VW heritage (2012-2013 Beetle) wheels on a late bay (Transporter).

The first time I saw the new VW Heritage wheels on a 2012 Beetle, I knew I wanted a set for my bus. I was previously looking at Porsche 944 cookie cutters, and fuchs. I even purchased Porsche 944 brakes to do a Porsche, brake conversion along with a white set of cookie cutter wheels.



I searched on vwvortex for months and then finally found a set within my price range still in the boxes! I immediately purchased them, only knowing that they were 5x112 and 17 inches. Sounded like the perfect match for me, but I would soon discover, it would not be that easy.



I contacted a very close friend on mine Matt to have them powdercoated close to the same color as the top of my bus. Matt had powdercoated some pieces on my KZ1000 for me and I knew he was the man for the job. While they were in Matt's care I found out that my Heritage wheels offset may be wrong, and the center bore is too small! Once I got them back from being powdercoated I did a test fit, and sure enough they where indeed to small.



The wheels center bore is 57.1 mm, and the axle cup for the front of the bus is at least 66.6, or 66.7mm. I then contacted a local machine shop to drill two wheels to the center bore size of 67mm. Before doing this I learned the heritage wheels are lug centric, and not bore centric, so this was safe (relative) to do.



The rear of the Bus is actually 57.1 so the stock bore of the rear wheels should fit with no modifications. LOL, at least not to the center bore. Once I got the wheels back from the machine shop, I did a test fit with the front and rear. The fronts had fit just fine, the rear however where to close to the inside of the suspension components. I remedied that with a 1/4 inch wheel spacer.

(pic without spacer)


I then contacted Wagons West for some longer wheel studs and lugs. Your going to need a 46mm socket, and rubber hammer, and a heavy, metal hammer, and a vise to remove the rear brake cover, and hub nut, place the hub in the vise and tap out the studs. Tap the new ones in and re-install your rear hub, and brake parts. Pretty easy once you get the hang of it.

And now pics of the finish project....





I test fitted a used tire in the size of 215-50-17 before ordering the Vogue tyers I really wanted. Made sure they where all the same size. I have not experiences any rubbing yet what so ever. My bus currently has weld in adjusters set all the way down in the front, and 4.5 inch horseshoes in the rear. In the near future, I will be lowering my bus even more. I want more of the "tucked" look.

I hope this write-up helps others achieve a nice stance on other buses. Please post any questions here and I will try to answer them the best way I can.

I'd like to thank the following people who helped me accomplish my goal:

H&H Machine Shop
VWVortex.com
Wagenswest.com
Matt Roberts
BK
Jerry
... and my wife for putting up with my crazy ideas!

 

I saw this on prototype bay, they look pretty sweet

 

Those look ace...just right for the bus! I'd be really pleased after all that faffing...think you made the right choice vs the cookies. I fancied doing a similar job on some early Audi A3 pepperpots...look like stock steels but wider...and alloy of course....may still get round to it one of these days
Top job!
Out of interest, what ET are you're new rims? Empi 5 spokes are 5.5J x ET 20...the A3 rims are 6J x ET 38...trouble is they're 57.1 centre bore and 100 PCD which would be an arse to machine

 

those look great!! well worth the extra effort i think

and if you fancy selling those cookie cutters if you've still got 'em, chuck me a PM..

 

If I remember correctly, the ET is 43, or 46. I'll double check and get back to you.

 

they look blimmin' lovely.

 

Thanks everyone! I'm glad something I did on the bus turned out right! Lol

 

Cookie Cutters were sold a while back. Also Im in the US. Shippimg would have been high as hell! Lol

 

They look the business......

 

Where can we buy these wheels, iv'e been looking and can't find non anywhere

 

I found mine on vwvortex.com
Any VW dealership should also have them. They are stock wheels for 2012 - 2013 VW Beetles.

 

Nice

 

Loving it dude
How do you find removing the rear wheels with the horse shoe plates?

 

It's a pain in the ass! I have to disconnect the bottom part of the shock to get the wheel far enough to drop, then I have to let all the air out of the tire, then work the wheel off safely to avoid scratching the white/yellow walls on the tires. It's a procedure, but no need to take the rear wheels off anymore for a while. New brake cylinders, new brakes, new tires, new rims. Should be ok, for a while.

 

I have set of horse shoes waiting to be fitted, don't know if i can be bothered with the hassle

 

Loving this

 

They look superb, but I think your front nearside one is on upside-down...

 

lol

 

Not sure I understand what you mean... Explain?

 

The Horseshoes are not as bad as they sound. Also, I'm sure the 3.5" ones have a better fit, than the 4.5" ones. The process is not as hard as it sounds. You kinda get the hang of it.