15 inch wheels

Rec · Post by **Rec** » Sun Jun 23, 2002 12:34 pm

What 15 inch VW wheels will fit on a thing?

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Rec

gothing · Post by **gothing** » Mon Sep 02, 2002 9:25 am

Any air cooled 5 Lug VW rim would fit.

I have rims from a 58 Porsche 356 that havr the same pattern.

John
73 Thing
75 Bug
02 New beetle

Advokat · Post by **Advokat** » Tue Sep 03, 2002 5:53 pm

Really? I thought that since the Things came with 14" wheels, it required special 15" ones. I don't know for sure.

bljones · Post by **bljones** » Tue Sep 03, 2002 7:21 pm

back spacing is the big issue on front wheels, especially when you get into wide tires. There has been a lot of discussion on this in other thing forums.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Fri Sep 06, 2002 9:52 am

Larry, the standard 5x205 VW pattern is used on the Thing. I would recomend a white spoke in a 7"rear and as narrow as you can get for the front. Personally I use a 3 1/2" front rim with a 215/75R/15 mounted on it. My car is posted here if you want to see. If you off-road much (as I know you do) the narrow front wheel is best. Check professional Baja race cars and you`ll notice this to be the case. Good luck Bob. PS Got 2 deer so far. Three to go. Black bear is open again and there are plenty of them around. I see them every day.

[This message has been edited by Bob Ingman (edited 09-06-2002).]

gothing · Post by **gothing** » Sun Sep 08, 2002 7:29 am

15 inch rims were a dealer option when the thing was sold.

A stock 5 lug early bug rim 15 x 4 1/2 has no problems with rubbing on the front wheels.

If you want larger tires, you could also add wider fiberglass fenders so they won't stick out.

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John
73 Thing
75 Bug (De Fuel-Infected)
95 Jetta
02 NBew Beetle

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Mon Sep 09, 2002 11:03 pm

Larry ,there is a pr of Chassis Engineering wide 5 for sale now on type 1 stuff for sale(Shop Talk Forums). The price looks a bit high but thats always open to negotiation.
Bob Ingman

JawKnee · Post by **JawKnee** » Thu Sep 12, 2002 10:16 pm

I think the old EMPI RADAR wheels look awesome!! RADER or RADAR... I can't remember... one is a SEARS replica of the EMPI and not quite as cool as the EMPI.. Flat 4 is re-poping these, but they still arent as cool as the original. Infact there is a Thing in my neighborhood for sale, I'm gonna try to talk the wife into letting me get it.. then I will be on the prowl for a set of these wheels..

Same wheels that were on that slammed green REALLY old Thing in one of the VW rags a few months back..
Johnny