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

Fri Aug 19, 2016 7:22 am

Out of curiosity, is the bug sitting on a later pan or did someone just swap out the drums? Keep in mind 67's already infamously have a bit of a taildragger look as it is. Putting smaller diameter rims on the front is going to make that rim to fender gap even wider... If you are handy, its actually pretty cheap installing adjusters in the front beam. Go with some 135 or 145's in the front and you are done under $300 most likely. Of course your ride is going to suck.

Fri Aug 19, 2016 7:33 am

any excuse to post up a pic of my 67 :P

Front - 2 inch narrowed adjustable beam, CB drop spindles and disc brakes. 4.5 inch empi BRMs wrapped in 155/80/15 Firestones. Adjusters on the beam are both at halfway.

Rear - Down one outer spline, 68 and later drum brakes with 67 wide 5 drum on short 66 and earlier axles. Also using adjustable springplates to dial in rear ride just so. 6.5 inch empi BRMs wrapped in 205/65/15 Firestones.

All in all a nice traditional cal-look enflueced ride height and is very drivable. no rubbing and no scrapping or hitting - perfect!!

- note that is not me in the pic, its Doug Berg 8)

Fri Aug 19, 2016 8:55 am

Very nice Jason! I'm a sucker for the 205/65. It's great for gearing and just looks classic. I'm on my fourth different front tire size but I will probably never change the rear. Absolutely love the "puffy" look while others hate it. 8)

Tue Sep 20, 2016 2:03 pm

front 145/65/15
rear 165/65/15
Mooneyes disc +whiteweels
airride system

more info at https://www.facebook.com/drutgarageJacoson/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Mon Sep 26, 2016 2:34 pm

With stance adjusted, and bumpers added.

Mon Sep 26, 2016 6:02 pm

phanal wrote: Hi all,

I look at all the pages and I don't see what i'm searching... So, why not asking!!!!

I bought this 1967 beetle this summer and I want to change the stance this winter:

I'm staying with drum all arround and I don't what to mess with shorter beam, ajuster,etc...

I don't want to put alot of money into it (because I'm restoring and other 67 beetle), but I would like to get a big in the back, and small in front look. I'm looking to returning to wide 5 (because they are 4 lug 68 wheel right now) and go to the stock look wheel (stock VW wheel, black in the center and white outer ring).

To add to the small/big look, I thought going with stock smoothies in the back and put type 2, 14'' wheel in the front.

So, my question, does anybody try to put 14'' wheel in front of a beetle and what kind of problem I may expect (fitment with drum, wheel too wide?????).

Thanks for your help guys!!!

I have 14" wheels in the front and 15" widened wheels in the rear on my '66. Check my gallery. I have a bunch of pics from all different angles. The fronts do rub on the inside at full lock. I have a stock width beam and drum brakes.

Thu Oct 06, 2016 9:01 am

I really hope no one minds me posting this here as my bug is actually a '69 but, when I was studying and coming up with my plan, I referenced this thread many times over. I know it's a 58 - 67 specific thread but figured if, like me, a bug owner from later years is looking for ideas maybe this post will help them?

I hope no one minds and also hope I can help someone with ideas.

I just cross posted this from another post elsewhere.

Finished up lowering the car a little more to get it where I wanted. (1 1/4 more up front and 2 1/4 at the back).

Lowered the rear a little (one click)

And swapped out the front tires for something a little smaller.

So, in case someone is curious, here's the current setup now that I'm done messing.

Rear
Tires: 195/65r15
Wheels: Empi Riviera 15x5.5 ET17
Suspension: Stock - lowered one outer spline.

Front
Disc brakes
Drop spindles
Adjustable stock width beam
Tires: 195/55r15
Wheels: Empi Riviera 15x5.5 ET17

Also, I've had few questions about the colour. Since the previous owner painted the car before I purchased it from them to finish up, I don't know the exact colour as of yet. I don't like the vented deck lid (as some have already noticed - it shouldn't be there (IMO)) and prefer the period correct non-vented deck lid and I will be having that painted to match shortly (I have the car's original lid). I had the car scanned at my local body shop and they called earlier saying the computer spit out a match. They've painted a few cards up to see how close it is. Once the lid is painted, I'll have the code and will share it here is anyone is still interested.

All I know at this point is that it is a factory Mercedes colour. It looks very root beer in nature. Again, I'll let you know when I get the code.

Cheers.

Sat Feb 18, 2017 2:20 pm

I am trying to lower my bug in the front. I want to make a Cal-look bug the best I can. I few years ago I purchased empi 8 spoke wheels. The front tires are sticking out now without lowering. Most of the narrowed beams I have looked at are $700+!! What is my best option to lower the fronts on a budget with the wheel setup I have? I am running 195s now but I am looking to change the sizing to 165s in the front and a 205 in the rear.

Sat Feb 18, 2017 3:19 pm

Some say Smart car tires. Check them out.
Otherwise you can look into 2.5" drop spindles available at most ACVW parts distributors.

JoshsOrange71 wrote: I am trying to lower my bug in the front. I want to make a Cal-look bug the best I can. I few years ago I purchased empi 8 spoke wheels. The front tires are sticking out now without lowering. Most of the narrowed beams I have looked at are $700+!! What is my best option to lower the fronts on a budget with the wheel setup I have? I am running 195s now but I am looking to change the sizing to 165s in the front and a 205 in the rear.

Sat Feb 18, 2017 3:46 pm

Thats a big 10-4. The only thing I see with that is I will still have a gap from the tire and fender. Wont the smaller tire make that gap bigger?

The thing Im concerned with on the dropped spindles is that my wheels stick out to far and Im worried about tire rub.

