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Posted by: carreraguy May 22 2006, 02:03 PM

Dumb question - couldn't find answer using Search. What is the width of the stock 914 steel wheel - is it 4.5 or 5.5 inches? I'm selling mine and a prospective buyer is asking. I always assumed they were 5.5, but you know about assumptions.
Thanks,

Posted by: Mueller May 22 2006, 02:06 PM

5.5 for Fuchs, Pedrinis and Mahles...steel rims "might" be 5.5 and some are smaller I think...

which steel rims?? there are 2 styles...

Posted by: hmeeder May 22 2006, 02:08 PM

Are they early (70-72) steelies or the later (75-76) ones?

Early steel wheels were 4.5" all others were 5.5"

Posted by: Gustl May 22 2006, 02:08 PM

early standard steel wheels were 4 1/2 x 15"
optional available steel wheels were 5 1/2 x 15"

later steel wheels were 5 1/2 x 15"

Gustl

Posted by: 1970 Neun vierzehn May 22 2006, 02:08 PM

Early '70/4s came with 4.5 steel, even w/appearance group(as mine did). I think that by '72, 5.5" steel were universal unless the car came w/alloys(which were always 5.5").

Posted by: obscurity May 22 2006, 02:39 PM

My 71 has 5.5 steel wheels. I think the 4.5 wheels were the VW style with the hub caps while the 5.5 had only center caps

Of course I could be totally wrong

Posted by: carreraguy May 22 2006, 03:19 PM

Thanks for the quick response guys!

The wheels in question are from a 1976 914/4 (pic attached). The majority consensus appears to be that they are 5.5 inches wide so I'll go with that unless I hear otherwise.


Attached thumbnail(s)

Posted by: lapuwali May 22 2006, 03:30 PM

Those are indeed the (late) steel wheels, aka Super Beetle wheels. The width should be 5.5", and should be stamped on the rim itself, probably looking like 5.5Jx15. J means it's a rim suitable for a tubeless tire.

Posted by: GWN7 May 22 2006, 04:22 PM

QUOTE(lapuwali @ May 22 2006, 02:30 PM)

Posted by: Dave_Darling May 22 2006, 06:51 PM

Does anyone know exactly when the changeover to 5.5" "standard" steel wheels was? The 4.5s seem to have been gone by 73 at least, and probably (but not certianly!) by 72. Was it only 70-71, or 70-mid-71? I suppose I could check my parts book...

--DD

Posted by: carreraguy May 22 2006, 08:36 PM

QUOTE(lapuwali @ May 22 2006, 02:30 PM)

Posted by: Dave_Darling May 22 2006, 08:41 PM

Interesting. Mr. PET says 4.5" up through 73, 5.5" afterward. I'm pretty sure that 5.5s were available the whole time, though optional on the early cars. And I'm mostly sure that by 73 the 4.5s were gone...

--DD

Posted by: hmeeder May 22 2006, 09:09 PM

Hussey's 914 Tips Book reports:

71 and 72 having the 4.5 inch silver painted steel wheels and 71, 72 and 73 also having a 5.5 inch silver painted steel wheel.

Perhaps for different trim levels or options?

The superbeetle "styled" steel wheel was available 74 - 76.

Seems consistent with what many here are saying.