Basic Advice for a Novice - upgrade wheels

[TheEagle]

Hello. Complete Newbie here. I’ve had a T28 6.1 high line from new and it was converted at Xmas time. Only just getting used to using it.

I would like to replace the factory fitted wheels and tyres to give a better look - but don’t want to compromise much on comfort or change the default set up too much

I’ve tried to read multiple threads on wheels, offsets, springs etc but find it all too much info - for a beginner at least!

I think I might want 18” wheels to look better in the wheel arches. Although it’s mainly for aesthetics, I don’t want to lose comfort for traveling. I’m also personally not into the lowered look - but is that something I need to think about at all?

Any recommendations for a good balance of: better look, comfortable ride and minimal changes to suspension, coils or anything else?

And maybe an obvious question - where can I get the work done? A local specialist? At VW?

I’m based in Liverpool so any recommendations welcome

(Sorry if other threads answer these - couldn’t find what I need in plain English!)

Pic of existing:

 

[Drive Wayne]

Hello. Complete Newbie here. I’ve had a T28 6.1 high line from new and it was converted at Xmas time. Only just getting used to using it.

I would like to replace the factory fitted wheels and tyres to give a better look - but don’t want to compromise much on comfort or change the default set up too much

I’ve tried to read multiple threads on wheels, offsets, springs etc but find it all too much info - for a beginner at least!

I think I might want 18” wheels to look better in the wheel arches. Although it’s mainly for aesthetics, I don’t want to lose comfort for traveling. I’m also personally not into the lowered look - but is that something I need to think about at all?

Any recommendations for a good balance of: better look, comfortable ride and minimal changes to suspension, coils or anything else?

And maybe an obvious question - where can I get the work done? A local specialist? At VW?

I’m based in Liverpool so any recommendations welcome

(Sorry if other threads answer these - couldn’t find what I need in plain English!)

Pic of existing:

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A short hop down the M6 to see Steve @CRS Performance , he's good at advice and all things suspension!

 

[JOG]

A short hop down the M6 to see Steve @CRS Performance , he's good at advice and all things suspension!

^^wot ee said!

 

[Stay Frosty]

That's a lot of daylight!
New aftermarket suspension can reduce the gap and improve the handling massively but with wheel size to complete the look it can be a minefield as the wrong tyre on the right wheel can still spoil the experience.
Here's our camper on H&R coilovers from Steve @CRS Performance and 18" wheels...


I'd like 20" but realistically 35 profile tyres for my preferred look but then the ride could get "clattery" so that's how I've been for the last 6 yrs.

 

[RobertO2023]

As said above your best port of call is to speak / go and and see Steve at CRS. To say the least Wheels, Tyres and Suspension set up have quite a few variables. What suits one person may not suit another. I have a CRS set up with adjustable ride ht and adjustable dampers which took me a few weeks of adjustments to arrive at what I wanted - ride quality and handling are not as easy to achieve as people think. Good look.

 

[Lubrown]

One thing I’ve noticed when looking at wheels is the difference in weight per wheel (when you can find it listed).

Some aftermarket wheels are shockingly heavy, especially the load rated ones. Yet it’s possible to find stylish and cheap wheels with the correct rating and from decent manufacturers for less than a grand a set.

Wheel weight will have an impact on your suspension (whether stock or aftermarket) and how the van rides as it counts toward the unsprung mass.

I’m on OE springs and VWs OE Colmar alloys with commercial (c) rated tyres. Despite having Koni Special Active shocks fitted I think my wheel and tyre combo still let the ride quality down. I like the stock ride height so have been looking at wheels options, including weights, with a mind to upgrade when my current tyres need changing.

 

[RobertO2023]

Seriously I would not worry about unsprung weight on a commercial vehicle its hardly going make lot of difference to the handling. ( If you are building a lightweight performance vehicle then yes unsprung weight has to considered in the calculations)
The main consideration is using a wheel that conforms with the vehicle specifications in respect of load rating. I stick to TUV certified wheels which are approved by manufacturer’s

 

[GUMY]

Hello. Complete Newbie here. I’ve had a T28 6.1 high line from new and it was converted at Xmas time. Only just getting used to using it.

I would like to replace the factory fitted wheels and tyres to give a better look - but don’t want to compromise much on comfort or change the default set up too much

I’ve tried to read multiple threads on wheels, offsets, springs etc but find it all too much info - for a beginner at least!

I think I might want 18” wheels to look better in the wheel arches. Although it’s mainly for aesthetics, I don’t want to lose comfort for traveling. I’m also personally not into the lowered look - but is that something I need to think about at all?

Just up the road from you here in Southport, and been pondering the exact same issue since buying our van new just over a year ago. In fact, I thought for a moment I was reading a previous post of my own! (Even got the same wheels on a candy white!!)
Hopelessly undecided. I shall be watching your thread with interest

 

[Lubrown]

Seriously I would not worry about unsprung weight on a commercial vehicle its hardly going make lot of difference to the handling. ( If you are building a lightweight performance vehicle then yes unsprung weight has to considered in the calculations)
The main consideration is using a wheel that conforms with the vehicle specifications in respect of load rating. I stick to TUV certified wheels which are approved by manufacturer’s

You’re probably right but I’ve always wanted to upgrade the wheels since getting the van and as I see it, as long as the replacements are up to the load rating (and yes, the ones I’m looking at are also TUV approved) then being 6kg a piece lighter might well help ride quality.
I’m after comfort, not acceleration or handling.
The biggest difference for me will probably be going to a 101 or 103 rated tyre rather that a C rated 109.
Happy to learn though, as ever, and wouldn’t want to risk safety so happy to be corrected if I’m making mistakes.

 

[JumpShip]

I'm more concerned with putting extra load on the box /driveshafts with the weight of some of these wheels.