4 1/2 offset rims wont fit, any suggestions?

[evan421]

I bought some great 8 spoke rims for my ghia but they have a 4.5 offset and i cant get a tire to fit under the fender. Its a 67 and even the stock rims and 165 r 15 barely leaves room for your finger between the tire and fender. Check out the pics and suggest rims for me, by the way I would love a wider tire since I built a 2110 turbo for it, but I don't see how. Paint is lexus black cherry pearl. I love it.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/424696.jpg

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/424695.jpg

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/424694.jpg

[sactojesse]

Have you considered running shorter axles? 67 and 68 ran the longer swing axles and have clearance problems with anything wider than stock. If you run a 66 and earlier swing axle, you should be able to clear up to 195s on 5.5 inch rims, depending on offset.
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1966 Karmann-Ghia convertible

[pkane]

Are you sure about the offset. If they are the American Eage 071s, then they have a 4" offset. I had a similar problem and had to roll the rear fender lip about 1/4".

BTW, paint looks good.
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Pat Kane
71 Ghia Vert

[evan421]

I had no idea that I could put shorter axles on, thank you! I haven't ever really messed with trans and axles before so Im uninformed. Thats a great idea. Will they just bolt right up?