Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all,

I thought my new westy looked a bit odd and high off of the ground! Its a US Vanagon and has 16 inch wheels!

I see that most T25s have only 14 inch wheels?

Are 14 inch the correct ones?

Also I hate the ugly gas tank underneath the body and am thinking of removing it (will only be doing weekend trips)

Are these tanks worth much? and is it fairly easy to remove and replace with a 'normal' cylinder (I have plumbing experience!!!)

Thanks all

16 inch wheels are standard fit on syncro 16s

i would leave the tank, it will devalue the van by removing it.

Bit like you, if theres something I don't like I change it but as long as you do it in a way that allows you to refit it and functioning if re-selling I see no problem!

Dubberduck wrote:Also I hate the ugly gas tank underneath the body and am thinking of removing it (will only be doing weekend trips)

Are these tanks worth much? and is it fairly easy to remove and replace with a 'normal' cylinder (I have plumbing experience!!!)

Thanks all

Nah! The tanks are worthless...
I'll have it though... save you throwing it in the bin.
I can make a little chimenea out of it

I don't think the US spec Vanagon was available with 16" wheels as standard; pretty sure they only got 14" Syncros over there (but could be wrong). I guess someone has just fitted them as a mod, have a search for posts on wheel sizes - there's lots of them.

As far as the underslung gas tank is concerned, it does depend on how original you want to keep your van, but for originality you need to ditch the big wheels too... It's a fair point that removing it might affect it's resale value, but I imagine you're not planning on getting rid of it just yet. Don't get too hung up on it being a Westie, get it sorted how you want it, would be my advice. Your interior pipework at the hob & fridge will be the same as one without an underslung tank, so a hose to that should be ok from a reg on an inboard bottle. You just need to make sure you have the drop out vents in your cupboard and get it lined out as a proper gas locker. It's probably a job best left to the pros from a safety and your insurance company's point of view though; that way any new pipe work can be certificated etc. Local caravan dealer or boat yard will have someone who can advise you correctly.

Try it ouf a couple of times as it is before you do anything and see how you get on with it all, but most of all Enjoy it

Andi

Thanks Guys,

Anyone got any 14 Inch steel wheels???

Andi - are you still coming to cornwall this summer?

I will try and post some pics of 'New van' this weekend!


Regards

Yep, still down for wedding in September, will give you a shout.
PM'd you re wheels..
Andi

I''m sure I've got 4 steelies you can have, they will need cleaning and new tyres though....as always it's getting them that's the problem.
Nottingham.... any good?
Martin

Hi all,

Thanks for the offers of the steels but I managed to sort some locally today - result!

Ill try my best to get some pics on here this weekend...

I need some ideas on colour schemes for the autumn respray!

all the best

Here ya go mate, someone sent me this and it is very informative.

http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/VehicleSpec ... ltwhls.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;