Tire wheel and suspension thread

[Evil_Fiz]

[nani85]

[J1]

I like 17" wheels. Don't like the headache or impact on steering geometry it will require.

I thought a compromise might be to use 15" wheels up front, maybe with just drop spindles and stock beam but put 17" wheels in the back.

Anyone have photos with Fuchs or willing to Photoshop? I'm thinking it might look a little off balanced but who knows.
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1971 Ghia coupe. Assume I know nothing and you'll be pretty darn close to the truth.

[Bloku]

[motorhead364]

One of my favorite ghias on the site.
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63 ghia coupe

[J1]

Thanks for posting. Yes the 15/17 combo looks a bit awkward. The 17s all around is nicely done.

Question re: turning radius. I keep reading that one downside of narrowed beams is that radius increases. Would it be more accurate and clear to say the radius increases because the front stance has widened (in most situations), not because the beam has narrowed?

Need a little geometry education here!
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1971 Ghia coupe. Assume I know nothing and you'll be pretty darn close to the truth.

[sputnick60]

[xzener]

Ok, so I am going to attempt the 17" Fachs all around with my 68 KG. Front end being 4" narrowed with drop spindles. Rear is where I am a bit worried...
Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't 68s have the long axle? Would I be required to convert to short axle? If so, does that effect the spring plate length? Do you guys recommend lowered/adjustable spring plates?

Thanks guys!
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My 70 beetle was totaled Now to build the Ghia I always wanted. Rest in peace Ruby, I will miss you. Hello <insert Ghia name here>!

[c21darrel]

A 68 is long/long so you will probably need to go with 60-66 short axles.
As far as spring plates... I would keep the stock in place until you have all the rest of the parts (wheels/tires) installed. Then find out where you want the rear to sit and get lowered spring plates that meet that need. I have adjustable spring plates and they caused me other tire clearance issues.
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GhiaBuild
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=481184
1967 DC build
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[rockerarm]

Hi. Looking for a bit of feedback on a tire selection choice. Car is my friends '74 Ghia 'vert and is a daily driver, in need of tires.
Been looking at the current crop of 165/80R15's and don't like the choices. The top tier 165 seems to be the Nexen SB 802 and next would be the Nankang. Some people seem to be disliking the Nankang and the Nexen isn't even on Nexentiresusa website anymore. Price in SoCal ranges from about $55-$80 ea, and no damn tire warranty!
My logic has steered me towards the Nexen CP 672 in a 195/65R15 size. This Ghia's wheel are 4.5" steel. This tire has a 70k wear out warranty, 2 year road hazard, and free tow/tire change for 36 months. It is UTOG 500AA, HR speed rated. Ive been quoted approx. $65-$70 ea for this tire from a Nexen dealer. With this tire about an inch wider I know it will fir the stock ride height ghia. Does this seem logical vs referring a friend to a product with no warranty. Seems foolish to pay the same or more for this with no warranty.
Here is that tire's link:
https://www.nexentireusa.com/tires/passenger-tires/cp672
Thanks, Bill.

[xzener]

Thanks c21darrel.

Question... How do you prevent the axel boot from being smashed and destroyed (were old needing replacement anyway) when lifting the car? Shouldn't the zbar or a bumper prevent that? Not at home, cant look at it for a better description.
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My 70 beetle was totaled Now to build the Ghia I always wanted. Rest in peace Ruby, I will miss you. Hello <insert Ghia name here>!

[rockerarm]

[swavananda]

[xzener]

I wouldn't be surprised if these were the original boots... The boot bolts are at about 12. Is that the proper install position?
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My 70 beetle was totaled Now to build the Ghia I always wanted. Rest in peace Ruby, I will miss you. Hello <insert Ghia name here>!

[Bloku]

Hello again to all the people in the ghia section! Today I come with a question that I just can't seem to find the proper answer to... my tire fitment question. I currently have my ghia lowered up front and it has 175/55s up front and I am really starting to dislike the hard ride of the short profile tires and also the looks of the tire as well. Ghia's were made with HUGE tires to fill up the fenders (and to act almost as a suspension component), so with that dinky little tire up there, it is wrong in almost every way there is

I am looking for the perfect size of tire that gives me the following goals, without rubbing, on a 1971 ghia with a stock width beam and dropped spindles:

- No thinner than a 6.5" (16.5 cm) width (about stock)
- Taller than 23.5" (57.7 cm)
- Mounted on EMPI, 5" wide, 4 lug, sprintstars with a 4.3" backspace (10.9 cm)

Right now, I think I might be going with a 165/70 tire up front to give me about the height and width I am looking for, but the problem is if it will rub or not. I do not like the look of narrow beams so that is not an option, but I have rolled the inner lip, so not even these relatively wide tires rub

What size tire do you guys think/know will work on my application?

Here is a picture of how the current wheel and tire is in relation to the fender well (ignore my paint )

Thanks!
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1971 Karmann Ghia
1975 Porsche 914
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1975 BMW 2002
1976 BMW 2002 (Bored and Stroked w/ 5-Speed)
1981 BMW E21
1986 Toyota 4Runner (Dead engine and trans)
1989 Toyota 4x4 PU
1994 BMW E36 (Daily)

[didget69]

[xzener]

For those of you knowledgeable in the subject... Wondering if these will fit my 68 KG with short axles.

7x17" ET55 5-130mm Porsche Factory 996/Boxster Rims

Thank you in advance!
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My 70 beetle was totaled Now to build the Ghia I always wanted. Rest in peace Ruby, I will miss you. Hello <insert Ghia name here>!

[rickpereira]

17x7 2in narrowed and adjustable beam, 2.5in dropped spindles and 195/40r17 had to tap in the inner lip of the guards and limit the steering stops a bit, no rubbing

[xzener]

Nice stance... Love the 17" Fuchs, but those are ET40 if I'm ot mistaken. Which direction does that push the ones I posted (ET55)?? I get confused... Would that be even less room between the tire and the fender, or does that push it more inward giving me more clearance but less turning radius??

BTW, that is a 4" narrowed adjustable beam right??
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My 70 beetle was totaled Now to build the Ghia I always wanted. Rest in peace Ruby, I will miss you. Hello <insert Ghia name here>!

[rickpereira]

yes the offset is 40. this pushes the wheel out 15mm further than your 55. and no its a 2 in narrowed beam not a 4