Replacement tire question, 1967 bug

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Piledriver
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Re: Replacement tire question, 1967 bug

Post by Piledriver »

Jim Ed wrote:
landrocket wrote:I have 165/15 on there now and wondered if 195/65R15 would fit ? Looking for a little more meat for the winter in Denver. Thx, Ron
You'll need 5.5 inch width rims. I heard they won't fit on a Super Beetle because of the struts.
Depends on the 5.5" rims offset. Some SE supers came with 5.5s from the factory, and my sons early super took std Mexi chromies with 185/60s front and 205/60 in the back fine, with a 2.5" drop. Supers came with different offset wheels than stds, and IIRC early and late were even slightly different (I'm sure Marc will know all the exact details)

It would not have worked with EMPI 8 spokes etc as the offset is not quite perfect, even on a STD (IMHO)

You can get things tucked in good with ET35-40 rims if you use the Topline struts (or roll your own equivalents) with the smaller dia springs.

Might need thin spacers on rear, I recall the 914 Mahles just rubbed on the springs and on the spring plate bolts and would have needed spacers. OTOH they fit like factory on a T3. (OK, the bump stop in rear needed a shave for 205/60 clearance)

Kumho makes some fine tires.

There are many long threads on wheel offset and wheel/tire combos, you might be amazed what will fit under stock fenders with the right wheel/tire etc.
Addendum to Newtons first law:
zero vehicles on jackstands, square gets a fresh 090 and 1911, cabby gets a blower.
EZ3.6 Vanagon after that.(mounted, needs everything finished) then Creamsicle.
landrocket
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Joined: Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:31 pm

Re: Replacement tire question, 1967 bug

Post by landrocket »

I went with the skinny nexen brand. Seem great so far. Nice smooth, quiet ride. Running 20 psi. up front and 30 at the rear. Traction on snow is superb, kind of a bummer as last year I could power slide all the turns in the snow and now it just tracks straight as an arrow, LOL.
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