VW Bay Window Bus Wheel Set of 4 — 15x5.5 or 17x7, 5x112 | 1971–1979 Type 2 (EMPI BRM, Gasser, Cosmo, Dish)
Couldn't load pickup availability
VW Bay Window Bus Wheel Set of 4 — 5x112, 1971–1979
Short answer: This is a set of four EMPI alloy wheels with the 5x112 bolt pattern for the 1971–1979 VW Bay Window Bus (disc front brakes, from chassis 211 2000 001, 08/1970). Choose a square set of BRM, Gasser, Cosmo or Dish wheels in 15x5.5, or chrome 17x7 ET40. All use 60° small-diameter 14mm lug nuts; add all 20 in the Mounting Hardware option. It does not fit a 1968–1970 Bay or a Split Bus.
Part numbers: EMPI 00-9697-0 / 0096970 (BRM) · 10-1082-0 / 1010820 (Gasser) · 10-1084-0 / 1010840 (Cosmo) · 00-9749-0 / 0097490 (Dish) · 10-1089-0 / 1010890 (17x7 chrome). Set SKUs are SET4-[part number].
Choose your set
| Set option | Wheels in the set | Size / offset | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRM Gloss Black/Polished 15x5.5 — $902.95 | 4 × 00-9697-0 | 15x5.5, offset being confirmed with EMPI | Gloss black, polished lip and spoke edges |
| Gasser Gloss Black/Polished 15x5.5 — $869.95 | 4 × 10-1082-0 | 15x5.5, ET+20, 4 in backspacing | Gloss black, polished lip and face |
| Cosmo Gloss Black/Polished 15x5.5 — $886.95 | 4 × 10-1084-0 | 15x5.5, ET+20, 4 in backspacing | Gloss black, polished lip and face (mesh) |
| Dish Machine Finished 15x5.5 — $817.95 | 4 × 00-9749-0 | 15x5.5, offset being confirmed with EMPI | Machine finished |
| Chrome 17x7 ET40 — $1,569.95 | 4 × 10-1089-0 | 17x7, ET+40, 5-1/2 in backspacing | Chrome |
Most "VW Bus wheel" listings blur the 1971 change. This set is for the 5x112 Bay Window only. Every set is square (all four wheels the same width), because a narrow front wheel makes little sense on a van that can weigh about 5,000 lb loaded. Buying all four together costs 10% less than EMPI list for four singles, and the set ships free.
Gasser vs. Cosmo: EMPI gives 10-1082-0 and 10-1084-0 the same description, "gloss black with polished lip & face, 15x5.5, ET20, 4 in". They are different designs. 10-1082-0 is the Gasser (EMPI weight 17 lb), and 10-1084-0 is the Cosmo mesh (14 lb). Check the photos.
Vehicle fitment
| Years | Vehicle | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1971–1979 | VW Bay Window Bus (Type 2), disc front brakes | 5x112, from chassis 211 2000 001 (08/1970) |
| Does not fit | 1968–1970 Bay Window Bus | 5x205 drum front. See our GT-5 5x205 set |
| Does not fit | 1950–1967 Split Window Bus | 5x205 |
| Does not fit | Beetle, Ghia, Type 3, Thing (stock) | 4x130 or 5x205 |
| Ask us | 1980–1991 Vanagon | Same 5x112 pattern, but EMPI lists these wheels for the Type 2 only. Check clearance |
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bolt pattern | 5x112mm, all options |
| Sizes | 15 x 5.5 in (BRM, Gasser, Cosmo, Dish) or 17 x 7 in (chrome) |
| Offset / backspacing | Gasser and Cosmo: ET+20 / 4 in backspacing (EMPI). 17x7: ET+40 / 5-1/2 in backspacing (EMPI). BRM and Dish: offset and backspacing being confirmed with EMPI |
| Center bore | Not published by EMPI. Must clear the front grease cap and rear axle nut, so test-fit |
| Lug seat and thread | 60° conical, small-diameter seat (EMPI "special 14mm seat"); M14x1.5 nuts on the Bus's factory studs |
| Optional | 20 × M14x1.5 60° small-diameter chrome lug nuts (KIT20-00-9547-0), + $86.95 in the Mounting Hardware option |
| Wheel weight (EMPI) | Gasser 17 lb · Cosmo 14 lb · Dish about 16.9 lb · 17x7 20 lb · BRM not stated (17 lb shipping) |
| Load rating | EMPI does not publish a load rating for these wheels. We do not quote one |
| Tires | Use Load Range C or D (light-truck "C" or reinforced) tires with load index 100 or higher. The stock Bay tire, 185R14C, is rated 1,540 lb at 40 psi. We have not sourced a specific 15 in or 17 in equivalent size, so ask us |
| Quantity | 4 wheels per set (square) |
What's included / not included
- Included: four matching EMPI 5x112 wheels, plus 20 matching lug nuts if you choose them in the Mounting Hardware option.
