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Mon Jul 18, 2005 8:42 am

I'm thinking about getting the 3 inch raised spindles from socal imports and was wondering if I could keep my stock speedo? and if I can't what could I do for a speedo with these spindles?

Mon Jul 18, 2005 8:46 am

i'm not sure if the speedo still works with these or not, but as far as i know people have been trying to come up with a good solution to the speedometer issue

Mon Jul 18, 2005 8:53 am

Speedo hole is still there, unless maybe you specify that you want it filled for strength. As far as the cable, alot of people have issues with the stocker not being long enough. My stock 73' cable has held up just fine with my 3" jatech spindles, but its pretty maxed. You may need to go witha longer cable, but that no biggy, I think the super beetle cable are slightly longer and work good.

Mon Jul 18, 2005 7:21 pm

Thought about running a push bike speedo.. ?

http://www.aussieveedubbers.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=41652

Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:51 pm

mdetro4660@aol.com wrote: .... its pretty maxed.

..put them on 2 different cars for people and they were both maxed, but I know as of yet, they haven't pulled out.
(I know one of them has seen some decent desert drives already, too)

Yeah, get a SB speedo if you can't get it to work.

Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:29 am

people have run a Super Beetle cable with thing spindles successfully.
thing spindles give 2.5 inches of lift, look into the super cable. from what i have read the super cable is longer, measure your standard speedo cable and then call parts houses and double check the length of a super cable.
as these guys said, another popular option is to adapt the didgital speedo from a bicycle. I am not sure how the bicycle speedo works on a baja, maybe someone will chime in with personal knowledge? I have read of people useing it on several different forums, maybe it works?

Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:20 pm

thanks for the replies, I guess I'm gonna get the spindles and probably the super beetle speedo cable too. How hard are the spindles to install? is it just a bolt-on installation or what?

Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:49 pm

I think the speedo cables for right-hand-drive cars are longer, too - but I can't say by how much.

Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:30 pm

1970bug wrote: thanks for the replies, I guess I'm gonna get the spindles and probably the super beetle speedo cable too. How hard are the spindles to install? is it just a bolt-on installation or what?

They are usually not that hard to install. But you have to break loose the ball joints to R/R the spindles. If your working on a beat down front end you may want to replace the BJ's and arm seals, etc.. at this time. If the joints are good you wanna be careful NOT to damage them, or the boots. Boots are becoming easily available by themselves nowadays though.

Its probably a good time to pick up a bently or haynes manual if you wanna tackle it yourself to get a better idea of how to go about it.

Tue Jul 19, 2005 2:29 pm

By the way - this is what I use for my speedo:

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/catalogue/product_de...arch[/url]

It's tiny and you just need to stick magnets on something that rotates.

Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:24 pm

So, I've done some searching and I think I understand how to get the spindles off, but I can't find out anything about putting them back on. Do I need a special press or anything or will I be able to do it with ordinary tools? and which manual is better, the haynes or the bentley?

Wed Jul 20, 2005 3:38 pm

1970bug wrote: So, I've done some searching and I think I understand how to get the spindles off, but I can't find out anything about putting them back on. Do I need a special press or anything or will I be able to do it with ordinary tools? and which manual is better, the haynes or the bentley?

I usually get a friend (that I trust) to help me out. What I usually do is mount the spindle on the on the lower ball joint. Then get your buddy, using a very large pry bar, I have used steel pipe, jack handle or whatever, and pry the upper arm up so you can get the spindle underneath the upper arm. Have your buddy slowly lower the upper arm onto the spindle and wham bam your done. BE VERY CAREFUL THE UPPER ARM WILL BE UNDER A LOT OF PRESSURE AND CAN COME LOOSE!!!!! Hope this helps, pm me if you need more explanation,Later Mitch.

Sat Jul 23, 2005 11:28 am

so I got my spindles today and started taking the old ones off and ran into a problem. I got the top balljoint loose, but the lower one and the tierod I can't get lose. what should I do?

Sat Jul 23, 2005 11:31 am

Smack the spindle with a large hammer until they pop loose. you might want to put the top one back in loosely to hold it in place for you.You need to hit the spindle right where the ball joint goes through and be carefull not to hit threads.you can lightly put the nut on the threads to protect them if you want.

Sat Jul 23, 2005 11:54 am

I've tried hitting it with a big hammer, alot of times, but it won't come loose. Is there anything else I can do or should I just keep hitting it?

Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:09 pm

You can go to a parts store and buy a pickefork(tie rod splitter) but usually enough whacks will get it done. is it a really BIG hammer?

Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:13 pm

It's a 3 pound sledge hammer and I've been hitting as hard as can for the past half hour. and the closest auto store is a 30 to 45 minute drive away. How much would a picklefork cost?

Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:18 pm

Do you have an air chisel??? Is the nut for the ball joint loose? I mean like at the end of the threads on the ball joint. Are you hitting the side of the spindle? Dont hit the ball joint it wont come out that way. Later,Mitch.

Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:25 pm

Hey pm me your phone # i will talk you through it, later,Mitch

Wed Jul 27, 2005 11:06 am

Does anyone know where I can p/u a pair of Thing spindals in So Cal. I have done the cut and turn, but want a little more lift in front.

Thanks