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Toooldschool Samba Member
Joined: December 16, 2005 Posts: 34
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Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2019 12:13 pm Post subject: Will split window 14 wheel fit on split bus having 15 wheels? |
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Please keep all replies to this topic focused specifically on 14 FACTORY VW BUS wheel clearance issues, when mounting these factory split window bus 14 wheels on an early split window bus, one designed to use either factory equipped 15 bus wheels or 16 bus wheels.
VW factory Bay window 14 wheels should be considered identical to a 14 split window bus wheel - there are pre existing topics you can post a separate debate if you care there, thank you.
Do not include wheel mounting issues regarding non factory suspensions or lowered suspensions - there are pre existing topics you can post that debate there, thank you.
I hope the Samba collective will answer/clarify/establish if 14 bus wheels DO or DO NOT foul, rub, or otherwise have any issues when mounted on earlier split busses designed for 15 or 16 wheels - please elaborate on all known issues - for example: shock rubbing, fender lip touching, steering arm fouling - example pictures would be helpful.
14 tire sizes are a factor too, so please post what 14 tires mounted on a stock 14 bus wheel work best when adapted on to buses having factory installed 15 & 16 wheels. |
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Skim Rants Master
Joined: April 15, 2001 Posts: 17082 Location: GFK 31 Year Vet
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Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2019 4:25 pm Post subject: Re: Will split window 14 wheel fit on split bus having 15 wheels? |
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Yes. _________________ GFK
Samba since before the towers collapsed. Still here.
1953 Kabriolet
1954 Sunroof
1959 Lowlight Ghia vert
1960 Lt Grey Double Cab SMZ LEGIT
1963 Deluxe Turkis Walk Thru 15 Window OG Paint |
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Skim Rants Master
Joined: April 15, 2001 Posts: 17082 Location: GFK 31 Year Vet
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Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2019 4:30 pm Post subject: Re: Will split window 14 wheel fit on split bus having 15 wheels? |
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Yes. This bus came with 15s but using 14s with knobbies
_________________ GFK
Samba since before the towers collapsed. Still here.
1953 Kabriolet
1954 Sunroof
1959 Lowlight Ghia vert
1960 Lt Grey Double Cab SMZ LEGIT
1963 Deluxe Turkis Walk Thru 15 Window OG Paint |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69824 Location: Phoenix Metro
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Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2019 4:35 pm Post subject: Re: Will split window 14 wheel fit on split bus having 15 wheels? |
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I'm not aware of any issues on Buses originally equipped with 15" wheels and I have done that before with stock-sized 14" wheels with radial tires.
16" wheels would be a Barndoor Bus.
In the front I remember trying that on my old '55 and the wheel would rub on the uppermost zerk fittings for the spindles.
Blurry photo but the big fitting sticking out of the top here:
_________________ How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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Toooldschool Samba Member
Joined: December 16, 2005 Posts: 34
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Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2019 5:27 pm Post subject: Re: Will split window 14 wheel fit on split bus having 15 wheels? |
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Does anyone know if the outer tie rod, the one that attaches to the kingpin spindle used with 15 wheels, has that outer tie rod fouled the rim, when 14 wheels are retrofitted on to an early split bus originally having factory installed 15 wheels, or 16 wheels?
Has anyone experienced fouling of a 14 tire sidewall on either the front beam, torsion arms, shocks or body panels ?
I havent seen a post discussing basic issues when one swaps 14 wheels on to earlier split buses having factory installed 15 or 16 (barn door) wheels.
Thank you samba folks for posting your first hand knowledge in one easy to find post that could be helpful guide to newbies and oldies alike. |
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Lind Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2000 Posts: 9915 Location: idaho
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Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2019 10:20 pm Post subject: Re: Will split window 14 wheel fit on split bus having 15 wheels? |
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I have run 14 rims with 185R14 tires on a '61 bus which came with 15" rims from the factory. They work just fine.
185R14 is a radial tire that is roughly the same size as the original bias ply 7.00-14 tires. _________________ .
Wanted:
Idaho VW license plate frames or other dealership items.
VWoA literature and early dealership or distributor literature/pictures/information
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Bulli Klinik Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2005 Posts: 2079 Location: Bulli Klinik, Colorado Springs
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Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2019 7:09 am Post subject: Re: Will split window 14 wheel fit on split bus having 15 wheels? |
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59 with 14's and BFG's.
_________________ I've never met a Bus I didn't like.
Mike K
Bulli Klinik
Colorado Springs |
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Manfred58sc Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2009 Posts: 3382
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Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2019 7:19 am Post subject: Re: Will split window 14 wheel fit on split bus having 15 wheels? |
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That sure was ( is ? ) a nice Bus....Ran 195 14" on my 58 SC with zero issues. _________________ Fat chick owner/operator |
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nlorntson Crazy VW Lady
Joined: March 13, 2004 Posts: 3783 Location: Twin Cities, MN
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Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2019 7:27 am Post subject: Re: Will split window 14 wheel fit on split bus having 15 wheels? |
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Doesn't running larger than stock or smaller than stock tires mess with the speedometer?
It was the case with my 1966 SO44 that runs stock 14" tires but I discovered someone had installed a 1962 (15" eral) speedometer. |
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srfndoc Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2010 Posts: 3275 Location: SoCal
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Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2019 8:21 am Post subject: Re: Will split window 14 wheel fit on split bus having 15 wheels? |
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nlorntson wrote: |
Doesn't running larger than stock or smaller than stock tires mess with the speedometer?
It was the case with my 1966 SO44 that runs stock 14" tires but I discovered someone had installed a 1962 (15" eral) speedometer. |
Yes. It can be re-calibrated to register correctly. _________________ RPM=(MPH*336* (R&P*4th*1.26))/Tire Diameter in inches |
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Clara Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2003 Posts: 12400
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Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2019 5:31 pm Post subject: Re: Will split window 14 wheel fit on split bus having 15 wheels? |
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EverettB wrote: |
I'm not aware of any issues on Buses originally equipped with 15" wheels and I have done that before with stock-sized 14" wheels with radial tires.
16" wheels would be a Barndoor Bus.
In the front I remember trying that on my old '55 and the wheel would rub on the uppermost zerk fittings for the spindles.
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I found that as well. I put 14" bus rims on a 53 truck once and there was a rub issue. IIRC, it worked okay in the back. But that was a while ago, and I just wanted something to put on it while the 16" rims were being cleaned up and new tires put on.
15" bug rims worked fine, as did 15" bus rims.
14" bus rims work fine on buses that came with 15" rims. |
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Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24764 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2019 5:29 pm Post subject: Re: Will split window 14 wheel fit on split bus having 15 wheels? |
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Toooldschool wrote: |
Please keep all replies to this topic focused specifically on 14 FACTORY VW BUS wheel clearance issues, when mounting these factory split window bus 14 wheels on an early split window bus, one designed to use either factory equipped 15 bus wheels or 16 bus wheels. |
Problem with your question is that the "Wheel" is an assembly of parts, rim, tire (radial or bias ply), valve stem or tube.
EG we have run 205/75R15s radials on the front of our 1963 SC and 1960 walk thru panel camper to keep speedo correct as possible and non-rubbing. With 195R15 or 215/75R15 or even 235/75R15 on the SC or the walk thru when wheel wells were cut out, on the rear axle for slightly higher fourth gear cruising speed @ 3,000 RPM. None of those three mentioned radial tires were FACTORY STOCK for 1960-63 era bus.
Would bet there are modern day radial 14" tires that are wide enough to cause a problem on the front axle and earlier rear narrower wheel wells that were a pre-later 1962 model year item. _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
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