Tyres / Stance Thread - Lets see what ya runnin!

[Graham L]

Could anyone hazard a guess (or know) what this is running in terms of drop and tyre sizes?
Has it been notched, tubbed or both?

Dont know the bus but the standard offering on a bus running at the height is 165/50/15 on the front and either 185 or ideally 195/65/15 on the rear.

Would suspect the front is tubbed to get the wheels that high into the arch without rubbing, rear is probably notched to avoid driveshaft and A arm hitting the chassis leg

 

[sparkywig]

I would say that bus has been tubbed, notched and is running a narrowed beam to get Sprintstars under the arches at the front.

 

[Paul Hague]

My Bus is a ’68 Bay & I needed new alloy’s & tyres.
Being aware of limited rear wing clearance but also determined to find a readily available tyre I went searching.
I also have a ’79 Bay & many years of tyre experience so I am totally convinced of the merits of fitting a proper commercial tyre (See also - VW Baywindow Bus Tire FAQ (ratwell.com))
Sorry, ‘slammed’ don’t rock my boat

Problem – I want to use 15”x5.5J wheels with 5x205mm PCD & I wanted to use a readily available good commercial tyre.
Searching only gave me a 15” 195/70 option as the min. width readily available from most suppliers
The 195mm width is the upper limit for 5.5J wheel rim. (see later wheel selection)

Tyre size note:
Consider most 185/** are hard to find or not proper commercial, plus you want correct engine revs then this is the only option
Asking around everyone uses undersize tyres 14 x 185/70 but at 7.6% undersize or just slammed & then don’t care
PS – an interesting point to note about size using a tyre size calculator
Compared to normal 14” 185/80 this 15” 195/70 is an identical size, however if you use a ratio of 185/82 (pre-low profile tyres) both these sizes are 1.9% undersize
Also remember the original spec was for a 7” wide cross-bias[/highlight]

My Bus came with EMPI alloys with ET=12mm & fitted with you guessed it, 185/60 R1, undersize giving 3mm inner wing clearance (see advert in parts)
Thus, these wheals were only suitable for slammed & narrowed but it gave me a reference point for a new ET value for new wheels & I needed >=23mm using 195mm tyres.

There was no definitive information on the web, or only old information & non using 195/70’s
I started with finding the best tyre that was readily available & specifically for van usage then kept an eye out for deals
Along side this I would needed suitable alloys with large enough ET value to clear the rear wing of my ’68 & allow use of the 195/70 tyres
This is my end result:

Fitted tyres below:
Look out for Kwik-fit ON-LINE ONLY offers – ie was 25% off till end of March & FREE MOBILE FITTING
Tyres: 4x Michelin Agillis 3 - 195/70R15
B economy / A wet braking / 72dB noise £334.00
4 x Wheel Balancing at £6.75 £27.00
4 x Std Valve or TPMS Valve Stem/Service Kit at £4.75 £19.00
4 x Environmental Tyre Disposal at £2.00 £8.00
1 x Mobile Fitting FREE
Free mobile fitting Sub Total £388.00
Discount £50.10
Total £337.90

Michelin Agilis 3 Truck Tyre | MICHELIN United Kingdom
Extra note about these & some advantages
• These are Michelin’s latest (not the plain ‘Agilis’ or even the ‘Agilis’ plus)
• They boast ‘B’ grade economy – most top brand tyres are only ‘C’
• ‘A’ grade wet braking, which is when most Bus’s might need having rear engine – yep, I have run into a lorry rear stopped at lights in the rain – was not paying attention!
• They have those extra side blocks to save on kerb damage - see picture
• They are the smallest size in their Van category so should have the stiffer walls to stop all that roll
• Should give a high mileage TBC

Keep an eye out for offers. I think we all know that low cost tyres are an utter waste of money, never mind the worse handling
See - VW Baywindow Bus Tire FAQ (ratwell.com)

The Wheels
The only 15 x 5.5J (5x205mm PCD) with largest ET=23mm were the SSP 5 slots (best 4 off price from ‘C***a**’ - 4 off £376.20 incl. Delivered incl. stainless valves & fitting bolts.
Luckily I liked the design plus it really easy to clean as no hard to reach corners

