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bljones
Resident Wit
Joined: February 08, 2002
Posts: 2377
Location: ontario canada
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 Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:28 pm Post subject: Wheel/Tire FAQs-Wheel/Tire questions/answers? Start here! |
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Rolling stock combos are one of the biggest investments you can make in your Thing, and before you lay out the long green, it never hurts to find out what BTDT experience is out there.
Show and Tell time- what are you rolling, and how do you like it?
I am running old Jackman style white spokes wrapped with Marshal A/T 215/75 14 tires. It is a great combo, but i would not recommend attempting to run these tires with stock wheels and stock backspacing.
_________________
OG JHC
Author of Original Rant #1
"It stingd itself to dead... now that is control on you"
2%
Last edited by bljones on Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:37 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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lukesky
Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2006
Posts: 246
Location: See The Rabbits, IA
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| Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:07 pm Post subject: |
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205/75/r14 steel belted radials on white steel baja rims. "Hercules" brand on the front, "Sovran" on the back.
Fronts are new due to a possible broken steel belt that was one mechanic's suggested remedy for a bad wobble. I took the fronts off and took the rims in for new tires because I didn't want the mech. stripping out the drums/lug bolts. I tried putting the new ones on the back and moving the old backs to the front, but it just about tore the car apart when I got up to about 35mph.
I still have the original spare, and I have the original rims that need blasting and repainting. Someday I'll get that done, buy new hubcaps, and put something more original looking all around. Anyone know where I can find something in the US that looks close to what the spare looks like?
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You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit.
-Gabi |
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TimGud
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2002
Posts: 6459
Location: Rio Rico Arizona
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| Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:36 pm Post subject: |
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185 R 14 cheapo tires on stock rims. (painted black)
Last edited by TimGud on Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:47 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Fun 181
Zu Geil!
Joined: October 20, 2006
Posts: 1003
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:50 pm Post subject: Previous Thing Tire/Wheel Topics |
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Some of the most commonly asked questions here in the Thing Forum are about tires. Below are quite a few links to previously posted topics regarding stock tires, tire sizes, fender clearance issues, offsets, wheel sizes, bolt patterns, etc. that you may find helpful. If your looking for info on wheels and tires, you'll probably find it here.
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THING WHEEL & TIRES 101
"What is the stock tire size for a VW Thing?"... 185 SR14 M&S (with tube)
"What is the stock wheel code for a Thing?"... 5JK x 14
(found near the hubcap clips on the outside of the wheel)
"What is the color/paint code for stock Thing wheels?"... L97U
Check out this thread by "ztnoo" for more info on L97U...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=121699
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GENERAL THING TIRE/WHEEL QUESTIONS
Wheels and Tires...compiling a list...ever so slowly
A great thread started by "vwthingboy" that addresses multiple concerns and questions regarding Thing tires, wheels, sizes, offset, tire pressure, etc...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=185449
Original tires reproduced for Thing
A thread and poll discussing the original tires that came with the car...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=340751
Blow Out!
A great discussion of different stock-size tire options...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=259127
Tire brand, model, and size roll call
2 full pages of tire talk and photos...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=115005
Are there any other wheel choices for 14" sized tires?
14" wheel options...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=291097
Wheel balancing--no local place can do it
Solutions to Thing Wheel Balancing...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=255219
Tire Pressure
Answers about Thing tire pressure...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=127901
Hubcaps
General questions about VW hubcaps...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=336660
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DIFFERENT WHEEL OPTIONS
Bus rims
Will VW Bus Rims fit on a Thing?...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=335760
BTR Racing Wheels
Discussion and photos of BTRs on a Thing...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=272838
Porsche 356 Rims on a Thing
Questions about fit and offset...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=300686
5 spoke empi's
EMPIs 5-spokes on a Thing...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=289147
Has anyone used these wheels?
More on EMPI 5-spokes...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=259371
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WILL THEY FIT?
Installing bigger tires and wheels
Tire sizes and lift kits...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=204125
Tire clearance and adjustable shocks
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=231567
Tire clearance help... again
Tire clearance help for 15" rims...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=232993
27x8.5x14 on non lifted Thing
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=236575
Tire/Wheel Query
Bigger tires with 15" wheels...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=275103
what size tire (Rear) do you run on your Thing?
