TheSamba.com :: View topic - Yet another Stock Wheel / Tire Question from a newbie

Sat Dec 10, 2005 8:26 am

Hello.

I've read thru what I could find as far as things go concerning wheels. I'm thinking I have it straight in my mind, but want to verify things.

My wife and I picked up a 67 from a board member in MN on Oct 29th. and tow-barred it back to Michigan. (This was our 13th. anniversary. She is a good one...)

We got it back home without a problem.

We are finishing this for our 14 1/2 yo daughter. (we had started with a '61, but it was a bit on the rough side)

It has what I assume are stock 5 lug wheels (4 1/2 wide). I have seen mention of 5 wide wheels as well.

This is the beginning of my confusion I guess.

From what I can gather 5 wide refers to stock style wheels which are 5 1/2 wide.

So, my question(s) asre:

The stock wheels are 4 1/2 wide, correct?

5 wide wheels are 5 1/2 wide, correct?

Tires Options:

With 5 1/2 wide wheels, what is the largest Dia. tire which can be used without causing problems with the trans and fender clearance.

(The fenders above are later 'glass fenders, hopefully replaced with correct fenders before she is on the road.)

More pice can be found at:

http://www.hawkster318.com/embug2.htm

You help and comments are appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Alan

Sat Dec 10, 2005 8:37 am

The "wide five" refers to the wheel. The old style VW wheel was a 5x205mm wheel. When you look at the wheel, there is a large open section. This is as opposed to the later wheels that were a 4x105mm (I think) and had a small open section for the hub. The wide five does not refer to the width of the wheel, just the distance between the lug holes.

Correct tire size for a type 1 is 5.60-15 (bias ply) with optional 6.00-15. Radials were 165R15 which equates to 165R82-15. Most people looking for a stock size tire run 185R75-15. It has the same diameter as the 165R15. The diameter is very important as it is what keeps the speedometer accurate.

Sat Dec 10, 2005 8:44 am

I can't help you with the wider size tire question, but according to the Owner's Manual for a '67 Beetle, they had 4J x 15 wheel rims. To me, that means the original rims were 4 inches wide. The original tire size was 5.60 x 15 bias ply tires.
For my '67, I have two sets of tires and rims. All the rims are the original size, and painted with proper black inner area and white - I believe its Cloud White - outer rim. One set of rims is mounted with wide whitewall 5.60 x 15 bias ply tires - summer use only. The other rims have 165 x 15 thin whitewall radial tires - winter tires. Both sets work fine, but the radials have a "better feel" to them, and their 3/4" whitewall is more accurate for the '67 car.
Hope this helps, and welcome to the "club." I hope you have as much fun with your '67 as I've had with mine.

Sat Dec 10, 2005 9:13 am

MedicTed wrote: This is as opposed to the later wheels that were a 4x105mm (I think)

4x130

Sat Dec 10, 2005 10:52 am

Glenn wrote: 4x130

Thanks, Glenn. I knew it was something like that.

Sun Dec 11, 2005 6:33 am

your 67 has non stock 4 1/2x15 chrome wheels. probably made by mangeles in brazil. stock 67 were 4"x15" and used a 5.60x15 tire. 155x15 is correct replacement radial size.the 165x15 is replacement for 6.00x15 used on type 3 and fat chick beetles but 155x15 are harder to find so the myth became that 165x15 is replacement size for beetle.

Sun Dec 11, 2005 7:05 am

bill may wrote: your 67 has non stock 4 1/2x15 chrome wheels. probably made by mangeles in brazil. stock 67 were 4"x15" and used a 5.60x15 tire. 155x15 is correct replacement radial size.the 165x15 is replacement for 6.00x15 used on type 3 and fat chick beetles but 155x15 are harder to find so the myth became that 165x15 is replacement size for beetle.

Leave it to Bill to be technically correct. :D I never thought about the 5.60 vrs. 6.0 as 155 vrs 165. I think the information shared here is great.