly there are some old merc vito wheels that will work, but I cant really find which ones exactly and what adaptations they need. There is also something about old mefro wheels that would fit well? Brickwerks seem to sell well fitting rims with tapered nuts etc, but unfortunately I dont live in the uk so that might be difficult. I was hoping someone could fill in the gap in my knowledge and tell me exactly what rims i need (so i can look for them locally). Thanks!
I can imagine you thinking "not again!! Everything about this subject has been written 220 times already!", and I'm sorry for that. However, I have developed a serious case of not being able to see the forest through the trees (I hope that works in English as well). What I mean is: so much has been written that I can't find what I want to know.
My van has the shortest gearbox they made. I also can't find AT tires in 14". So I'm looking to change to 15 inch steelies. I want to keep everything as simple as possible (so no spacers etc).
I figured this out:
I need 15" x 6j rims. Bolt pattern 5x112 (radiused or otherwise i need tapered wheel nuts and stud converters). The offset has to be between 30 and 39 mm and the centre bore at least 66mm.
Apperantly there are some old merc vito wheels that will work, but I cant really find which ones exactly and what adaptations they need. There is also something about old mefro wheels that would fit well? Brickwerks seem to sell well fitting rims with tapered nuts etc, but unfortunately I dont live in the uk so that might be difficult. I was hoping someone could fill in the gap in my knowledge and tell me exactly what rims i need (so i can look for them locally). Thanks!
1986 tintop called Rutger. 1.6d (CS), 4 spd (ABF). Self-converted to camper in the Netherlands.
- Oren Kipnis
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- Location: Israel / North Wales, Syncronaut #200
Re: Switching to 15 inch steel wheels
The correct MB part number is 6384011501.
You might need to rebore the centres.
You might need to rebore the centres.
1990 ex. German Army Syncro, 3 knob, AFN, M469 fully converted to 16". Camper conversion by URO CAMPER in Seville.
- MarkHughes
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- Location: Mansfield
Re: Switching to 15 inch steel wheels
I bought a set of these.
https://www.autostylewheels.com/#wheel_detail
In case that link fails they are Dotz Dotz Dakar Silver, They are from Germany.
I just swapped the bolts on the front to slightly longer studs and put a set of Brickwerks wheel nuts on. The only downside is the centercaps don't fit, So I made my own or you could buy some or simply run without.
I found this to be a very straightforward way to do things.
Here is how they look currently.

https://www.autostylewheels.com/#wheel_detail
In case that link fails they are Dotz Dotz Dakar Silver, They are from Germany.
I just swapped the bolts on the front to slightly longer studs and put a set of Brickwerks wheel nuts on. The only downside is the centercaps don't fit, So I made my own or you could buy some or simply run without.
I found this to be a very straightforward way to do things.
Here is how they look currently.

