TheSamba.com :: View topic - Wheel/Tire FAQs-Wheel/Tire questions/answers? Start here!

Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:56 am

I just installed the Grabber AT2 205/75-15's on some faux Jackman 15" x 5" wheels. I bought the AT2's after inspecting the 27X8.5-14's that a couple of the local guys are running on their Bay buses....I'll say that I'm a little disappointed that these 15's are not nearly as heavy duty in they have a much softer sidewall plus the tread depth is shallower and the edge cleats are just decoration compared to the 14's which gusset the corners real nice.

The deeper dish rims are causing some outer fender rubbing and I've had to beat the front fender wells out a bit...I plan to install adjusters to raise the front just a little. I had raised the rear saggy ass with a combo of inner and outer splines.

Overall I am very pleased with these tires and would be 100% happy if I had never seen the 27X8.5-14 in person.

Thu Apr 21, 2011 10:34 pm

just purchased some buckshot mudders. being shipped from mississippi (go figure) and i should have them in a bit over a week. cant wait! keep y'alls posted.

Tue May 03, 2011 10:53 pm

got my tires! maxxis buckshot mudders. 27x8.50x14 on stock rims. no issues. a little taller gearing, noticeable but not drastic. good hard corner handling. a little road noise, not as bad as the less aggressive tires on my full size chevy. no real off road yet...but...i think im going to like these.

here we go

handles the suburban strip mall parking lots like non other

good fit

nice profile

Wed May 04, 2011 6:23 am

Wow.. Those look pretty sharp on there. Watch out, you'll be wanting to lift it soon. :lol:

Wed May 11, 2011 8:08 am

Finally someone got some of the tires I posted. Looks good enough I might have to break down and go buy some even though I don't need tires right now.

Wed May 25, 2011 11:35 pm

My 73 Thing is very hard to turn and does not corner well. I wasn't sure what the problem was but after a friend drove it, his first impression was the tires. I never noticed it before but the sidewalls on them seem very "mushy". Even with the correct tire pressure I can easily push the tire in with my finger. The tires I have now are 205/70/15 Gillette Silver Bear Tires on chrome rims.

I am looking to replace them and was wondering if their were certain tires specifications [tire ratings] I should be looking for? or what others think are the best all season street tire is. I searched the tire thread but couldn't find what I was looking for. Any help would be appreciated. Thanx in advance.

Thu May 26, 2011 3:09 pm

Nikkoleto wrote: I am looking to replace them and was wondering if their were certain tires specifications [tire ratings] I should be looking for? or what others think are the best all season street tire is. I searched the tire thread but couldn't find what I was looking for. Any help would be appreciated. Thanx in advance.

The Thing has no special requirements. Just pick a size and style you like.

If money is not a concern on all-seasons, I'd pick the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S ($106 each in 205/65/15, 45K mile warranty). Somehow they have made a seemingly faultless passenger tire. The Dunlop SP Sport Signature looks like another great choice, at $84 each for 205/65/15 (with a $40 rebate at Tire Rack and 60K mile warranty). Finally, the Khumo Ecsta ASX at $68 each for 205/65/15 should give excellent response if you can live with the reduced tread life (30K mile warranty).

If you can't tell, I'm going through the same tire picking process. :lol: Everything is finally lined up for my Porsche brake/wheel swap, I just have to pull the trigger on a set of tires and shocks. Right now the battle seems to be between the aforementioned set of Dunlops and General Grabber AT2s (yeah.. far cry from the KM2s and Swampers I was previously considering).

Sat May 28, 2011 8:21 am

Thanks Yellow 73

I was just wondering if the Thing had tire requirements. I have an 87 Vanagon and they have pretty stringent tire requirements. The tires I have are almost new but the performance leaves a lot to be desired. Hard to turn the wheel and corners really bad. The tires u suggested will correct that? Need new ones for the 500 mile trip to Kubel Treffen.

What type of tire and wheel combination are u installing? My chrome wheels and Hubcaps are kinda boring........

Sat May 28, 2011 9:06 am

No worries with the far lighter and generally less loaded Thing.

