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Mon Jun 25, 2012 11:14 am

It is my understanding that it is not possible/feasible to mount 15" Bus smoothies on a bug. I did some searching around the web and could not find a picture of anyone running them on a bug either (probably because it won't work). However, I was wondering what makes them not work. Is the offset too aggressive and pokes out too much, or the opposite, where the wheel sits too close to the inside of the fender. If it is the latter, spacers would solve the problem, right? I have read about places that will widen smoothies and they do that by cutting out the center of the wheel and welding it into wider barrels. I wonder if they could do that with the Bus ones effectively changing the offset?

Anyway, I did a photoshop to see how it might look, not bad! (also if this in the wrong section, I apologize).

Mon Jun 25, 2012 4:14 pm

I've bolted 14" bus wide five wheels to a bug to move it around the shop, at least on the front. I think the backspacing was so great that it hit the spring plate or something in the rear. Why not just get 15" bug smoothies? Or are you looking for something slightly different than everyone else?

Mon Jun 25, 2012 5:24 pm

esde wrote: I've bolted 14" bus wide five wheels to a bug to move it around the shop, at least on the front. I think the backspacing was so great that it hit the spring plate or something in the rear. Why not just get 15" bug smoothies? Or are you looking for something slightly different than everyone else?

That's all, just looking for something different. If these don't work out I will be using bug smoothies.

Mon Jun 25, 2012 5:33 pm

i actually like the look. =D>

i like how you have them sitting exactly in the same relationship to each other too. nice picture touch

Mon Jun 25, 2012 5:36 pm

what is that chit photo shopped

:?

Thu Jun 28, 2012 12:31 pm

audiwark wrote: esde wrote: I've bolted 14" bus wide five wheels to a bug to move it around the shop, at least on the front. I think the backspacing was so great that it hit the spring plate or something in the rear. Why not just get 15" bug smoothies? Or are you looking for something slightly different than everyone else?

That's all, just looking for something different. If these don't work out I will be using bug smoothies.

I had a buddy with a 356, and he was using 1/2" spacer between the drum & wheels in the rear.
I'm assuming he was using longer studs, I don't see why that wouldn't work in your case.

Thu Jun 28, 2012 1:10 pm

They rub the spring plates in the rear

If you are set on the idea, spend some serious cash and get some wide 5 spacers, and head to your local Les Schwab or similar tire shop. Show them the lugs you have but tell them you need them however much longer your spacers end up being. Off the top of my head, I think it's a mercedes e class lug you need but not positive

A lot of this has to do with how fat the bus drum is verses the skinny rear bug drums. If you swap over to wide 5 type 3 rears (an old skool cal look trick) you will need less if any of a spacer. Not sure on that

Another cool thing would be to run early early slotted 15inch type 3 rims. I don't think I've ever seen them on a bug

good luck, feel free to ask more. I've never done stock 15inch bus rims on a bug, but certain combinations of brakes and rims require the same thing when slamming the rear of a bus, which I have done

as a bonus on the front, they will tuck like you have a narrowed beam even if you don't . If you already have a nrrowed beam, whatch out for rubbing

Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:56 pm

Erik G wrote: They rub the spring plates in the rear

If you are set on the idea, spend some serious cash and get some wide 5 spacers, and head to your local Les Schwab or similar tire shop. Show them the lugs you have but tell them you need them however much longer your spacers end up being. Off the top of my head, I think it's a mercedes e class lug you need but not positive

A lot of this has to do with how fat the bus drum is verses the skinny rear bug drums. If you swap over to wide 5 type 3 rears (an old skool cal look trick) you will need less if any of a spacer. Not sure on that

Another cool thing would be to run early early slotted 15inch type 3 rims. I don't think I've ever seen them on a bug

good luck, feel free to ask more. I've never done stock 15inch bus rims on a bug, but certain combinations of brakes and rims require the same thing when slamming the rear of a bus, which I have done

as a bonus on the front, they will tuck like you have a narrowed beam even if you don't . If you already have a nrrowed beam, whatch out for rubbing

Thanks for the reply, it was VERY helpful. I have a lot of experience with wheel spacers and should be able to go that route. Thanks again!