Will split window 14” wheel fit on split bus having 15” wheels?

[Toooldschool]

Please keep all replies to this topic focused specifically on 14” FACTORY VW BUS wheel clearance issues, when mounting these factory split window bus 14” wheels on an early split window bus, one designed to use either factory equipped 15” bus wheels or 16” bus wheels.

VW factory Bay window 14” wheels should be considered identical to a 14” split window bus wheel - there are pre existing topics you can post a separate debate if you care there, thank you.

Do not include wheel mounting issues regarding non factory suspensions or lowered suspensions - there are pre existing topics you can post that debate there, thank you.

I hope the Samba collective will answer/clarify/establish if 14” bus wheels DO or DO NOT foul, rub, or otherwise have any issues when mounted on earlier split busses designed for 15” or 16” wheels - please elaborate on all known issues - for example: shock rubbing, fender lip touching, steering arm fouling - example pictures would be helpful.

14” tire sizes are a factor too, so please post what 14” tires mounted on a stock 14” bus wheel work best when adapted on to buses having factory installed 15” & 16” wheels.

[Skim]

Yes.
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GFK
Samba since before the towers collapsed. Still here.
1953 Kabriolet
1954 Sunroof
1959 Lowlight Ghia vert
1960 Lt Grey Double Cab SMZ LEGIT
1963 Deluxe Turkis Walk Thru 15 Window OG Paint

[Skim]

Yes. This bus came with 15’s but using 14’s with knobbies

_________________
GFK
Samba since before the towers collapsed. Still here.
1953 Kabriolet
1954 Sunroof
1959 Lowlight Ghia vert
1960 Lt Grey Double Cab SMZ LEGIT
1963 Deluxe Turkis Walk Thru 15 Window OG Paint

[EverettB]

I'm not aware of any issues on Buses originally equipped with 15" wheels and I have done that before with stock-sized 14" wheels with radial tires.

16" wheels would be a Barndoor Bus.

In the front I remember trying that on my old '55 and the wheel would rub on the uppermost zerk fittings for the spindles.

Blurry photo but the big fitting sticking out of the top here:

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[Toooldschool]

Does anyone know if the outer tie rod, the one that attaches to the kingpin spindle used with 15” wheels, has that outer tie rod fouled the rim, when 14” wheels are retrofitted on to an early split bus originally having factory installed 15” wheels, or 16” wheels?

Has anyone experienced fouling of a 14” tire sidewall on either the front beam, torsion arms, shocks or body panels ?

I haven’t seen a post discussing basic issues when one swaps 14” wheels on to earlier split buses having factory installed 15” or 16” (barn door) wheels.

Thank you samba folks for posting your first hand knowledge in one easy to find post that could be helpful guide to newbies and oldies alike.

[Lind]

I have run 14 rims with 185R14 tires on a '61 bus which came with 15" rims from the factory. They work just fine.

185R14 is a radial tire that is roughly the same size as the original bias ply 7.00-14 tires.
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[Bulli Klinik]

59 with 14's and BFG's.

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Bulli Klinik
Colorado Springs

[Manfred58sc]

That sure was ( is ? ) a nice Bus....Ran 195 14" on my 58 SC with zero issues.
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[nlorntson]

Doesn't running larger than stock or smaller than stock tires mess with the speedometer?

It was the case with my 1966 SO44 that runs stock 14" tires but I discovered someone had installed a 1962 (15" eral) speedometer.

[srfndoc]

[Clara]

[Eric&Barb]