I agree. Your paying for the tires. Do what you think is right for your situation. If you have questions just ask at the shop. Safety is most important. One thing to take in consideration when changing sizes of tires is speed. Your Speedo might be a few MPH off due to height of tire. Glad all is well. More rain on the way through the weekend. Take care my friend
Volkswagenplanet thanks for being here as always buddy. I should have mentioned the speed being off, meant to but oh well..... it was all I could do to get this recorded. Safety is always important and should never be overlooked!!
Good choices on tires. 205’s might be a tad tall for the rear but you should be fine. I’m running 195/65’s on the rear and find those to be perfect for me and how I drive. Have a great weekend!
That sculpture is sick! I want 1!!! I bet turning was sketchy! I’ve ran 135’s on the front of Bugly for years they tend 2 follow the road a bit... I ran into the same issue on pops 56 after disc brake conversion it definitely changed the offset! Great info as always!
Mileage Unknown the 155’s seen to not wonder and follow the road so far, I need more miles on them but they stop great. Find some old parts and weld them together for a sculpture, your imagination is the only thing holding you back.
I'm so glad you found some replacement tires I was about to offer you a set of 1976 14" Porsche Fuchs with 185/60R14 tires but you would need a wheel adapter to run them on the Jawbreaker. I know we have discussed this many times but I'm running 185/60R15 on the front of Stormy with the adjustable front beam end and dropped disc brake spindles the 63 is sitting on 145R15 in the front on a standard beam with lowered Kinpin spindles for drum brakes. 🤙🏼
Volkswagen Fetish oh yeah, we have discussed tire sizes until I had dreams about tires 😂 Thank you as always for your input, it is greatly appreciated! Now others can also read what works 👍
I like your Bug dude. Here's the thing there's a major difference between what's required for a posers show car trailer queen and a daily driver in a stock bug. Factor in if you live in a dry,hot state or somewhere cold and wet. Aprox. 70% of total braking power in a Bug occurs at the front so avoid skinny low pros up font unless you just dragrace! Bugs are already too light upfront. Bugs handle best when the front is 1" higher at the front, so lower the rear first if you like that kind of thing. I run 165/65 at the back and 165/80 at front on stock Daily Bug driver. Good handling, braking and economy for 11years now. You never know when some idiot in an SUV or black jeep in a hurry home from a school run is gonna cut across your lane or when a dog runs out in front of you, then you will thank me haha! Keep on Bugging folks, its dangerous out on the highways.
John Collins excellent points and I agree, the more stopping power that you have the better! So many people are distracted don’t care about others. They don’t realize an older vehicle needs more room than their newer one. I upgraded to front disk brakes and that made a huge difference.
We just bought our first VW , A 69 Beetle with drum brakes that we will keep on car , can't afford an adjustable beam so want to install EMPI 2 1/2 drop . Car has stock 165 tires . J BUGS even warns you that stock tires will rub . So my question is what size tires would you run ? 175 ,155 or what ? Just lowering the front and keeping the 165 in rear . Thanks and great videos
@@sparlin88 congrats on the new ride! The drop spindles will help and if you’re still running stock rims, 175’s might be ok but 155’s will definitely be ok.
@@sparlin88 I don’t remember exactly but probably not. If you want the front real low then you need the adjustable beam and drop spindles. If you want the front to drop some and still ride good then drop spindles only is perfect.
Hear ya on the rain dude...been miserable here! We finally have had a couple of good weekends! We run the smaller low profile tires on our 62 slammed car and they actually have a much nicer ride than I ever expected them to! 👍
marcijunebug good to know, thanks! 🙏 I was wondering how the ride was going to be, however my beam sucks but I couldn’t kick a gift in the mouth. I have my eyes on a 2” narrowed beam 👍
I personally am a “purist” ...I like the stock VW’s but we bought the 62 already slammed and I have to say it gets tons of attention at shows and folks really seem to like the stance and it rides really well considering it’s a 3” tuck!
