Tires and wheels

eakanator · « **on:** May 03, 2004, 12:19:04 PM »

The tires on the bug read 165/15. I looked around this and didn't see anything like that nor did a lot of places carry that size, at least without a letter size. Told them there was no letter size just 165/15.. Is there a common size that any buys that will fit on the orginal wheels.. I noticed JC Whitney sales the wheels either 4.5" or 5.5".. any advice.. think it would be better to buy than to sand blast each of these.
Thanks
Ron

« **Reply #1 on:** May 03, 2004, 12:32:19 PM »

I just went to Fisher Tire and asked for 165R/15, and they had my bug ready to go in an hour. Of course, it was odd that they already had the 165/R15's already there. Any tire store should know what you mean.

eakanator · « **Reply #2 on:** May 03, 2004, 12:36:07 PM »

Do you know if your wheels are 4.5" or 5.5" ? is there a difference? Thanks Ron

« **Reply #3 on:** May 03, 2004, 12:50:22 PM »

As far as there being a difference, I really don't know- but, I believe mine are 5.5", however, the original owner may have changed the wheels, so I'm not the best one to ask.
I'm not the man like Zen is when it comes to knowing what the heck I'm talking about. If you are considering getting new wheels like I am, and you have the originals on the car, you can usually just tell the person you are buying wheels from what year bug you have and they can tell you what size you need.
My mechanic has been working on VW's since the late 60's, and I usually order what I need through him, since he has a better knowledge of VW's. I am ordering my EMPI 8 spokes through him, and he just knows what size to get. Any reputable tire/wheel store should know exactly what to get for you.

eakanator · « **Reply #4 on:** May 03, 2004, 02:03:23 PM »

It was JC Whitney who offered in the two different widths, The orginal owners manual is in the glove box, maybe it'll tell me there. Trying to decide whether it's better to have the ones I have sand blasted and painted vs buying a whole set for $70.
I wished I had this bug before the show a couple weeks ago.
BTW. Any one get to go Seiverville this past weekend?
Ron

Zen · « **Reply #5 on:** May 03, 2004, 06:16:07 PM »

The stock width for VW wheels is 4.5" but some optional wheels were avalible from the VW dealer in 5.5" "Baja World Champion" edition wheels are one that I know for sure came on the 72 Baja Special Edition Beetles as a 4.5", but were avalible in the dealer cataloge for several years in either size. I don't have any idea if the stock wheels were availble in both sizes originally, but the stock style reproduction wheels are.

If you're on a tight budget, Pep Boys stocks a cheap 165/15, but don't let them mount and balance them. That doubles the price! If I can get the old tires off, I buy new valve stems from Wal-mart to replace the old valve stems and mount them myself (you need a couple of good crow bars, lots of soapy water, lots of time and patience) and then have Wal-mart balance them . . . that saves a LOT of money.

:cool:

Edited By Zen on 1083628912

vwherb · « **Reply #6 on:** May 03, 2004, 09:15:55 PM »

There is a tire store up in Cleveland, Charlies Wholesale Tires, I don't have their number, but they usually stock tires for VWs. Be very careful about what you buy from J C Whitney.

:cool:

eakanator · « **Reply #7 on:** May 03, 2004, 09:47:14 PM »

So, is the 165/15 pretty much what everyone who wants to keep the car somewhat orginal buy?
Is there anyone in Chattanooga that sells the orginal wheels reasonable?

I do agree with watch what you buy from JC Whitney, that's why I called them and ordered the gas tank after verbally confirming size, etc. We'll see how that decision turns out.
Thanks everyone

eakanator · « **Reply #8 on:** May 03, 2004, 09:52:19 PM »

Meant to add, the wheels on this car have a lot of rust, that's what I'm also going to have to decide on, wether to sand blast these or get a new set. The ones JC Whitney have is $70 for the whole set. Before I replace the tires, going have to do something with these wheels..
Thanks
Ron

vwherb · « **Reply #9 on:** May 04, 2004, 07:44:01 AM »

There isn't anyone in Chattanooga that I'm aware of who sells the 4.5 inch wheel, which is what you want. Look in Hot VWs at their ads and see what is available from some of the vendors in there and compare. The price J C Whitney is quoting sounds pretty good but they might really hold your feet to the fire on shipping. They've been known to do that as has some of the other sellers of parts for our beloved brand of cars (and busses). Shop around!!

:cool:

eakanator · « **Reply #10 on:** May 04, 2004, 07:59:46 AM »

Maybe I'm missing something , but I go to www.hotvws.com
I don't see anything about classifeds, parts, accesories, etc. Am I at the right site?
Ron

vwherb · « **Reply #11 on:** May 04, 2004, 01:43:13 PM »

I'm sorry Ron, I didn't even think about their web site. I was refering to looking in the magazine itself. There are always several vendors advertising in there. Sorry for the confusion.

:cool:

eakanator · « **Reply #12 on:** May 04, 2004, 02:08:26 PM »

your fine, just wanted to be sure..Will run by Walmart or somewhere and see if they carry it.
Thanks

eakanator · « **Reply #13 on:** May 12, 2004, 02:24:51 PM »

Well, picked up the VW Trends and Hot VW's magazines, going to have to subscribe to one of them. There is a lot info & classifeds. After looking at JC Whitney site again, the orginal wheels are not 4 for 70, but looks like they are 70 a wheel. Guess need to make it to the next event where ever they have it and try to scoop up some wheels cheap. Anyone have any for sale in good shape?
Thanks
Ron

Zen · « **Reply #14 on:** May 12, 2004, 07:10:07 PM »

I've got a set of late model "Sport Wheels" I'd part with pretty cheap. In the mid-70s, VW figured out how to make a cheaper (and in my opinion, ugly) wheel. They called it a "Sport Wheel" to try to push it off on the Beetle buying public and save themselves some money in the process. So, they are cheap and ugly, but they are round and will connect your brake drums to the tires, so they are better than nothing . . . but they ain't pretty! Anyway, I'll take $40 (or best offer) for them.

I've also got an early 70s "Baja project gone bad" to part out this coming weekend (hopefully this weekend, but that's what I've been saying for a month). I don't know what condition the wheels are in, but it does have 4 and I don't need them. Best I can remember from when I looked at a couple of months ago they were stock 4 lug wheels. I'll let you know more about those when I actually have them in hand.

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Topic: Tires and wheels - common tire & wheel size (Read 7309 times)

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Tires and wheels - common tire & wheel size

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Tires and wheels - common tire & wheel size

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Tires and wheels - common tire & wheel size

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Tires and wheels - common tire & wheel size

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Tires and wheels - common tire & wheel size

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Tires and wheels - common tire & wheel size

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Tires and wheels - common tire & wheel size

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Tires and wheels - common tire & wheel size

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Tires and wheels - common tire & wheel size

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Tires and wheels - common tire & wheel size

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Tires and wheels - common tire & wheel size

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Tires and wheels - common tire & wheel size

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Tires and wheels - common tire & wheel size

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Tires and wheels - common tire & wheel size

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