AirSpeed VW Community Forums

Technical => Wheel & Tire Forum => Topic started by: bwaz on February 21, 2007, 08:23:38 AM

Title: Wheel Offset To Fit A Beetle?
Post by: bwaz on February 21, 2007, 08:23:38 AM

With a 15x5.5 - 914 alloy, trying to fit it on my stock 68 beetle, what offset should I be trying to get in a wheel? Ones i'm looking at have a +35mm offset? Would that be that the wheels stick further out from the drum, rather than inside towards the beam? Any ideas to a good fit for turning.
thanks
Brian

Title: Wheel Offset To Fit A Beetle?
Post by: Bruce on February 21, 2007, 09:24:21 AM

That offset means the tire is moved in relative to the drum.  That's the way 914s have to be because of narrow bodywork.  No narrowed beams needed.  If you use dropped spindles that push the wheel out, it will work just fine.

Title: Wheel Offset To Fit A Beetle?
Post by: bwaz on February 21, 2007, 09:33:23 AM

And if it stays stock for now, no dropped spindles, willl the +35mm still fit and be useable on the front, and go with wider tires on back for a nice look?
thanks bruce
Brian

Title: Wheel Offset To Fit A Beetle?
Post by: red snapper on February 21, 2007, 09:46:12 AM

You could just borrow my front tire and check it yourself. That way you will know for sure. My tire is a porsche 914 2.o ltre alloy with 135x15 tire. My back tire is a 165 X 15 on a ghia and I have no problems with tire clearance.

Title: Wheel Offset To Fit A Beetle?
Post by: bwaz on February 21, 2007, 11:51:06 AM

Are they 5.5 wide and is the offset 35mm ? Any idea if that offset is standard? thanks
Brian  

Title: Wheel Offset To Fit A Beetle?
Post by: red snapper on February 21, 2007, 12:37:43 PM

Hi Brian, not sure what the offset is but my wheels are 5.5\". They came off of a porsche 914. Bruce would probably know.

Title: Wheel Offset To Fit A Beetle?
Post by: bwaz on February 21, 2007, 02:33:55 PM

I checked the manufactures web site for these aftermarket ones, and they only seem to make the one offset. At least that helps in knowing I'm not buying something that's odd and won't fit.
thanks
Brian  

Title: Wheel Offset To Fit A Beetle?
Post by: Bruce on February 21, 2007, 05:33:29 PM

You better take up Brian's offer.  

The stock 914 wheels all have similar offset.  I used to run steel 914 wheels with 40mm of offset.  Everything fit well under the fender, but the tire being so far in caused it to rub on the front of the lower control arm on tight turns.  When I adjusted the stops to stop the rubbing, the turning circle was massive.  I think Brian's genuine Porsche wheels  have less offset than the steel wheels I used to use, also, the dropped spindle's extra offset helps, but not for you.  A small spacer might help.

Title: Wheel Offset To Fit A Beetle?
Post by: bwaz on February 21, 2007, 07:18:15 PM

but are the real porsche item 5 and a half wide too? I thought the real ones were narrower to fit the 914?
Brian

Title: Wheel Offset To Fit A Beetle?
Post by: silas on February 21, 2007, 09:52:43 PM

hey bwaz, are these going on your red 68 sunroof? that'll look great.

i'm just going to throw this out there for anyone interested....

offset is measured from the centerline of the wheel.

+ offset means the mounting surface is farther outboard of the wheel centerline which means the wheel should tuck under the fender a little more.

- offset means the mounting surface of the wheel is farther inboard from the wheel centerline, which means that the wheel should stick out further.

Title: Wheel Offset To Fit A Beetle?
Post by: Bruce on February 22, 2007, 03:44:44 AM

Quote

but are the real porsche item 5 and a half wide too? I thought the real ones were narrower to fit the 914?
Brian

AFAIK, all stock 914 wheels were 5

Title: Wheel Offset To Fit A Beetle?
Post by: red snapper on February 22, 2007, 06:55:42 AM

I guess Ill have to check.

Title: Wheel Offset To Fit A Beetle?
Post by: bwaz on February 22, 2007, 08:28:52 AM

I'm thinking they might go on my convert....

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