Right now I'm running stock fronts 165/80 with a 1.5 inch drop, but widened guards mean plenty of clearance for future drop spindle upgrade. Rears are 7x14 inch with 185/70 which just clears the widened guards on a 1 inch drop. No doubt this setup will change as the mood suits! Like you say, no rules do what you want :)
I know you did this video a couple years ago but the 175 you are running so you have any issue with running I have 195 65 15 in the front and rub a lot I’m just trying to find a tire that works. Also are you running that size all around or just in the front
I didn’t have a single issue running the 175/65’s up front on the stock rims and stock suspension, even with the stock width adjustable beam. 195’s are pretty big to be up front depending on the rim. I run 195/65’s in the rear without issue, again on stock rims.
Great video, I just subscribed! I have 65 bug that I need the proper tire for. I plan to install drop spindles in front and drop it a notch in the rear. What tire size do you recommend? Also, could I use 14" smoothies on my 65 for a lower look????
Red Pill Rage thanks for the sub, don’t be shy, comment away on the videos! As for tire sizes, it will depend on what look you’re going for. 14” rims may not clear the brakes depending on the rim. There is a guy who sells smoothies in GA, Smitties Smoothies, he’s be able to answer the rim questions and get you setup with the right offsets, etc.
Strange you were running those 185 Nokian snow tires in Florida. Here in Upstate NY. It might make sense, but only driving in the winter. Not suggested. Would like to see the 155 video.
you did what you wanted and it did not work out too well as you needed to run your spare to get home. was looking for this to help get the right tire for my setup. well, i only wasted 5 min
@@VWJawbreaker ok I need a spare wheel and tire for a 67 but I'm go ahead and get one the same as my front two already,I will look at them in a day or two
nikittoo1 you’re aren’t really lower profile but a smaller diameter. The fire measurements are 145 - width in millimeters, 65 would be the aspect ratio meaning it’s 65% as tall as it is wide and of course 15 is the rim size.
Gary, have never had to have any tire work done on Blue Bug, how hard is it to find a tire shop that knows how to change the tire on a 5 x 205 star wheel?
Worked in a tire store (way back), the rims sorta fit on the tire machine, but were wobbly, and if they moved when the bead presser came down, would bend them. Also have used a "manual" bead breaker, and "spoons" by hand...not fun. Balancing, at one time there was a specific adapter available for high speed machines, I bet they are rare as hens teeth now.
William Cronin I also use to work in shops years ago. The tire machines are completely different now vs back then. I highly doubt just any tire store could balance the tires, most should be able to dismount and mount the tires of the person has a little bit of common sense.
@@seans625 I do appreciate it and wish that I could give you an accurate answer. If I remember correctly, that was stock spindles but just an adjustable beam only… prob a few inch drop vs stock.
Guess it depends on what year you’re taking about. This is a 73, stock tire size is a 165/80/15 www.jbugs.com/category/1973-vw-super-beetle-wheels-and-tires.html#:~:text=1973%20VW%20Super%20Beetle%20Tires,-We%20offer%20VW&text=The%20165%2F80R15%20is%20the,fit%20the%20stock%20VW%2015x4.
I agree. Your paying for the tires. Do what you think is right for your situation. If you have questions just ask at the shop. Safety is most important. One thing to take in consideration when changing sizes of tires is speed. Your Speedo might be a few MPH off due to height of tire. Glad all is well. More rain on the way through the weekend. Take care my friend
Volkswagenplanet thanks for being here as always buddy. I should have mentioned the speed being off, meant to but oh well..... it was all I could do to get this recorded. Safety is always important and should never be overlooked!!
You gotta love that Florida rain! =) Good to know! Thanks for sharing! =)
G'day Kevin from Australia. Well said it's your car. Modify it don't modify it . It doesn't matter as long as your happy and having fun doing it. ✌
Kevin Hamling well said Kevin!! 👍
Awesome video. I just bought a pair of 185/65/15 for the front and I was going to get a pair of 205/65/15 for the back
Good choices on tires. 205’s might be a tad tall for the rear but you should be fine. I’m running 195/65’s on the rear and find those to be perfect for me and how I drive.
Have a great weekend!
@@VWJawbreaker thanks for the info. I might check out the 195’s as well to see how they fit
That sculpture is sick! I want 1!!! I bet turning was sketchy! I’ve ran 135’s on the front of Bugly for years they tend 2 follow the road a bit... I ran into the same issue on pops 56 after disc brake conversion it definitely changed the offset! Great info as always!
Mileage Unknown the 155’s seen to not wonder and follow the road so far, I need more miles on them but they stop great.
