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Wheel/Tire FAQs-Wheel/Tire questions/answers? Start here!
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bljones
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:28 pm    Post subject: Wheel/Tire FAQs-Wheel/Tire questions/answers? Start here! Reply with quote

Rolling stock combos are one of the biggest investments you can make in your Thing, and before you lay out the long green, it never hurts to find out what BTDT experience is out there.
Show and Tell time- what are you rolling, and how do you like it?

I am running old Jackman style white spokes wrapped with Marshal A/T 215/75 14 tires. It is a great combo, but i would not recommend attempting to run these tires with stock wheels and stock backspacing.

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Last edited by bljones on Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:37 pm; edited 1 time in total
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lukesky
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

205/75/r14 steel belted radials on white steel baja rims. "Hercules" brand on the front, "Sovran" on the back.
Fronts are new due to a possible broken steel belt that was one mechanic's suggested remedy for a bad wobble. I took the fronts off and took the rims in for new tires because I didn't want the mech. stripping out the drums/lug bolts. I tried putting the new ones on the back and moving the old backs to the front, but it just about tore the car apart when I got up to about 35mph.

I still have the original spare, and I have the original rims that need blasting and repainting. Someday I'll get that done, buy new hubcaps, and put something more original looking all around. Anyone know where I can find something in the US that looks close to what the spare looks like?
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TimGud
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

185 R 14 cheapo tires on stock rims. (painted black)
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Last edited by TimGud on Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:47 am; edited 1 time in total
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Fun 181
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:50 pm    Post subject: Previous Thing Tire/Wheel Topics Reply with quote

Some of the most commonly asked questions here in the Thing Forum are about tires. Below are quite a few links to previously posted topics regarding stock tires, tire sizes, fender clearance issues, offsets, wheel sizes, bolt patterns, etc. that you may find helpful. If your looking for info on wheels and tires, you'll probably find it here.
__________________________________________
THING WHEEL & TIRES 101

"What is the stock tire size for a VW Thing?"... 185 SR14 M&S (with tube)

"What is the stock wheel code for a Thing?"... 5JK x 14
(found near the hubcap clips on the outside of the wheel)

"What is the color/paint code for stock Thing wheels?"... L97U
Check out this thread by "ztnoo" for more info on L97U...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=121699

________________________________________
GENERAL THING TIRE/WHEEL QUESTIONS

Wheels and Tires...compiling a list...ever so slowly
A great thread started by "vwthingboy" that addresses multiple concerns and questions regarding Thing tires, wheels, sizes, offset, tire pressure, etc...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=185449

Original tires reproduced for Thing
A thread and poll discussing the original tires that came with the car...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=340751
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Blow Out!
A great discussion of different stock-size tire options...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=259127

Tire brand, model, and size roll call
2 full pages of tire talk and photos...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=115005

Are there any other wheel choices for 14" sized tires?
14" wheel options...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=291097

Wheel balancing--no local place can do it
Solutions to Thing Wheel Balancing...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=255219

Tire Pressure
Answers about Thing tire pressure...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=127901

Hubcaps
General questions about VW hubcaps...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=336660

__________________________________________
DIFFERENT WHEEL OPTIONS

Bus rims
Will VW Bus Rims fit on a Thing?...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=335760

BTR Racing Wheels
Discussion and photos of BTRs on a Thing...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=272838

Porsche 356 Rims on a Thing
Questions about fit and offset...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=300686

5 spoke empi's
EMPIs 5-spokes on a Thing...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=289147

Has anyone used these wheels?
More on EMPI 5-spokes...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=259371

__________________________________________
WILL THEY FIT?

Installing bigger tires and wheels
Tire sizes and lift kits...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=204125

Tire clearance and adjustable shocks
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=231567

Tire clearance help... again
Tire clearance help for 15" rims...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=232993

27x8.5x14 on non lifted Thing
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=236575

Tire/Wheel Query
Bigger tires with 15" wheels...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=275103

what size tire (Rear) do you run on your Thing?
Bigger rear tires...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=285435

ride height and wheel size
17" wheels on a lowered Thing...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=329487

__________________________________________
THING WHEEL BACKSPACING/OFFSET TOPICS:

Various Wheel Offsets
Everything you ever wanted to know about various VW wheel offsets (backspacing) courtesy of Kubelmann and the Thing forum crew...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=352467

Offset? KubelKen?
Tire offset question...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19627

Wheels - 15x5.5 with 4.125" backsp or 15x5 with 3.25
15" tire and backspacing question...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=185297

__________________________________________
THE SPARE TIRE

Mounting a rear tire carrier on a Thing:
Photos and tips on installation...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=272025

Mounting the spare tire on the hood
Questions and photos regarding installation...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=259676

Alternate places to mount the spare tire
Ideas and photos...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=256658

Mounting a reserve gas tank in the Thing spare tire
Questions regarding 14" vs, 15" wheels with photos...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=277986

What tire size will fit under the hood?
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=271192

__________________________________________
TIRE TOOLS:

Percy's WheelRite Wheel Fitment Tool
"This revolutionary new tool for wheel and tire installers allows you to get a perfect fit the first time and every time."
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product2_10001_10002_761153_-1

__________________________________________

I hope this will be helpful. I'll continue to add more info as it becomes available.

