TheSamba.com :: View topic - Baja Tire Size- Daily Driver

Tue Jul 19, 2005 4:19 pm

I searched and came up with several posts, but not specific enough.

I am thinking of 185/65/R15 on Front and 235/75/R15 on rear. Problem is, I am having a hard time frinding tires of the same make and model- IE Michelin LTX for all four.

Anyone have a better idea? or suggestion from their experience.

I prefer the Michelin LTX M/S tires but 205/75/R15 is the smallest. I don't know how that will fit.

Stock 57 VW Beetle with Fiberglass Baja Kit.

I am but a grasshopper.

Tue Jul 19, 2005 5:17 pm

I run:
Wildcat EXT Radial LT 215/75 R15 front,
Wild Country Radial RVT 30x9.5 R15 LT rear,
but my car's jacked up a bit.
Is this going to be a street Baja?

BTW, it's a Baja, the tires aren't supposed to match :wink:

Tue Jul 19, 2005 5:48 pm

Mine do.

Tue Jul 19, 2005 6:28 pm

Baja5:
What size are your BFG's? Those look really nice.

Tue Jul 19, 2005 7:07 pm

fronts are 30-9.5x15,rears are 31-10.5x15.Though this combo might not fit his car as mine has been raised.

Tue Jul 19, 2005 9:57 pm

Remember that a small difference in diameter makes a big difference in gearing on the highway. Best would make sure the tran gearing and dia. are suited for your driving style. 4th gear at high way speeds is what to check. Big tires require lots of low end torque. Vic www.vwhelp.com

Wed Jul 20, 2005 2:46 am

It is an on road Baja :roll:

It will be hooked up to a 1915 with dual Kadrons.

I do not have it lifted.

Wed Jul 20, 2005 5:42 am

Earlier SA Tran are geared lowered IRS but remember the tread must be rounded (Not wide flat tread) The suspension needs the large rounded surface to work. I settled for max 27" dia and at one time had 29" dia. tires but with stock 4th gear you had to run 80 or shift down to second on ever hill. www.vwhelp.com

Wed Jul 20, 2005 5:44 am

I have a swing axle and king/link pin. I have a 67 12 volt trans.

The front tires are the ones I am worried about. I don't want them to rub on turns. Can't find the 165/??/r15's

Wed Jul 20, 2005 9:33 am

I am running a 65 swing axle/link pin combo as well. Right now I am running Walmart Liberators (made by Michellin) in 215/75-15 and 30/9.50-30 sizes and the fronts rub only slightly when turning. I chose the Walmart tires because #1 they were cheap #2 with my negative camber I assumed that they would wear quickly #3 the Walmart warranty is really good -if anything happens in the first 50% of wear they are replaced with no pro-rating. So far on So Cal Desert roads they work very well.

Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:01 am

I am going for Michelin 185/65/15 on front and MAYBE 31/10.5/R15 in rear.

Will drop my gearing, but make 70-75 witha lower rpm on the highway

Anyone have problems with 31's in the rear?

Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:07 am

I had 31s on mine and they rubbed on the inside of the wheel well when the Baja bottomed. Made a loud rubbing/grining kinda noise. That is why I went with 30s - no rubbing in the rear even when I bottom hard.

Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:10 am

I will change my order to the 30's then. I have 235/75/15's on them now and they work well, but I want a lower rpm on highway.

Question- do you uses yours offroad? if so, is that why they are rubbing?

I haven't had it bottom on road. Maybe the 31's will work. Only thing is my torque is going to be crappy, even with a 1915

Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:36 am

sconord wrote: I am going for Michelin 185/65/15 on front and MAYBE 31/10.5/R15 in rear.

Will drop my gearing, but make 70-75 witha lower rpm on the highway

Anyone have problems with 31's in the rear?

This is just my opinion, but the 185/65/15 would be too small. I think you would have some sort of issue with camber with such a big tire in the rear. You would probably lock up the front tires as well when braking. I personnally had some 215/75r15 sears street tires up front, and 235/75r15 sears street tires in the rear. At the time these were made by Pirelli, handled well on the street, and so so off-road. Hope this helps,Later,Mitch.

Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:45 am

sconord wrote:

Question- do you uses yours offroad? if so, is that why they are rubbing?

Yes. It only bottoms offroad. On the street I experience no rubbing even if I go stupid fast over speedbumps. Click on my "Gallery" and you can see how much lift I have with adjusters on the front and the rear adjusted to cover 1/2 of the bottom bolt hole as per the baja book.

Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:54 am

desertbob- nice ride.

I ordered 215's and 235's

I also ordered 185's and 31's.

SMASCLUB. At least I get to check them out before I buy em.

I think the 215 and 31 combo may work well

My car has no lift, so I will have to play it by ear