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sjhotz Samba Member
Joined: May 12, 2007 Posts: 468
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Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 8:46 am Post subject: |
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Really? No One?
I could really use some advice. I'm running General Grabbers AT2's at the moment and I have a trip coming up with no spare tires or rims and cash is tight, please will someone answer my question, give an opinion? anything? Is this Thing on?
I'd like to strap two spares to the roof (which happen to be on stock 14" Bus rims from a 72 Bay Window Bus). Am I correct in understanding they will work on rear? Will they even have a chance in front considering i'm using 4 lug to 5 lug wheel adapters (super beetle front brakes mod) which widens my stance about 1/4 to 1/3 of an inch? _________________ BAY PRIDE!
74 Thing
72 Bay Window Westy TinTop |
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Chris in Santa Cruz, CA Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2010 Posts: 178 Location: See name
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Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 9:58 am Post subject: |
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All I know is that I have four 15" wheels on my 1972 and they do not have the four slots in them and I'm trying hard to find two more and not having much luck. I have no spare right now. If I could find two more with the same offset but with the slots for spares thats ok too. _________________ current:Bugatti Type 35 kit car (74 beetle), 1972 Thing
previous: 1965 1500 Variant S (first car), 1976 Westfalia, 1978 Bus, 1982 Vanagon |
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groop Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2009 Posts: 14 Location: Brea, CA
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Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 3:00 pm Post subject: |
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I have 15" rims all the way around on my '74. Yes, they rub, but only if the steering wheel is all the way cranked- not something I would do for ordinary driving.
No idea what type of vehicle they were on originally, but they're factory VW for sure.
My spare is a 14". Lets' hope I never need it |
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Rev. Scott Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2006 Posts: 770 Location: Philo, Ca.
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Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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The only way to know for certain, is to bolt 'em on and go for a drive. Seems to me that the offset of the spacer should negate the interference on the inboard side, however exacerbate clearance (lack there of) at the fender lip. I have run wide five 14" bus wheels on my thing...briefly (one week), they ALMOST fit. _________________ "I haven't seen one of those since I was shootin' at 'em!" |
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magiceddie88 Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2005 Posts: 254 Location: Alaska
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Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2017 7:10 pm Post subject: Re: Bus rims |
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I wanted to post a visual, I recently bought a rim under the impression that it was a early VW transporter/Kombi Rim, to my surprise once it arrived, it was far from identical, yet very similar perhaps you can verify what I've come to find out.
Both are 15" the wider rim came off of a 1960 Kombi. The thinner rim came from a seller on TheSamba. The design is the same 4 Slot rim I initially thought this was specific to the Kombi. Once the Rim showed up I sanded down to the identifying spots, it apears that the thinner rim was made in '72. And also has a prefix of KH 72 also the Rim size reads; 4J x 15. Any verification would be greatly appriciated. Also if anyone is interested please PM me, thanks!
Edit*
Okay, after dogging and digging and digging I'm going to leave this here to my understanding this is a repoduction VW rim made by Kelsey Hayes. I believe it was intended to replace stock Bus & Thing rims as noted. I think this is also why its appearance is simular yet different over all, knowledge is power and now we know.
-Eddie _________________ '57 Ragtop
‘60 Kombi
'69 Westy
Instagram: Magiceddielive
Drive alive
Enthusiast-would be an understatement.
...Air-cooled by SummerFroze by Winter...
www.arcticaircooledvws.com
Wild Bill wrote: |
"Life In the FAST LANE". What the Hell does that feel like? |
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vwwestyman Samba Member
Joined: April 24, 2004 Posts: 5688 Location: Manhattan, Kansas, USA
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magiceddie88 Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2005 Posts: 254 Location: Alaska
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Posted: Sun May 07, 2017 3:08 pm Post subject: Re: Bus rims |
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Dave just to clear up the misunderstanding an early Bus rim was used as an early thing rim. They're one in the same. The one I had mentioned above is different but the same* it was made here in the US as an aftermarket option which is why it is a tad different when it comes to width, depth, and weight. _________________ '57 Ragtop
‘60 Kombi
'69 Westy
Instagram: Magiceddielive
Drive alive
Enthusiast-would be an understatement.