Bigger rear tires...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=285435
ride height and wheel size
17" wheels on a lowered Thing...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=329487
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THING WHEEL BACKSPACING/OFFSET TOPICS:
Various Wheel Offsets
Everything you ever wanted to know about various VW wheel offsets (backspacing) courtesy of Kubelmann and the Thing forum crew...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=352467
Offset? KubelKen?
Tire offset question...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19627
Wheels - 15x5.5 with 4.125" backsp or 15x5 with 3.25
15" tire and backspacing question...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=185297
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THE SPARE TIRE
Mounting a rear tire carrier on a Thing:
Photos and tips on installation...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=272025
Mounting the spare tire on the hood
Questions and photos regarding installation...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=259676
Alternate places to mount the spare tire
Ideas and photos...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=256658
Mounting a reserve gas tank in the Thing spare tire
Questions regarding 14" vs, 15" wheels with photos...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=277986
What tire size will fit under the hood?
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=271192
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TIRE TOOLS:
Percy's WheelRite Wheel Fitment Tool
"This revolutionary new tool for wheel and tire installers allows you to get a perfect fit the first time and every time."
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product2_10001_10002_761153_-1
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I hope this will be helpful. I'll continue to add more info as it becomes available.
- Slim
Last edited by Fun 181 on Wed Apr 15, 2009 2:34 pm; edited 20 times in total |
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caribbeanlivin
Samba Member
Joined: March 21, 2007
Posts: 77
Location: Mississippi
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:11 pm Post subject: 15's |
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The cheap white baja 15x7 rims all the way around that scuffed up and painted metallic black with Kumho 30x9.5x15 a/t tires. Thanks to Fun 181 thread!!! |
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jon knight
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2007
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 5:52 pm Post subject: Thing tires |
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I would like to put a new set of tires on my 73 thing. The tires have plenty of tread on them, but they are very old and seem very hard, and I feel they have some kind of dry rot. I can't drive very fast (not over 55) and think my tires might have sat in one place to long and may have a memory. I have the old large hole rims on it and can't find anyone that can balance them. I'm not sure what I should do and am open for suggestions.
Jon Knight
[email protected]
1-401-862-8595  [/img] |
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klokard
Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2005
Posts: 158
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| Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 10:03 am Post subject: |
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I am running stock 181 wheels, powder coated stock silver with original style hubcaps. I have the McCreary G78X14 all terraine tires on them.
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Captain Spalding
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2005
Posts: 2519
Location: . . . in denial.
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| Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 4:22 pm Post subject: Re: Wheel/Tire Survey- What are you running? |
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Tires: Bridgestone Dueler 27x8.5R14
Rims: stock
Brakes: stock
Beam: stock
No rubbing.
The spare: 195/75R14
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Pierre G
Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2007
Posts: 1771
Location: New Caledonia
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| Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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OK, my turn, but before, thanks Fun181 for the research job you did. I used to run on stock 14" rims with stock 185r14 tires. I bought some chrome spoke baja wheels (6x15), but didn't want to mount them now because I don't have a garage right now. I don't trust much that brazilian chrome, especially with my hot and humid climate. I'm waiting to move to new house (with garage) to mount them. But I couldn't wait to test 15" rims and tires. As I had a set of 15" rims from an old split bus, I mounted tires on them and fitted to the 181. They're nankang 185r15c front and bridgestone 205/75r15 rear. No rubbing outside but a minor rub inside front right because the wheels are 4.5 inches wide (instead of 5.25 for stock 14"). They're a little bit too narrow and with interior offset. Can't wait to fit the 6x15's.
Pierre
Sorry for the dirty tires, I went to play in some redland mud and didn't have time to clean the tires...
