Split Bus 14" tires - modern equivalent to 7.00x14

Jerry J

I'm trying to figure out what the comparison is between the original stock tire and several radial tire sizes for a '67 bus. It seems that the tire size calculators are set up for radial tires.

Does anyone know what radial size compares to the original 7.00x14 tire?
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Jerry

'58 Bug
'63 KGhia
'67 Squareback
'67 Standard Bus
'60 Single cab

Thornton · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 9:28 am Post subject:

a 7.00 x 14 tire is comparable to an 195/75/14

hope this helps
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Thornton

EverettB · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 9:31 am Post subject:

The closest match is a 185R14, which is 185/82/14

The type2.com library says the 7.00x14 tire had a diameter of 26.22", +/- .24" so that should help if you are using the Tire Size Calculator
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Thornton · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 9:38 am Post subject:

Rain's Westy · Samba Member Joined: February 27, 2004 Posts: 498

I just went out to my shop and mesured a number of difrent tire sizes and compaired them to an orignal 700-14 tire I have ...
The the 195-75-14 is about 2" shorter then the 700-14 , the 205-75 -14 is about 1" shorter and the 215-75-14 is nearly dead on the money .these are all mounted on 14"bus rims and fully inflated.
I did not mesure a 185-14 as it is obvously to short .... unless you want a lower profile tire....
I try to keep stock hight on my bus and keep the speedo reading correctly and running 215-75-14s does the job . Goodyear has this size tire in with a 44 pound presure rating that helps with gas milage . I paid about $45.00 each for them two years ago
. depending on your tire store you may have to order them. I once timed my speedo with these tires and it was nearly dead on the money on a 450 mile long trip... The speedo was rebuilt and known to be accurate.
Mike

Jerry J · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 1:31 pm Post subject:

Thanks gang!

I want keep the speedo pretty accurate and I don't want to engine spinning faster for highway speeds. So stock or a nudge bigger should work for me.

Mike, is that Goodyear a 6 or 8 ply tire? Oh and are we still on for the pop outs?
_________________
Jerry

'58 Bug
'63 KGhia
'67 Squareback
'67 Standard Bus
'60 Single cab

Rain's Westy · Samba Member Joined: February 27, 2004 Posts: 498

I think they are just pasenger car tires.I do not remember the ply rateing but they are not lite truck tires..
yes on the pop outs !
I will call and let you know as soon as I know when I'll be there but it looks like monday be levning at this moment. I will let you know this weekend. I am headed down to Cali to part out a totaled '65 13 window. need parts?

Mike

Jerry J · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 8:46 pm Post subject:

Towel Rail · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 9:42 pm Post subject:

For future reference, the 7.0 (or 700) is the section width in inches. Multiply that by 25.4 and you get 177.8 mm, the first number listed on our radials.

As Everett and empivw said, a 185R14 is the closest match you can find in a radial tire. There are a large handful of companies that make this size if you look. Here's what I've found:

Continental Vanco-8*
Vredestein Comtrac*
Yokohama Y356D*
Nokian Hakkapeliitta CQ and CS
Signet SV820
Hankook RA08*
Michelin Agilis*
Bridgestone 603V*
Cooper SRM II

The asterisized ones are reinforced and/or rated for heavy loads. Hope this helps.

- Scott

Jerry J · Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 11:19 am Post subject:

I've been able to locate both the 185r14's and the 195r14's. It appears that the 185 is a bit on the short side compared to the 7.00x14 and the 195 stand a slight bit taller. In fact I found a set of Bridgestone 603V that are the same price for the 185 and the 195.

Which is better when you consider smaller tires are easier on the steering box but a bigger tire in the rear has less spin (rpm) at 55mph which may be easier on the trans and engine? Or would I be better off going with the 185r14's on the front and 195r14's on the rear?
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Jerry

'58 Bug
'63 KGhia
'67 Squareback
'67 Standard Bus
'60 Single cab

loonyrich · Samba Member Joined: January 29, 2005 Posts: 43

Just a quick addenum to this thread. I just bought Hankook 185R14's off the internet from a place called tire-easy.com. Super price ($56per) and super service (arrived in 3 days). They look really great now we will see how they last!

OG Velvet · Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 11:01 am Post subject:

I've been running 205/70/R14 on my 67 for years. I had never really thought about it before, but will my speedo be off?
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'67 13 Window
'77 Westy
'69 Sunroof Beetle
'65 Honda Dream

GeorgeL · Samba Member Joined: January 16, 2006 Posts: 7346

swervyjoe · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 12:16 pm Post subject:

i have the BFGoodwrench Commercials on my bus. i think they are 185/75-14. they handle well and the speedo is within a mile or 2.

bruwick · Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 10:10 am Post subject:

I'm running 14" stock rims and was wondering what is a good tire size (width/profile) to put on? Good weather use, no heavy hauling. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
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'67
'78 Vert
'63 Single Cab
'74 Westy Weekender

Jerry J · Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 10:43 am Post subject:

I've been real happy with the Vanco 8's on my '67. I think that they look great too.

They won't fit in my spare tire well in the back though.
_________________
Jerry

'58 Bug
'63 KGhia
'67 Squareback
'67 Standard Bus
'60 Single cab

galexander · Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 12:48 pm Post subject:

Hankook RA 08's
185R-14
GREAT Tires!
I have them on my '65 Westy
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Gary
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krautwaggen · Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 2:55 pm Post subject:

There's an obnoxiously long tire sticky in the Bay forum that has some feedback on the available tires of the proper load rating. Most of them are 185s or 195s. I know it's nearly sacrilege to step into the bay forum for some of you, but if you're looking for feedback on 14" tires...that's where you should go.
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Half Bus, Half Truck, What the _______?

EverettB · Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 2:57 pm Post subject:

Quicky link
Bay Window Tire Sticky
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jimbabwe · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 4:41 pm Post subject:

Some words of caution from the official "Workshop Manual, Volkswagen Transporter" regarding tires:

Tubeless radial ply tires are not suitable for the Volkswagen because there is no guarantee that they will remain firmly seated on the rims when cornering fast. We have tested tubeless radial ply tires of all marks, with the vehicles fully loaded and the tire pressures correct and found that the tires lifted from the rims. This results in a sudden loss of air, which, when cornering, could lead to extremely dangerous situations.

My '65 Bus presently is running 165R15 86S tires. This is how it was when I bought it. I wonder what rims I have. They are the normal, old-style rims. Maybe from a Bug? Anybody have any ideas?

Meanwhile, where might I find the proper 7.00x14 tires and might I also need to change the rims or would these tires fit?

Thanks!

Jim


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