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Captain Spalding
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2005
Posts: 2005
Location: . . . in denial.
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 Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 8:45 pm Post subject: Re: 15x6??? |
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| Pierre G wrote: | | I remember you said you're raising the car a bit...? So it should fit easy. |
In the case of a body lift, you are correct. But if it's a spring lift, there's always the possibility that sometime the suspension will be fully compressed. |
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Pierre G
Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2007
Posts: 1769
Location: New Caledonia
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| Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:42 pm Post subject: Re: 15x6??? |
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| Captain Spalding wrote: | | Pierre G wrote: | | I remember you said you're raising the car a bit...? So it should fit easy. |
In the case of a body lift, you are correct. But if it's a spring lift, there's always the possibility that sometime the suspension will be fully compressed. |
Maybe after a jump  , or some trial like this :
...but surely not on regular cruising. You're right captain, but I guess the first concern is not rubbing on the road, or light off road. Then extreme off road is another question...
I went on "soft" off road last week-end, and I had one or two very light rubbing. But my rear tires are still very close to the fenders. I'm sure with stiffer shocks and raised a bit, I wouldn't have had any rubbing issues...
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1976 181/Thing (daily driver), 1967 fastback, 1973 squareback, 1964 microbus, 1967 Double Cab, 1969 westfalia (currently under resto), 1972 westfalia, 1978 westfalia, 1972 LM1C dune buggy, 1974 jean's bug, 1974 1303 (super beetle, currently under reassembly after new paint) + 2 semi wrecks 181 (1971 and 1972)... |
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Captain Spalding
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2005
Posts: 2005
Location: . . . in denial.
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| Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:45 am Post subject: Re: 15x6??? |
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| Pierre G wrote: | | . . . I guess the first concern is not rubbing on the road, or light off road. Then extreme off road is another question... |
Even on the road, when one meets an unanticipated speed bump or dip at highway speed, the suspension can be fully compressed. |
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JonnyBSox
Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2009
Posts: 65
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:40 pm Post subject: drill or not...??? |
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| Just purchased some centerlines....do i need to drill out the old holes for studs or should i use the thread in style with loc tite? |
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Chad1376
Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2005
Posts: 1033
Location: Henderson, Nevada
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| Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:15 am Post subject: Re: drill or not...??? |
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| JonnyBSox wrote: | | Just purchased some centerlines....do i need to drill out the old holes for studs or should i use the thread in style with loc tite? |
My experiences from dealing with all three lug alternatives this weekend.
Press in studs: Make removing and installing wheels alot easier since you don't have to balance the tire on your foot to line up the holes. In addition to drilling, the back side of the drum needs to be spot faced for the stud to seat properly. There's alot of extra room on the rear drums to do this, but the fronts have very little room between the drum and brake shoes. You would need to remove quite a bit of material to get the back of the studs to clear the shoes.
Screw in studs: I tried drilling and tapping for 14mm studs on the front. Without the lug-nuts to tighten against, the studs had a little bit of wiggle and would have relied too much on lock-tite to hold them in place. I didn't trust them. Also, If you turn the studs in too far, you will quickly interfere with the shoes. I didn't like this set-up at all.
Bolts: The only downsides I see are 1) it's a PITA to line up the holes, 2) I feel like the drum threads wear a little every time the bolt is removed. I've never had one strip out, even using an impact wrench, but i don't think they are as durable as press-in studs. I think the key issue here is to make sure the bolt is long enough to use all the threads in the drum, with the added thickness of the rims. I custom trimmed my studs to get just the right lenght on my front.
Long story short: I used 14mm press-in studs w/ open lug nuts on the back, and 14mm bolts on the front.
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See progress on my "Free Thing" here
http://1973vwthingproject.blogspot.com/ |
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Captain Spalding
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2005
Posts: 2005
Location: . . . in denial.
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| Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 12:09 pm Post subject: Re: drill or not...??? |
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| Chad1376 wrote: | | Bolts: The only downsides I see are 1) it's a PITA to line up the holes . . . |
There's a tool to help with mounting of wheels on vehicles with lug bolts. It's called a wheel hanger. It's like a bolt with no head. You screw it into a bolt hole on the drum, spin the drum until the wheel hanger is at 12 o'clock, and then hang the wheel on the hanger. Put in a few lug bolts and then remove the hanger.
 
Another issue to consider with the Centerline wheels, whether bolts or nuts are used to secure the wheel, is the profile of the fastener. Wheel fasteners can have a flat seat, a cone seat, or a ball seat. Which is used depends on the specifics of the wheel, and if the wrong one is used, the fasteners will constantly be coming loose. I'd find out from the vendor or the manufacturer what they recommend.
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JonnyBSox
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Joined: August 17, 2009
Posts: 65
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 7:14 am Post subject: Tires |
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| Great info on the press in and bolt styles thanks. ONe more question. How about Yokohama traction service 7.00 x 15 off road tires. Anyone ever used these on their Thing? |
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Captain Spalding
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2005
Posts: 2005
Location: . . . in denial.
