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ORANGECRUSHer Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2006 Posts: 2616 Location: West Coast (Michigan's)
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 5:07 am Post subject: optimum front wheel size |
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I've got these narrow rims on the front of my baja and I'm having a hard time finding anything off road to fit that width well.
I'm not much of a tire expert so if someone has found the ideal size to use on the front of a baja with the baja fenders inorder to be able to find a tire that fits right? _________________ Brian H.
I may not know everything,but I will try to help if I can
OrangeCrushER Berrien Warrior 2.4L Quad4
LAZY MARY 1970 Baja 1835cc |
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Brian Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012 Posts: 8340 Location: Oceanside
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ORANGECRUSHer Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2006 Posts: 2616 Location: West Coast (Michigan's)
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 6:04 am Post subject: |
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I meant actual rim specs. width and offset being the numbers most important. I think most people run 15's.
I was kinda in a rush when I typed my first question. The aluminum rims I'm running now look to be around 3-4" wide which is going to give me a funky tire profile no matter what tire I run not to mention the zero offset and don't even think about finding a common off road tire to fit. When I first saw my setup I thought running an odd looking on road tire might be fine for what I do with my baja, highway and seasonal roads, but after fighting with my steering woes, I'd really like to have more options in tires.
I'm thinking of selling my aluminum rims and going with some basic steel wagon wheels. The aluminums look nice but they're not my cup of tea. _________________ Brian H.
I may not know everything,but I will try to help if I can
OrangeCrushER Berrien Warrior 2.4L Quad4
LAZY MARY 1970 Baja 1835cc |
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Vanapplebomb Samba Member
Joined: November 03, 2010 Posts: 5388 Location: Holland, MI
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 6:32 am Post subject: |
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I'm going to be running stock smoothies on the front of mine. Thats a 4" wide rim. I picked up a pair for 40 bucks from a guy on TheGoodVolks. With a little TLC they will be just like new again. Eventually I want to be running the mini-mag up front which is perfect for a 4in rim. _________________ 1800 Type 4 Berrien 295
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=487021 |
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HERC Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: Menifee
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Brian Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012 Posts: 8340 Location: Oceanside
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 6:35 am Post subject: |
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ah
15 seems to be the most common. But I know there are/were used to be a great selection for 14s.
I like stock offset, seems like too far out would cause bearing issues, but then again some people take wide 5s and flip them.
As I've found and heard 4" wheels are enough for 9" section width tires. _________________ Wash your hands
'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper
Only losers litter |
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Brian Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012 Posts: 8340 Location: Oceanside
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HERC Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: Menifee
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 6:39 am Post subject: |
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would love to have some nice wheels. _________________ Herc |
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Vanapplebomb Samba Member
Joined: November 03, 2010 Posts: 5388 Location: Holland, MI
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 6:52 am Post subject: |
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Brian wrote: |
I like stock offset, seems like too far out would cause bearing issues, but then again some people take wide 5s and flip them.
As I've found and heard 4" wheels are enough for 9" section width tires. |
Flipped wide fives are old school cool. They can cause issues with the fragile stock ball bearings on link pin spindles. The newer replacement tapered roller bearings are more than up to the job. It won't hurt them one bit. Obviously the spindle itself is still an issue as is the king pin bushing. Truth be told even those are not going to wear out to quick on a light buggy front end. A baja obviously a bit faster. Driving habits will be the biggest factor though. So yeah, there are some downsides I guess.
On the plus side I will say that flipping the wheels does make it easier to crank the steering wheel around when at a stand still or when creeping along.
And yeah, a lot of tires really do fit on a 4in wide rim. Class 9 cars put some pretty meaty all terrain tires on the stock rims and that works out just fine. _________________ 1800 Type 4 Berrien 295
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=487021 |
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Brian Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012 Posts: 8340 Location: Oceanside
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 6:56 am Post subject: |
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235s look nice on 4 inches. I have some 66/67 wheels on the truck, I'm thinking about running those flipped. Stock wheels are a good way to go.
So, seems like the optimal size for the fronts would be between 4 and 7 inches. _________________ Wash your hands
'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper
Only losers litter |
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HERC Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: Menifee
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 7:31 am Post subject: |
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235 goodyears on 5.5 inch stockies. Honestly, I think at least a 235 on no less than a 5.5 inch, just for the diameter itself for rolling over shit. I'd like another inch or two of negative offset, tho.
_________________ Herc |
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fishybastard Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2013 Posts: 269 Location: Holland MI
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 7:59 am Post subject: |
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I am currently going through the same debate with my rail with the same size rims. Im not sure what tires to run up front. Anyone have any pics of wider tires on the 4 inch wide wheels? As vanapplebomb said, the mini mags are sweet but NOT cheap. |
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ORANGECRUSHer Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2006 Posts: 2616 Location: West Coast (Michigan's)
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fishybastard Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2013 Posts: 269 Location: Holland MI
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 12:06 pm Post subject: |
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Snow tires will wear fast on pavement if you run on that at all. Ive been looking for what seems like ever trying to figure out what tire to run on mine. |
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Vanapplebomb Samba Member
Joined: November 03, 2010 Posts: 5388 Location: Holland, MI
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 2:59 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah, snow tires = no good for this... unless you alre talking about the vintage 7.00-15 Mud/Snow bias ply treads. Those are popular and work very well. _________________ 1800 Type 4 Berrien 295
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=487021 |
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dustymojave Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2007 Posts: 5802 Location: Lake LA, Mojave Desert, SoCal
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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 1:15 pm Post subject: |
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7.00-15 extra traction tires commonly used on Bajas don't last very long on pavement. Maybe 10K miles. Many desert offroad racers use 7.00-15 highway tread on the fronts. 215-75 to 235s with an aggressive pavement tread or an all terrain is a good choice.
I recommend 3.5 to 5" wide rims for the front. _________________ Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet. |
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