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buguy
Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2003
Posts: 4915
Location: Port Orange, FL
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 Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 8:05 pm Post subject: Front tire recommendation |
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So I built my bug in 03' and at the time 135's were the thing. I have since moved from rural Iowa to Daytona Beach and the traffic here is bad. I also have built an efi turbo system for the stock engine. So I figure it's time to put a little more tire in the front for me. It also has a 5" beam with 2.5"drops spindles and 135's up front, 205/65/15" in the rear.
I love the way the 135's look but they skid pretty easily. And recommendations on a front tire size that would fit well and still look pretty good? The pic isn't the best angle, but it should give you an idea
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ALB
Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2008
Posts: 3483
Location: beautiful suburban Wet Coast of Canada
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| Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2019 10:04 am Post subject: Re: Front tire recommendation |
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Great looking car! If the goal is to get a little more front tread on the ground so you're not sliding around like on the 135's then 165/60's (22.8" tall), 165/65's (23.4"), 175/55's (22.6"), 175/60's (23.3"), 175/65's (24"), 185/55's (23") and 185/60's (23.7") all have a bigger footprint and will fit the bill.
Hope this helps. Al
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Last edited by ALB on Fri Sep 20, 2019 7:19 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Mike Fisher
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006
Posts: 17970
Location: Eugene, OR
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| Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2019 10:47 am Post subject: Re: Front tire recommendation |
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I like the 185X60 Firestone I have on the front of my lowered square.
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buguy
Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2003
Posts: 4915
Location: Port Orange, FL
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| Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2019 1:02 pm Post subject: Re: Front tire recommendation |
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Thanks! Yes, I'd like a little more tire on the road. It slides pretty easily. Could need a little more work on the rear brakes too. I'm sure I'm about the same as 90% of the other guys here. I love the look of the 135's but they are a bit dangerous here with all the crazy drivers on the road. So close to a 135 but a bit wider would do for me.
Also now I'm inching up on 250hp so it will need some disks soon. But I will still need more meat on the road so I will start with tires. |
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QRP
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2008
Posts: 1712
Location: NORTH HOLLYWOOD,CA
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| Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2019 10:50 pm Post subject: Re: Front tire recommendation |
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This will help when choosing what size you can fit.
Tire Size Calculator - Compare Tire Sizes | Tacoma World
https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc |
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buguy
Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2003
Posts: 4915
Location: Port Orange, FL
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| Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 9:00 am Post subject: Re: Front tire recommendation |
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| Thanks. I saw something like that before. I think I might try a 155/60 or maybe a 165/60. |
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QRP
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2008
Posts: 1712
Location: NORTH HOLLYWOOD,CA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 9:52 am Post subject: Re: Front tire recommendation |
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| buguy wrote: |
| Thanks. I saw something like that before. I think I might try a 155/60 or maybe a 165/60. |
Looks like you've got plenty of room up front.
Could probably fit a 175/65r15 |
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ALB
Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2008
Posts: 3483
Location: beautiful suburban Wet Coast of Canada
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| Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 7:27 pm Post subject: Re: Front tire recommendation |
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| buguy wrote: |
| Thanks. I saw something like that before. I think I might try a 155/60 or maybe a 165/60. |
Look at the tire footprint chart I put together-
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=712405
if you're looking for more rubber on the ground a 155/60 is not much different than a 135.
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EVfun
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012
Posts: 5481
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2019 9:00 pm Post subject: Re: Front tire recommendation |
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| QRP wrote: |
Looks like you've got plenty of room up front.
Could probably fit a 175/65r15 |
I think that is what I would recommend too. It is just a fraction of an inch taller than the 135R15 and would put a lot more rubber on the road. It is designed to be used on 5 inch to 6 inch wheels.
I went from 135R15 to P145/65R15 tires on my beach buggy and the handling dramatically improved. That size is noticeably smaller than the 135R15. Stepping up to P175/65R15 should put just a little more rubber still on the road, for even better handling and braking.
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