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cseay1
Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2012
Posts: 1341
Location: Elkwood VA
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 Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 6:13 am Post subject: |
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One thing useful to keep in mind is that two different tires of the same "size" can have very different treadwidths. For example:
P195/60R15 Firestone Precision Touring
7.9" section width
5.5" tread width
24.2" diameter
P195/60R15 Bridgestone Ecopia EP422
7.9" section width
6.7" tread width
24.2" diameter
That's a 1.2" width difference in the same "size" tire 
Tire Rack is great because they give you all the specs including actual tread width. Very useful to keep in mind when trying to find that perfect size and fit tire.
I found this out when I recently ordered a set of P185/55R15 and P195/60R15 for a 70 bug .. I was floored when I noticed the 185's were a lot wider in the tread area than the 195's!
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Chris
1968 Karmann Ghia coupe - build log here: Chris' 68 Ghia Build Log - From the Woods back to the Street
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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NauntonEvans
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2014
Posts: 1
Location: uk-hayling island
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 2:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Jasonscool wrote: |
I run the 17 fuchs in the front and the back. 205 45 17's in the back and 195 40 17's in the front. My car has a 3 inch beam with drop spindles. Rolled the front fenders and just a hint of rub on lock to lock wheel turn but everything fits great. Looks a lot better than any 15 inch wheel But to each their own!
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Jason your ghia looks awesome!
I am looking at putting 17x7 porsche rims onto my ghia ,am new to this forum what should i be looking at when selecting my rims? is there an ideal offset? i leaning towards CB disc conversion with porsche bolt pattern, standard ride height-any help is gratefully accepted  |
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JoelH
Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2003
Posts: 1312
Location: North Dakota
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retrofive
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2014
Posts: 88
Location: So.Or.
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| Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 9:33 am Post subject: |
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| JoelH wrote: |
| Anyone have pictures of a stock width beam, lowers spindles, with 145's up front? |
2.5" drop spindles, adjustable stock width beam on 145's
kg2 by retrofive, on Flickr
kg3 by retrofive, on Flickr
IMG_20140223_125452_175 by retrofive, on Flickr |
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RHough
Samba Member
Joined: May 12, 2013
Posts: 299
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 1:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Altema wrote: |
If I'm not mistaken, the stock wheels are 4.5 inches, and you can purchase 5.5 inch rims new from CIP and other sources. I will be going with 5.5 on all four corners next summer, as the stock rims are a bit too narrow for the 195/65R15 tires I have on there now. |
I just did this. CIP 5.5x15 (ET35) 8 spokes and Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position (Ultra High Performance All Season).
I had to modify the aftermarket brake calipers to clear the spokes (too lazy to source 3-4mm spacers.
I like the look and how the car drives. Stock height all around.
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kiwighia68
Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2013
Posts: 2876
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
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| Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Altema wrote: |
I just did this. CIP 5.5x15 (ET35) 8 spokes and Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position (Ultra High Performance All Season).
I had to modify the aftermarket brake calipers to clear the spokes (too lazy to source 3-4mm spacers.
I like the look and how the car drives. Stock height all around.
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Very, very nice. My grandson would love to have your car. This is his favourite colour. The car looks good at stock height too. Well done.
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Festina lente - hasten slowly
1968 Ghia named Emiko
Resto completed Dec 2015 |
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'68_VW_GHIA
Samba Member
Joined: November 08, 2013
Posts: 12
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carl4x4
Samba Member
Joined: March 20, 2012
Posts: 679
Location: United Kingdom
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| Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 2:38 am Post subject: Re: 68 ghia |
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If you don't lower the car it'll be a lot simpler
I did the same with similar wheels in the UK with et43. The rears were fine with 185 tyres, I used 175 on the front, but had an issue with clearance on the inside of the rims so needed a 10mm spacer on the front. This was with a Red9 front suspension so you might be OK with stock.
