33" tires ??

Hacksaw44 · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 12:00 pm Post subject: 33" tires ??

Hey guys I am wanting to go taller on my buggy build and would like to put 33" tires on the buggy. I seen that the Tuthills out of Texas did this and I really like it. They went with a more horse power engine, wider front end and wider and longer trailing arms. I was just wondering what you guys thought of this.

jsturtlebuggy · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 1:18 pm Post subject:

I am using BFG KM2 33x1050x15 tires on mine.
You will need a transmission that can handle them. A bus trans with a least a 4.56 R&P is a good start.
Engine size you may want to look at using a least a 2Liter VW or larger size engine. I am using a 2.5liter Subaru for mine. Ecotec is another option.
With the larger diameter tire you also need to think about better than stock brakes for stopping the larger mass of weight. Disc brakes are a good idea.
_________________
Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960

phil fox · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 8:12 pm Post subject:

I have 33x10.5x15 Mickey Thompsons on the back of my buggy.. I am currently building a 1641cc engine for it, which may be a little underpowered for those big things.. but I am not looking to race it, just building a cruiser to have a little fun with.. and I have NO idea how the tranny will work yet.. I may have to do as others have mentioned and change over to a bus box, but I just really liked the looks of the big tires under the back...

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

Hacksaw44 · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 10:38 am Post subject:

I like the look of that one. I want to go 33"s all the way around. I see the Subaru engines and where do they get the engines and it is much work to change over ??

MANXXMAN · Samba Member Joined: July 26, 2004 Posts: 207

tgodber · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 11:41 am Post subject:

A Baja project on TheSamba. And a VW engine swap forum.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=630240

http://frost.bbboy.net/vwengineconversions
_________________
My wife said I never listen to her.
Or something like that!

impaleale · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 8:05 pm Post subject:

I have 30.5 inch tires with 7 inch tread. Stock engine won't turn it. Well, it will but it's going to suck. I also hat on works raised spring plates. Good product but you will end up with a little camber with the 3x3 spring plates. To make sure this works I had to run a bus trans with the 5:56 gears. Your looking at a lot of undertaking to make 33inch tires work. Not to mention getting in and out. The entire tear end of my buggy had to be reworked. You can to bolt on parts to make it kinda work. Key word kinda. You need to do more research or your going to be spending a lot of money with trail and error. I know.

impaleale · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 8:21 pm Post subject:

You also need to account for the up travel. Phil looks like he might have issues with tires hitting the body. The extra weight of the tire on shocks and pre sprung suspension. To be easy, don't do it or you will be dropping a lot of money on broken parts, smashed body, jacked up trans or spend money reworking the car. to many VWs and trucks ruined because of big tires.

phil fox · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 9:55 pm Post subject:

Iguana · Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2015 10:19 am Post subject:

33 x 10.5 x 15 BFG MK2 on a 15 x 7" Method Rim

Iguana · Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2015 10:21 am Post subject:

mtnroads · Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2015 12:11 pm Post subject:

here is my burro with 31x10.5x15 real close to torsion bar with stock length arms.

here is a pic of Laurie's buggy with the same size rears, stock arms and short torsions from a swing axel car.

and lastly here is a pic of the old Baja with 30x9.5x15's all around.

all of the above cars have bus box's.
_________________
pax
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished....

jsturtlebuggy · Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2015 2:30 pm Post subject:

mtnroads,
From past experience even though you have clearance now with the 31in tire clearing the spring plate snout, when tires get hot they will grow and you are going to see the clearance go away.
Maybe you will be lucky and only wear the paint off, if not it will put a groove in the tire.
_________________
Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960


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