_________________
1976 181/Thing, 1967 fastback, 1973 squareback, 1964 microbus, 1967 Double Cab, 1969 westfalia (currently under resto), 1972 LM1C dune buggy, 1974 jean's bug, 1974 1303 (super beetle, currently under reassembly after new paint). |
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Ferretkona
Samba Member
Joined: December 03, 2005
Posts: 1306
Location: Columbia, CA
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:11 am Post subject: |
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We are running the Empi 15" rims with Remington 215/75
no modifications, no rubbing
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74 181 Thing
2008 Ford Sport Trac V8 4x4
2008 Ford Escape V6 |
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Tait D
Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2008
Posts: 49
Location: Bay Area, California
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| Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:49 pm Post subject: |
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uh...can someone tell me what I have? Came on the car. And I can't figure it out.
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PUSH Potaito
PotaitoBoards.com |
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Fun 181
Zu Geil!
Joined: October 20, 2006
Posts: 1003
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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| They kind of look like Cragars, but I doubt it with them being wide 5 and having what looks like a Wolfsburg logo on the cap. I'm curious now myself. |
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Tait D
Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2008
Posts: 49
Location: Bay Area, California
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| Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:28 pm Post subject: |
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wolfsburg logo on the cap is not original, im pretty sure of that. but i still cannot figure it out. iv never seen anyothers like them
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PotaitoBoards.com |
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Pierre G
Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2007
Posts: 1771
Location: New Caledonia
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| Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 3:25 am Post subject: |
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I'm just curious too now. I guess these are NLA as we don't see them advertised anywhere. Maybe some sort of centerline ? Are they chrome or ultra clean polished alloy ? The manufacturer is probably stamped on the inner side of the wheels. You'd have to remove one to figure out.
Pierre
_________________
1976 181/Thing, 1967 fastback, 1973 squareback, 1964 microbus, 1967 Double Cab, 1969 westfalia (currently under resto), 1972 LM1C dune buggy, 1974 jean's bug, 1974 1303 (super beetle, currently under reassembly after new paint). |
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Revis
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2005
Posts: 100
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 10:03 am Post subject: 73 Thing tires |
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| I read and re-read the posts. I have a 73 stock height, 15" bus wheels and I'm thinking 215/75/15 tires. Basically 6.35" height, 8.46" width and 27.70 overall diameter. Will they rub? |
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Captain Spalding
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2005
Posts: 2519
Location: . . . in denial.
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 2:26 pm Post subject: Re: 73 Thing tires |
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| Revis wrote: |
| I read and re-read the posts. I have a 73 stock height, 15" bus wheels and I'm thinking 215/75/15 tires. Basically 6.35" height, 8.46" width and 27.70 overall diameter. Will they rub? |
I have similarly sized tires 27x8.5" on stock 14" rims with a backspace of 4 3/8". If your bus rims are within a half inch of that, you're good to go. |
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Revis
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2005
Posts: 100
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 2:36 pm Post subject: Tires |
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| Captain, I just hate to get them mounted and find out later that I should have asked. Thanks for the helpful reply. |
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thinghunter
Samba Member
Joined: May 18, 2004
Posts: 403
Location: North Texas
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| Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:15 am Post subject: |
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| Tait D wrote: |
uh...can someone tell me what I have? Came on the car. And I can't figure it out. |
Probably these that JC Whitney sells. The picture doesn't show the rivets like yours but most of their other wheels have them so either yours are an old style or their picture sucks. As far as the wolfsburg logo I bought some center cap stickers at a swap meet that look just like those.http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ItemBrowse/c-10...7110008476 |
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Fun 181
Zu Geil!
Joined: October 20, 2006
Posts: 1003
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 12:17 pm Post subject: |
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| thinghunter wrote: |
| Probably these that JC Whitney sells. The picture doesn't show the rivets like yours but most of their other wheels have them so either yours are an old style or their picture sucks. As far as the wolfsburg logo I bought some center cap stickers at a swap meet that look just like those. |
Thinghunter, nice catch. Just like you say, those JC Whitney wheels look identical to Tait D's except for the rivets. |
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Pimpi
Samba Member
Joined: May 08, 2003
Posts: 102
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| Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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Ok I am not sure if this has already been asked, but will a set of 15 inch smoothies from a Bug fit on my Thing?
If so, what is the maximum size tires that I can go without rubbing? |
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