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1969 UK Karmann Ghia build http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=518789&highlight= |
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J1
Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2014
Posts: 698
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 11:41 am Post subject: |
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Anyone know if a similar looking wheel is available for 4 lugs? I think what I dig is the "rivet" look around the perimeter, not necessarily the inner star.
I found this on another site, anyone know what kind these are?
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1971 Ghia coupe. Assume I know nothing and you'll be pretty darn close to the truth. |
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scotty timmerman
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2010
Posts: 1000
Location: gigharbor W.A
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bluedot
Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2013
Posts: 439
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 11:30 pm Post subject: |
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Just picked up some Airkewld 17" smoothies for my ghia.
Did a trial fit to check clearances, and found only 1/4" between the rim and the rear fender.
Now it just as to clear, right? And the 17" tires don't usually go beyond the rim - so I think I am ok.
I ordered 205 40/17 and 215 45/17's. I think I may mount them and try them on before disassembling and painting the rims.
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didget69
Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2004
Posts: 4927
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
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| Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 5:40 pm Post subject: |
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| bluedot wrote: |
Just picked up some Airkewld 17" smoothies for my ghia.
Did a trial fit to check clearances, and found only 1/4" between the rim and the rear fender.
Now it just as to clear, right? And the 17" tires don't usually go beyond the rim - so I think I am ok.
I ordered 205 40/17 and 215 45/17's. I think I may mount them and try them on before disassembling and painting the rims.
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Any tires you mount will see the sidewalls balloon slightly - you'll *most likely* see the tires rubbing the fender lips. Those 215/45-17's are probably going to have a section width of 8.2"-8.6" wide, based on manufacture brand. I'm in same situation with mounting 17's on my Ghia project... but I'm running 17x7.5J rims with a 53ET.
bnc
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I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door. |
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didget69
Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2004
Posts: 4927
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
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| Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 5:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Jawon wrote: |
Anyone know if a similar looking wheel is available for 4 lugs? I think what I dig is the "rivet" look around the perimeter, not necessarily the inner star.
I found this on another site, anyone know what kind these are?
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Possibly 2-piece (or 3-piece) Revolution rims or similar. Maybe Wolfrace rims from U.K.
bnc
_________________
I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door. |
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Bloku
Expert Noob
Joined: April 09, 2013
Posts: 559
Location: Tulsa/Jenks Oklahoma
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| Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 4:26 pm Post subject: |
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Here is my 1971 karmann ghia!
Front : Drop spindles
175/55s Kumhos
Black rims with caps and beauty rims
Back: Stock
185/65s Falkens
Black rims with caps and beauty rims
Mods - Rolled the fenders with a hammer and a heat gun. Up close my paint has tons of nicks, but the paint is original
_________________
1971 Karmann Ghia
1975 Porsche 914
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1975 BMW 2002
1976 BMW 2002 (Bored and Stroked w/ 5-Speed)
1981 BMW E21
1986 Toyota 4Runner (Dead engine and trans)
1989 Toyota 4x4 PU
1994 BMW E36 (Daily) |
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sirzo
Samba Member
Joined: December 12, 2007
Posts: 170
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Bluedot
On a car show I saw recently they demonstrated clearancing the fenders on a car that was just painted.
They used a base ball bat!
They raised the car a bit to give clearance for the bat and then rolled the bat over the tyre which helped push out the fender lip out a bit. I recall the tyre was off the ground as the roll of the tyre kept the bat smoothly positioned against the fender.
I think they ended up getting about 7 or 8 cm (3 inches) clearance extension on the fender away from the tyre. They repeated the process a couple of times to get the clearance they were looking for.
They went slow and there was no apparent distortion.
Worth a thought if needed? |
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didget69
Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2004
Posts: 4927
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
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| Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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Some custom tire/wheel installation shops have a 'proper' fender lip rolling tool that can create some clearance by rolling the inner fender lip upwards.