Find some old parts and weld them together for a sculpture, your imagination is the only thing holding you back.
I'm so glad you found some replacement tires I was about to offer you a set of 1976 14" Porsche Fuchs with 185/60R14 tires but you would need a wheel adapter to run them on the Jawbreaker. I know we have discussed this many times but I'm running 185/60R15 on the front of Stormy with the adjustable front beam end and dropped disc brake spindles the 63 is sitting on 145R15 in the front on a standard beam with lowered Kinpin spindles for drum brakes. 🤙🏼
Volkswagen Fetish oh yeah, we have discussed tire sizes until I had dreams about tires 😂
Thank you as always for your input, it is greatly appreciated! Now others can also read what works 👍
Following from Lakeland FL 👍
Appreciate you being here.
I like your Bug dude. Here's the thing there's a major difference between what's required for a posers show car trailer queen and a daily driver in a stock bug. Factor in if you live in a dry,hot state or somewhere cold and wet.
Aprox. 70% of total braking power in a Bug occurs at the front so avoid skinny low pros up font unless you just dragrace!
Bugs are already too light upfront. Bugs handle best when the front is 1" higher at the front, so lower the rear first if you like that kind of thing.
I run 165/65 at the back and 165/80 at front on stock Daily Bug driver. Good handling, braking and economy for 11years now. You never know when some idiot in an SUV or black jeep in a hurry home from a school run is gonna cut across your lane or when a dog runs out in front of you, then you will thank me haha! Keep on Bugging folks, its dangerous out on the highways.
John Collins excellent points and I agree, the more stopping power that you have the better! So many people are distracted don’t care about others. They don’t realize an older vehicle needs more room than their newer one. I upgraded to front disk brakes and that made a huge difference.
I Love the sound of Rain since we don't get much here
We just bought our first VW , A 69 Beetle with drum brakes that we will keep on car , can't afford an adjustable beam so want to install EMPI 2 1/2 drop . Car has stock 165 tires . J BUGS even warns you that stock tires will rub . So my question is what size tires would you run ? 175 ,155 or what ? Just lowering the front and keeping the 165 in rear . Thanks and great videos
@@sparlin88 congrats on the new ride!
The drop spindles will help and if you’re still running stock rims, 175’s might be ok but 155’s will definitely be ok.
@@VWJawbreaker Thanks for the fast reply . Great video's
How many inches did you drop it with the adjuster beam ? more than 2 1/2 inches ?
@@sparlin88 I don’t remember exactly but probably not. If you want the front real low then you need the adjustable beam and drop spindles. If you want the front to drop some and still ride good then drop spindles only is perfect.
Hear ya on the rain dude...been miserable here! We finally have had a couple of good weekends! We run the smaller low profile tires on our 62 slammed car and they actually have a much nicer ride than I ever expected them to! 👍
marcijunebug good to know, thanks! 🙏
I was wondering how the ride was going to be, however my beam sucks but I couldn’t kick a gift in the mouth. I have my eyes on a 2” narrowed beam 👍
I personally am a “purist” ...I like the stock VW’s but we bought the 62 already slammed and I have to say it gets tons of attention at shows and folks really seem to like the stance and it rides really well considering it’s a 3” tuck!
Right now I'm running stock fronts 165/80 with a 1.5 inch drop, but widened guards mean plenty of clearance for future drop spindle upgrade. Rears are 7x14 inch with 185/70 which just clears the widened guards on a 1 inch drop. No doubt this setup will change as the mood suits! Like you say, no rules do what you want :)
One of the many great things about VW’s, they can be customized so many different ways.
Good info... good video man!!
JW Classic VW thanks man, had to do something this week 😔
I know you did this video a couple years ago but the 175 you are running so you have any issue with running I have 195 65 15 in the front and rub a lot I’m just trying to find a tire that works. Also are you running that size all around or just in the front
I didn’t have a single issue running the 175/65’s up front on the stock rims and stock suspension, even with the stock width adjustable beam. 195’s are pretty big to be up front depending on the rim.
I run 195/65’s in the rear without issue, again on stock rims.
@@VWJawbreaker awesome thank you for the reply! Thank you for helping!
@@emiliocruz5529 anytime! Sorry it took me a while to reply.