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| Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 7:58 pm Post subject: Re: Tires |
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| JonnyBSox wrote: | | Great info on the press in and bolt styles thanks. ONe more question. How about Yokohama traction service 7.00 x 15 off road tires. Anyone ever used these on their Thing? |
Those are pretty tall tires to run without having made some accommodation for them. |
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Chad1376
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Joined: January 29, 2005
Posts: 1033
Location: Henderson, Nevada
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| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:50 am Post subject: Re: Tires |
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| JonnyBSox wrote: | | Great info on the press in and bolt styles thanks. ONe more question. How about Yokohama traction service 7.00 x 15 off road tires. Anyone ever used these on their Thing? |
Here's a picture of my Thing after I brought it home. The PO had installed 7.00 x 15 tires, although it was never driven and problem areas had not been addressed. The front had a cut-and-twist with massive preload on the ball joints, and the rear was raised against the lower stops.
These are very similar in size to the 235-75-15's I later installed. With stock fenders and no lift, the headlight buckets and front fender lip would have had the same issues as with my current tires.
The rear tucked into the fender lip ok, but limiting jounce travel is needed to prevent scraping.
I can't remember if your planning a 3" body lift, but that would certainly help all of these conditions.
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See progress on my "Free Thing" here
http://1973vwthingproject.blogspot.com/ |
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DannyK
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Joined: October 11, 2009
Posts: 114
Location: Rogers,Ar.
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| Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:34 pm Post subject: STA Super Traxions |
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| After studying this thread and numerous manufacturer's web pages, I've finally decided on tires and wheels for my '74 Acapulco. I just returned the new 15" Empi white spokes because the backspacing was only 3". I did find Centerlines are available with 4 3/8 b.s., but I don't want to spend $1,000 for wheels, so I'm just going to use my original stock wheels (maybe 'blast and paint or powder coat first) polish the hubcaps and mount some E78-14 STA Super Traxions. They're supposed to be 26.6" tall with a section width of 7.6". STA's website shows them available in P185/75D14 also for anyone wanting to stay closer to the stock size. I spent the wheel money I saved for a new Bikini-top and locking metal glove box! P.S. What was the original wheel color? |
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Captain Spalding
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2005
Posts: 2005
Location: . . . in denial.
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| Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:05 pm Post subject: Re: STA Super Traxions |
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| DannyK wrote: | | P.S. What was the original wheel color? |
I'm not sure if I'd call it silver or metallic gray.
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DannyK
Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2009
Posts: 114
Location: Rogers,Ar.
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| Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks Captain! The new tires should arrive Friday, so I've got time to pull my wheels and paint 'em ! |
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505-73Thing
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Joined: December 23, 2008
Posts: 91
Location: ABQ, NM
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| Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:02 pm Post subject: |
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Captain S - what kind of tires are those in the pic?
Danny K mind if I ask approximate cost?
I'm looking at General Grabber AT2's 27x8.5/r14's, but have not committed and Discount Tire sells them locally $110 each.
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The Deadliest Catch, without the crabs. |
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Captain Spalding
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2005
Posts: 2005
Location: . . . in denial.
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| Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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| 505-73Thing wrote: | | Captain S - what kind of tires are those in the pic? |
Bridgestone Dueler A/T 693 in 27x8.5R14.
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505-73Thing
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Joined: December 23, 2008
Posts: 91
Location: ABQ, NM
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| Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:22 pm Post subject: |
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Looks like they don't do the 14's anymore. Thanks
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The Deadliest Catch, without the crabs. |
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DannyK
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Joined: October 11, 2009
Posts: 114
Location: Rogers,Ar.
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| Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 10:04 pm Post subject: |
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| 505-73Thing wrote: | Captain S - what kind of tires are those in the pic?
Danny K mind if I ask approximate cost?
I'm looking at General Grabber AT2's 27x8.5/r14's, but have not committed and Discount Tire sells them locally $110 each. |
I ordered the E78-14 STA Super Traxions for $100.30 ea. plus $80 shipping (for 4 tires) (from STA to my door) STA doesn't sell retail,but they recommended Wallace Wade Speciality tires in Dallas. 1-800/666-8973 guy's name is Lindsey. By the way, STA has the E78's on a seperate light truck page. The P185/75D14's are listed under Postal Vehicle tires. If you decide on the Generals, surf around,because I've seen them as cheap as $85 recently. |
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505-73Thing
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Joined: December 23, 2008
Posts: 91
Location: ABQ, NM
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| Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks. Make sure you post some pic's.
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The Deadliest Catch, without the crabs. |
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DannyK
Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2009
Posts: 114
Location: Rogers,Ar.
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| Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:56 am Post subject: |
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I just ordered the Mainly Customs Porsche Wide-5 wheel tool. I figure I'll always have it and can get my old V-dub wheels mounted and balanced properly anywhere with it. Plus, one can never have too many tools !  [/img]http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs039.snc3/12666_1262072117896_1412500304_746872_4677526_n.jpg[/img] Here's my Thing (with old tires) and my '03 Westfalia. 
Last edited by DannyK on Fri Nov 20, 2009 2:43 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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DannyK
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Joined: October 11, 2009
Posts: 114
Location: Rogers,Ar.
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| Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:00 am Post subject: |
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Well crap, I think I'm so friggin' smart, but I can't even post an avatar or pics !  |
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Captain Spalding
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2005
Posts: 2005
Location: . . . in denial.
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| Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:24 am Post subject: |
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Remove the slash (/) from the image tag that precedes the image's web address.
I sent a PM re the avatar.
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