- Center caps and valve stems: included with the BRM (BRM/EMPI/Speedwell cap), Gasser (replacement cap 00-9718-0), Cosmo and Dish (replacement cap 00-9720) wheels. For the 17x7 chrome, we are confirming with EMPI.
- Not included: tires, mounting and balancing.
Add mounting hardware
These wheels need 20 lug nuts, M14x1.5 thread, 60° small-diameter conical seat. The factory 19mm Bus nuts are for steel wheels and are the wrong seat and diameter for these alloys. Do not reuse them. Pick the nuts in the Mounting Hardware option above and they ship with your wheels:
| Mounting Hardware option | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| No Hardware | Wheels only, for when you already have the correct 60° small-diameter nuts | + $0 |
| 60° Chrome Lug Nuts, Set of 20 (KIT20-00-9547-0) | 20 EMPI chrome M14x1.5 60° small-diameter lug nuts with tool (4 × EMPI 00-9547-0, which EMPI lists for all its 5x112 wheels), enough for all four wheels. See the kit | + $86.95 |
If your Bus has been converted to 12mm or 1/2 in studs, EMPI makes matching small-diameter nuts in those threads — choose No Hardware and ask us.
Why it matters
The Bay Bus is lug-centric, not hub-centric. The nut seat alone centers the wheel, so the right 60° small-diameter nut matters even more than on a Beetle. Weight matters too. EMPI publishes no load rating, so tire choice carries the load: buy Load Range C/D and run the pressure the tire maker specifies for your weight. You may have seen 5x112-to-5x205 adapters. They only clear at the rear because they hit the front calipers, so they are not a full-set answer. That is why this set is native 5x112.
Install notes
- Test-fit each wheel before the tires are mounted. Check that the center bore clears the front grease cap and the rear axle nut, and check caliper clearance (especially on the 17x7).
- Tighten in a star pattern to the factory Bus wheel torque spec. Re-check after the first 50 miles.
- Larger wheels may not fit a Westfalia spare-tire location.
- Wheels with tires mounted cannot be returned.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What bolt pattern is a 1971–1979 VW Bus? 5x112, from chassis 211 2000 001 (August 1970). 1968–1970 Bay Buses and all Split Buses use 5x205.
- Will these wheels fit a 1970 VW Bus? No. The 1970 Bus has 5x205 drum front brakes. These are 5x112 wheels for 1971–1979.
- Do these wheels come with lug nuts? Not by default — choose "60° Chrome Lug Nuts, Set of 20 (KIT20-00-9547-0)" in the Mounting Hardware option (+$86.95) and you get all 20 M14x1.5 60° small-diameter nuts (4 × EMPI 00-9547-0, with tool) with your wheels.
- What lug nuts do EMPI 5x112 Bus wheels need? Twenty M14x1.5 60° small-diameter nuts, such as four packs of EMPI 00-9547-0. Factory 19mm steel-wheel nuts are the wrong seat.
- What is the load rating of these Bus wheels? EMPI does not publish one, and we will not make one up. Use Load Range C or D tires with load index 100 or higher.
- What is the difference between 10-1082-0 and 10-1084-0? Both are 15x5.5 ET20 gloss black/polished 5x112 wheels. 10-1082-0 is the Gasser design (17 lb), and 10-1084-0 is the Cosmo mesh design (14 lb).
- Can I mix a narrower front wheel on a Bus? We only sell square sets for the Bus. On a van this heavy, a narrow front wheel is not something we recommend.
Related
All wheels · EMPI BRM single · EMPI Cosmo single · EMPI 5x112 Lug Nut Kit, Set of 20 · Air-cooled VW parts
Parts are legal for use on pre-pollution-controlled vehicles only.
Prop 65 Warning
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
