Off roading/street with Thing rims and tires

[stevehenderson]

73 Thing:
Rancho Pro Street IRS. I have not bought the Transaxle yet 4.37 or 4.86 R&P, which do you suggest?

1915 with cb heads and 44idfs.110 engle cam-I built this winter.
I Might run 66*96mm type 4 and five rib with pretty aggressive web cam and same 44s--lot of work though. I already have the tranny however. i have some ported 914 2.0 heads laying around. Lifted I think I can make stock T4 cooling work.

I have never done any baja stuff before forgive me if I am talking stupid.

So I think want to run 700 15 Yokos front and 31 x10.50 rear.
Which of these rims do I buy:
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC-C10-1017
Looks like the have 15x5-10
Rear Rim size?
Front Rim size?

[Brian]

I had 4.37 with 235/75-15s and it was okay with a 1641. Really nice on the freeway, but a whole lotta back and forth between 3rd and 4th.

You could probably get away with DTM cooling on a type 4 in your thing.

Front rim, 4" and rear I'd go 5.5 minimum.

You can look through the stickies to see other peoples' combos.
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'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper

Only losers litter

[stevehenderson]

So would a 4.86 be better with the big tires?

This is what I figured out.
195/80-15 ~ 700X15
265 75r15 ~ 31X10.5
But they sell tires by the old #s.

The wheels I was looking at the guy asked me what offset I want inside and outside front and back?
His bug is 2.5 2.5 on all four for a total width of 5" on each wheel He said it has to do with inside clearance between car and on each rim.
He can make them any way I want them, they are two piece welded.
He said something about backspacing. I assume that's the same as clearance.
http://www.custommetalspinning.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1513
He said you put a 7-8" wide rim on a bug and it probably wont't clear on the inside?

So would:
15 X 7 inch wide, 5 lug white steel wheel (3.5 inch backspacing work or
15 X 8 inch wide, 5 lug white steel wheel (3 inch backspacing)
Would these two hit and a 2.5 backspaced rim work better on a Bug or Thing?
There is a big difference in price getting a welded or custom rim.

Can someone help me out here and tell me these 2 backspacing numbers for the fronts and rears on my Thing.
Regardless will 31X10.5 tire fit a 15 X 7 like I think it will?
Or should I go to 15 X 8

[71StandardReduction]

The back spacing really counts on a vw, whether it is a bug or a thing.

Too little back spacing and your tire will rub the spring plate, atleast.

I'd go with the 15x8 for a 31x10.50 , the width of the wheel will pull the side wall of the tire away from the spring plate and inner fender.

You're gearing needs to be based on where your going to drive the vehicle.
Is it a woods exploration thing, playing in the sand, or a streetable Sunday driver?
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64 Pan Buggy
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Ruby Red 1966
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[Vanapplebomb]

4.86 is a better ratio, but the Richmond Gear sets, as good as they are, are by nature going to be weaker than the other bug ring and pinions. The pinion gear is small. That said, I know a couple people who have them installed in a bug transmission, and they can take a pretty good beating.

As for the stock cooling system, it will work fine. It doesn't hang any lower or anything. Sure it is longer, but if it is inside your rear bumper/cage, then what the heck does it mater. The cage/bumper will be the approach/departure angle limiter, not the fan housing. The stock cooling system on them rocks when set up right. Post some photos of what you have for the T4 guys around here!
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1800 Type 4 Berrien 295

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=487021

[stevehenderson]

How should I tell this guy to build the wheels?
Or how should I measure?
Inside Outside clearance numbers he wants?
First baja type ever for me.

"Post some photos of what you have for the T4 guys around here"
Haven't built the T4 motor yet.
Puts Pics of parts here:
https://sites.google.com/site/stevehendo34/pictures/vw_stuff
I kinda grab parts over the years when they come up.
What I have for a motor now from over 10 years of scrounging:
Great ported 914 2.0 Heads
911 adjusters when they were cheep 1.7 rockers and 2.0 spacers.
a 86A/86B split duration on a 112LC Webcam--got it new/second hand.
40 or 44 IDFs have both - do not have linkage for T4
DPR Used 78mm crank
DPR stock balance and cleared for for stroke rods
Rod bolts are stock, I can't remember.
Some 96mm board out VW cylinders and KB pistons or JE can't remember.
412 exhaust to butcher and weld--got whole running car $500
Case from Bay Van.
Garrett T3--make it work pipe dream
HOPE I WILL BUILD IT SOME DAY.

The old guy that used to hang at Shoptalk Thing form from Alaska, once told me stock cooling can easily be made to fit in body lifted Thing with little cutting. He had a 091 tranny in his. I do have a good 5 rip out of a bay bus. The motor above without the turbo might detonate it.

I built a 1915 this winter. It and and new Rancho Tranny would be much easier in my so called baja Thing.

I did a camper special knockoff for my 80 Vanagon years ago.
Jake gave up the secret sauce for his heads a few years ago--1.8 cores.
Put a 73 webcam in that one and stroked it a bit.
I think a 76mm crank from DPR.

I've built a lot of stock T4 for friends, so I do like them.
Never put T4 in a bug though or any T1.
I need some AA 94mm cylinders pistons for a freind's bus motor, but know one in the world has them. I may have to spend $350 for the Mahles. Shortblock sitting in my basement for the last month.

Gone Ice fishing.
Starts to Warm up in a couple weeks--Thing work time.