Lifting a 71 bay window bus and rims.

[gunnar89]

well i have that dog house fan shroud with thos fins on the bottem that u connect to the thermostat and when it gets hot it open mores and when it gets cooler it closes and junk i dont no if that would make a diff with the cooling of the engine with bigger tires... and i was gunna try to get my hands on some dual carbs and anything els i can do to a 1600cc that will give it a lil boost with out completely robbing my mpg i no the tires will like drop it alot but as long as it better than my jeep over all ill be good

[tjensen3618]

A guy over in the Thing forum runs these on a 14" wheel. I think they look really good. They are the E78X14 found here.
http://www.stausaonline.com/light-truck/super-traxion.html

[nilza]

you mean like this pair ?

[travelvw]

[gunnar89]

but if i put bigger tires on it like 28 inch with the 1600cc i shouldn't have much of a diff cuz the inside of my bus is prity much gutted only have 2 front seats and a table thing in the back so stil think i would have the power problem?

[biblethumpncop]

We are just making suggestions based off of other's recommendations and our experiences. Is 1 extra inch worth it? What are you trying to achieve? Looks? Offroad capabilities? Clearance?
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[gunnar89]

i guess mostly looks and some light off roading

[Jason C]

http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=113741

Here's a build thread for a lifted bus.
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64 Bug

[gunnar89]

well were would i get a 27inch tire that will fit on the 14" rim.. cuz the links are mostly 28s

[biblethumpncop]

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=G...mp;place=0
My local Discount Tire ordered mine though.
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[gunnar89]

ok thanks thos are good just one more thing .... would the 27" fit a non lifted bus or do i have to lift it to fit and if so how much ?

[biblethumpncop]

They fit a stock suspension with stock wheels. Do a search on 27x8.50r14 and you'll see some with them on. Best of luck!
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[gunnar89]

ok cool thanks

[gunnar89]

another thing i been reading about the gear reduction boxes and how they make it easyer to spin bigger tires i guess... still not 100% sure on how they work but if they do what i think they do ...would they work on my bus (stock trans and all).. or do i already have them and i dont even no what im talking about and im wasting your time>????

[Jason C]

Reduction boxes came stock on the swing axle buses, up to 67.
_________________
Throw me a bone here. All I wanted were
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64 Bug

[gunnar89]

ok would it work on my 71 bus?> or is it a no go?

[travelvw]

[gunnar89]

is there anything that will work that resembles that?

[biblethumpncop]

Just my opinion:

If I was 16, and had limited resources, I would tune up my engine and make sure it purrs. Then, I would look into the transaxle. You probably have a 3 rib trans with 5:38 gearing. You won't get much lower gearing than that. Check the clutch while your there.

Now onto the tires. The 27x8.50r14 will be about the biggest you'll turn with the stock set up. The original tire size is about 25" tall. You will increase it by a couple inches, making it look beefier. You'll be fine though. The bus has plenty of ground clearance stock, and the added height of that size tire will help some more. The aggressive tread of the General Grabber AT2 will give it the S.U.Vw look.

Is the rear sagging a little. Turn the torsion bars and raise it up some. Don't go a full outer though. Some guys had success, but I had CV's clicking. Maybe just an inner spline.

Front? Keep it stock, or put on some coilover shocks. That will allow you to tweek it to the right height you want. If it works out and you like it after driving it for a while, then use another method to raise the front. I wouldn't raise the front until I work the other issues out.

You ask about putting bigger tires on it. The problem with the bigger tires are that it requires more torque to turn them. That causes more heat in the engine, because it works harder...ALL OF THE TIME. So, until you drop a bigger engine in it, capable of supplying the needed torque, don't worry about putting bigger tires on it.

Enjoy the bus for what it is. It doesn't have to have weenie tires on it. Make it fun for you, just know the limitations of that small engine.
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[gunnar89]

mk thanks peace out