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BigSKizzy Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2004 Posts: 168
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Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:02 am Post subject: Tire wheel and suspension thread |
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I stumbled onto this same thread topic in the Split bus forum, and thought it was an excellent way to consolidate the many suspension questions and examples that always pop up in the ghia forum. What tire front/back? How narrow? How many notches out back? What shocks when lowered? Spindles or adjustable beam? Wheel widths? Etc. I think this will be a great way to have a wholistic pictoral view of all the mods necessary to make these cars sit and handle how we deem fit. I personally feel every type specific forum should have these as stickies so we can clean up many of the common questions and requests while providing an ongoing research and resource thread. Plus it gives us a chance to pimp our rides to the other samba members so we can put a car with the face at shows, etc. Thanks again to Everett who gave us this killer site that I can't live without.
So.. without further ado:
(PLEASE STAY ON TOPIC SO THIS CAN BE A USER FRIENDY RESOURCE, NOT WHO IS LOWER OR COOLER OR WHATEVER)
Please post a side or angled picture of your lowered beetle and specs:
-Tire make and size.
-Wheel make, size or offset.
-Spindle drop, beam narrowed dimensions. Who's make?
-spring plate mods and extensions, number of splines down. Who's?
-Tubbed, cut torsion, short axle or long axle, swing to IRS, etc..
-Tie rod flip kits, caster shims, etc.
-Brakes- disc/drum, type 3 drums out back, etc. - what brand used?
-shocks/no shocks- what brand.
-If I ever do this again I would have........... |
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Corwin Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2007 Posts: 798
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Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 12:43 pm Post subject: |
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Not sure this is going to get deleted or locked since there's a whole Wheel and Tire forum already, but here's my ride. It's a bit unique, so may be some help to others.
1968 Ghia (front disc, rear drum brakes). Empi lowered shocks all around.
Wheels and tires:
17x7.5 Azev Type A's, Kumho Ecsta 205/40/r17's
Offset is +35mm, have 15mm H&R spacers all around
Front Suspension:
Drop spindles, 4" narrowed/adjustable beam from Franklin's VW Werks (narrowed torsions, tie-rods, etc).
Rubs slightly under full turn
Rear Suspension:
Lowered 1 notch, additional drop with adjustable spring plates, short axle tranny, poly bushings
Wheels toed in slightly, no rub in the rear at all
I wouldn't change a thing about this setup. I may roll the fenders, at least in the front. |
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johnnyrotten I Cure Seizures!!!
Joined: January 06, 2004 Posts: 1209 Location: Behind the security gate
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Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:26 pm Post subject: |
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64 Ghia
Front-cb performance 2.5" dropped spindles and 135's, stock beam
Rear-all stock (sagging torsions just from age)
Wheels-Flat-4 5 spoke sprint star repops
_________________ Enemies are friends in reverse..... G. Busey
In the garage....
64 Ghia
66 beetle
56 Oval rag
58 ex-art project Beetle
A fleet of parts buses and ghias |
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ZR2RICK Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2008 Posts: 27 Location: Caldwell,Idaho
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Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 1:41 pm Post subject: TIRE/WHEEL SIZE |
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When I bought her ,
205/60/14,REAR
205/60/13,front, (these are for sale)
front stock beam/drums/adjusters cranked down.
rear unknown.
Currently Keoki 4" narrowed beam/CB dropped spindles/CB WIDE 5 disk brakes,
15" Empi style 5 spokes,
5.5" wide,3.75" backspacing.
rear suspension unchanged ,for now. currently looking for the right tire sizes for new setup. if i were to do it again i would probably convert to GM lug pattern and be able to have more wheel choices.
This is a GREAT thread ,it answers a lot of questions about what fits without all the searching.
when i brought her home
current condition.
Last edited by ZR2RICK on Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:41 pm; edited 8 times in total |
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Deluxe Lowlight Ghia Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2006 Posts: 1037 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:29 pm Post subject: |
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heres mine 2 inch narrowed beam 2.5 cb drop spindles Raders 2 inner clicks no notched plates 145s in front going to 165/45s when i can afford it
and 165s in the rear i will post a pic of it completed later today _________________ These vws are cool but the people who own them are far more valuable. Keep friends close they can be taken away overnight.