Results of fitting to Bus (see picture)
I had calculated I should get 10mm clearance with wing – this setup actually gave 7.5mm – SWEET but not too close I hope - TBC

Make a note of the above combination especially for early Bay’s with 5.5Jx15” wheels – need ET>=23 with 195/70 tyre
I think this tyre wheel combination perfect for early bay – however only the SSP Slot 5 spoke has large enough ET value of 23mm.
Why can’t all the other alloy wheels have a larger ET?
Is it because asking around everyone uses undersize tyres 14 x 185/70 but at 7.6% undersize!


Next job is to fit the CSP front disk conversion & then the only shocks I would use – the Koni’s - article to follow

I have 2 questions & hopefully you have a few old dogs around to answer
1. The official VW service manual goes to great lengths to stress that the rear torsion bars are labelled left & right handed & must not be swopped. While replacing bushes I had a look at my torsion bars – all I can see is the same VW & ‘O’ stamped on the end – any advice ? My South African Bus was a part finished project.
2. Does any one know the VW original tyre pressures for early bay & 15” wheels – even though not for radials or what pressures to use on my news sizes?

 

[SteveW4130]

I can finally add my bus into the equation! It’s a 1969 Westy originally built by Ted (and Leanne) from Slamwerks, I’m good friends with Ted so when the bus came up for sale last year my wife and I snapped it up. It was originally running American Eagle 5 spoke wheels but I wanted to change it up slightly and also return the rear tyre diameter closer to stock to bring the RPM back down for cruising speeds and a higher load rating on the front. I toyed with a couple of different wheel choices but a combination of tyre size and wheel offsets meant that a stock wheel set-up was the best way for me. I freshened up a set of 1969 date stamped wheels with some L581 Cloud White paint and then for the hubcaps, a few of us grouped together and imported some powdercoat powder from the states which had been matched to an NOS hubcap in L70X grey silver. We then had our original hubcaps powdercoated to complete the stock wheel choice. Tyres are Continental 185r14 on the rear and the fronts are Continental 165/65r14 with an 83XL load rating.

Suspension wise it’s running dropped spindles with a 4” narrowed beam at full height on the adjusters on the front and the chassis has been notched for clearance. I’m now running 25mm spacers with the front stock wheels as it looked too narrow otherwise. The rear has lowered and adjustable spring plates and again the chassis has been notched for clearance. Shocks are are KYB excel g on the rear and I’m not actually sure on the front!

Driving wise it’s very nice to drive, previously it ran the usual combo of 185/65r15 and 165/50r15 and the difference is night and day now. Very comfortable to drive, you don’t feel the bumps in the road as much and less jarring. With stepping up a size on the front (to get a sensible load rating) I do get a small amount of scrubbing on large compressions when two up but I’m willing to accept that in return for the better overall ride. I will look into my front shocks and see if I can improve that set-up though. With the chassis notches I have zero issues with anything else catching and it really is a pleasure to drive

 

[kleinbusRonnie]

68 westy. Hubs and brakes from 76. Wheels from Vw Caddy 15X6 ET47). Tires are General Grabber 195/80. Used to be lowered, now back in stock heigth.

 

[ozziedog]

Yes!!!
K.B.R. That is definitely the way to go. Bet you’re pleased with the ride now. I’m on the same track but gone a tad higher with one spline up on the rear and a little whiffling around on the bump stops. Stock on the front but maybe up a half inch or so with the help of the coil overs. I’ve gone Maxis Worm Drive A/T all round 165 and 185. I’ll have to get some pics up :roll:

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,still white lining, Got one to go :mrgreen:

 

[67panel]

Stock beam, drop spindles with 185 60s on front , think rear dropped a spline. 185 s on rear, rides nice now with no banging and crashing from before with the cut and turned beam

 

[ozziedog]

Ozziedog,,,,,,,, looks good Dav :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[ozziedog]

