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Sat Mar 04, 2006 9:15 pm

I searched and read threads for no reason and non of the threads that had that listed actually say what the offset is. Just that its different. Can someone please list the type 3 offset for a stock wheel from 61-65?? Thanks you in advance.

Sat Mar 04, 2006 9:23 pm

Check out this thread
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=154735
Fletchskates43 post has all the info you should need.

Sat Mar 04, 2006 9:59 pm

Thats some good info but most of the cars people were talking about are 4 lug cars. So I guess my next question is in the thread that jaransonT3 said the 4.5 x 15" vw stock type 3 wheel has a back spacing of 4.56" and a front spacing of .95" is this for a 4 lug, 5 lug or both?? Are slotted wheels the same offset as the regular type 3 smoothies from 64-65?

Sat Mar 04, 2006 10:08 pm

62type3square wrote: Thats some good info but most of the cars people were talking about are 4 lug cars. So I guess my next question is in the thread that jaransonT3 said the 4.5 x 15" vw stock type 3 wheel has a back spacing of 4.56" and a front spacing of .95" is this for a 4 lug, 5 lug or both?? Are slotted wheels the same offset as the regular type 3 smoothies from 64-65?

My data was all for the later 4x130mm rims. I asked the question about the 5x205mm rims on the 5 lug cars, but don't remember ever getting an answer.

Any one know the offset of the 5 lug Type 3 rims? Is it the same 46mm as the 4 lug rims?

Sun Mar 05, 2006 9:59 am

I checked one of my '63 rims and it doesn't say "ET46" or anything like that, just the size and date.

Sun Mar 14, 2010 7:47 pm

I've been feverishly looking for the same info on wide 5 T3 wheels. Any chance someone could measure the backspace in inches so maybe we have an idea?

Sun Mar 14, 2010 8:15 pm

I can measure one tomorrow.
Now that the snow is gone, I can get to it.

Sun Mar 14, 2010 10:26 pm

I just measured a spare rim I have, marked 4 1/2J X 15 (wide 5)

Backspacing 111 mm
Frontspacing 28 mm
Overall width 139mm

Calculated offset 41.5 mm

Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:26 am

I'm assuming that is a wide 5 rim for T3?

Mon Mar 15, 2010 3:09 pm

dumptdeluxe wrote: I'm assuming that is a wide 5 rim for T3?

I'm Australian not stupid. :lol:

Mon Mar 15, 2010 4:13 pm

Every time that wasn't clarified in previous posts, it ended up being the four lug! That being said:

A wide five type 3 rim is an ET 41.5

I know you can't see me from way over there, but my friend, I'm standing up and applauding you. Finally, an answer =D>

Mon Mar 15, 2010 5:33 pm

I'd wait until you get a few more results to average it out, a slightly buckled rim will alter the result.

The rim was the later 64 on type 3 wide 5.

Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:43 pm

Checked the rear rims on the car('65 Notch) and got a frontspacing of 28 mm for both. This would give the same offset (41.5 mm)

Now you have to ask is the wheel mounting surface on the early brake drum the same distance from a reference as the mounting surface on the later brake disc?

Is this why the offset is different?

Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:36 pm

The factory calculates the offset as the distance from the center line of the wheel, to the mounting surface of the wheel.

Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:51 pm

Russ Wolfe wrote: The factory calculates the offset as the distance from the center line of the wheel, to the mounting surface of the wheel.

Yes I understand the concept. What I trying to get at is maybe the distance from drum face to drum face is less than the distance from disc face to disc face, hence the different rim offsets.

If you put the same offset rims on a drum brake car and a disc brake car, the disc brake car would have a wider track? (by about 9 mm)

Tue Mar 16, 2010 6:04 am

The spare off my 65 is the same measurements.

Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:03 am

mackaymanx wrote: Russ Wolfe wrote: The factory calculates the offset as the distance from the center line of the wheel, to the mounting surface of the wheel.

Yes I understand the concept. What I trying to get at is maybe the distance from drum face to drum face is less than the distance from disc face to disc face, hence the different rim offsets.

If you put the same offset rims on a drum brake car and a disc brake car, the disc brake car would have a wider track? (by about 9 mm)

Yes, most of the wide 5 disc brake conversions do widen the track. And that is the problems with some of the aftermarket wheels.
There was a reason, that VW went to the 46mm offset when they went to 4 bolt disc brakes, on the Type 3.