57 ghia
59 patina ghia
61 patina Ghia
71 bus
73 super beetle
74 thing
75 half bug |
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sactojesse Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2006 Posts: 2655 Location: Sacramento, California, USA
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Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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66 Ghia convertible, stock height w/ 15 x 5.5 American Eagle 2-liter alloy replicas, 185/65HR15 tires front and rear, 4-wheel disc brakes (CB performance), 3/4" CB Performance front sway bar, Sway-A-Way camber compensator, BOGE fluid shocks front, KYB Gas-A-Just gas shocks rear.
_________________ 1966 Karmann-Ghia convertible |
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kingkarmann Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2003 Posts: 4111
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Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:07 pm Post subject: Re: Tire wheel and suspension thread |
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1967 Karmann Ghia.
-Tire make and size. Vrederstein Sprint Classic 155 SR/15
-Wheel make, size or offset. Stock VW 15 x 4.5
-Spindle drop, beam narrowed dimensions. Who's make? Brazilian 2 1/2" adjustable stock front beam
-spring plate mods and extensions, number of splines down. Who's? Stock. Inner spline dropped one notch.
-Tubbed, cut torsion, short axle or long axle, swing to IRS, etc.. Stock Long Swingaxle
Tie rod flip kits, caster shims, etc. N/A
-Brakes- disc/drum, type 3 drums out back, etc. - what brand used?
StockDisc/Drum
-shocks/no shocks- what brand. Bilstein gas filled
-If I ever do this again I would have...........Kept the oil filled shocks. The Bilsteins are pretty firm. _________________ "Depression is a malfunction of the instrument we use to determine reality.”
Mike Gerson
What is your "Bespoke Reality"? |
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scottz Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2008 Posts: 477 Location: Bellingham, WA
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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:07 pm Post subject: |
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scottz wrote: |
ok, here's what i did. the beam is narrowed 2". empi 2 1/2" dropped spindles(i here empi sucks now but they claim they don't add track width, and no problems yet!) front wheels are 4 1/2" wide mangels with 4 1/2" backspacing. these made the biggest difference! really tucked the wheel in! front tires are bfg 155/80 15. awesome tire!! the footprint is so close to a 165, but a little shorter and narrower. stops on a dime! the beam has puma style adjusters down 1 notch. bugpack 2" narrowed 3/4" swaybar. no rubbing! i really think the swaybar helps with rubbing, i mean, if you're close to the fender reducing body roll is a plus. and its really fun to drive! as for the rear, wheels are 5 1/2" mangels with 'no name' 'wide track' 165 15 tires. (they are fatter than a nankang) ride hieght adjusted 1 notch i think, plus 1 inner on passinger side, to even out driver side sagging. my friend helped with the rear so i will get back if i was wrong. also replaced rear swingarm bushings. oil shocks up front, monroe gas shocks in rear. that's it. rides pretty good. all new balljoints and tie rod ends seem to make it steer a little stiff. only a few hundred miles so far. hope that answers all your questions.
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I posted this a while back. Didn't feel like re-typeing it. |
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naaz90 Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2005 Posts: 57
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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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-Tire make and size:
Nankang 195/50-16
-Wheel make, size or offset:
Porsche D90 (off an early 90's 944) 16x6, 52mm offset, 5x130
-Spindle drop, beam narrowed dimensions. Who's make?:
CB 2" narrowed adjustable beam (raised to to the top), AC insustries. 2.5" dropped spindles
-spring plate mods and extensions, number of splines down. Who's?:
Notched spring plate, 1 outer spline down, (I think)....everything kinda fell apart when trying to disassmble. Need to get an angle finder.
