Another wheel question from me !!! Has anyone moved up from a 5.5x15 to a 7x15 on the front of their bus? What tyres you running? I was looking at 195x50x15. Do you find the steering too heavy? Or, do you find the extra width makes your bus feel more stable? Any info appreciated.
I havent done it myself yet However from reading around 195 is the widest you can go on the front without limiting the steering to prevent rubbing The steering wont be any noticably heavier whilst moving but will be stiffer whilst stationary
I've got 7x16 with 205 wide tires... And yes, the steering is heavy when maneuvering... but that's what muscles are for also, I have a smaller 15in steering wheel, so if you still have the proper bus one you should be ok!!
according to here a 215/75/15 is as big as you can go with out cutting or a lift http://www.baja.org/kombi/bustech.htm#wheels
it's the 75 part that's the killer... should be able to get around a 255 in the back on a lower profile!!
latest plan is 7x15's on the front and 8x16's on the rear. Sure I can sort the rear out ok, although my csp python exhaust may limit the inner clearence on one side. It was just the front that I wasn't sure what to do with. Can't find any wheels that I like that are 6x15 or 6.5x15, so looks like it is going to have to be 7x15. Have to have a measure up in the new year
you could rerim a standard wheel to any of those sizes and keep a stock look with standard vw hub caps
don't have any standard wheels, but had thought about going down the banded steel wheel route. Will see how I get on getting some after market wider wheels first.
the offset of the wheels surely plays an important role here, I have fake fuchs allround, same width and same width tyres all round too, they are 195 60 15's but they must have quite a strong positive offset ( i think ive got that right) if you have a hegative offset that means most the wheels depth is inwards so clears the rear wheel arch. Mine is about 7mm clear of the wheel arch so wider tyres at the rear is a no no.
Hello i am running 7 inch rims with 215 40 17 at the moment but will be going up to 215 50 17 soon to get the gearing right.As these are not VW rims the offset is different and i am using spacers .My van is lowered by about 2 inches and uses spax adjustable shocks.