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Malokin Martin
Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2007
Posts: 3253
Location: E-burg
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 Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2024 6:56 pm Post subject: Re: 15" Radial Tires - Sizes and Vendors |
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Careful there…. Anti sway bars don’t improve the actual ride, they just make it FEEL like it does. I prefer to know when enough is enough.
With the sway bar you’d never know…. |
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Lind
Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2000
Posts: 10194
Location: idaho
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| Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2024 6:55 am Post subject: Re: 15" Radial Tires - Sizes and Vendors |
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| Brendel20 wrote: |
| So I took Lind up on both of his suggestions....bought his front sway bar kit and upgraded my tires to the thunderer rangers he linked above. Holy cow did it make a difference in the handling around corners and overall feel of my bus. If you are on the fence on either of these upgrades, do it. Both will be going on any future bus I may encounter. Thanks Lind! |
Glad you liked. I have been recomending the anti-sway bar for decades, long before I started selling them. I have had nothing but positive response from people who installed them. Everyone who installs one feels the difference in handling and likes it. Every air-cooled VW built after 1966 had a factory anti-sway bar. The factory installed them for a reason, they make your car handle better and drive safer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-roll_bar
_________________
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Wanted:
Idaho VW license plate frames or other dealership items.
VWoA literature and early dealership or distributor literature/pictures/information
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markham56
Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2012
Posts: 9
Location: Knoxville
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| Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2024 1:20 pm Post subject: Re: 15" Radial Tires - Sizes and Vendors |
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| '58 Single Cab wrote: |
I might as well contribute in trying to keep this thread up to date. My Cooper Discoverers in 195R15 are way past due for replacing (44th week, 2006 date code). They have been an excellent tire in that they took me everywhere and never let me down.
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What is the full tire code for your Coopers? Thx |
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markham56
Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2012
Posts: 9
Location: Knoxville
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| Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2024 1:39 pm Post subject: Re: 15" Radial Tires - Sizes and Vendors |
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I purchased this 65 split bus deluxe and it came with Crosswind M/T LT215/75R15 tires on it. The bus has been elevated and modified to use a bay window front beam. Engine is a 1915cc. They're quite noisy and I'm not sure they're the safest tires to be using. Steering is a bit loose. I'm considering getting replacements in All-Terrain. Thoughts?
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cdennisg
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2004
Posts: 20772
Location: Sandpoint, ID
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| Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2024 2:06 pm Post subject: Re: 15" Radial Tires - Sizes and Vendors |
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| markham56 wrote: |
| '58 Single Cab wrote: |
I might as well contribute in trying to keep this thread up to date. My Cooper Discoverers in 195R15 are way past due for replacing (44th week, 2006 date code). They have been an excellent tire in that they took me everywhere and never let me down.
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What is the full tire code for your Coopers? Thx |
These have been NLA for many years now. Great tires, just can't get 'em anymore.
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nothing |
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Alan Brase
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2004
Posts: 4563
Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa
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| Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2024 3:34 pm Post subject: Re: 15" Radial Tires - Sizes and Vendors |
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| markham56 wrote: |
| I purchased this 65 split bus deluxe and it came with Crosswind M/T LT215/75R15 tires on it. The bus has been elevated and modified to use a bay window front beam. Engine is a 1915cc. They're quite noisy and I'm not sure they're the safest tires to be using. Steering is a bit loose. ... |
You mean the steering components WORN, or the feel of the steering is loose?
_________________
Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home |
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markham56
Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2012
Posts: 9
Location: Knoxville
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| Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2024 8:58 am Post subject: Re: 15" Radial Tires - Sizes and Vendors |
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| Alan Brase wrote: |
| markham56 wrote: |
| I purchased this 65 split bus deluxe and it came with Crosswind M/T LT215/75R15 tires on it. The bus has been elevated and modified to use a bay window front beam. Engine is a 1915cc. They're quite noisy and I'm not sure they're the safest tires to be using. Steering is a bit loose. ... |
You mean the steering components WORN, or the feel of the steering is loose? |
The feel of the steering is loose, although I may have other problems unrelated to the tires. |
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Alan Brase
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2004
Posts: 4563
Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa
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| Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2024 10:40 am Post subject: Re: 15" Radial Tires - Sizes and Vendors |
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| markham56 wrote: |
| Alan Brase wrote: |
| markham56 wrote: |
| I purchased this 65 split bus deluxe and it came with Crosswind M/T LT215/75R15 tires on it. The bus has been elevated and modified to use a bay window front beam. Engine is a 1915cc. They're quite noisy and I'm not sure they're the safest tires to be using. Steering is a bit loose. ... |
You mean the steering components WORN, or the feel of the steering is loose? |
The feel of the steering is loose, although I may have other problems unrelated to the tires. |
I've always found it necessary to keep the inflation pressure 8-10psi lower in the front to increase the foot print of the front tires. Keep in mind, T1 and T2 have about 60% of the weight on the rear.