-Tubbed, cut torsion, short axle or long axle, swing to IRS, etc..:
IRS
-Tie rod flip kits, caster shims, etc. :
Caster shims
-Brakes- disc/drum, type 3 drums out back, etc. - what brand used? :
AC Industries front disc with 5x130 pressed in studs, AC industries rear drum with 5x130 pressed in studs
-shocks/no shocks- what brand:
No shocks installed in the pics, but will be using oil filled for the front and KYB GR2 for the rear.
-If I ever do this again I would have:
Rolled or cut the fender lips and tried to use a stock length front beam. This would allow more turning radius when using a stock style sway bar. Presently trying to find an over the top sway bar that fits, may have to have one custom made $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ |
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sactojesse Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2006 Posts: 2655 Location: Sacramento, California, USA
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Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 2:17 pm Post subject: |
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Update to my 66 convertible.
Adjustable stock width front beam, 185/65R15s on American Eagle 15 x 5.5 two-liter alloy replicas (+35 mm offset), Sway-A-Way 3/4" front sway bar, Sway-A-Way rear camber compensator, KYB GR2 lowered front shocks and Gas-A-Just rear shocks, disc brakes on all four corners.
_________________ 1966 Karmann-Ghia convertible |
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56Kombi Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2007 Posts: 25 Location: Los Angeles, California
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lineman Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2009 Posts: 35 Location: SoCal
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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 6:17 pm Post subject: |
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I want to upgrade to 5 lug, but don't know if I should go with chevy or ford setup. Which is the best way to go? _________________ 70 Ghia |
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hpw Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2006 Posts: 3010 Location: memphis
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lineman Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2009 Posts: 35 Location: SoCal
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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:08 pm Post subject: |
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I was going to go that way but I would have to change everything to do so. If I go with the chevy/ ford setup all I have to do is change the rotors and drums. _________________ 70 Ghia |
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RustyPan Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2006 Posts: 112 Location: Orange County, CA
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Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 11:46 am Post subject: |
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This is the best thread yet but I haven't been able to find the right answer.
Q: can anyone tell me what the widest wheel dimensions that would fit into the wheel well of a 60s ghia? I know there are several variables but given a positive offset, running low profile tires and say 16" wheels.... could you cram a 9" wheel in the rear wells, or is that asking for problems?
Thanks. |
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swhitcomb Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2003 Posts: 5673 Location: Inwood WV
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Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 12:05 pm Post subject: |
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I have some 155 80 15's on the way for my all stock Ghia. Anyone else running these on a VW? Pics would be great. _________________ My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster |
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scottz Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2008 Posts: 477 Location: Bellingham, WA
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Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 12:50 pm Post subject: |
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Just look about half way up this page at my white Ghia. 155/80s on the front... Good tires, I'm now selling those wheels and tires. |
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fstsignmkv Samba Member
Joined: January 25, 2009 Posts: 346 Location: Miami, FL
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Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:25 am Post subject: |
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1968 Ghia
Dropped spindles, 4" narrowed adjustable beam
Running 145/65 front and 185/65 back
Sprintstar repos 15x 5" _________________ -------------------------------------------------------
1965 Karmann Ghia
1966 Beetle |
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johnnyrotten I Cure Seizures!!!
Joined: January 06, 2004 Posts: 1209 Location: Behind the security gate
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Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 3:10 pm Post subject: |
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4" narrowed beam (no shocks)
One outer click on the rear
Rader 15 x 5.5
135 Nankang on the fronts
165 Kuhmo on the rear
Tri-Mil Eurosport exhaust
I am amazed on how I can tell little to no difference since I narrowed the beam and am now running no shocks on the total ride.
I compare it somewhere to driving something between a car with sport springs and a car that has been lowered by cutting the springs (not soft, but not really a kidney buster).
_________________ Enemies are friends in reverse..... G. Busey
In the garage....
64 Ghia
66 beetle
56 Oval rag
58 ex-art project Beetle
A fleet of parts buses and ghias |
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hbays Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2006 Posts: 213 Location: Norman, Oklahoma
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Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 10:07 am Post subject: 67 gHIA |
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CB dropped spindles, factory beam, KYBs.
175/65/15 Conti Pro Contact rear
155/60/15 Conti Pro Contact front
No rub issues at all.
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