Upgrading alloys...watch outs?

[PhillyWilly]

I got some 19” VW Amarok wheels off eBay for £800 advertised as nearly new and they were in perfect condition. My second choice would have been sportlines but they were more expensive.

I changed the wheels, -30mm springs and had anti roll bars all at the same time. I don’t know exactly what improved the ride so much but MY GOD it improves the ride sooooooo much. And looks better, bonus!

Obviously the ride is a very subjective thing but I don’t think anyone would complain that it’s too harsh. That’s my opinion anyway.

Works for me!

 

[Gazellio]

My 18" VW Wheels...

 

[B J G]

I got some 19” VW Amarok wheels off eBay for £800 advertised as nearly new and they were in perfect condition. My second choice would have been sportlines but they were more expensive.

I changed the wheels, -30mm springs and had anti roll bars all at the same time. I don’t know exactly what improved the ride so much but MY GOD it improves the ride sooooooo much. And looks better, bonus!

Obviously the ride is a very subjective thing but I don’t think anyone would complain that it’s too harsh. That’s my opinion anyway.

Works for me!

I presume that you had to change the tyres as the Amarok has a higher a profile than the Cali.

 

[PhillyWilly]

I presume that you had to change the tyres as the Amarok has a higher a profile than the Cali.

Yes went for 255/45/19 tyres (correctly load rated). These were the closest to the rolling circumference of the standard tyres.

 

[Mervyn kennedy]

Hi all

I have a 4motion DSG Ocean, which I would like to put 18in alloys on, and wanting to understand the watch outs.

I am trying to improve the handling just a little...I know it’s a camper but a little less lurching around the corners would be nice.

I understand first of all that you can’t lower the suspension on the 4 motions...is that correct?

Any reason you could not put 18in wheels to replace the current 17s

I am only going to be genuine VW ones on, seems easier to find if you search under transporter...but is there an easy way to check a part number or something to ensure comparability? I know they need to be heavy duty for instance?

Any other watch outs or experiences....I know it will ruin the ride, but to be honest a bit more firmness would be appreciated.

Any advice appreciated

Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi there I have 17 Reg 204 dsg 4 motion and wanted the heave duty anti roll bars from the factory but they wouldent put them on for me as we had too many options already and was over weight .even the awing came in through parts .
Anyway out camper rolled a lot so I got our dealer to order the heavy duty anti roll bars in through parts and they fitted them and this made a huge difference .but I still thought there should be a little more improvement so I got the heavy duty rear springs for the 3.2 ton transporter as our electricity supplier uses the same springs in their transporters and what a difference it has transformed out camper to what I wanted it to be
Good on corners and not sagging in the back and all fitted and supplied by my dealer .and not lowered .wurth every cent .
Hope this helps

 

[Skinnee D]

Stick to the big names and make sure they are load rated.
BBS, Borbet and Autec all offer load rated alloys for the T-range and of course Volkswagen.

I got an 18" Autec powder coated set via an importer. Faultless finish so far (fitted for 2 winters, always kept outside and not frequently cleaned). TUV approved for Cali, and retailed by some German VW dealers apparently. Identical rating and geometry as factory 18" spec.

Just another option.

 

[WelshGas]

Hi there I have 17 Reg 204 dsg 4 motion and wanted the heave duty anti roll bars from the factory but they wouldent put them on for me as we had too many options already and was over weight .even the awing came in through parts .
Anyway out camper rolled a lot so I got our dealer to order the heavy duty anti roll bars in through parts and they fitted them and this made a huge difference .but I still thought there should be a little more improvement so I got the heavy duty rear springs for the 3.2 ton transporter as our electricity supplier uses the same springs in their transporters and what a difference it has transformed out camper to what I wanted it to be
Good on corners and not sagging in the back and all fitted and supplied by my dealer .and not lowered .wurth every cent .
Hope this helps

If it is not apparently sagging in the back now, then it is Nose down.
The Wheel centre to wheel arch height is less at the rear compared to the front by design. Check VW Transporter technical drawings.
The reason being when fully loaded the rear wheels can go up within the wheel arch whereas the front cannot if on full lock so need the additional clearance.

 

[Bellcrew]

If it is not apparently sagging in the back now, then it is Nose down.
The Wheel centre to wheel arch height is less at the rear compared to the front by design. Check VW Transporter technical drawings.
The reason being when fully loaded the rear wheels can go up within the wheel arch whereas the front cannot if on full lock so need the additional clearance.

It`s a double mystery, why does VW fit the limp anti-roll bars and the sky high springs as standard when the handling is apparently transformed and the ride is unchanged if they fit the good stuff?

 

[WelshGas]

It`s a double mystery, why does VW fit the limp anti-roll bars and the sky high springs as standard when the handling is apparently transformed and the ride is unchanged if they fit the good stuff?

Possibly because it is a Commercial Vehicle underneath. Designed to carry maximum payload day in day out .

