What is the max size wheels/ tires for '74 Thing.
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letmeehan
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Thu Jan 30, 2003 12:01 am
What is the max size wheels/ tires for \'74 Thing.
First of all I'm really excited to find this thing forum! I own a '74 Thing, I've added a race certified roll cage, safety seats and 5 point seatbelts. Anyway I want to upgrade to bigger / wider wheels / tires. I bought the car with 215 /70 R14's. I want to go up to 15 inch rims and I'm wondering how wide the rims can be and how big the tires can be. I'm actually a little confused by the rim width vs. the tire width. Any way all suggestion will be greatly apreciated, Thanks Joe.
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letmeehan
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Thu Jan 30, 2003 12:01 am
What is the max size wheels/ tires for \'74 Thing.
Here is a small pic of the thing
http://www.orcalink.com/~things/Gal/Res ... annJay.jpg
http://www.orcalink.com/~things/Gal/Res ... annJay.jpg
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Bob Ingman
- Posts: 2869
- Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2001 12:01 am
What is the max size wheels/ tires for \'74 Thing.
Hi Joe. Welcome to STF 181 Forum.
I will try to answer you from my own experience.
On my own Thing I`m using a 235/75/15 rear on a 7" rim and a 215/75/15 on 3 1/2" wheels. It will take just a little lift to do this but it is minimal. Any bigger tire in the rear will cause the gearing to become unacceptibly high. Any larger tire in front can cause the steering to become heavy. As for clearance issues I lifted the rear by rotating the torsion bars two clicks on the inside and used a coilover front shock. The front seems a bit harder to workwith where clearance is concerned but then a set of adjusters in the beam will probably give you ample clearance. The amount of offset in the wheel is at least as important as the width and probably more so.At any rate the 3 1/2' and 7" wheels are considered to be a fairly standard upgrade. Be careful not to go for that 4X4 look with big wide tires all the way around. They create a lot of problems and solve few.
If you feel you want BIG tires and wheels then consider a body lift .The body lift will give you no more ground clearance but will greatly increase wheel clearance. There is however a bit of ground clearance gained after the bigger tires are fitted. With that you might consider regearing the R&P in the trans or better yet swapping to a bus transmission. In the front a rack and pinion steering would help but still the weight and leverage of BIG tires and wheels will require much upgraded components due to the additional strain.
In a nut shell for general all purpose use you can do well with the tire wheel combinations I have listed . Keep posting questions. Its the best way to learn. Good luck. Bob Ingman
I will try to answer you from my own experience.
On my own Thing I`m using a 235/75/15 rear on a 7" rim and a 215/75/15 on 3 1/2" wheels. It will take just a little lift to do this but it is minimal. Any bigger tire in the rear will cause the gearing to become unacceptibly high. Any larger tire in front can cause the steering to become heavy. As for clearance issues I lifted the rear by rotating the torsion bars two clicks on the inside and used a coilover front shock. The front seems a bit harder to workwith where clearance is concerned but then a set of adjusters in the beam will probably give you ample clearance. The amount of offset in the wheel is at least as important as the width and probably more so.At any rate the 3 1/2' and 7" wheels are considered to be a fairly standard upgrade. Be careful not to go for that 4X4 look with big wide tires all the way around. They create a lot of problems and solve few.
If you feel you want BIG tires and wheels then consider a body lift .The body lift will give you no more ground clearance but will greatly increase wheel clearance. There is however a bit of ground clearance gained after the bigger tires are fitted. With that you might consider regearing the R&P in the trans or better yet swapping to a bus transmission. In the front a rack and pinion steering would help but still the weight and leverage of BIG tires and wheels will require much upgraded components due to the additional strain.
In a nut shell for general all purpose use you can do well with the tire wheel combinations I have listed . Keep posting questions. Its the best way to learn. Good luck. Bob Ingman
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Bob Ingman
- Posts: 2869
- Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2001 12:01 am
What is the max size wheels/ tires for \'74 Thing.
Joe we have a thread we use as our personal 181 gallery here. I`m going to put another photo of mine up there right now so it`ll be up on top again.You can take a look at the tire /wheel combination I have mounted. Good luck. Bob Ingman
[This message has been edited by Bob Ingman (edited 01-30-2003).]
[This message has been edited by Bob Ingman (edited 01-30-2003).]