TheSamba.com :: View topic - Pictures of tire, wheel, and suspension thread for FAQ's

Sun Jan 09, 2022 6:02 pm

Fred_e81 wrote: Good morning,

I currently have 145’s up front on a stock length kingpin front beam. I want a slightly wider tire with about the same or slightly shorter sidewall. What size would you all recommend. I hear that going slightly wider helps w the handling of the bug.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Try a 175/65.

Sun Jan 09, 2022 10:54 pm

I had my front beam narrowed years ago and don’t remember how much I had it narrowed. How can I measure what I have to see how much it was narrowed?
62 beetle

Tue Feb 01, 2022 8:27 am

anyone got pics of Porsche 7 slots or design 90s on their beetle?

Sun Mar 27, 2022 6:58 pm

Where might I find a good reference to set the stock ride height/etc for a '64 Beetle?

Sun Mar 27, 2022 8:24 pm

I checked owners manual! Page 80 says ground clearance 6”

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/60_65bug_replacement.php
PDF is best way to search

Mon Mar 28, 2022 8:10 am

wbbbbbbb wrote: I checked owners manual! Page 80 says ground clearance 6”

Thanks! I need to venture into adjusting my bug's ride height.

Sat Apr 30, 2022 2:12 pm

Narrow beam question.

I’ve had this narrowed beam for years. Finally getting around to trying to use. Problem is the lower spring plates seem to have the simple 90 degree off??

Sat Apr 30, 2022 5:07 pm

type4split wrote: ... 90 degree off??

Look at how the adjusters are oriented; they're about 90° different from one another.

Sat Apr 30, 2022 5:27 pm

I noticed that. Wtf. How would this have ever worked? I almost thought it was raised for a minute….. well, 1/2 raised

Is it possible they had the dimples 90 degrees out ?

****edit******. Figured it out, Put it together like it should. Found the center location. All 👍🏻 good

Wed May 11, 2022 4:10 pm

bw65vw wrote: lowN2slo wrote:

Front
CB Drop spindles
4 Inch narrowed beam
15 inch Empi 5.5 wide
155's

Rear
Drop plates
185's

I like this look! What drop plates did you use?

Hi, Limebug drop plates - 2inch, Thanks!

Wed May 11, 2022 5:13 pm

type4split wrote: I noticed that. Wtf. How would this have ever worked? I almost thought it was raised for a minute….. well, 1/2 raised

Is it possible they had the dimples 90 degrees out ?

****edit******. Figured it out, Put it together like it should. Found the center location. All 👍🏻 good
Did the center anchor have 2 sides threaded for set screws? I could see a setup with one short set screw to hold the bars, then turn the center 90 degrees install the long one (with a flat bottom) to hold the center anchor in place on the beam. This would cause the adjuster to be turned 90 degrees so it is not going to get ripped off if you go too low.

Wed May 25, 2022 9:17 am

Ok I have read all through and love the look of many of the cars. Here is my bone stock, except for the JC Whitney hubcaps. This is survivor that I think has only been painted, just 39,000 miles, no mods, no dents, nothing. I am only looking to do 2.5” drop spindles maybe one notch in the rear and run Empi GT-5 wheels 15x5.5 with 4” backspacing. Can I run 195/65 all the way around or will I have rubbing issues. If so what size would I need to run up front?

Wed Jun 01, 2022 6:32 am

Can anyone help? I really want to get my new wheels and tires on my bug

Sun Jul 03, 2022 9:06 am

drop spindles + added width of wider tires: you may run into rubbing issues with the tires. Drop spindles move the wheel out about 3/8" per side. Those wheels will stick out about 1/2-3/4" more than stock also. So you're roughly an inch wider per side than stock.
I know people that've done fine with drop spindles and stock wheels, but with wider wheels and wider tires I think you're getting close

Sun Sep 11, 2022 10:12 am

clay showalter wrote: Can anyone help? I really want to get my new wheels and tires on my bug

195 is a wide tire for the front, that wouldt look good :D
i would take 165 max, even 145 is possible...
195 will touch the inner fenders...