Having said that I don’t recognise all this “ bad/less than perfect “ road handling that so many talk about on roundabouts, windy roads, motorways etc. It is certainly better than most 4x4s on the road. Maybe not in top speed but certainly on windy roads etc: but then that could be down to some of the numpties that buy the sport 4x4s.

 

[David Bailey]

I think it’s clear for the heavy duty anti roll bars it’s a weight issue...certainly making me hesitate.

Less on clear on the ride height but guess it’s as suggested above.

 

[Ting Tong]

Wheelbase have some very nice (imo) ATS Temperament 18 alloys at under £100 each if you use code VIP25...nearly as cheap as 17 inch steelies.

https://www.wheelbasealloys.com/all...inch/volkswagen/transporter/t5-t6-t28-t30-t32

Might get some for winter tyres: Mrs L won't entertain a set of used steelies for £100 off eBay . 255/45 R18 or 235/50 R18 tyres will fit. The latter are more widely available/cheaper.

 

[David Bailey]

Wheelbase have some very nice (imo) ATS Temperament 18 alloys at under £100 each if you use code VIP25...nearly as cheap as 17 inch steelies.

https://www.wheelbasealloys.com/all...inch/volkswagen/transporter/t5-t6-t28-t30-t32

Might get some for winter tyres: Mrs L won't entertain a set of used steelies for £100 off eBay . 255/45 R18 or 235/50 R18 tyres will fit. The latter are more widely available/cheaper.

What do non genuine be parts mean for warranty though, that would be my worry?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ting Tong]

You won’t have any problem: there have been 1000s of T5 & T6 out there with aftermarket alloys: my T5 kombi was one and I had several warranty claims including new sliding windows and door cards (twice) and a missing high level brake light lens. Obviously your wheels won’t be covered and neither would things like my leaking windows if it could be proved beyond doubt that the wheels caused the issue (they didn’t).

The same could be said for tyres once your original ones wear out I suppose.

 

[T3OMF]

Not sure if its been said before or not, but if you are buying aftermarket wheels, please please check the load rating of the Alloy, if its not the high enough the wheel could (very rare) collapse and the insurance will have a field day.

When I put 20"'s on ours they had a load rating of over 850kg which is what you need (well for an Ocean any way, depends on the weight of your van) I took the 20"'s off after a couple of months as they weigh so much I could feel the steering creak when turning, the tyres were 275 wide!! (personal pref that all)

 

[David Bailey]

Thanks that’s helpful. I really do like those alloys and they are a bit of a bargain....can’t find a load rating on them though...

Getting lowered and anti roll bars fitted tomorrow, so will see how the ride is before doing the wheels as well.

Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[T3OMF]

These are the guys I used, they do wheel and tyre packages and they know their stuff

https://www.bristolcamperconversions.co.uk/collections/vw-t6-wheels

 

[Ting Tong]

Not sure if its been said before or not, but if you are buying aftermarket wheels, please please check the load rating of the Alloy, if its not the high enough the wheel could (very rare) collapse and the insurance will have a field day.

When I put 20"'s on ours they had a load rating of over 850kg which is what you need (well for an Ocean any way, depends on the weight of your van) I took the 20"'s off after a couple of months as they weigh so much I could feel the steering creak when turning, the tyres were 275 wide!! (personal pref that all)

Good point and the same goes for tyres too. The Wheelbase configurator filters out underrated wheels for T5 T6: the ones above 8.5x18" 5x120Pcd are 1025kg so good for 4 tons. TUV approved too.

 

[Ting Tong]

Thanks that’s helpful. I really do like those alloys and they are a bit of a bargain....can’t find a load rating on them though...

Rating (1025kg) here:
https://www.wolfrace.com/product/temperament-blizzard-grey-polished/

they are 18 inch and the PCD (hub fitting spec) for T5 T6 is 5x120

I bought some and they are lovely.... got to get some winter tyres now. Don’t forget the discount code VIP25

 

[T3OMF]

I just tried your link and it only give me 16" and 17"............. strange. Im sure if you call them they'll help you out

 

[Ting Tong]

https://www.wheelbasealloys.com/alloy-wheels/volkswagen/transporter/t5-t6-t28-t30-t32/18-inch

 

[larrylamb]

Rating (1025kg) here:
https://www.wolfrace.com/product/temperament-blizzard-grey-polished/

they are 18 inch and the PCD (hub fitting spec) for T5 T6 is 5x120

I bought some and they are lovely.... got to get some winter tyres now. Don’t forget the discount code VIP25

Have you any pics of the wheels fitted to the Cali?

 

[Ting Tong]

Have you any pics of the wheels fitted to the Cali?

No I haven’t bought winter tyres yet but here’s a picture

 

[Gary&Heather]

Wow they are nice alloys nice one

 

[Ting Tong]

Wow they are nice alloys nice one

Fab for £399 but not as nice as your Gen 6: wanna swap?

 

[Gary&Heather]

Fab for £399 but not as nice as your Gen 6: wanna swap?

Sorry my friend but the boss would kill me