Most recent experience has been with Vanagons, which have a bit more weight on the front (gas tank, and radiator), but the exact same tires and wheels as a bay window. Virtually the same tires as a T1 since 1964.
_________________
Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home |
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ento
Samba Member
Joined: December 31, 2008
Posts: 220
Location: el paso tx
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| Posted: Thu May 01, 2025 4:15 pm Post subject: Re: 15" Radial Tires - Sizes and Vendors |
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Will a 215 75 R15 fit my 62? It seems like all the 205s are trailer tires. Everything else has a low load rating. Although it seems like 1500+ is a bit much for each tire. But I do plan on towing a trailer with it and loading it up so I am aiming higher.
_________________
66 European bug, 66 euro sunroof
76 baja
76 sun bug sunroof
64,66,67,68 bug
69,70 bay
61 Ragtop bug, 61 sedan(looking for the vert)
61 RHD Ragtop Semaphore bug fakeAF
64,64 KG
74 thing
55 oval
70 ratrod
73 fastback pignose |
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Alan Brase
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2004
Posts: 4563
Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa
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| Posted: Sat May 03, 2025 9:37 am Post subject: Re: 15" Radial Tires - Sizes and Vendors |
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| ento wrote: |
Will a 215 75 R15 fit my 62? It seems like all the 205s are trailer tires. Everything else has a low load rating. Although it seems like 1500+ is a bit much for each tire. But I do plan on towing a trailer with it and loading it up so I am aiming higher.
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As much as I like the idea of 15 inch wheels, for a working 1960's bus I would be really tempted to just get a set of 1964 spec (1964-1970) 14 inch wheels and then choose from many different brands of acceptable tires. 185R 14C.
Ive used up several sets of Michelin, Continental, Kleber. More recently, Hankook and Thunderer Ranger.
All rated for 1870lb at 65psi, so they have stiff carcasses needed for stability in a type 2.
Another hint: buy 5 or 6 if you intend to be driving several more years. Save a panic or compromise later as they wear out or have road hazard.
BTW, I think the only failures I've had with any of these were 3 Michelin Agillis which each had over 60k miles and were VERY Old,(15 years?) and were given to me by a friend. Even then they never deflated, but fully broke the outer belts so I had to stop driving.
_________________
Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home |
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Eric&Barb
Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004
Posts: 25778
Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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| Posted: Sat May 03, 2025 10:11 am Post subject: Re: 15" Radial Tires - Sizes and Vendors |
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| ento wrote: |
| Will a 215 75 R15 fit my 62? It seems like all the 205s are trailer tires. |
215 will not fit in the early flat wheel wells without a lot of fighting to get in and out.
Suggest checking out the 195R15 tire size that are both narrower and taller due to 82% aspect ratio, than the 205/75 size. Plus only about 2.5mm smaller diameter from the 215/75R15.
https://simpletire.com/tire-sizes/195r15
205/75 work well for the front axle due to being pretty darned close to the stock diameter so the speedo/odometer read as correctly as possible.
A few choices in the 205/75 that are not trailer tires here:
https://simpletire.com/tire-sizes/205-75-15
_________________
In Stereo, Where Available! |
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ento
Samba Member
Joined: December 31, 2008
Posts: 220
Location: el paso tx
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| Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 7:17 pm Post subject: Re: 15" Radial Tires - Sizes and Vendors |
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So I tried them anyways. Since they are the smallest LT tire I could find. You are correct about fighting to get the rears in. But it's still easier than my lowered bay.
_________________
66 European bug, 66 euro sunroof
76 baja
76 sun bug sunroof
64,66,67,68 bug
69,70 bay
61 Ragtop bug, 61 sedan(looking for the vert)
61 RHD Ragtop Semaphore bug fakeAF
64,64 KG
74 thing
55 oval
70 ratrod
73 fastback pignose |
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ento
Samba Member
Joined: December 31, 2008
Posts: 220
Location: el paso tx
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| Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 7:23 pm Post subject: Re: 15" Radial Tires - Sizes and Vendors |
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| Alan Brase wrote: |
| ento wrote: |
Will a 215 75 R15 fit my 62? It seems like all the 205s are trailer tires. Everything else has a low load rating. Although it seems like 1500+ is a bit much for each tire. But I do plan on towing a trailer with it and loading it up so I am aiming higher.
|
As much as I like the idea of 15 inch wheels, for a working 1960's bus I would be really tempted to just get a set of 1964 spec (1964-1970) 14 inch wheels and then choose from many different brands of acceptable tires. 185R 14C.
