205/60R15 rear tires -- suggest front size?

stan_tichomirov

Hello,

I just picked up a '67 sedan. It came with 15x5.5" cheap EMPI wheels with 205/60s in the back, and 135s in the front. PO had the front slammed for "the look", but I don't think the 135s in the front will work for me, I'm not sure they will provide enough traction for braking and steering.

I raised the front, car sits around 13 1/2" center of axle to fender lip on all 4 corners. Now the question is, what size tires to choose -- 185/60s maybe? Beam looks to be stock size but does have adjusters welded in. I threw on some GR-2s I had laying around, and the car does have disk brakes in the front. Any suggestions for front tire size would be appreciated, here is what the car looks like now:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Stan
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Aircooled.net
Jansen Enterprise
My 1835cc build
My budget 2276 build

slalombuggy · Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 11:58 am Post subject:

That would be my choice, 185/60 or even 195/60

brad

Glenn · Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 12:02 pm Post subject:

195/55-15

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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
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#BlueSquare

camaroboi13 · Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 12:42 pm Post subject:

All of the above are good options for tire size. If you weren't 415 miles from me I'd say we could trade...I have a nearly new set of 185 65s that I don't like, because I want "the look" lol.

For me those 135s have just the right amount of traction for braking and steering Wink

Great looking bug ya picked up btw, congrats!
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69 bug 1600sp buckpack ceramic header w mondo muffler, riviera wheels, 185/65 front 205/70 rear, dual baby webers, big stereo in the works.
2001 Yukon Denali 6.0l AWD 24s TVs surround sound playstation 6 disc dvd etc etc.
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5l stock mama's car

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stan_tichomirov · Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 1:08 pm Post subject:

Thank you guys. I haven't had an aircooled VW in way too long.. finally lol! So many things wrong with it, so much to work on Laughing

But it does run and drive, and I was happily surprised to find an AS41 case in there. It has a 1600 dual-port with a pair of Kadrons (I know, but they actually seem to work well). We are lucky here in California to still have a good number of these cars running around, and they can be bought fairly cheap.

I may try 195/55, I think the shorter sidewall may work better for me and I'll have more fender clearance.

Stan
_________________
Aircooled.net
Jansen Enterprise
My 1835cc build
My budget 2276 build

Glenn · Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 1:11 pm Post subject:

The 195/55-15 has a shorter sidewall than a 135-15 but is 2.36" wider.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

sactojesse · Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 4:16 pm Post subject:

You may want to try 185/65R15s in front. Your back tires, 205/60R15, have a diameter of 24.7 inches. 185/65R15s have a diameter of 24.5 inches. If they fit in the front without rubbing, they would allow you to run a spare that fits both front and back, e.g., 155/80R15 (diameter 24.8 inches) or 145R15 (diameter 24.4 inches).
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1966 Karmann-Ghia convertible

camaroboi13 · Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 5:12 pm Post subject:

If the front is adjustable you can't go very low on 185 65s. Infact, with just drop spindles you rub with those tires. Just a heads up
_________________
69 bug 1600sp buckpack ceramic header w mondo muffler, riviera wheels, 185/65 front 205/70 rear, dual baby webers, big stereo in the works.
2001 Yukon Denali 6.0l AWD 24s TVs surround sound playstation 6 disc dvd etc etc.
2005 Nissan Maxima 3.5l stock mama's car

FFL GUN DEALER! PM ME FOR SOCAL TRANSFERS!

Glenn · Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 5:53 pm Post subject:

You can go 3" lower with 195/55-15.

The blue one is also a74 and stock height.

_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

stan_tichomirov · Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 6:37 pm Post subject:

I think I have stock spindles from a later car, I don't think they are drop spindles. I'll test fit my rear wheels on the front, I think there is plenty of clearance on the inside, it's the fender I may rub on.

Stan
_________________
Aircooled.net
Jansen Enterprise
My 1835cc build
My budget 2276 build

Glenn · Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 6:44 pm Post subject:

My car has stock height spindles, also a stock width beam.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

evillrdnikon

throwing this out there! Hope this works with my setup =D

205/60R15x5.5" REAR

185/60R15x5.5" FRONT

I have a 2" narrowed front beam that is adjusted up so my 2.5" drop spindles are the only thing doing the drop in the front.

I have lowered my rear 1.1" (1 spline)

currently my setup has stock wheels (15x4.5" front and rear) and I went to a junk used tire shop to get used tires to see the fit so i put 185/60s in the front and 205/60s in the rear.

so far nothing rubs. I am hoping when i get the 5.5" widths that it will continue to do the same and not rub, even with maximum turn of the wheel all the way to the left and to the right.

If anyone wants to chime in I would be glad to hear your thoughts and suggestions =D

evillrdnikon

Ok so my fronts (185/60/15) rub the outer lip of the driver side fender. I need to see if i can raise my front adjustable beam. I might go with a shorter side wall tire since i rub.


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