Banded steels... How wide (with pics)

[Lukej]

Quick one guys... About to package up a couple of spare Marathon rims to be banded, fancy around 6.5-7j but would like a little reassurance I'm not gonna rub... 72 beetle, long axle. ET34

Here it is about 2" higher than ride height, I'm happy to lift it a bit to lose some camber and get some longer gearing/taller tyre. Currently a 185/65




And how it sits



I reckon 2 or 2.5" on the inside of the rim then I could maybe space them out 0.5" if I needed inner arch clearance... This seems to make sense to me but I would massively appreciate input here...

Cheers

[Zach Gomulka]

Start by measuring the space between the rim and the spring plate. See how much backspace you can add, then make up the difference on the outside.

[Lukej]

Thanks Zach, yeah makes sense, I guess if they're going to rub inside it'll be there...Wow that's an iffy pic, 2 5/8" at the bottom of the spring plate,



Another crap phone pic but nearer 2 7/8" here...



Looks like 2" would be safe.

That's take the rims to 6.5" wide, what kind of tyre size would work there? 215?

[baz]

Do you not need to measure the tire to plate clearance rather than inside rim edge to plate ?  Once you've the tire clearance measurement you can do the maths to work out what rims and tires will fit.

[RichardinNZ]

This provides some useful guidance regarding appropriate wheel width to tyre size (things are pretty strict here in NZ):

http://www.lvvta.org.nz/documents/infosheets/LVVTA_Info_01-2009_V2_Tyre_Size_to_Wheel_Size_Compatibility_Guide.pdf

...however, I think there are plenty of people on the Lounge who have tyres and wheels which according to the guide aren't compatible...!

[Zach Gomulka]

2" would be safe. A 7" wheel will fit easily with the correct offset.

As far as tire sizes go... For example, if you measure any wheel from the outer lips you will see that it comes up about an inch wider than advertised. For that reason I like to choose a tire that is at least as wide as the measured overall width (keeps the wheel from sticking out past the tire and gives you a little wheel protection). So a 7" wheel measures about 8", 8x25.4 (to convert to millimeters) equals 203.2. So at a minimum a 205 tire in that case. I know for a fact a 215 fits flawlessly on a 7" rim

If you like the euro poke and stretch look you may be on the wrong forum

[Lukej]

Take a look here... http://www.willtheyfit.com/index.php?width=185&aspect=65&diameter=15&wheelwidth=4.5&offset=34&width2=215&aspect2=65&diameter2=15&wheelwidth2=7&offset2=52&Submit=Calculate#content

To get a 7J rim, adding 2.5" and recentering the rim for 2" on the back gives an ET of 53 I think. Should push the rim out 0.5"

Does that offset sound about right Zach?

[Zach Gomulka]

Depends on axle length and brakes as well.

I can tell you a 15x7" Porsche wheel (23mm offset I believe) with a 215/65 fits perfectly centered in the wheel wells when used with short axles and CB rear disc brakes.

Anyone near you have a 7" wheel you can bolt up and try? Even if the offset is wrong it will tell you exactly where and how much to go.

[Lukej]

OK so mine has long axles, IIRC the diff between long and short is about 35mm. So your ET23 +35 puts me in the 50s... Maybe about right... Agree?

I'll ask my dad how wide the wheels on the buggy are... Come to think of it I'm sure they're around 7'...

I'll keep you posted

[eugene]

This is a 50mm banded smoothie ( band added on the outside) on a 67 long axle bug. The fenders are stock and the tire is 196/65 R15. As you can see is to wide and I had to switch to short axles.