But it won't stretch the inner fender outward.
bnc
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I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door. |
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hpw
Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2006
Posts: 3010
Location: memphis
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| Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 5:10 pm Post subject: |
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| sirzo wrote: |
Hi Bluedot
On a car show I saw recently they demonstrated clearancing the fenders on a car that was just painted.
They used a base ball bat!
They raised the car a bit to give clearance for the bat and then rolled the bat over the tyre which helped push out the fender lip out a bit. I recall the tyre was off the ground as the roll of the tyre kept the bat smoothly positioned against the fender.
I think they ended up getting about 7 or 8 cm (3 inches) clearance extension on the fender away from the tyre. They repeated the process a couple of times to get the clearance they were looking for.
They went slow and there was no apparent distortion.
Worth a thought if needed? |
some other options
Link
youtube]
Link
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SLIzSCt_cg&list=FLIX26sGa8__1F1loczLPTtg&index=2 |
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CiderGuy
Samba Member
Joined: December 23, 2013
Posts: 1351
Location: Bucks County, Pa
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| Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 3:59 am Post subject: |
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| Just thinking out loud. I wonder if the Eastwood fender roller will work. Can it be bolted to the wheel hub of a VW, which is different then a Ford or a Chevy? |
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didget69
Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2004
Posts: 4927
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
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| Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 7:14 am Post subject: Fender clearance |
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| CiderGuy wrote: |
| Just thinking out loud. I wonder if the Eastwood fender roller will work. Can it be bolted to the wheel hub of a VW, which is different then a Ford or a Chevy? |
From Eastwood website:
"About Eastwood Fender Roller Tool
Our exclusive fender rolling tool bolts directly onto the wheel's hub flange, and the elongated holes in the adapter plate fit all popular 4- and 5-bolt hubs. It's held in place with the included dished washers and your vehicle's lug nuts. Accommodates up to a 120.6 mm (4.75") 4- or 5-lug bolt circles. Forming arm adjustability ranges from a minimum of 14" to a maximum of 22-3/4" hub-center-to-edge-of-roller to handle most automotive and light truck projects. Non-returnable. Limited one-year warranty: if defective, we'll replace the tool.
FAQs
Q: Will the Fender Roller work on all passenger cars?
A: For the most part, yes, but won't work with vehicles with larger hubs, such as trucks, VWs and Porsches. "
It Doesn't appear that the Eastwood tool's mounting flange bolt pattern is large enough to allow use on a 4x130mm or 5x130mm bolt pattern for Porsche/VW -
bnc
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I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door. |
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CiderGuy
Samba Member
Joined: December 23, 2013
Posts: 1351
Location: Bucks County, Pa
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| Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 8:34 am Post subject: Re: Fender clearance |
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| didget69 wrote: |
| CiderGuy wrote: |
| Just thinking out loud. I wonder if the Eastwood fender roller will work. Can it be bolted to the wheel hub of a VW, which is different then a Ford or a Chevy? |
From Eastwood website:
"About Eastwood Fender Roller Tool
Our exclusive fender rolling tool bolts directly onto the wheel's hub flange, and the elongated holes in the adapter plate fit all popular 4- and 5-bolt hubs. It's held in place with the included dished washers and your vehicle's lug nuts. Accommodates up to a 120.6 mm (4.75") 4- or 5-lug bolt circles. Forming arm adjustability ranges from a minimum of 14" to a maximum of 22-3/4" hub-center-to-edge-of-roller to handle most automotive and light truck projects. Non-returnable. Limited one-year warranty: if defective, we'll replace the tool.
FAQs
Q: Will the Fender Roller work on all passenger cars?
A: For the most part, yes, but won't work with vehicles with larger hubs, such as trucks, VWs and Porsches. "
It Doesn't appear that the Eastwood tool's mounting flange bolt pattern is large enough to allow use on a 4x130mm or 5x130mm bolt pattern for Porsche/VW -
bnc |
Thanks, that info may have saved someone a few bucks. |
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