Hello all and thanks ahead for any and all help...
Yes, tires... I used to run a '67 adj. lower front beams, w shims and had Michelin XZX 155s up front; worked great. They were on stock rims.
Move ahead 25 yrs and have been helping a friend restore. He got 5.5 rims all around, stock offset. He bought some continentals 155/60 r15 but they are too small up front for my likes; they don't rub, and there is some space turn to turn still. I know my old rear stock (4.5rim/) tires are... what... near 25.4 inches in height? And the front Michelins were maybe 2" shorter; looked and handled great and filled the fender perfectly, 3/4" front sway bar.
Anyway, the Continentals are about 6.1" in tread width which I feel is perfect,(60aspect [155]) but too big a fender gap. I suppose a taller tire would be nicer, while maintaining that tread width.
I know whole new ballgame scheme w the 5.5 wheels, I just need more height, and adjust beam afterward to suit if need.
Sorry for any and all redundancies, just looking for suggestions to fill the front up. I know it will be somewhat tight, but now it looks too "SoCal tiny tire" effect, though I like it lowered, and it performed really well (Yep I know: on 4.5 stock rims) back in the day.
Seems I have to jump to 165, rather not.
Bless you all for reading, and my inclusion here,
and thanks ahead for help !
Randy
OMG, another tire question, sry....
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V8Nate
- Posts: 805
- Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2018 12:34 pm
Re: OMG, another tire question, sry....
I run 155/80r15 in the front and 215/65r15 in there rear on 5.5 wide rims on all 4 corners on both of my bugs(one 4"narrowed beam 1 stock width)
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Randy Green
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue Oct 22, 2019 1:32 pm
Re: OMG, another tire question, sry....
Thanks V8Nate...
It is all like driving a VW thru the eye of a needle. And yes, what I am trying to do w/o further modifications i.e. narrower beam, dropped spindles and the like, this Bug did at one time ran w/o such, yet "too small" tires is not the answer. Glad you have had success and happy to hear it!
I have some good tire calculators: and trying to replicate my now older stance was with a 4.5 wheel and not the 5.5 alloys on the front now.
I need to fill the wheelwell, and the old Michelin 165 XZX did it, but I put myself into the difficulty with the 5.5 v the old 4.5 wheel situation which is understandably the limiter.
much obliged !
It is all like driving a VW thru the eye of a needle. And yes, what I am trying to do w/o further modifications i.e. narrower beam, dropped spindles and the like, this Bug did at one time ran w/o such, yet "too small" tires is not the answer. Glad you have had success and happy to hear it!
I have some good tire calculators: and trying to replicate my now older stance was with a 4.5 wheel and not the 5.5 alloys on the front now.
I need to fill the wheelwell, and the old Michelin 165 XZX did it, but I put myself into the difficulty with the 5.5 v the old 4.5 wheel situation which is understandably the limiter.
much obliged !
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V8Nate
- Posts: 805
- Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2018 12:34 pm