| Digger89L |
Thu Aug 04, 2016 1:13 pm |
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Sorry if I'm chewing old grass here, but I'm looking for the 'definitive answer' on what size of modern radial tires I can install on a stock suspension Beetle so that there is no interference with the suspension components, etc.
A search here on the forum provides many, many answers / opinions, but not really anything I can take to the tire store. This is what I understand, so far: original tire size was 5.60-15 bias-ply construction. (5.6 inch = 142.2 mm width tread). 4J-15 rim size (4.5 inside rim width X 15” diameter). An equivalent modern alpha-numeric tire sizing would be 155-SR15 (155mm = 6.1 inch tread width) but I can't find that size for sale anywhere here in Canada. Other modern equivalents are: 160/80R-15 , 165/80R-15, 185-65-15, 185-60-15, 195-65-15; 160 = 6.3 inch tread width; 165 = 6.5 inches; 185 = 7.2 inches; 195 = 7.6 inches. HOWEVER, which of these will fit properly without interference??
Thanks .... |
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| Erik G |
Thu Aug 04, 2016 1:16 pm |
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| 165R15 or 165/80-15 |
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| 60ragtop |
Thu Aug 04, 2016 1:41 pm |
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official tire thread
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=294720 |
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| Martin Southwell |
Thu Aug 04, 2016 1:45 pm |
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| Yes, a bit of an old chestnut, this tyre question. 165's will work on the rear of a Beetle/Bug, but will severely limit your lock to lock on the front, and cause rubbing on the flitch panel. One way round the problem, is to fit wheel spacers. |
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| VOLKSWAGNUT |
Thu Aug 04, 2016 2:05 pm |
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4J x 15 = 4 inch x 15..
4.5J x 15 didnt start until 1973..
Use a 155/80/15 as it is closer to "stock size"
Most use a 165/80/15 .. and it works fine.
Both have the tall narrow look.
BF Goodrich still sells a nice 155/80/15. but its black wall or white letter depending on mounting. Feebay has em' too.. :wink:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=535517&highlight=155+80+15
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| Digger89L |
Thu Aug 04, 2016 2:45 pm |
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1. Yes....I've been to the official tire thread .....it just goes round and round ..(no pun intended)
2. Yes.....4j 15 ....not 4.5j 15 (my error)
3. not very many walk-in sources for the narrow and tall 15" sizes up in here in the 'soon-to-be Great White North' ....and shipping practically doubles the cost of a tire, so that's a little frustrating ...
4. what kind of 'spacers' are we talking about for the front wheels? Like a thick washer, or a full 5 bolt plate? Not much room there with the really short wheel lugs .... |
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| EverettB |
Thu Aug 04, 2016 4:03 pm |
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60ragtop wrote: official tire thread
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=294720
Yes, please use the Official Tire thread.
Posting a new message in there pops it to the top and alerts all the people that watch it to help and reply.
Locked. |
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