Great video, I just subscribed! I have 65 bug that I need the proper tire for. I plan to install drop spindles in front and drop it a notch in the rear. What tire size do you recommend? Also, could I use 14" smoothies on my 65 for a lower look????
Red Pill Rage thanks for the sub, don’t be shy, comment away on the videos!
As for tire sizes, it will depend on what look you’re going for. 14” rims may not clear the brakes depending on the rim. There is a guy who sells smoothies in GA, Smitties Smoothies, he’s be able to answer the rim questions and get you setup with the right offsets, etc.
@@VWJawbreaker in appreciate that! By the way, cool little VW statue!!!! 🤪
Red Pill Rage thanks!!
A pro ralli driver told me rear drop 1 inner and 1 outer with the front an inch higher
Strange you were running those 185 Nokian snow tires in Florida. Here in Upstate NY. It might make sense, but only driving in the winter. Not suggested. Would like to see the 155 video.
I got them used for next to nothing.... they handled great in the rain 🤷♂️
you did what you wanted and it did not work out too well as you needed to run your spare to get home. was looking for this to help get the right tire for my setup. well, i only wasted 5 min
Not every video can answer every question out there. Sorry it wasted your time.
Will the rims size be on the inside of the rim,or do I have to just measure it
If it’s a stock VW rim, you’ll have to measure it. Aftermarket ones may have the size on the backside.
@@VWJawbreaker ok I need a spare wheel and tire for a 67 but I'm go ahead and get one the same as my front two already,I will look at them in a day or two
I have 145/65 r15 but it’s a lower profile than your 155/50r 15 how can that be possible?
nikittoo1 you’re aren’t really lower profile but a smaller diameter. The fire measurements are 145 - width in millimeters, 65 would be the aspect ratio meaning it’s 65% as tall as it is wide and of course 15 is the rim size.
Did the 175/65 catch the fender on this tire, what cut the edge open like that?
It didn’t catch the fender, hit something on the highway.
Gary, have never had to have any tire work done on Blue Bug, how hard is it to find a tire shop that knows how to change the tire on a 5 x 205 star wheel?
William Cronin you’d have to call around buddy, I have no clue honestly 😔
Worked in a tire store (way back), the rims sorta fit on the tire machine, but were wobbly, and if they moved when the bead presser came down, would bend them. Also have used a "manual" bead breaker, and "spoons" by hand...not fun. Balancing, at one time there was a specific adapter available for high speed machines, I bet they are rare as hens teeth now.
William Cronin I also use to work in shops years ago. The tire machines are completely different now vs back then. I highly doubt just any tire store could balance the tires, most should be able to dismount and mount the tires of the person has a little bit of common sense.
how many inches would you say is your front end is lowered
Wow, that video was a long while back. Hard to answer to be honest.
to be honest i been binge watching your videos
@@seans625 I do appreciate it and wish that I could give you an accurate answer.
If I remember correctly, that was stock spindles but just an adjustable beam only… prob a few inch drop vs stock.
@@VWJawbreaker 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Also please tell me the rim size, 15x5.5 or 15 x 4.5
Pretty sure mine were 4.5”
@@VWJawbreaker ok thanks and what part of Florida are you in
@@billygoatracer up between Orlando and Daytona.
I gotta build me a vinnie!
Vintage Speed VW you should have enough parts around to build one. Good luck on the drag night trip!!
@@VWJawbreaker thanks Gary!
Ya i might be able to scrounge something up!
Cant wait for the trip this sat. Always look forward to it.
Vintage Speed VW hope you video the trip also. Safe travels buddy and have fun!
@@VWJawbreaker yes ill get back on the record button! Lol. Ive been slackin...
Vintage Speed VW I doubt it’s slacking, it’s probably just life. Things have been rough over here, it’s been real difficult to record anything.
GRACIAS. . .
looking to front tire my ,
Dart Swinger , with
185/80-14 .
is this a VW van , tire size ?
Not sure, this video covered beetles.
5.60 15 is stock
Guess it depends on what year you’re taking about.
This is a 73, stock tire size is a 165/80/15
www.jbugs.com/category/1973-vw-super-beetle-wheels-and-tires.html#:~:text=1973%20VW%20Super%20Beetle%20Tires,-We%20offer%20VW&text=The%20165%2F80R15%20is%20the,fit%20the%20stock%20VW%2015x4.