Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Will these wheels work?
Forum Index -> Thing/Type 181 Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
deafen
Samba Member


Joined: April 28, 2006
Posts: 108

deafen is offline 

PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2017 8:09 pm    Post subject: Will these wheels work? Reply with quote

I promise I've read every tire thread in the sticky. Smile

There's a dude locally who's selling a set of chrome 15x4.5 Bug wheels for a really good price. I'm looking to go to 15s for a disc brake upgrade.

From what I can tell, they're 3.75" offset (so 5/8" less than stock). I know I'll have to be careful with tire selection, but other than that is there any issue with the 0.5" narrower rim and 5/8" less backspacing?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
oasis
Samba Member


Joined: December 12, 2002
Posts: 2168

oasis is offline 

PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2017 7:02 am    Post subject: Re: Will these wheels work? Reply with quote

I think we're confusing offset and backspacing. A 4.5" wide wheel with a 3.75" offset would mean the mounting surface would be outside the rim itself. A 4.5" wide wheel is 2.25" at the center, and 3.75" is greater than 2.25".

So, I'm going to assume the 3.75" is actually the backspacing of your 15" diameter Bug wheels (measured from the "inside" rim edge to mounting edge).

A stock Thing wheel (USA) has a 1.87" offset. Since that wheel is 5" wide, its backspacing is 2.5" (the center of the width of the wheel) plus 1.87" (the positive offset) -- for a total backspacing value of 4.37".

Therefore, your backspacing has gone from 4.37" to 3.75" -- or the Bug wheel will be 0.62" less intrusive (or further away from the rotors and such). That should be fine.

Conversely, your Bug wheel will protrude 0.12" more (0.62" less intrusive for a wheel that is 0.5" narrower). One can eyeball 0.12" more protrusive is not going to be an issue with Thing fenders (USA term).

Your only remaining issue will be tires -- height (overall diameter), especially, as I doubt you will want to push the envelope of squeezing wider tires on narrower rims too much.
_________________
Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
deafen
Samba Member


Joined: April 28, 2006
Posts: 108

deafen is offline 

PostPosted: Fri May 12, 2017 7:15 am    Post subject: Re: Will these wheels work? Reply with quote

Ugh, you're right, I said "offset" and meant "backspacing". I should know better - I've been dealing with this stuff on Jeeps for a couple decades now!

Thanks for walking through that. Ideally, I'd like a tall/narrow tire with an aggressive tread, but finding one that ticks all the boxes (between 26" and 28" diameter, fits on a narrow 15" rim, has off-road tread) will probably be a problem.

I really like that tall/narrow look. Back when they still made them, I ran BFG 33x9.5 ATs on my Jeep. Pizza cutters. Awesome in the snow. I love the STA Super Traxion, but the only one that's not too tall is for a 14" rim.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
rockerarm
Samba Member


Joined: December 16, 2009
Posts: 3552
Location: Los Angeles
rockerarm is offline 

PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2017 10:26 am    Post subject: Re: Will these wheels work? Reply with quote

Hi. Do you know there are still companies around that widen steel wheels or install an existing center into a larger or wider outer?
Depending on where you are at shipping could impede your decision.
I still have widened steel wheels on my '74 bug that were made up in the 1970's.
Bill
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
Pete VW
Samba Member


Joined: April 29, 2017
Posts: 26
Location: Hayward Wi / Placida, Fl
Pete VW is offline 

PostPosted: Wed May 31, 2017 2:57 pm    Post subject: Re: Will these wheels work? Reply with quote

New guy. Just bought a 1973 Thing. Solid only one rust spot near bottom front of passenger door. Pan is rust free. So I think I have a good starting point. The engine is original but needs rebuild or replacement.
I am a hot rodder at heart and experience. I have built 5 traditional Ford hot rods. I have always wanted to do a VW. My wife thinks Things are cute so here I am. My plan is to lower 4-5 inch, 70 to 80 HP, remove stock tail lights and put small type tail lights lower on the back. So my question at this time is about front beam with disc brakes. I need to know how short I have to go to run 4.5 15 inch wheels with 3.5 back space. I have been looking through this site and learning a lot. Not even sure I am asking on the right forum. So take it easy on me especially those that build it like Ferdinand.
Thanks,
Pete [img]
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

[/img]
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
911pickup
Samba Member


Joined: March 06, 2004
Posts: 625
Location: Near Goats on the Roof
911pickup is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jun 01, 2017 5:42 pm    Post subject: Re: Will these wheels work? Reply with quote

Pete, welcome to the forum.
Instead of posting your question on a thread about wheel width you should start a new thread of your own.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Thing/Type 181 All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.