I’m now stock on the rear plus one spline on 185 R14C Maxxis Worm Drive commercials obviously, and stock on the front with custom coil overs with 150 lb springs giving just a little lift, and running same tyres in a 175 format, spare is stock but with low profile small tyre as a get you home thing. Ride is absolutely gorgeous a d I’m not talking about it rubs sometimes and not others or it’s loverly on the motorway etc etc, this rides great. One bang when absolutely empty and have relieved the opposite bump stops and may need to slice a quarter off the spring plates to go with it. Need beer crates for side step especially after Stella number five (Lou Vega) Had those Wipac spots brand new in a box never been fitted and decorating the garage for a long long time, so wanged em on there through the front bumper bolts. High lights are just on the outlines and don’t intend to fill em in. Dust caps are extra neat and match my gearshift knob too. Cushions double up as curtains and works well.
Coolbox is still very very cool :mrgreen: Motion provided by 1641 with a couple of little 34s on there and the fantastic Vintage speed zooorst, just love the look and the sound :mrgreen:

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,Raise The Lowered :mrgreen:

 

[mike202]

Looking good, livin the high life! [emoji41]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Tbj33p]

Just a quick question I've also got transporterhaus dropped spindles what coilovers have you got and what size I've just fitted 165 55 14 tyres on the front and got about 40mm gap above tyre

 

[fallingoffalot]

Looks good Oz, perfect for a bit of off-roading!

Sent from my SM-G9600 using Tapatalk

 

[JensK]

Hello, everyone.

wow, it took me days to read this topic.

Could you please help me?

What is the deepest position without notchs no tubs?

Thank you and greetings, Jens

 

[milfredo]

 

[Graham L]

French Slammer 11cm Narrowed beam and FS Drum Dropped Spindles

 

[mcvw]

Not the final ride/stance - but gives you an idea...

T2d#Slamworks 4" narrowed beam + dropped spindles (would swap beam for a 2" version), T2d adj rear spring plates, narrowed rear end (1" each side I think), American Eagle Centerline wheels (155/60 front 185/65 rear)

 

[milfredo]

Not the final ride/stance - but gives you an idea...

T2d#Slamworks 4" narrowed beam + dropped spindles (would swap beam for a 2" version), T2d adj rear spring plates, narrowed rear end (1" each side I think), American Eagle Centerline wheels (155/60 front 185/65 rear)

View attachment 4331

Loving the depth of the red. Is that an original vw colour?

 

[mcvw]

Loving the depth of the red. Is that an original vw colour?

Yep. Titian red (67/68 model year colour) - and the original colour that my bus left the factory in. It's a wacky colour as it can look different shades of red depending on the light.

 

[Walt]

If you have TransporterHouse or similar dropped spindles with the ball joints on the opposite way round, then what you have been told sounds like a real possibility, that`s exactly what I did and had those sort of issues plus a lot of tyre wear on the inside edge of the tyres if I remember correctly :? :roll: :?

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, There is a thread about it on here somewhere :mrgreen

If you have TransporterHouse or similar dropped spindles with the ball joints on the opposite way round, then what you have been told sounds like a real possibility, that`s exactly what I did and had those sort of issues plus a lot of tyre wear on the inside edge of the tyres if I remember correctly :? :roll: :?

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, There is a thread about it on here somewhere :mrgreen:

Hey Ozzie - Realise this is an old post but I've been searching the forum for a similar issue;
Namely I'm currently running TS dropped spindles & had to replace the same tyre a couple of times due to wear on the inside edge.

Do you remember if you then flipped your tie rods to fix this like the OP mentioned?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[ozziedog]

Hey Ozzie - Realise this is an old post but I've been searching the forum for a similar issue;
Namely I'm currently running TS dropped spindles & had to replace the same tyre a couple of times due to wear on the inside edge.

Do you remember if you then flipped your tie rods to fix this like the OP mentioned?

Thanks,
Steve

Yes bud, I’ve just searched some old threads back in 2012, and someone was asking the same thing and back then I said it was the tie rod ends that was on the wrong way round. I also said back then that there was some weirdo issues of the bus trying to climb up speed bumps a little sideways. The thread I found was titled ‘shopping trolley steering ‘ . I’ll look a little more .

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,