1990 VW T3 1900 WBX 5 Speed, 1972 VW T2 Dormobile 1600 Aircooled, 1994 Nissan Skyline R33.
Re: Switching to 15 inch steel wheels
Those Dakar wheels look good - here's another link - https://www.dotz4x4.com/EN/wheels/dakar
They don't list the centre bore, but I'm guessing if you've fitted them then it was fine?
I like the look of the black version as well, but oddly they don't list it as available in 5x112.
Did you need to contact Autostyle to order them in? They don't list a 5x112 option on their website.
They don't list the centre bore, but I'm guessing if you've fitted them then it was fine?
I like the look of the black version as well, but oddly they don't list it as available in 5x112.
Did you need to contact Autostyle to order them in? They don't list a 5x112 option on their website.
1988 Syncro, Subaru EJ25
- MarkHughes
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Re: Switching to 15 inch steel wheels
totorro wrote: ↑29 Jan 2025, 15:12 Those Dakar wheels look good - here's another link - https://www.dotz4x4.com/EN/wheels/dakar
They don't list the centre bore, but I'm guessing if you've fitted them then it was fine?
I like the look of the black version as well, but oddly they don't list it as available in 5x112.
Did you need to contact Autostyle to order them in? They don't list a 5x112 option on their website.
If you want to order from them just give them a call, They are very helpful and will check fitment for you.
In my case they bolted straight on, centerbore was fine, I just needed the longer studs up front as I felt the originals simply didn't have enough thread, Also had to remove the rear drum securing screws. These wheels seem to be slightly thicker around the bolt hole area, However the new nuts are a bit thinner on the radius area so fit better.
I found them by going from the home page and entering my vehicle details etc and they came up, I love the look of them, I was looking for a set of Weller wheels for ages and these look very similar.
It might be my imagination or the new tyres but I feel like the steering is slightly lighter with these wheels, They have a 30mm ET IIRC. So fine for T25 use from what I can tell. It certainly drives very nicely on them, I was concerned about that.
1990 VW T3 1900 WBX 5 Speed, 1972 VW T2 Dormobile 1600 Aircooled, 1994 Nissan Skyline R33.
Re: Switching to 15 inch steel wheels
Yep, might well give them a call. Currently have 15" ET31, so pretty much a direct swap.
1988 Syncro, Subaru EJ25
- Rik
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Re: Switching to 15 inch steel wheels
Oren Kipnis wrote: ↑28 Jan 2025, 19:14 The correct MB part number is 6384011501.
You might need to rebore the centres.
I just had a look at these, they seem to have an et of 60, which seems a bit much?
1986 tintop called Rutger. 1.6d (CS), 4 spd (ABF). Self-converted to camper in the Netherlands.
- Oren Kipnis
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- Posts: 185
- Joined: 07 Sep 2020, 10:45
- 80-90 Mem No: 17352
- Location: Israel / North Wales, Syncronaut #200
Re: Switching to 15 inch steel wheels
I use MB Vito 639 16" steelies, in my case with an offset of 54.
You can try also VW T4 wheels part number 7D0601027A. The gave an offset of 55.
If you don't manage a lower offset, you can go for spacers up to 20 mm. This will require a new set of bolts and studs.
You can try also VW T4 wheels part number 7D0601027A. The gave an offset of 55.
If you don't manage a lower offset, you can go for spacers up to 20 mm. This will require a new set of bolts and studs.
1990 ex. German Army Syncro, 3 knob, AFN, M469 fully converted to 16". Camper conversion by URO CAMPER in Seville.
Re: Switching to 15 inch steel wheels
davidoft1 wrote: ↑28 Jan 2025, 18:21 maxxis do a range in 14
Buy Maxxis Wormdrive AT-980E | Demon Tweeks
You had these fitted to your van for a while didn’t you , what was the road noise like from them ?
cheers Dave
Re: Switching to 15 inch steel wheels
Rik wrote: ↑28 Jan 2025, 17:46 Hi Rik,i have the same problem, what i have found out is a way better buy is from a company that sell trailer wheels, (trailerpluss) is the name i found,,the one ifound is 15 inch 6inch wide and with an ET 30mm, center hole is 67mm and 800kg load capasity, and for the price off 45euros,se if you agree on thoose,, groetjes van norwegenHey all,
I can imagine you thinking "not again!! Everything about this subject has been written 220 times already!", and I'm sorry for that. However, I have developed a serious case of not being able to see the forest through the trees (I hope that works in English as well). What I mean is: so much has been written that I can't find what I want to know.
My van has the shortest gearbox they made. I also can't find AT tires in 14". So I'm looking to change to 15 inch steelies. I want to keep everything as simple as possible (so no spacers etc).
I figured this out:
I need 15" x 6j rims. Bolt pattern 5x112 (radiused or otherwise i need tapered wheel nuts and stud converters). The offset has to be between 30 and 39 mm and the centre bore at least 66mm.
Apperantly there are some old merc vito wheels that will work, but I cant really find which ones exactly and what adaptations they need. There is also something about old mefro wheels that would fit well? Brickwerks seem to sell well fitting rims with tapered nuts etc, but unfortunately I dont live in the uk so that might be difficult. I was hoping someone could fill in the gap in my knowledge and tell me exactly what rims i need (so i can look for them locally). Thanks!
Re: Switching to 15 inch steel wheels
Hi Rik, i have the same problem, what i found was a cheap wheel from a trailer company named trailerpluss,
they have steel wheels with mefro look, 5*112 bolt pattern, 15inch *6inch wide, centerhole 67mm, and ET 30mm
800 kg load capasity,,and for the price att very low 47 € each,
groetjes van norwegen,
they have steel wheels with mefro look, 5*112 bolt pattern, 15inch *6inch wide, centerhole 67mm, and ET 30mm
800 kg load capasity,,and for the price att very low 47 € each,

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Re: Switching to 15 inch steel wheels
https://www.trailerplus.eu/product/whee ... steel-grey
These do look much better than the chinese 15" steels that were doing the rounds.
These do look much better than the chinese 15" steels that were doing the rounds.
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Re: Switching to 15 inch steel wheels
MarkHughes wrote: ↑29 Jan 2025, 09:18 I bought a set of these.
https://www.autostylewheels.com/#wheel_detail
In case that link fails they are Dotz Dotz Dakar Silver, They are from Germany.
I just swapped the bolts on the front to slightly longer studs and put a set of Brickwerks wheel nuts on. The only downside is the centercaps don't fit, So I made my own or you could buy some or simply run without.
I found this to be a very straightforward way to do things.
Here is how they look currently.
Your bus looks proper fly

1983 1.9TDi Westfalia Vanagon, 5 Speed (AAP) - Now Tax & MOT exempt 

- slowcoach
- Registered user
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Re: Switching to 15 inch steel wheels
If you search on here for a thread called Mercedes Steels or something like that, you'll find some part numbers etc. plenty available used 
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1984 TRAKKA Conversion Subaru EJ20 5 Speed
1984 TRAKKA Conversion Subaru EJ20 5 Speed