- Slim


Last edited by Fun 181 on Wed Apr 15, 2009 2:34 pm; edited 20 times in total
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caribbeanlivin
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:11 pm    Post subject: 15's Reply with quote

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The cheap white baja 15x7 rims all the way around that scuffed up and painted metallic black with Kumho 30x9.5x15 a/t tires. Thanks to Fun 181 thread!!!
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jon knight
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 5:52 pm    Post subject: Thing tires Reply with quote

I would like to put a new set of tires on my 73 thing. The tires have plenty of tread on them, but they are very old and seem very hard, and I feel they have some kind of dry rot. I can't drive very fast (not over 55) and think my tires might have sat in one place to long and may have a memory. I have the old large hole rims on it and can't find anyone that can balance them. I'm not sure what I should do and am open for suggestions.

Jon Knight
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klokard
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 10:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am running stock 181 wheels, powder coated stock silver with original style hubcaps. I have the McCreary G78X14 all terraine tires on them.
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Captain Spalding
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 4:22 pm    Post subject: Re: Wheel/Tire Survey- What are you running? Reply with quote

Tires: Bridgestone Dueler 27x8.5R14
Rims: stock
Brakes: stock
Beam: stock

No rubbing.
The spare: 195/75R14

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Pierre G
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

OK, my turn, but before, thanks Fun181 for the research job you did. I used to run on stock 14" rims with stock 185r14 tires. I bought some chrome spoke baja wheels (6x15), but didn't want to mount them now because I don't have a garage right now. I don't trust much that brazilian chrome, especially with my hot and humid climate. I'm waiting to move to new house (with garage) to mount them. But I couldn't wait to test 15" rims and tires. As I had a set of 15" rims from an old split bus, I mounted tires on them and fitted to the 181. They're nankang 185r15c front and bridgestone 205/75r15 rear. No rubbing outside but a minor rub inside front right because the wheels are 4.5 inches wide (instead of 5.25 for stock 14"). They're a little bit too narrow and with interior offset. Can't wait to fit the 6x15's.
Pierre


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Sorry for the dirty tires, I went to play in some redland mud and didn't have time to clean the tires...
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Ferretkona
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

We are running the Empi 15" rims with Remington 215/75
no modifications, no rubbing

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Tait D
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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uh...can someone tell me what I have? Came on the car. And I can't figure it out.
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Fun 181
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

They kind of look like Cragars, but I doubt it with them being wide 5 and having what looks like a Wolfsburg logo on the cap. I'm curious now myself.
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Tait D
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

wolfsburg logo on the cap is not original, im pretty sure of that. but i still cannot figure it out. iv never seen anyothers like them
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Pierre G
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 3:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm just curious too now. I guess these are NLA as we don't see them advertised anywhere. Maybe some sort of centerline ? Are they chrome or ultra clean polished alloy ? The manufacturer is probably stamped on the inner side of the wheels. You'd have to remove one to figure out.

Pierre
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Revis
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 10:03 am    Post subject: 73 Thing tires Reply with quote

I read and re-read the posts. I have a 73 stock height, 15" bus wheels and I'm thinking 215/75/15 tires. Basically 6.35" height, 8.46" width and 27.70 overall diameter. Will they rub?
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Captain Spalding
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 2:26 pm    Post subject: Re: 73 Thing tires Reply with quote

Revis wrote:
I read and re-read the posts. I have a 73 stock height, 15" bus wheels and I'm thinking 215/75/15 tires. Basically 6.35" height, 8.46" width and 27.70 overall diameter. Will they rub?

I have similarly sized tires 27x8.5" on stock 14" rims with a backspace of 4 3/8". If your bus rims are within a half inch of that, you're good to go.
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Revis
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 2:36 pm    Post subject: Tires Reply with quote

Captain, I just hate to get them mounted and find out later that I should have asked. Thanks for the helpful reply.
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thinghunter
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tait D wrote:
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uh...can someone tell me what I have? Came on the car. And I can't figure it out.


Probably these that JC Whitney sells. The picture doesn't show the rivets like yours but most of their other wheels have them so either yours are an old style or their picture sucks. As far as the wolfsburg logo I bought some center cap stickers at a swap meet that look just like those.http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ItemBrowse/c-10...7110008476
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Fun 181
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 12:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

thinghunter wrote:
Probably these that JC Whitney sells. The picture doesn't show the rivets like yours but most of their other wheels have them so either yours are an old style or their picture sucks. As far as the wolfsburg logo I bought some center cap stickers at a swap meet that look just like those.


Thinghunter, nice catch. Just like you say, those JC Whitney wheels look identical to Tait D's except for the rivets.
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Pimpi
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 2:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ok I am not sure if this has already been asked, but will a set of 15 inch smoothies from a Bug fit on my Thing?

If so, what is the maximum size tires that I can go without rubbing?
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