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Rave
Samba Member
Joined: July 28, 2007
Posts: 7
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 Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 6:26 am Post subject: tires |
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Hi I just got a 73 thing and was wondering what is the best tire configuration so that I can drive on the beach?
there are r14 rims on it now but my feeling is I should have larger wheels to accommodate larger tires
I have heard that its best to put big tires on the back and a bit smaller on the front kind of like to retro dune buggy set ups.
I was told 31/10.5 but I really don't know what that means?
could anyone hook me up with a nice set up or link me to something
Thanks Rave |
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Spezialist
Banned
Joined: July 01, 2005
Posts: 1941
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| Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 10:47 am Post subject: |
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Welcome to theSamba!
There are about as many different types of sand and conditions as there are tires. Stock tires on a thing do pretty good on coarse sand.
If you want to be able to go "anywhere" you are going to have to some miles under your belt {experience} to get a feel for your car and the conditions you CAN drive in. Getting stuck is part of the process, depend on it. Good luck!
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Towel Rail
Horizontally Opposed
Joined: April 15, 2005
Posts: 4622
Location: SE CR IA US NA PE
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| Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 11:38 am Post subject: |
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I don't see 31" tires fitting without some work. They would overwork the stock engine too. Vredestein and a couple other European companies still make 185R14s, if you're at all interested in that.
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1974 Thing -- under the knife
1967 Beetle -- spring/summer/fall driver
1996 Subaru OBW (EJ22, 5-speed, AWD) -- winter car, 3-seasons "don't feel like biking today" car
049 > 070 > 053 > 009 |
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Rave
Samba Member
Joined: July 28, 2007
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks guys
I have lots of off road exp . mostly on north east coast beaches like nauset cape cod, fine sand.
I was just wondering what a good set up would be for a Thing in that type of sand? I have 14 rims could I use 15's without a problem.
What do you guys use??
Rave |
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Pierre G
Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2007
Posts: 1771
Location: New Caledonia
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| Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 2:21 am Post subject: |
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Hi Rave,
On a previous Thing I was running 27x8.50 r14 tires on 6x14 wheels. They were doing great on the sand and off road in general, much better than 185r14. I actually run on 185r15c front and 195r15c rear. The tires are quite high and not very large. On the sand larger tires with mild low profile are better. I think 195/70r14 or 15 front and maybe 205/70r14 or 15 rear could work great. They should fit without modifications and no rubbing. That's what I would try if I had the chance to go on the sand quite often.
Pierre
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1976 181/Thing, 1967 fastback, 1973 squareback, 1964 microbus, 1967 Double Cab, 1969 westfalia (currently under resto), 1972 LM1C dune buggy, 1974 jean's bug, 1974 1303 (super beetle, currently under reassembly after new paint). |
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phoenixragtop
Samba Member
Joined: August 12, 2005
Posts: 73
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| Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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| its hard to fine 15in wheels with the propper offset for a stock height thing |
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Towel Rail
Horizontally Opposed
Joined: April 15, 2005
Posts: 4622
Location: SE CR IA US NA PE
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| Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 4:07 pm Post subject: |
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| phoenixragtop wrote: |
| its hard to fine 15in wheels with the propper offset for a stock height thing |
No it isn't. Beetle wheels (and most aftermarket wheels for the Beetle) have the correct offset.
_________________
1974 Thing -- under the knife
1967 Beetle -- spring/summer/fall driver
1996 Subaru OBW (EJ22, 5-speed, AWD) -- winter car, 3-seasons "don't feel like biking today" car
049 > 070 > 053 > 009 |
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Rave
Samba Member
Joined: July 28, 2007
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 4:46 am Post subject: |
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Good Stuff thanks guys.
Also thanks for the detailed info Pierre181.
Regards Rave
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1978 Super Beetle
1973 Thing |
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Rave
Samba Member
Joined: July 28, 2007
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 8:56 am Post subject: |
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I have a guy that has
255/60r15 (rear)
and 205/65r15 (front)
do you guys think these would fit w/o rubbing?
or to big only ask as they are free to me
All I would need to buy is 15in rims
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1978 Super Beetle
1973 Thing |
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Pierre G
Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2007
Posts: 1771
Location: New Caledonia
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| Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:22 am Post subject: |
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I think it would definitely be too big, especially the rear. They would rubb inside and on the fender. To use these, you should raise the car and/or add wider fenders. Sorry !
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1976 181/Thing, 1967 fastback, 1973 squareback, 1964 microbus, 1967 Double Cab, 1969 westfalia (currently under resto), 1972 LM1C dune buggy, 1974 jean's bug, 1974 1303 (super beetle, currently under reassembly after new paint). |
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Rave
Samba Member
Joined: July 28, 2007
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:58 pm Post subject: |
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Ill stick with your suggestion
Thanks Rave
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1978 Super Beetle
1973 Thing |
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