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fuscavw Samba Member

Joined: April 28, 2004 Posts: 277 Location: SE Idaho
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SilverThing  Samba Member

Joined: July 19, 2004 Posts: 833 Location: Everett
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Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2025 8:54 pm Post subject: Re: anyone running these Kumho tires? |
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Good question! I'm probably not the best to ask as I still haven't figured out the tires I will run for my rig. I've been going back and forth between Specialty Tires Super Traxion E78-14 and Goodyear Wrangler AT 195/75r14.
That said, the tire diameter that you listed should work without having clearance issues to the headlight buckets and fenders. If I remember correctly, 27 inch diameter is about the limit for stock suspension. What I don't know is whether the width will give you any trouble. 205/75r15 is commonly given as the largest tire that fits stock suspensions without issues (looking at both diameter and width). The tire you linked is wider than a 205 wide tire.
If your concerned about fitting the same size spare in your trunk, those are too wide to fit in the trunk. The two I listed in the first paragraph barely fit in the trunk. _________________ "I like how everyone likes talking about Zeke's Thing yet he's the only one that's ever seen it." - Katie
"I've seen pictures..." - Jeremy |
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fuscavw Samba Member

Joined: April 28, 2004 Posts: 277 Location: SE Idaho
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Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2025 7:58 pm Post subject: Re: anyone running these Kumho tires? |
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I appreciate this info. This particular tire is relatively new, so I am not surprised that nobody has chimed in. Still trying to make up my mind!
SilverThing wrote: |
Good question! I'm probably not the best to ask as I still haven't figured out the tires I will run for my rig. I've been going back and forth between Specialty Tires Super Traxion E78-14 and Goodyear Wrangler AT 195/75r14.
That said, the tire diameter that you listed should work without having clearance issues to the headlight buckets and fenders. If I remember correctly, 27 inch diameter is about the limit for stock suspension. What I don't know is whether the width will give you any trouble. 205/75r15 is commonly given as the largest tire that fits stock suspensions without issues (looking at both diameter and width). The tire you linked is wider than a 205 wide tire.
If your concerned about fitting the same size spare in your trunk, those are too wide to fit in the trunk. The two I listed in the first paragraph barely fit in the trunk. |
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germansupplyscott Samba Member

Joined: May 22, 2004 Posts: 7178 Location: toronto
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Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2025 8:05 am Post subject: Re: anyone running these Kumho tires? |
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We have BF Goodrich AT tires in that size on our car. Obviously partial but IMO this is the best looking type of tire for a stock Thing. They fit fine but they rub a little at the steering lock, which you can adjust away with the steering box stop screw. The rear part of the tire will contact the edge of the pan, so in the picture below the right tire could rub a bit unless you adjust that out.
Concur with the spare issue, it won't fit. Never sorted that out, had thought of having a deflated spare and a way to inflate it quickly.
_________________ SL |
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fuscavw Samba Member

Joined: April 28, 2004 Posts: 277 Location: SE Idaho
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Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: anyone running these Kumho tires? |
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Dang, that looks good.
germansupplyscott wrote: |
We have BF Goodrich AT tires in that size on our car. Obviously partial but IMO this is the best looking type of tire for a stock Thing. They fit fine but they rub a little at the steering lock, which you can adjust away with the steering box stop screw. The rear part of the tire will contact the edge of the pan, so in the picture below the right tire could rub a bit unless you adjust that out.
Concur with the spare issue, it won't fit. Never sorted that out, had thought of having a deflated spare and a way to inflate it quickly.
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germansupplyscott Samba Member

Joined: May 22, 2004 Posts: 7178 Location: toronto
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Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2025 7:21 pm Post subject: Re: anyone running these Kumho tires? |
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Thanks! _________________ SL |
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Hot Rod Harp Samba Member

Joined: March 02, 2008 Posts: 196 Location: Englewood, New Jersey
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Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2025 2:19 pm Post subject: Re: anyone running these Kumho tires? |
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Hi Scott,
Indeed your Thing looks really good. I also have a white w/saddle top '74.
I broke my hip last April and after healing it is a chore getting in & out.
My question for you is will the running boards support a man's weight
approx 220lbs ? How are they attached ? Do they bolt to the pan and do
you have to drill holes in the fenders ? Are they aluminum or steel ?
Thank you for your reply.
Best,
Harp _________________ 74 Thing 1600DP
76 Westfalia 2.0L FI
69 Beetle 1500SP sold
88 Goldwing GL1500/6 sold
RinTinTin in Waldorf Astoria 1956 |
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germansupplyscott Samba Member

Joined: May 22, 2004 Posts: 7178 Location: toronto
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Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2025 3:01 pm Post subject: Re: anyone running these Kumho tires? |
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Hey Harp, your Thing is a spittin' image of ours!
Our car is an Acapulco so it has captive nuts in the rocker areas. On a non-Acapulco car you could install rivet-nuts maybe.
On the weight-bearing question, to be honest I don't know. The running boards themselves are quite robust. Ours were from The Thing Shop. But I never stand on them. When my kids were young they did. Hope that is a small help. _________________ SL |
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Hot Rod Harp Samba Member

Joined: March 02, 2008 Posts: 196 Location: Englewood, New Jersey
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2025 4:33 pm Post subject: Re: anyone running these Kumho tires? |
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Thank you Scott...very helpful. TheThingShop says " they are aluminum" and shows the hardware.
I thought they attached by the pan bolts and the two fender bolts, thanks for setting me straight
I spoke with Mike Basso of ThingParts he said they were for looks only. I'll pass. With shipping they
are $585.00 that's a lot for maybe they will work. I'll just have to toughen up.
Best,
Harp _________________ 74 Thing 1600DP
76 Westfalia 2.0L FI
69 Beetle 1500SP sold
88 Goldwing GL1500/6 sold
RinTinTin in Waldorf Astoria 1956 |
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fuscavw Samba Member

Joined: April 28, 2004 Posts: 277 Location: SE Idaho
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2025 5:56 pm Post subject: Re: anyone running these Kumho tires? |
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Nice Thing. Is that stock height and what tires?
Hot Rod Harp wrote: |
Hi Scott,
Indeed your Thing looks really good. I also have a white w/saddle top '74.
I broke my hip last April and after healing it is a chore getting in & out.
My question for you is will the running boards support a man's weight
approx 220lbs ? How are they attached ? Do they bolt to the pan and do
you have to drill holes in the fenders ? Are they aluminum or steel ?
Thank you for your reply.
Best,
Harp |
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Hot Rod Harp Samba Member

Joined: March 02, 2008 Posts: 196 Location: Englewood, New Jersey
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Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2025 11:49 am Post subject: Re: anyone running these Kumho tires? |
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Thanks it wasn't so nice when I towed it home 9yrs ago.
Yeap...stock height. That is my problem, the Thing has 13" ground clearance plus 10" sill,
that's 23" to get your leg over. The wheels have stainless steel hubcaps on smoothie
15 x 5.5" wheels & 205/70 R 15 Yokohama Geolandar tires. _________________ 74 Thing 1600DP
76 Westfalia 2.0L FI
69 Beetle 1500SP sold
88 Goldwing GL1500/6 sold
RinTinTin in Waldorf Astoria 1956 |
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