TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Dec 31, 2011 2:03 am

Will a set of 15x7 alloy wheels with a 5-1/8 backspacing fit stock Bug IRS/Ball Joint suspension without spacers? Found mixed answers in search/sticky....Fender clearances not an issue, going on mild Baja, worried about where they would rub on the back...

Sun Jan 08, 2012 12:48 pm

The rears should be no problem. Here I am running a 6" wheel with a 5" backspacing on a street car. I feel I can go to maybe even 6" backspacing with a 7" wheel. The fronts I am not sure of though.

Sun Jan 08, 2012 1:24 pm

69 Jim wrote: The rears should be no problem. Here I am running a 6" wheel with a 5" backspacing on a street car. I feel I can go to maybe even 6" backspacing with a 7" wheel. The fronts I am not sure of though.

Thanks, I think I'm going to go ahead and pick up a set of 1.5 spacers to try also.....

Sun Jan 08, 2012 2:11 pm

Maybe you only need 1/2" spacers. Did you hold up the wheels to the drums for a trial fit and take some measurements? You can use stacks of washers/measuring tape to determine the spacers you need to buy.

Sun Jan 08, 2012 3:35 pm

I held them up to a front and rear end, but they weren't mounted to a body and I don't even have any fenders yet...Main reason for asking the questions is the wheels I have are 5x4.5 bolt pattern, which for some reason doesn't seem real common in the bug world- so to run them I have to figure on getting drums in that pattern or different wheels, but I like these because they have a retro look, almost like an old Dukes of Hazzard wheel.....

Sun Jan 08, 2012 5:44 pm

donbarnes wrote: I like these because they have a retro look, almost like an old Dukes of Hazzard wheel.....
Please figure out a way to mount those up, we need more people thinking like that. Set a good example!
I had my rotors drilled for 5x4.5, but I believe you can buy rotors or drums done that way. I've got 18x7's with 4.5" BS, but my rear end is narrowed 1-5/16 as well, so that's going to act like a BS of 5-13/16 total. This is how much room I have...you can slip a finger in there, but not much more (that's what she said). You shouldn't have any trouble with the front's against the body, but not sure about against the trail arms. It might make your turning radius smaller, but that's about it.

Wed Jan 11, 2012 8:54 pm

69 Jim wrote: The rears should be no problem. Here I am running a 6" wheel with a 5" backspacing on a street car. I feel I can go to maybe even 6" backspacing with a 7" wheel. The fronts I am not sure of though.

Nice stance and profile!
Jeff

Wed Jan 11, 2012 9:04 pm

Thank you. 8)

Mon Jan 16, 2012 7:54 pm

Any super beetle guys???

I have a 73 super and I'm going to do the 4x100 conversion... I wanted to do a staggered wheel. XXR 002 15"x7" et38 (back spacing is 5.5")in the front and 15"x8" et0 (backspacing is 4.5")in the back. Will a 15" wheel work in the front of a Super... I hear the balljoints may get in the way.I have 1.5" wider fenders for the rear as I'm sure they'll stick out a bit. I would rather do 15" than 16" wheels if I can. I have these struts in the front...

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC%2DC10%2D4060%2DKIT

THANKS>>> This is driving me nuts!!!

Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:40 am

69 Jim wrote: The rears should be no problem. Here I am running a 6" wheel with a 5" backspacing on a street car. I feel I can go to maybe even 6" backspacing with a 7" wheel. The fronts I am not sure of though.

Those look very similar to some 4.5" Sprintstars I had widened to 6" (and then rechromed) about 30 years ago; with short swingaxles and 185/70's they fit under the stock rear fenders quite nicely. Good looking ride!

Sat Jan 21, 2012 11:45 pm

Thanks ALB. 8)