Tyre sizes for a 2" narrowed beam 63 Bug

35 posts · joined Jan 2014 · 20 Mar 2014, 10:35 pm

#986542

Hi All

I am in the process of lowering my 63 Beetle. It is about to get a 2" Narrowed beam up front and lowered at the back. I was just wondering are the best tyre sizes to run

I will be running 15X4.5 mags on the front and 15X5 mags on the rear, and want to have the skinny tyre look at the front, and the rear tyres filling up the rear guards at the rear.

Was looking at 135/60 R15 or 145/60 R15 at the front and around the 195/60 R15 or 200/55 R15 in the rear ?

What tyres are the best, and where is the best place to get them from.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thx Matt

dragsters for life Fahrvergnugen

953 posts · joined May 2011 · 21 Mar 2014, 2:05 pm

#986578

nankang 135 or 145 will be the winner

volkaholics.net come check us out

BeetleNBus Casual Dubber

35 posts · joined Jan 2014 · 22 Mar 2014, 2:09 pm

#986650

Thanks for the replies.

I think I might give the Firestone 145/R15's or 135/R15's a go once she gets lowered. I guess the 195/55 or 1965/60/s for the rear, but will have to see how low she gets at the back.

empi Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,131 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 23 Mar 2014, 9:32 am

#986702

135s

"If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you." - Anonymous 🥷

Specialized29er Learner Dubber

2 posts · joined Dec 2013 · 24 Mar 2014, 2:13 am

#986785

To narrow the beam did you have to get an engineering certificate or can you buy them already manufactured in Australia to a standard.

empi Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,131 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 24 Mar 2014, 10:47 am

#986802

either

"If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you." - Anonymous 🥷

BeetleNBus Casual Dubber

35 posts · joined Jan 2014 · 25 Mar 2014, 2:43 pm

#986906

I got an EMPI one from Micks Motors in Qld, but you can also get them online through places like

http://www.vollks.com.au/store/2-Narrowed-Beam-w-Ratchet-Style-Adjusters-LINK-PIN.html

Boozo Back in the bug

359 posts · joined Sep 2007 · 26 Mar 2014, 10:27 pm

#987069

Keep as larger a profile tire under the rear as possible, your highway ears and car will thank you 🙂 205/65/15 are nice. and with a short axle box you can go 215/65/15 nicely on those size wheels

'59 or Kombi?....feeling confused

'59 bug
'68 bug
'82 import T3 BUS. aircooled

beetle_nut Wolfsburg Wizard

465 posts · joined Jan 2012 · 30 Mar 2014, 11:54 am

#987355

135 on the front for sure..

bewsavw Learner Dubber

12 posts · joined Jun 2014 · 9 Oct 2014, 4:53 pm

#1001539

I've been contemplating the empi beam myself how did you find it? Good quality straight bolt in?? Also sway away or Avis type adjusters? I've been looking for reviews regarding these beams and there isn't a great deal out there

landfall Officially Full-On Dubber

290 posts · joined Jun 2014 · 9 Oct 2014, 7:44 pm

#1001546

I have just been through this exercise.

Be aware that some of the aftermarket ones are made for the USA market and are set up for LHD. You have to get them altered.

Also be aware that they are not complete.

You need to purchase the torsion leaves separate.

Also they have been manufactured using a thinner material than the original.

Finally, if they do not come with a certificate saying they have been approved in Australia you are no better off than modifying your own.

fish26 Fahrvergnugen

903 posts · joined Jul 2007 · 9 Oct 2014, 10:07 pm

#1001562

135s too sketchy for me, prefer minimum 145s ideally 155s if you like to "drive" the car

bitten by the bug..........several times

bewsavw Learner Dubber

12 posts · joined Jun 2014 · 10 Oct 2014, 9:43 am

#1001579

landfall wrote:I have just been through this exercise.

Be aware that some of the aftermarket ones are made for the USA market and are set up for LHD. You have to get them altered.

Also be aware that they are not complete.

You need to purchase the torsion leaves separate.

Also they have been manufactured using a thinner material than the original.

Finally, if they do not come with a certificate saying they have been approved in Australia you are no better off than modifying your own.

Thanks for your reply, which one did you end up going with? I was contemplating getting one from George but still not 100% sure.. And also leaning towards Avis type adjusters...

landfall Officially Full-On Dubber

290 posts · joined Jun 2014 · 10 Oct 2014, 1:03 pm

#1001589

bewsavw,

There is quite a long thread in the Tech Talk section headed "Narrowing the Beam BJ" dated October 8th.

You will be able to see what I had to start with and what action I took.

I concluded that if I was to buy a new replacement beam and had to get it altered/welded then I was no better off, also I did not like the fact that the material in the tubes was thinner.

Because of the uncertainty of my torsion leaves I elected to purchase new leaves. This proved to be a disaster and I ended up returning the three sets I was sent (did not fit through original retainer nor sway a way ).

Each step I took I carefully consulted with experienced VW people, read everything I could on the internet and only had professionals do any outhouse work.

Didn't really save any money, but I know it is done to a high standard.

I run 195/60 x 14 tyres on 6" rims. Need the 2" narrow beam to keep the tyres under the guards, but the rear disc brake offset has sent the rear tyres outboard again.