The tires I listed are mostly higher performance all seasons. They should all have a much stiffer sidewall and far sharper steering response. You would probably even see a good improvement just going to a brand name touring or grand touring all season. It all depends on your budget and driving style (mine is aggressive, hence the sticker tires). I'd expect to spend around $60-70 each for tires in that size.

Keep in mind, 205/70's are rather wide front tires for non-power steering. Switching to a 195mm or tall 185mm in the front with 205mm rears would greatly lower steering force. Either way, tires as mushy as those sound are not a good thing.

When was the last time your shocks were replaced? A new set of KYBs could make a big difference. Also, raising the pressure over the stock ratings can help some. I run 25/33 psi fr/rr with my current 185/60/14 BFG Tractions to get better response with a little sidewall squat.

I will be installing a set of Porsche Cookie Cutters that have been stripped to bare metal and lightly polished (will be clear coated). I haven't settled on tires just yet, but am really liking the Bridgestone Potenza RE690AS (195/65 front and 205/60 rear). Price is the major downside with that model however..

Mon May 30, 2011 3:22 pm

I just bought some new wheels and tires because I needed to get 15" wheels for the front disc brake kit I have.

After much reading, I ultimately decided to go with 15x5 BRM wheels and some 205/70r15 Yokohama Geolander A/T-S Tires. I'm very happy with the combo. They fill out the wheelwells nicely and they don't rub.

Here's some pics:

They are 26.5 inches tall

Mon Jun 06, 2011 9:03 am

Thanx ever so much to everyone for the tire tips. Its nice to see that I have a wide variety of choices since their is no specific requirements. I was thinking since I am getting new tires I may well try to pic up some radar wheels or other style. Does anyone know that the proper offset for 15" wheels are. I am kinda tired of the Chrome wheel - hubcap setup

Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:38 am

HELP

does anyone know what these are?
they are 15" rims...as much as i know right now, never seen these before
they are 5 lug standard vw wide five pattern

Wed Jun 15, 2011 3:12 am

[email protected] wrote: HELP

does anyone know what these are?
they are 15" rims...as much as i know right now, never seen these before
they are 5 lug standard vw wide five pattern

Early (split) bus 15" wheels ?

Tue Jun 21, 2011 4:29 pm

Newbie here,

From the research I have done so far, I thought rear drums were thing specific.

Is it possible to put 4 lug bug drums on the rear of a thing and what needs to be changed to make the swap?

Thank you,
Tony O.

Wed Jun 22, 2011 12:01 pm

That will work fine no changes needed

Thu Aug 25, 2011 11:57 am

Van-go Do you have any rubbing issues wit hthe bus 15in rims? I heard they cause rubbing on the pan in a hard over turn.

Can anyone tell me if disc brakes will fit within stock 14in Thing rims or Do I need to step it up to 15's for clearance.

Sat Sep 03, 2011 5:29 am

Rabid Irish wrote: Can anyone tell me if disc brakes will fit within stock 14in Thing rims or Do I need to step it up to 15's for clearance.

The majority of disc brake kits are for 15" wheels, however CSP sells a very expensive kit that fits 14". This exact question has been covered hundreds of times in the past. The CSP kit was just recently discussed. Use the search feature for more info on disc brakes - just use the keywords "disc brakes" and search this forum to find out everything you need to know.

Tue Sep 06, 2011 9:55 am

I did use the search but could not find any diffinitive answers, and I spent about an hour trying to sort through everything. Basically I was getting contradicting information. Thank you for answering my specific question tho.

Tue Sep 06, 2011 10:26 am

Sorry for the lack of a quick response..... :oops:

I have never had any rubbing but, the tire choice would could effect that.

Wed Sep 21, 2011 8:52 am

205/70-15 Geolandar AT-S!! mounted on 15 x 5.5 wheels all around.
About $465 for full set out the door(tire price only).
Great clearance, yet not too small, semi-aggressive tread that lends to the Utility of the Thing. Plus, I've had experience with Great life out of this tire and figure they'll dry rot before they wear out!
These tires give an accurate reading on the Beetle Speedo in Our Thing as well.