Dune Buggy Tire Size?

Breezer · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 12:04 pm Post subject: Dune Buggy Tire Size?

I just picked up a dune buggy from an auction last week. I know very little about these things......so I'm starting to learn now I guess. The buggy has the same size tires and rims on the front and back. I'm not sure the exact size, but the front ones are only about a half to a full inch above the tires. You can see where the fiberglass has been rubbed a bit. I also noticed most buggys have the smaller tires on front. I was wondering if there's a way to lift the body so I can keep the wheels. It needs quite a bit of work so the less I have to put out to get it on the road the better. Oh yeah, it's a street legal buggy. I'd appreciate any advice. Wink

Nicksan · Samba Member Joined: April 13, 2004 Posts: 2777

Is it a baja bug?

Breezer · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 6:11 pm Post subject:

I added a picture of it in my profile. It is a fiberglass dune buggy that when running will be road ready. Do you have any suggestions?

Nicksan · Samba Member Joined: April 13, 2004 Posts: 2777

If its a stock vw pan then you can get a body lift just to keep that size tire but I dont know if that is stock, I have heard that those style buggies have shortened pans, anyone else know? If that is the case and if its a bug pan you can turn the rear torsion bars and that would give you the clearance you need. See the 2 stickys at the top of this forum for lifting.

Breezer · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 7:17 pm Post subject:

Cool......thanks for the info. How do I know if it's shortened? Do they shorten them because the fiberglass bodies are made smaller? I will try and figure out what type of pan I have. Thanks again.

DavidLH · Samba Member Joined: January 28, 2004 Posts: 87

Some buggy bodies require a shortened pan. Measure your wheelbase. Typical wheelbase for a shortened pan is 80 inches. Those big front tires will handle terrible. They are harder to steer as well. When I changed my wide tire/wheels to skinnys- was night and day! I suggest putting smaller tires up front. Yes you can put on a 3 inch body lift ( with minor mods to the kits). You could also cut and turn the beam for some added lift. You could also use lowered spindles.

Breezer · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 7:42 pm Post subject:

like I said before..........I don't have a clue about this stuff yet. So if I go with smaller rims and tires, what size is best for street use? ANd where is the best place to get a deal?

HamburgerBrad · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 8:07 pm Post subject:

what size are your current wheels and tires? those tires look like balloons on there, maybe look for a 195/55 or 60 on the front and a 205/60 or 65 on the back
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OGST | CU05 | OGJHC
1970 baja|1953 oval

Wanted: two beat up, ugly, curb rashed 6" phone dial wheels

iceluke · Samba Member Joined: November 09, 2002 Posts: 117

I have 255/70r15 in the rear and 165/15 in front. looks real good on a f/g buggy
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dual purpose....more fun that way

plasticman1432 · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 9:08 pm Post subject:

Mine has 225/60-14 in the front, and 275/50-15 in the rear; the 'big & little' look always seemed right to me anyway.

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carbaholic · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 7:48 am Post subject:

on my buggy I have the stock tire size up forn on a 14" rin and 30's in the rear with a 15" rim. All I have is a 1" body lift. I really like the look and it still handles and accelerated great with my 1835.
For your question of what tire size I think we need more info. Are you planning on making this a streetable baja or do you want it to be a street style that is lowered? This would help us to help you with what to do to this buggy.

[email protected] · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 8:51 am Post subject:

breezer, did you pick that up at the Buggy World closeout auction?
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Markus

Breezer · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 10:27 am Post subject:

OK, the tires on the front and rear are 235/75-15. I'm not sure how to tell what size the rims are? I measured straight across and I got a measurement of 16 1/4 inches.....does this sound right?

I plan to run it on the street, in my local area. I'm not sure what the difference is between the street styles you are asking about.

Yes I did pick it up at Buggy World! Did I meet you there? Do you have any advice? Like I said I have no clue what to do with this....I just want to get it up and running for a decent price.

By the way, Plasticman....where did you get that top cover? And how much was it? It gets HOT down here in Florida, so I'd love to pick one up.

carbaholic · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 10:49 am Post subject:

First off the rim size is a 15 the tire size will be about a 29" tire. It's 28.9 to be exact. As for the street style or baja the differnt is a baja is lifted with much bigger than stock tires. A street style is going to be lowered some with wide low profile tires. both will have bigger engines and the basic upgrades will be the same.

plasticman1432 · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 2:50 pm Post subject:

[email protected] · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 8:03 pm Post subject:


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