TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Dec 02, 2002 8:39 pm

Alright...I've got a 66 deluxe that is thankfuly getting close to needing new wheels. It is lowered in back with straight axle kit and dropped spindles up front. I have the stock 14" rims and they currently have 185/60/14's. If I were to go up to a 15" rim, how much aspect ratio could I get on 195's do you think? I think buses look dumb with 40 and 50's as I'm not fooling myself into believing it's a sportscar. I want good road feel and some sidewall. Like a sporty touring radial. 195/65/15 would be ideal but I bet I would be rubbin all over the place. What are you guys using on lowered buses?

Thanks.
Doug

Mon Dec 02, 2002 9:11 pm

195/50/15 would be the same outside diameter as your 185/60/14. The variables are how wide of a rim you put the 15's on and the offset of the rim. The width difference is minimal but if the new wheels have more positive offset you'll have rubbing on the ouside edge on the fender well. My lowered bus has 205's on empi 5 spokes and they're too wide really and rub when i got her loaded but stick good.

Tue Dec 03, 2002 1:06 am

I know you said you don't want 50's, but that is what I am currently running on mine. They are 195/50/ZR15's, from Pirelli. Ya spendy tire to some but at 75 a piece I think they were worth it. Stick to the road I must say. I have then on a '58 single cab and in my opinion they look fine on it, though I am in fact going to get 195/45's on it. I can do some killer corners, wet or dry, and those thing actually pull me into the corners, not the opposite. My own little babble.

See ya,
Jax
http://www.simplywagens.homestead.com

Tue Dec 03, 2002 4:34 pm

I ran 195/50/r15 front and 205/60/r15 rear with the same exact set up as yours on my '66. There was no rubbing and the vehicle handled fine. Check out my ad under the General Section of classifieds if you are interested in the rims and/or tires.
Reason I'm selling is that I took my bus back up to stock height.