Wheel and Tire selection

JohnnyDee · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2021 4:49 pm Post subject: Wheel and Tire selection

Hi all, hoping I can get some advice here. I have a 1966 VW Bus/camper. I bought her is 1972. I have had it stored indoors for twenty some odd years and now need to move her temporarily. I need new tires and wheels. Today I bought some Empi GT5 9686 wheels. They are a 15" X 5.5 wheel. I did talk with Empi's technical advisor and basically was told to see if they will fit the rear first before purchasing tires. Due to the offset of the wheels and the rear body skirt they may not fit. My question is this: does anyone have experience with this wheel? If the wheel fits, what tire did you use? Can some one recommend a nice wheel and tire other than the Empi wheel that will fit? Many thanks in advance for your input! Thank you.

widehatch · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2021 1:47 pm Post subject: Re: Wheel and Tire selection

i helped a guy get his single cab running years back and he bought my 5 spoke Empi wheels from me. if my memory serves right he put 205/75R15 tires on those rims and it fit fine. dont hold me to it, its been a while. id suggest buying some used tires if possible to find your perfect fitment then buy new tires once you've figured out your size you need. most people with custom wheels like those run them on lowered buses with much smaller tires.
_________________
Missouri Micros

earlywesty · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2021 1:57 pm Post subject: Re: Wheel and Tire selection

I have seen 205/65/15 c rated Continentals on Empi 5 spokes on a 66 bus before.

Help Help · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2021 5:00 pm Post subject: Re: Wheel and Tire selection

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=217649

Stickied at the top.

JohnnyDee · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 3:16 pm Post subject: Re: Wheel and Tire selection

Thanks for the input, everyone. The Empi wheels arrived and it appears the clearance will be to close for my comfort. If I had a half inch more clearance I would give it a go. Boxed and ready to send back. It certainly has been difficult trying to find wheels for this bus. There is a gentleman in Santa Cruz that said he has a stock 14 inch wheel, so I am hoping to connect with him. Many thanks again!

mandraks · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 4:17 pm Post subject: Re: Wheel and Tire selection

NUTSFORBUSES · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 4:21 pm Post subject: Re: Wheel and Tire selection

Trial and often Error on wheels. Depending on the bus, the style-stock/modded- I love big wide tires on Buses, but I won't Tub it. I also like lowered, many do not. After lowering I loved the handling, but many use their buses off road too, so stock is the best way for that w some good rocky tires.
I have 15 x 5.5" w stock beam and added IRS-street only. 205's in back, but I moved the centers out:Not a big deal IF you have a guy to do it right, and in the end-the crappy china wheels get actually Trued. Many wheels are made for several applications, and that is why the trouble on Splits. You need Bus specific wheels to fit right especially if you go disc's. Your 14's have a small selection of tires-15's give you more.

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

EverettB · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 10:42 pm Post subject: Re: Wheel and Tire selection

JohnnyDee · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 3:31 pm Post subject: Re: Wheel and Tire selection

Many thanks, I was able to get two stock wheels. Painting them now. Thanks again!


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Split Bus	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1