Rookie mistake, with pictures.

[Skulptorchaz]

Well, I am building a rail (to sell) and the guy who wants it wanted these tires. I went ahead and bought them not thinking to check the measurements. Opps.
Now I have to contend with this. Oh well, part of the fun.
Thoughts????

All the red and silver (except for aluminum) on it is powder coat. It's a transparent cand apple red and what they call "super chrome" (Not actually chrome but close).
Thought you all might like to see it.
Cheers,
Chaz

[EVfun]

Can you switch over to short torsion bars used on 40 horse era Bugs and then cut down the swingaxle spring plates into IRS spring plates? Then they won't stick out to interfere with the tire.
_________________

[Skulptorchaz]

So I found this old post:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...ing+plates
Slolombuggy posted all the parts a person needs to convert it over but the links are no longer good. (3 of 4 anyway.) That thread was very helpful.
Does anyone know the correct parts to convert it?
Thanks in advance!
Chaz

[Schepp]

Yea don't do that. That area rubbing is where the outer splines are.
Options:

Correct tire size (least expensive)
Shorter T-bar conversion (more expensive)
Rear coil-overs (most expensive)

Can you return those rear tires for a smaller size?

[Skulptorchaz]

I would need tires AND wheels (they are 12 inchers) and then have the wheels blasted and powder coated. (Not cheap.)
This basket case rail buggy came with 4 new chrome coil overs - I doubt these were very expensive. Would you just get rid of the T-Bar? That does not seem right.
I guess I may have to go with the conversion or ....I hate to say it....spacers. 1" would do it but, I'm not a fan, if I can keep from it.
"Mo' money, mo' money, mo' money..."
Thanks buddy,
Chaz

[EVfun]

[Schepp]

This is what you need to eliminate the T-bars. If you're going to use a legit coil-over like KING, Fox, Bilstein, etc. Not those cheap chrome empi POS ones.
You would need to fab upper and lower shock mounts.
Lots of people selling used coil-overs these days on Facebook MP

Lots of place sell these kits, this is just one example.

https://www.pacificcustoms.com/ac501361k.html

I'm sure someone makes a 12" wide tire with a smaller diameter.

Also I run a 1" spacer on my rears. I do local Rallycross racing and I haven't had any problems with them. If you go that route get the ones that bolt on to the drum/disc. Not the ones that use a longer wheel bolt. Find ones USA made or equivalent. No China.

[NachoCar]

Longshot....but would wheels spacers work?

just a thought

[Skulptorchaz]

Thanks a ton, Schepp. I will look into this. But the tire thing, well, that is pretty much set in stone. I have to now fix it. Spacers may be the ticket as a suspension change would probably be in the neighborhood of $400.00, maybe more when all said and done.
I appreciate it!
NachoCar, yep, I'm going to look at it. Thanks.

[Skulptorchaz]

EVFun, Thank you. That is a great description and I even printed it out to keep handy for future use.

[Schepp]

I'd try spacers first. That's the least invasive solution. It would be a major bummer to grind on that nice shiny new powder coat.
Plus you'd have to weld new shock mounts on the trailing arms. It's a can I don't think you want to open.

Here's the rear setup on my baja bug.
Stock boxed arms with 1" wheel spacers.
225/75-r15 tires

[BFB]

[Schepp]

Another note on spacers.
The ones I have use a steel threaded inserts pressed into the backside of the lug bolt holes.
Steer clear of any that have threads cut into the aluminum spacer itself.
They’re hub centric as well. Mine if I recall were made in Europe by someone on eBay.

[wagen19]

[Skulptorchaz]

Thanks gents!! I really appreciate it!!!