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15” tire sizes for lowered front.
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redbug64
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 7:22 am    Post subject: 15” tire sizes for lowered front. Reply with quote

My apologies if this is beating a dead horse. Also for my newb questions. I’ve been out of the hobby for a while now. I searched and did not easily find the answer. I’ve recently thought about pulling my ‘54 out of its grave and doing some basic things to make it road worthy. To make it a roller I first need tires. I have a set of aftermarket wheels (15x5)
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as well as the stock smoothie wheels. I am debating tire size as I may have access to a front beam that is air bagged. I’d be looking for a smaller tire up front and possibly a fatter tire for the rear. I’d also be looking to buy easy to find tire sizes. Any help with a pic and front AND rear size would be great!
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1954 Standard Beetle
1965 Firetruck Red Double Cab
1975 Porsche 911
1984 Rabbit L
1988 Scirocco 16v
Random Toyota daily drivers because winter.
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Dibaltic
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 8:07 am    Post subject: Re: 15” tire sizes for lowered front. Reply with quote

145/65 is a good size for the front especially if you're going to bag it. 205/55 for the back on a bagged car.
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redbug64
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 8:10 am    Post subject: Re: 15” tire sizes for lowered front. Reply with quote

Thanks! The rear won’t change. At least not for a while. Curious how that size would look at stock height?
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Jason Arms
Fairfax, Vermont

1954 Standard Beetle
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1984 Rabbit L
1988 Scirocco 16v
Random Toyota daily drivers because winter.
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Dibaltic
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 8:51 am    Post subject: Re: 15” tire sizes for lowered front. Reply with quote

It doesn't look good unless lowered. And no problem! it does fit a 15x5 wheel nicely though. it's the same width as the wheel so nice and square looking, no bubbled out or stretched sidewall
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Dougal Cawley
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 10:03 am    Post subject: Re: 15” tire sizes for lowered front. Reply with quote

Have you seen these Michelin White Walls?

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/michelin-classic-tyres/xzx/165sr15-michelin-xzx-whitewall.html

If you need a 145R15 XZX on the front, we can get them done, but it is expensive and takes a while, but the 165R15 XZX white walls were done in house by Michelin and they are cheap as chips.
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petrol punk
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2021 11:42 am    Post subject: Re: 15” tire sizes for lowered front. Reply with quote

175/55r15 is about the same diameter as a 145/65 but handles quite nicely. I've had them and my only complaint is I prefer a slightly larger diameter tire.
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Dougal Cawley
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 23, 2021 2:58 am    Post subject: Re: 15” tire sizes for lowered front. Reply with quote

Blimey yes it is a bout the same diameter, but that is lower than a snakes ass!

The steering and ride must be dreadful. However, more importantly, it probably looks cool.
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RandyV
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 23, 2021 9:16 am    Post subject: Re: 15” tire sizes for lowered front. Reply with quote

2 sizes I wish were made but never see are....

145/70 r15
155/65 r15

There is definitely a gap in between there.

I'm currently at 175/65 but will be moving to 165/65 in the spring.

Even a 165/60 would be nice but I think a 155/65 would be perfect.
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Teeroy Premium Member
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 24, 2021 9:47 am    Post subject: Re: 15” tire sizes for lowered front. Reply with quote

Continental makes a 165 60 15
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RandyV
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 24, 2021 5:00 pm    Post subject: Re: 15” tire sizes for lowered front. Reply with quote

Teeroy wrote:
Continental makes a 165 60 15


Pray Ooooh....you are absolutely right. How the heck did I miss that??

That may very well be the perfect tire!! Razz
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Teeroy Premium Member
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 24, 2021 9:48 pm    Post subject: Re: 15” tire sizes for lowered front. Reply with quote

I have a pair on 4.5 Fuchs on the front of my 65 Micro and ordered a pair for my 70 Ghia to go on some 5.5 Gas Burners
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RandyV
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 24, 2021 9:52 pm    Post subject: Re: 15” tire sizes for lowered front. Reply with quote

Teeroy wrote:
I have a pair on 4.5 Fuchs on the front of my 65 Micro and ordered a pair for my 70 Ghia to go on some 5.5 Gas Burners


Got pics? TIA!
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Teeroy Premium Member
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 24, 2021 11:24 pm    Post subject: Re: 15” tire sizes for lowered front. Reply with quote

Heres the ones on the Micro, the Ghia tires are not here yet
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RandyV
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 25, 2021 12:05 am    Post subject: Re: 15” tire sizes for lowered front. Reply with quote

Teeroy wrote:
Heres the ones on the Micro, the Ghia tires are not here yet
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Love that! Perfect cuz there's still a bit of sidewall too and will probably stretch even better over my 5.5" 5spokes.

The 155/60's look a little thin in the sidewall, imho and start to get that "too little" look and make my dental fillings hurt just looking at them, but I think 165/60 will give it just the right balance!! (Plus a little more rubber on the ground too)

Thanks for the pic!!! Wink
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Teeroy Premium Member
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 03, 2022 5:13 pm    Post subject: Re: 15” tire sizes for lowered front. Reply with quote

Here is the same size tire on a 5.5 wide wheel
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RandyV
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 03, 2022 9:26 pm    Post subject: Re: 15” tire sizes for lowered front. Reply with quote

Nice!! Ya, you can definitely see the difference! I will say that for whatever reason...Burners seem to always stretch tires just a little more than similar fuchs/5 spokes/etc. I can't find the good tire comparison site I used to use but below is close....(rim width definitely a consideration). I like the look of an old-school 135, just not the width and I think either of these is a good sub! Cool

Size 1
165/60R15

Size 2
165/65R15


Diameter
22.8"
23.4"

Width
6.5"
6.5"

Sidewall
3.9"
4.2"



Teeroy wrote:
Here is the same size tire on a 5.5 wide wheel
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