Rim/tire Question

[newkitman]

My new rims are 15 x 4, 4-lug 4 x 130 rims. Will that impact what tire I can put on them?  I want to install 185R15s all around.

Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The Shack

[billnparts]

I have run 205/60R15 front and 235/60R15 rear with no trouble. No idea what the backspacing is.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[newkitman]

Thanks Bill. I guess what I was wondering is will say…a 165R15 tire fit on a 15 x 5.5 and a 15 x 4? As far as I can series it will. Just want to be certain before I go purchasing 5 new tires.

Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The Shack

[billnparts]

A 165/70R15 should fit a minimum of 4-1/2″, maximum of 5-1/2″.

A 185/70R15 should be between 5″ and 6-1/2″.

Although I once ran a 265/60-14 on a 4″ wheel. Should have been a minimum of 7-1/2″. It sat flat with 10 pounds of air.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[newkitman]

Hmm…now I’m wondering what size tires will fit. More research is in order. Thanks for your help Bill.

 

Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The Shack

[edward ericson]

165/80s will go on a 4 inch rim with no trouble. They will look right on the TD and handle fine. I am not sure your regular Mangels are actually 4 inches though. They might be 4.5 inches. I have thought all the stock 8-slot VW rims were either 4.5 or 5.5. Mine are 4.5. (The new wires are 4.5-inch as well)

185s I’d want the 5.5 inch rim.

 

 

[edward ericson]

And I was wrong. Lots of early Bug rims were 4 inches. This thread has an apparent expert on Beetle/Ghia rim widths and offsets.

I still say 165 R 15s (about a .8 aspect ratio) are the right thing for us & will go on the skinny rims nicely.

 

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