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help with tyre sizes?
MrScooter - January 5th, 2009 at 11:13 PM

HELP!
i just want to change tyre sizes on my square, she has wornout 165 15 85's
i want to go lower profile but still tryin to keep them skinny, mostly cause i'm about to lower her and i dont want them to scrub. what are you guys (and girls) running on out there?
so far all i can find are 185 15 60's, just a bit fat for what i want.


helbus - January 5th, 2009 at 11:29 PM

Kumho Powerstar 165/80/15


bitemeoz - January 6th, 2009 at 10:27 AM

gday, i am looking around now for the same thing. will let you know what i find out. goodyear has a 17560r15 and toyo have a 16550r15 but im trying to find someone who stocks them in sydney.


bitemeoz - January 6th, 2009 at 02:02 PM

tyrepower can get Toyo 16550r15 or 165 55r15's for about $160 each. They factory has a few sets left. I want to put whitewall inserts in them but they have a ridge around the inner rim so no good for me.


izac - January 6th, 2009 at 04:07 PM

yes im looking for the same thing for my square that is sitting pretty low... im running 135s atm but find they are too skinny.

my ideal size would be a 165/60 or 65.. but havent found anyone who makes it. i know Federal make a 165/50 but i reckon it would be a bit too low pro for my liking..

a lot of guys on the Samba use 185/60s but i find it hard to believ they wouldnt scrub...


Peter_D_C - January 6th, 2009 at 05:06 PM

Im running 175/60's up front and 195/65's out back. No rubbing at all and im dropped a couple of spindles up front and back


izac - January 6th, 2009 at 05:09 PM

that sounds good Peter :tu:

What is the brand and where did you get them from?

cheers


Peter_D_C - January 6th, 2009 at 05:24 PM

Izac,

Ill have to check the fronts, as i think they're probably a couple of years old, but from memory they are GoodYears.

Out back are some dodgy brand which are made in the GoodYear factory (Sold by GoodYear tyre centres). Blue Streak or something. :smilegrin: Hey, ive got all of about 20hp.......

Ill check and take a pic tonight to show what it looks like. I should prob state that the wheels on the back are 4.5's (so they are slightly wider than standard (I think)) and the ones on the front are 4.0's


Peter_D_C - January 6th, 2009 at 08:59 PM

Ok checked.

Bridgestone B391's on the front - 175/60/15. Dont know if they're still made:

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/733/image009ia6.jpg

Back are Blue Streak GT665's 195/65/15

http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/5755/image008ya6.jpg

Sorry bout the pic quality, couldnt be asked getting out the SLR.


MrScooter - January 6th, 2009 at 09:01 PM

good to see im not the only one with this prob.
well i put kumo's 185 /65's on.
no probs exept for the white walls inserts i put on, they went wobbly. and look like shite', they dont sit on the rubber flush. i think this might be because of the type of white wall, they are not atlas ones (which i've used before and had no probs with.) these seem thiner and i reckon to be cheapies, although i paid the same price as the last set (atlas) i bought. i'll be ripping them off tomorrow and sending them back.


h - January 6th, 2009 at 09:06 PM

145R15 nankangs for the front will work a treat for a low down look with easy steering ability intact..
got them on my 54 beetle and my 76 bay.. all good
throw some low fats up the rear maybe like a 195/50/15..
looks smooth n handles well.. does on my cars anyway
good luck with it..
post up a pic when ur done..
cheers h


h - January 6th, 2009 at 09:08 PM

btw you can always have a chat to the lads on melburg luft site n see how its done down here
cheers h


Peter_D_C - January 6th, 2009 at 09:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrScooter
good to see im not the only one with this prob.
well i put kumo's 185 /65's on.
no probs exept for the white walls inserts i put on, they went wobbly. and look like shite', they dont sit on the rubber flush. i think this might be because of the type of white wall, they are not atlas ones (which i've used before and had no probs with.) these seem thiner and i reckon to be cheapies, although i paid the same price as the last set (atlas) i bought. i'll be ripping them off tomorrow and sending them back.


Same thing happened to me. But mine were atlas... :grind:


MrScooter - January 6th, 2009 at 09:52 PM

doh!!!!!:crazy:
did you have the same size tyres? i'm running stock rims..
does anyone know if this has something to do with the thickness or bulge of the side wall?


Peter_D_C - January 7th, 2009 at 08:18 AM

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=73591 


izac - January 7th, 2009 at 05:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrScooter
good to see im not the only one with this prob.
well i put kumo's 185 /65's on.
no probs exept for the white walls inserts i put on, they went wobbly. and look like shite', they dont sit on the rubber flush. i think this might be because of the type of white wall, they are not atlas ones (which i've used before and had no probs with.) these seem thiner and i reckon to be cheapies, although i paid the same price as the last set (atlas) i bought. i'll be ripping them off tomorrow and sending them back.


