Need help choosing front tires w/ my wheel setup

67 Sunroof

Okay I'll give all the detail as possible so you can help....
'67 bug with '66 front fenders
2.5" cb drop spindles
Stock beam
Wide 5 pattern drum brakes

Just purchased some empi gt-5 (15x5.5") wheels and they came with 195/60/15 rear tires

I need help choosing 2 fronts. I am considering the 165/60/15 continental tires "smart car" tires.
I want a good contact patch but also don't want to rub tires on the fenders. Should I be concerned about rubbing issues with a stock front beam? I am not a fan of the narrowed beam bugs (sorry guys)

I would appreciate any help. I've been browsing the wheel/tire combo forum for an hour and am getting my eyes crossed! I "think" 165/60/15 would be okay?

kielbasa · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2014 4:41 pm Post subject:

My question is why don't you like the narrowed beam? Is it the typical narrowed look you don't prefer? Or you afraid from a safety view?
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andk5591 · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2014 4:50 pm Post subject:

Explain what is wrong with this? 2" narrowed with a typical 5.5" wheel gives you pretty much a stock wheel inset. And we run 185's in the front with no issue.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

But I am with you - not into excessively narrowed beams. [/img]
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krs.br79 · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2014 5:27 pm Post subject:

I just put continental 165/60's on my car, seem good so far and no rubbing.

I have drop spindles, disc brakes and 4" narrowed beam, so I'd imagine you will be plenty fine.

luckystiff · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2014 6:08 pm Post subject:

you don't need 165/60/15........... to small for a car with just dropped spindles... 165/65/15 is actually a tad bit smaller than the 135r15 that were ran for years on adjustable beam/drop spindle cars. thats about as small as i would go.... but to be honest even those are overkill on a non-narrowed/not adjustable beam........... 175/60/15, 175/65/15, 185/55/15 are all also viable candidates. i've listed overall diameter comparisons before so you can get ideas of all ratios of different sizes....ken...
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67 Sunroof · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2014 10:15 pm Post subject:

I just don't like the tires too far under the fenders. I want larger rear tires and smaller fronts but not real small! My friend just went with 4" narrowed beam and 135's!!!!!!? I DO NOT like the look. The 135's will be SOOO unsafe. He's putting a 2200 motor in it and I told him if he even taps the gas when turning the car will skid the front wheels!!!!??

I got all four wheels with the "porsche style" centercaps and good year tires on the rear for $300!! They have 10 miles on them??
I am soo happy. He wanted to keep the fronts and I said "keep em!"

67jason

67 Sunroof · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 9:52 am Post subject:

That's pretty darn close to what route I am taking. I found some 165/45/15 online for $60 each. Will that be too low a profile? I think 165 front and 195 in back would look nice. Not sure about the aspect ratio though....

ALB · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 10:20 am Post subject:

165/45's are really, really short (20"?) and to look right the car will have to be dropped to the weeds around them, which means cranking the beam as well. With just drop spindles, a 23 1/2-24" tire will look right.
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67 Sunroof · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 1:03 pm Post subject:

Appreciate the advice. Yeah, I know you wanna fill up the fender/tire gap for it to look "right" IMO.
What would you suggest? 165/70/15?
165/60/15?
I'm sure the overall diameter changes dependingon what size rim I am running..... I have 5.5" rims

67 Sunroof

Mike Fisher · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 1:29 pm Post subject:

It is all guesswork until Your body is back on the pan. You will be pissed about buying new tires you don't like or don't fit! Mad

I have been buying good Used pairs of tires to run on my lowered squareback & pickup. I am on 185X60 & 205X70 now.
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ALB · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 2:59 pm Post subject:

67 Sunroof · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 5:24 pm Post subject:

Thanks!
I'm on page 42 out of 90 on the wheel/tire suspension section....omg
My eyes hurt. I've been snapping pics of bugs similar to my current setup.

Don't the cb 2.5" spindles move the wheel/tire in slightly? And I KNOW disc brakes move each side out another 1.5"
But I don't have disc-I have drum brakes.

I might look into the weld-in adjusters. Kinda scares me a bit.

luckystiff · Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2014 7:38 am Post subject:

drop spindles move the wheel OUT 1/8-1/4".

i gave you a GOOD list of options..........

if tirerack doesn't carry the size you choose check tires-easy.com

AGAIN i have listed EXTENSIVE info on this subject over the years. now you just need to decide what works for you.

my opinion if you're gonna run drop spindles and aftermarket wheels/wider tires, a 2" narrowed beam is a GREAT idea. as it pulls the track width back to about stock. i actually like a 3-4" narrowed even more as i like a little tuck.
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67jason

Erik G · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 3:23 pm Post subject:

I havent been able to get 165/65-15's in the US. I did 165/60-15 on my slightly lowered T34. I liked them a lot and would use them again

165/80-15 all the way around

switched to 165/60-15's

Paavuli · Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 3:49 am Post subject:

Sorry for hijacking the thread a bit with my own question, but maybe its better to have these in a same thread...

I am running a 2" narrowed beam with shocks, dropped spindles, stock drums and 19mm swaybar in a 65 beetle. Wheels are Vredestein Sprint Classics in 155/85/15. The car is level with 1 spline drop from rear (plus the rear was sagging already a bit) I almost ordered Empi 5 spoke replicas with 20 ET, but I'm worried that they will come out too much (rub the fender lip). Afaik the stock rims have et of 30 and the replicas are half inch wider than the stock. Do you think I would get them to fit? With the replicas I would go to a lower tire profile.

Mike Fisher · Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 10:16 am Post subject:

Empi 5 spoke will definitely stick out further than the stock wheels. 2.0 Liter wheels are flatter and fit better lowered and w/bigger tires. I have 185X60 & 205X70 on my lowered squareback w/2.0 Liter wheels.
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69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold

Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey


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