I just bought spindels and some 5.5 rims.
The tires i gonne buy are:
front: 145/65
rear:165/80

Tue Sep 20, 2022 12:42 pm

Assistance Needed....

Currently have a '67 Sunroof Bug with stock errythang...

I just submitted an order with SOA Speed Shop for a 4" narrowed ball joint beam with narrowed tie rod and new ends.
Next to be ordered is the EMPI Wide Five Front Disc Brake Conversion with 2.5" Drop Spindles.
I also intend to put Klassik Rader Falcons (15x5.5) at all 4 corners.

I've looking for a tasteful drop of about 3-4 inches overall (need to be able to navigate speed bumps etc).

What size tires do you all recommend with the intended set up described above?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Wed Sep 21, 2022 9:10 am

navyfam2 wrote: Assistance Needed....

Disregard, my impatience took over... ordered Continental Eco Contact 145/65R15 for front and 175/55R15 for the rear

Wed Sep 21, 2022 10:06 pm

navyfam2 wrote: navyfam2 wrote: Assistance Needed....

Disregard, my impatience took over... ordered Continental Eco Contact 145/65R15 for front and 175/55R15 for the rear

Sorry you didn’t get as fast of a reply on this as needed. For some reason the wheel and tire forum seems to get overlooked a lot. The front tires will work ok but you could have gone a little wider and been ok. I’m not a huge fan of 144’s as I think they are too thin. For the rears you really may want to reconsider. While the width is “ok” you probably would be happier with the overall look of a 205/60/15 or even a 65 series. The 175/55R15 is going to be on the small side. You’re changing the circumference by about 11% which is significant on the rear of the car. For the front it doesn’t matter other than for clearance but on the rear it can affect engine rpm due to gearing. Here is a site that is good for comparing tire sizes.

https://tire-calc.com/comparison/165-80-r15-and-175-55-r15/

Thu Sep 22, 2022 5:36 am

Sharp64 wrote: Sorry you didn’t get as fast of a reply on this as needed. For some reason the wheel and tire forum seems to get overlooked a lot. The front tires will work ok but you could have gone a little wider and been ok. I’m not a huge fan of 144’s as I think they are too thin. For the rears you really may want to reconsider. While the width is “ok” you probably would be happier with the overall look of a 205/60/15 or even a 65 series. The 175/55R15 is going to be on the small side. You’re changing the circumference by about 11% which is significant on the rear of the car. For the front it doesn’t matter other than for clearance but on the rear it can affect engine rpm due to gearing. Here is a site that is good for comparing tire sizes.

https://tire-calc.com/comparison/165-80-r15-and-175-55-r15/

I figured my haste would create waste, lol.... they won't be the only set of tires i buy for it, so we will see how it turns out.

Thu Sep 22, 2022 10:10 am

navyfam2 wrote: Sharp64 wrote: Sorry you didn’t get as fast of a reply on this as needed. For some reason the wheel and tire forum seems to get overlooked a lot. The front tires will work ok but you could have gone a little wider and been ok. I’m not a huge fan of 144’s as I think they are too thin. For the rears you really may want to reconsider. While the width is “ok” you probably would be happier with the overall look of a 205/60/15 or even a 65 series. The 175/55R15 is going to be on the small side. You’re changing the circumference by about 11% which is significant on the rear of the car. For the front it doesn’t matter other than for clearance but on the rear it can affect engine rpm due to gearing. Here is a site that is good for comparing tire sizes.

https://tire-calc.com/comparison/165-80-r15-and-175-55-r15/

I figured my haste would create waste, lol.... they won't be the only set of tires i buy for it, so we will see how it turns out.

It’s advice, donas you want, but I would sincerely consider sending the rears back and getting one of the sizes I mentioned. An 11% difference on the rear is significant. And on the asthetic side, will look kinda goofy. Good luck either way.