73 thing tires and adapter plates. HELP!

[ol macdonald]

Hello All, I am a new owner of a 1973 thing. a buddy had one in college and when this one came up i had to have it.(wife mad, kids love it) It runs but has rotted unsafe tires. rims are 14 inch with bias ply 70's on the front and 60's on the back. adapter takes the vw 5 bolt pattern to a 4 bolt. rims are 4 bolt. I am looking to change the adapter back to a 5 bolt for easy to purchase rims and an easy to purchase tire, semi aggressive for looks but more for road use minimal off road. would like to go to a 15 inch rim aluminum or crome as they seem more plentiful. can someone help me with some direction for adapters to 5 bolt, are the vw 5 bolt same as american 5 bolt pattern? i have seen an article about pressing the lug bolts into the plate for what i am use to lug and nut situaton but wonder if there is an adater plate available. what size 15 inch tire is a good choice? do not want much morre agressive than a wrangler type suv tire. Any direction would be great. I am a newbie and am getting use to navigating the forum. Thanks in advance Ol Macdonald

[kyle_pc_75]

If you take the 5 to 4 adapters off, you should be able to find plenty of 5 lug wheels to use...no need for another adapter. The VW drums are different spacing than Chevy 5 lugs for instance, but there are plenty of stock and aftermarket options for 15 inch VW wheels.

As for tires, there are many options once you go to 15 inch wheels. 205/75r15 or 215/75r15 are a decent choice for an SUV type tire.

Oh, and welcome to the STF!

Kyle

[ol macdonald]

thanks Kyle, here is what I ended up with and will probably change in the future. I bought the 5 bolt chevy adapters and tried to put 215/r 70 15 general at tires on it and they were to big and would rub. I ended up putting passenger tires on and will get by with them but they are not nearly as cool as the AT tires. the change in the ride from what was on it was incredible! will now try to adjust brakes and fix a main seal leak. I will probably do what you said earlier and get vw 5 bolt but was not sure which ones at the time and people i called did not seem to be able to help me. once you buy on line the whole mess of sending them back if they do not work is a pain! Now on to adjusting brakes and fixing main seal leak. can you say drop engine? ol macdonald