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cturnbaugh93
Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2021
Posts: 1
Location: Kansas
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 Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:52 pm Post subject: Largest Tires without messing with suspension |
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Hey Everyone,
I am purchasing 71 Bug on Friday that I am going to make a Baja. I am just wondering what is the biggest tire I can put on the front and back without messing with the suspension. I have heard different things on different sights, like 215/75/15 are the largest for the front and then some say 235/75/15. I would really appreciate the insight this is a dream car of mine I have always wanted to do so I want to do it right. |
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Starbucket
Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2007
Posts: 4023
Location: WA
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| Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2021 4:07 pm Post subject: Re: Largest Tires without messing with suspension |
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| Back in the 60's we had tall bias ply tires we had the tread shaved down to where the cord was just starting to show inner and outer sides of the tread so we had a tread about 4" wide in the center and sand was no problem plus raised it up. Only problem was, it changed the gearing ratio to the point 4th gear was freeway only and it ate clutch's trying to take off quick. We also had cut down fenders so when you get your Bug you will be able to measure your clearance. |
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Glenn 
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 76884
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2021 4:22 pm Post subject: Re: Largest Tires without messing with suspension |
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A Baja has cut fenders so you can fit larger tires than under stock fenders.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
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Mikedrevguy
Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2008
Posts: 2237
Location: Medford, OR
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| Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2021 7:45 pm Post subject: Re: Largest Tires without messing with suspension |
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A limiting factor in the rear is the extended torsion rods. 31x10.5 is hit/miss, but a 30 x9.5 will clear.
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74 1303 (RevBug): plan for German Look
76 914 with 2260
79 VW Iltis
69 Bwajaja
"The wise speak because they have something to say; while the foolish speak because they have to say something." Plato
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slayer61
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2021
Posts: 1013
Location: CA
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oprn
Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2016
Posts: 12689
Location: Western Canada
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 5:10 am Post subject: Re: Largest Tires without messing with suspension |
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Hopefully that is a Standard Beetle not a Super Beetle. The Supers had a very weak front suspension for off road use.
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We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age) |
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slayer61
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2021
Posts: 1013
Location: CA
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 6:46 am Post subject: Re: Largest Tires without messing with suspension |
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| oprn wrote: |
| Hopefully that is a Standard Beetle not a Super Beetle. The Supers had a very weak front suspension for off road use. |
Actually it was the rear of the super. I also believe they were "recaps" as that's all this high school kid could afford after paying for motor parts to build the 1835.  |
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mkparker
Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2004
Posts: 332
Location: Sherman, Tx
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 1:13 pm Post subject: Re: Largest Tires without messing with suspension |
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cturnbaugh93, I'm sure all of this old school reminiscing is super helpful... 
235/75/15 tires will not fit on a full fender, stock suspension Bug. 215s will be iffy. This would generally be considered a Class 11 style car.
If you build a "traditional" Baja Bug you will have much more room for larger tires. 31" and 30/9.50 rears mentioned above are both good options. Scroll through the many pages here and you'll see actual examples of what will work.
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Michael
Pit Boy 6163 Spec Trophy Truck |
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oprn
Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2016
Posts: 12689
Location: Western Canada
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 4:57 pm Post subject: Re: Largest Tires without messing with suspension |
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| slayer61 wrote: |
| oprn wrote: |
| Hopefully that is a Standard Beetle not a Super Beetle. The Supers had a very weak front suspension for off road use. |
Actually it was the rear of the super. I also believe they were "recaps" as that's all this high school kid could afford after paying for motor parts to build the 1835. |
The IRS rear suspension of the Super Beetle was identical to the late Standards. The Super was introduced in '71. From about '68 on the Deluxe and auto stick Standards had IRS rear suspension. The exception to this was that some of the Standard Beetles still had awing axles. Mostly those built in Mexico and Brazil.
The front suspension on all the Supers were McPherson struts with coil springs. They gave far superior road handling and ride but bent easily even on large pot holes on the street. All Standard Beetles came with torsion bar/trailing arm front suspension. These are tough as nails in off road use.
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We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age) |
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