The 16″ version differs from the 14″ in a lot of details.
- additional reinforcements (…) integrated into the bodywork sheet-metal structure.
- thicker or more rigid material for the b-column, the shock-absorber flanges, suspension hinges.
- Gear-box and transmisions (…) differ from the 14″ in their ratio
- A rear diff-lock (…), for some countries even the front diff-lock
- some special air tubes for the transmission and friction housing in order to avoid to sucking water while wading.
- front suspension of the later models was changed from welded sheet-metal to a more rigid and corrosion-resistent steel-cast part,
- CV-joints are covered by a special PUR protection shield.
- The rear half-axles have a bigger flange-diameter (108 instead of 100 mm).
- The filling of the visco-coupling is (…) slightly different
- also enlarged brakes from the VW LT 3,5t light-truck – conventional drums at the rear, 280 mm disk-brakes in front
- Factory tire size was 195 R 16, the 205 R 16 or 7.00 x 16 were also available with a new car
- (…) modified suspension (…) which (…) enlarged the wheelbase for another 20mm.
- modified wheel-wells (…) the ‘fenders’ are modified and covered with these typical black extensions molded in polyurethane
Have a look at the numbers at the sticker near the fuse-box near the drivers-doors or in your service booklet. You will find one number starting with e.g. 253 for a Kombi based vehicle, 255 for a Caravelle or Vanagon GL (see also production figures above and the dictionary at vanagon.com) The three digit number that follows tells you about the stock engine, body, tire & rim combination. The first two digits are quite complicated to structure, the last one tells you factory tires for your model were 185 R 14 tyres if ‘7’, 205 R 14 if ‘5’ and finally 195 R 16 if ‘A’. The optional 205 R 16 tires were encoded M 855
soours
