Larger Rear Tire Fitment

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Admin Access Staff asked 5 years ago

Hello Andy,

Back in 1998 I purchased EMPI 5 spoke polished rims, stock width I think in front and wider rears. Currently I am running Nankang 195 60 15 in rear. Can I run 205 65 15 without a problem?

Thank you.

1 Answers
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Michael Glass answered 5 years ago

Hi Gary,

If your wheels are from that time era, there was only two companies producing the EMPI style 5 spokes, American Eagle and Rocket Industries. Both of these wheels had the basic same offset and were 5 1/2” wide. This wheel will accept a 205/65 x 15 tire. This tire has become the most popular rear tire that we sell.

As for fitment on your 1963 Beetle, this will largely depend on what rear axle you have on your car. The tire and wheel combination will work best with the short axle that came stock on 1966 and older cars. This will “pull” the tire deeper into the wheel well, narrowing the track, helping with the tire clearance to the outside lip of the fender. The 1967 and 1968 rear axles will widen the rear axle track, pushing the tires further out and potentially causing a tire to fender clearance problem.

Lastly, depending on what exhaust system you have, there has been tire to exhaust fitment problems on the passenger side with the 205/65 x 15 tire when being used with a sidewinder exhaust with the large single muffler.

Ultimately it is the responsibility of the installer of aftermarket parts to make sure that everything will clear, fit and work safely with all the components that have been installed on the car.

 

Thanks,

Andy

/by