Ill take a look at the smart car tire.

Sat Feb 18, 2017 3:47 pm

New2me69 wrote: I really hope no one minds me posting this here as my bug is actually a '69 but, when I was studying and coming up with my plan, I referenced this thread many times over. I know it's a 58 - 67 specific thread but figured if, like me, a bug owner from later years is looking for ideas maybe this post will help them?

I hope no one minds and also hope I can help someone with ideas.

I just cross posted this from another post elsewhere.

Finished up lowering the car a little more to get it where I wanted. (1 1/4 more up front and 2 1/4 at the back).

Lowered the rear a little (one click)

And swapped out the front tires for something a little smaller.

So, in case someone is curious, here's the current setup now that I'm done messing.

Rear
Tires: 195/65r15
Wheels: Empi Riviera 15x5.5 ET17
Suspension: Stock - lowered one outer spline.

Front
Disc brakes
Drop spindles
Adjustable stock width beam
Tires: 195/55r15
Wheels: Empi Riviera 15x5.5 ET17

Also, I've had few questions about the colour. Since the previous owner painted the car before I purchased it from them to finish up, I don't know the exact colour as of yet. I don't like the vented deck lid (as some have already noticed - it shouldn't be there (IMO)) and prefer the period correct non-vented deck lid and I will be having that painted to match shortly (I have the car's original lid). I had the car scanned at my local body shop and they called earlier saying the computer spit out a match. They've painted a few cards up to see how close it is. Once the lid is painted, I'll have the code and will share it here is anyone is still interested.

All I know at this point is that it is a factory Mercedes colour. It looks very root beer in nature. Again, I'll let you know when I get the code.

Cheers.

Thank you so much for this post you have your bug sitting exactly how I want mine to sit and now I know what size tyres to get as well.
Do you have any tyre rubbing on your wings with the 195/55 tyres?

Sat Feb 18, 2017 4:03 pm

As far as I know. The 2.5" drop spindles don't add width of the front end. It's when you change to disc brakes that things get outa whack.
Yes the Smart car tire will not fill the fender shape as well as a stock tire. But you will not have to narrow the front end to get away from the dreaded tire rub when the front is lowered.
Good Luck.
JoshsOrange71 wrote: Thats a big 10-4. The only thing I see with that is I will still have a gap from the tire and fender. Wont the smaller tire make that gap bigger?

The thing Im concerned with on the dropped spindles is that my wheels stick out to far and Im worried about tire rub.

Ill take a look at the smart car tire.

Sat Feb 18, 2017 4:56 pm

Ill look into this. Thanks!

67rustavenger wrote: As far as I know. The 2.5" drop spindles don't add width of the front end. It's when you change to disc brakes that things get outa whack.
Yes the Smart car tire will not fill the fender shape as well as a stock tire. But you will not have to narrow the front end to get away from the dreaded tire rub when the front is lowered.
Good Luck.
JoshsOrange71 wrote: Thats a big 10-4. The only thing I see with that is I will still have a gap from the tire and fender. Wont the smaller tire make that gap bigger?

The thing Im concerned with on the dropped spindles is that my wheels stick out to far and Im worried about tire rub.

Ill take a look at the smart car tire.

Wed Mar 01, 2017 9:56 am

So I have searched and cannot find an answer, what does it take to run the BTR wheels? In the rear I plan on one click down only thinking of a 165-60-15 but would like a larger tire if it will fit in the rear on the BTR's, not sure on the fronts this is on a 65 with short axels liknk pin front. Any help appreciated don't want to buy wheels and tires twice.

Wed Mar 01, 2017 10:16 am

JoshsOrange71 wrote: I am trying to lower my bug in the front. I want to make a Cal-look bug the best I can. I few years ago I purchased empi 8 spoke wheels. The front tires are sticking out now without lowering. Most of the narrowed beams I have looked at are $700+!! What is my best option to lower the fronts on a budget with the wheel setup I have? I am running 195s now but I am looking to change the sizing to 165s in the front and a 205 in the rear.

CB performance sells adjustable 2 inch beams for under 400. I would run smaller tires and a 2 inch beam if it were me.

Wed Mar 01, 2017 10:24 am

67 bug.
Air shocks in front
drop spindles
tie rod flip
lowered style ball joints
Bags in rear (BrownBags arms)
Extended front arms to allow it to lay on the 17s
tubbed front and rear
notched and extended plates
2" trans raise

wheels are airkewld 17s with 205/40/17s.

Wed Mar 01, 2017 5:21 pm

my 67, still need to do something with the front, want to lower and small tires..

Wed Mar 01, 2017 6:34 pm

Dave's 65 wrote: So I have searched and cannot find an answer, what does it take to run the BTR wheels? In the rear I plan on one click down only thinking of a 165-60-15 but would like a larger tire if it will fit in the rear on the BTR's, not sure on the fronts this is on a 65 with short axels liknk pin front. Any help appreciated don't want to buy wheels and tires twice.

Anyone?

Sat Mar 11, 2017 8:07 am

Is anyone on here running a stock width adjustable beam and dropped spindles on a ball joint bug if so what size tyres are you running and what sort of ground clearance do you have?

Sat Mar 18, 2017 2:23 pm

1960 - Car has 2.5 drop, discs all around, and stock width front beam.

Before,
145/65 15 A bit too bumpy.

After,
175/65 15 Rubbing on fender.

Cant get a shorter beam, yet. Is there a target front tire size I should get meantime? Or stick with 145/65s?

Heading to try 155/60, as the 175s are not drivable. (Hopefully they take them back)

Thank you for any recommendations.