...Air-cooled by SummerFroze by Winter...
www.arcticaircooledvws.com
Wild Bill wrote: |
"Life In the FAST LANE". What the Hell does that feel like? |
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nemobuscaptain Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 3874
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RWK Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2009 Posts: 1349 Location: S.W. MI
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2020 6:00 am Post subject: Re: Bus rims |
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Bus 15" rims are about 8mm deeper back space then Thing 14", 14" bus more yet, T3 15" rims are very close to Thing
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=278016 _________________ 73 Type 181
63 Type 113
63 Type 261- 428 071
62 Type 241-378 025 178 530 |
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nemobuscaptain Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 3874
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RWK Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2009 Posts: 1349 Location: S.W. MI
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2020 1:45 pm Post subject: Re: Bus rims |
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Well at least 8mm maybe 12 at most, (1/2") best to try it, you quoted my answer. _________________ 73 Type 181
63 Type 113
63 Type 261- 428 071
62 Type 241-378 025 178 530 |
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RWK Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2009 Posts: 1349 Location: S.W. MI
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2020 1:48 pm Post subject: Re: Bus rims |
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You would have to add studs/nuts if you add spacers, stock lug bolts would not work anymore _________________ 73 Type 181
63 Type 113
63 Type 261- 428 071
62 Type 241-378 025 178 530 |
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BJT Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2018 Posts: 187
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2020 6:44 pm Post subject: Re: Bus rims |
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nemobuscaptain wrote: |
Head is swimming after reading the threads. Was really planning on running 14" bus rims on my 74 Thing with 27x8.50r14 which would also allow me to standardize the fleet and primarily bc I already HAVE them.
It appears it will rub. Will a spacer fix this or will the spacer cause more problems (hitting somewhere else or something)? I know that some dont like spacers and point out they aren't as strong.
And does lifting the Thing fix the interference on the front? Or do bus rims still hit the control arms? |
I’m not sure if lifting will allow you to use a bus 14 rim on the front. But when I bought my Thing it had Beetle spindles which lowered it 3” inches. Not my taste, so I put in correct Thing parts, when I was done I noticed a loud rubbing sound. Found out the PO had put 14” bus rims on. Long story short, using beetle spindles will allow you to use bus rims. Not sure why you’d want to, but to each their own. |
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volkybus Samba Member
Joined: November 03, 2013 Posts: 481 Location: CASTLETON VT USA
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Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 6:14 pm Post subject: Re: Bus rims |
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Well here's my two cents worth..I had s 70 Hi roof van that had a engine fire and 4 almost new tires.. well one by one I put them all on my 73 thing and almost wore them out..For years finally switched to front disk brakes so I switched to 15" bug tires..on front ,no problem so I guess ignorance is bliss..I never noticed that the wheel were rubbing but I never balanced the wheels..When u get front disks u need 15" wheels ,my spare is a bug 15" and I still have those 14" bus rims in back and they don't rub ,I have a couple of extra thing wheels if anybody needs them..cheap.
Bill in Puerto Rico till thle crisis is over then back to VT |
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volkybus Samba Member
Joined: November 03, 2013 Posts: 481 Location: CASTLETON VT USA
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Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2020 7:47 am Post subject: Re: Bus rims |
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Well I discovered Golf/Jettss use the same size lugbolts 12mm but they are a lot longer...so that might help if you go the spacer route. I just ended up with 2 95's 1 golf,cabro & 1jetta..so now I am a part-time water pumper guy(the) Bill again |
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nemobuscaptain Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 3874
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RWK Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2009 Posts: 1349 Location: S.W. MI
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Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 4:26 am Post subject: Re: Bus rims |
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5 bolt 15 rims are all the same width, 15 bus rims set closer to the inside of car, (more back space) as do 14 bus rims but 14s are 1/2 wider. both sets of bus rims moves tire closer to spindles,wheel wells and spring plates in the rear, and may rub. 15 in. T3 rims are almost the same offset, (back space) as thing 14 rims. Bus rims have more back space because they have reduction gear box's as did early Things. They all should work but depending on tire size may rub _________________ 73 Type 181
63 Type 113
63 Type 261- 428 071
62 Type 241-378 025 178 530 |
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volkybus Samba Member
Joined: November 03, 2013 Posts: 481 Location: CASTLETON VT USA
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Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 2:24 pm Post subject: Re: Bus rims |
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Well I have 15" rims on my thing in front and they are from a early bug..I thought bus rims 15""were wider but it's been a while since I had a bus w stock 15 rims maybe back in the 70's and you know what they say If you remember the 60's or 70's you weren't really there.. I actually had a bus with stock 16" rims..I think it was a barn door bus... Bill still stuck in the islands of the Caribbean
Thanks see you soon (the states) |
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volkybus Samba Member
Joined: November 03, 2013 Posts: 481 Location: CASTLETON VT USA
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Posted: Sun May 31, 2020 5:32 am Post subject: Re: Bus rims |
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Question? Has anybody tried to reverse the rims in the back of a thing? We used to do that all the time on bugs back in the day .I saw a picture of one (bug) on the samba recently and would like to know if anyone else has tried this. And if so which rims would you use.. I tried to do that last fall w one of my 14" bus rims but It wouldn't line up due to the front lip. I don't want to break off the hubcap clips to find out.. Thanks again Bill..still on the island(PR) |
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