Would you be able to get us a pic of what they look like and how low you are?

cheers


bitemeoz - January 7th, 2009 at 08:46 PM

my whitewalls are fine on 165's, but i have 5.5" rims so the tyre doesnt bulge out at all anyhow.


njg02 - January 8th, 2009 at 07:20 AM

I recently got some Bridgestone 175/60/15 second hand. Apparently they are off the new mini's.


izac - January 8th, 2009 at 05:27 PM

ive been talking to some guys on the samba and they reckon you can fit 195/50s on the front of a lowered square (stock beam, 2 splines down)!

check it out

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3525092#3525092 

i think im gonna try it after i take a few more measurements to make sure


Newt - January 8th, 2009 at 10:44 PM

Is it legal to run 185s on a 4.5 inch rim?

Newt


MrScooter - January 8th, 2009 at 11:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Newt
Is it legal to run 185s on a 4.5 inch rim?

Newt


wouldnt have a clue, and cant see why not.. they seem to sit nicely. took the flappers off.
i will lower the front this weekend, maybe a couple of clicks. i'll take some shots.


67fasty - January 9th, 2009 at 04:18 PM

I have the same problem sourcing a suitable tyre to run on my fasty (if you thought finding tyres was hard in the other capital cities, try living in Hobart!) The new Nissan Micra lists 175/60r15 as the standard fitment on their alloy wheel option, I haven't found a parked one to find out the manufacturer, perhaps the Conti EcoContact3?.

I believe Continental do a tyre in 175/55r15 in EcoCompact and Premium Contact2 (for the Smart fourtwo). Bridgestone B340s are also available in this size.

I currently run 175/65 Pirellis on the rear with no problems, I'd like to run 165s with a similar side wall height (say 165/65 - 70) in the front but such a tyre is proving elusive.

Silverbullet sold me 2 165/45s which have got me out of trouble but I but the ride is shocking due to the lack of sidewall flex - I was warned...

Good luck with your search.

Adam.


izac - January 9th, 2009 at 06:07 PM

i have been doing some research and so far this what i plan to get...

Kumho Ectsa KU31 185/55 on the front and 195/65 on the rear.

Bob Jane and Kmart T&A seem to stock them and are reasonably priced...


izac - January 11th, 2009 at 01:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrScooter
good to see im not the only one with this prob.
well i put kumo's 185 /65's on.
no probs exept for the white walls inserts i put on, they went wobbly. and look like shite', they dont sit on the rubber flush. i think this might be because of the type of white wall, they are not atlas ones (which i've used before and had no probs with.) these seem thiner and i reckon to be cheapies, although i paid the same price as the last set (atlas) i bought. i'll be ripping them off tomorrow and sending them back.


MrScooter,

Can I ask where you got those tyres from and fitted?

and have you lowered it yet?

cheers


MrScooter - January 11th, 2009 at 10:07 PM

the tyres i got from kmart tyre's and auto in noosa,
cause i know the guys and there just up the road from my shop. cost me $125 each.

i lowered the square today, just 2 clicks on the front. this was too easy! the back looks like its been lowered or maybe its sagging? hard to tell, so i left it alone for now.

no rubs or scrubs. ;)

if i went any lower i'd have to change the shocks to shortened ones.

has anyone done this? and what shocks did you use?

i guess you could always go lower, :D

i'll try and post a photo....


izac - January 12th, 2009 at 04:11 PM

cool man,

yeah i saw them in a bob jane catalouge for $90 each!! just not sure if they would fit the 185s to 4.5s...:crazy:

are yours the Kumho KU31's?

i hear Monroe Part no: 5752 are the best shocks to use for slamming it, but i have mine 2 1/2 inner splines down in the front and still have 2'' of travel left on stock shocks (TelaFlo) ... but terrible ride until i modified the lower bump stops (i.e. hacksaw :D) on the weekend.... rides pretty well now.

heres a photo of mine with the 135s on...

http://media.share.ovi.com/m1/large/0583/700ba227ea6d4bb3815476a80d7648ae.jpg


Peter_D_C - January 13th, 2009 at 11:16 AM

Hey Scooter,

You wouldnt happen to be going to the 'Under the Sun' movie premiere on Sat night at Noosa Bowls would you?


bitemeoz - January 13th, 2009 at 02:40 PM

i am gettings some 165/50's on Thursday, ill take a pic and show you how it looks.


izac - January 13th, 2009 at 02:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bitemeoz
i am gettings some 165/50's on Thursday, ill take a pic and show you how it looks.


cool, interested to see what it looks like..


MrScooter - January 13th, 2009 at 10:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Peter_D_C
Hey Scooter,

You wouldnt happen to be going to the 'Under the Sun' movie premiere on Sat night at Noosa Bowls would you?



nah!

i'm sure i have something else on?

but i can be found at the snack cafe in the junction just around the corner everyday.


oh and here's the square lowered a tad with the 185/65's