Ive used up several sets of Michelin, Continental, Kleber. More recently, Hankook and Thunderer Ranger.
All rated for 1870lb at 65psi, so they have stiff carcasses needed for stability in a type 2.
Another hint: buy 5 or 6 if you intend to be driving several more years. Save a panic or compromise later as they wear out or have road hazard.
BTW, I think the only failures I've had with any of these were 3 Michelin Agillis which each had over 60k miles and were VERY Old,(15 years?) and were given to me by a friend. Even then they never deflated, but fully broke the outer belts so I had to stop driving. |
I considered switching to 14s since I have a few sets. But these are the original wheels for this bus so if I was going to run a stock wheel it was going to be those.
I tried my SA rostyle sprints but the offset di not work.
_________________
66 European bug, 66 euro sunroof
76 baja
76 sun bug sunroof
64,66,67,68 bug
69,70 bay
61 Ragtop bug, 61 sedan(looking for the vert)
61 RHD Ragtop Semaphore bug fakeAF
64,64 KG
74 thing
55 oval
70 ratrod
73 fastback pignose |
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von_hansel 
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2006
Posts: 783
Location: Inland Empire
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| Posted: Fri May 23, 2025 10:04 am Post subject: Re: 15" Radial Tires - Sizes and Vendors |
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Love the look of your bus. It deserves its own thread.
_________________
| Mugatu wrote: |
| von_hansel is still so hot right now |
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70bus
Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2004
Posts: 1189
Location: P.O.
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| Posted: Fri May 23, 2025 6:47 pm Post subject: Re: 15" Radial Tires - Sizes and Vendors |
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von hansel beat me to it - in fact, I like the look w/out hubcaps even more. Bus looks up for anything. Show us some background!
_________________
Craig K
70 Neunsitzer
65 Pritschenwagen
"If Von Dutch was alive, he'd walk in there with a pistol and shoot these people." - Robert Williams
Raul the 65 singlecab
Karl the 70 nine-seater |
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ento
Samba Member
Joined: December 31, 2008
Posts: 220
Location: el paso tx
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| Posted: Mon May 26, 2025 1:17 pm Post subject: Re: 15" Radial Tires - Sizes and Vendors |
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| von_hansel wrote: |
Love the look of your bus. It deserves its own thread. |
I will start one here soon. Now that I have actually taken it out
| 70bus wrote: |
| von hansel beat me to it - in fact, I like the look w/out hubcaps even more. Bus looks up for anything. Show us some background! |
I don't usually like the no hubcap look but you are right it looks good on this one.
What do you mean by background?
_________________
66 European bug, 66 euro sunroof
76 baja
76 sun bug sunroof
64,66,67,68 bug
69,70 bay
61 Ragtop bug, 61 sedan(looking for the vert)
61 RHD Ragtop Semaphore bug fakeAF
64,64 KG
74 thing
55 oval
70 ratrod
73 fastback pignose |
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70bus
Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2004
Posts: 1189
Location: P.O.
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| Posted: Mon May 26, 2025 1:29 pm Post subject: Re: 15" Radial Tires - Sizes and Vendors |
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| Quote: |
| What do you mean by background? |
Pics when purchased, what you've done, etc. The normal 'build' stuff. But make it more interesting than my "30 pics of something well-documented by others elsewhere" posts. :)
_________________
Craig K
70 Neunsitzer
65 Pritschenwagen
"If Von Dutch was alive, he'd walk in there with a pistol and shoot these people." - Robert Williams
Raul the 65 singlecab
Karl the 70 nine-seater |
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ento
Samba Member
Joined: December 31, 2008
Posts: 220
Location: el paso tx
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| Posted: Tue May 27, 2025 8:42 am Post subject: Re: 15" Radial Tires - Sizes and Vendors |
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| 70bus wrote: |
| Quote: |
| What do you mean by background? |
Pics when purchased, what you've done, etc. The normal 'build' stuff. But make it more interesting than my "30 pics of something well-documented by others elsewhere" posts.  |
Gotcha. I am going to start a thread about it.
_________________
66 European bug, 66 euro sunroof
76 baja
76 sun bug sunroof
64,66,67,68 bug
69,70 bay
61 Ragtop bug, 61 sedan(looking for the vert)
61 RHD Ragtop Semaphore bug fakeAF
64,64 KG
74 thing
55 oval
70 ratrod
73 fastback pignose |
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