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Tue Mar 28, 2006 7:36 am

will-g wrote: Long-roofs wrote:

Actually, this bus doesn't look that low, but he had big tires and 15" wheels on it. I remember hearing the trailing arms or axles hitting the frame on bumps...

What are the Specs on this one?

I think it had a 3" narrowed beam, Franklins drop spindles, adjusters and the 112mm disc brakes with adapters back to wide five. Not my bus, but I remember the bus before it was built. Was original paint, hardtop Westfalia day camper before this paint job....

Tue Mar 28, 2006 8:00 am

It is a sweet bus, but i hate to see original buses returned

Tue Mar 28, 2006 9:17 am

steponmebbbboom wrote: Franz wrote: When I c-notched my frame I DID reinforce the inner part where I had cut

Got any pics of the inside? How did you get the plate in there, it looks pretty tight.

No steel plate. Just a "C" shaped piece of steel to fill in the cut.

Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:48 pm

so whos got a pic of how close the axle is to the frame with two clicks in the rear? does anyone have a pic of a notched rear frame so i can see what they did. thanks alot guys as i look forward to lowering my bus in the coming month. later--zeph

Tue Apr 04, 2006 12:41 pm

All right folks, one thing that I haven't seen here are bagged busses. I'm not into the lowering thing at all, not my style and it appears that it would be a harsh ride. That being said, I'm looking for info on bagging a bus. My daughter is handicapped and as she get older, it's getting more difficult to get her in an out of normal cars. Most handicapped vehicles that are used (mini vans) are just too damn high. I don't need to add a lift for wheelchair, she doesn't use one. I would like to be able to pull up to her school and PHeeesssh, drop the buss and let her out. Then Pheeeeeesh, go back up to stock height and be on my merry way.

Ideas?

Tue Apr 04, 2006 1:37 pm

None that will retain stock performance, safety and handling. I would suggest installing a vanagon jumpseat behind the passenger seat, and a folding ambulance step so she can get in and out easily (check panasonic90's gallery for photos). Fold up the jumpseat when not in use, and you wont lose much space.

Tue Apr 04, 2006 7:58 pm

steponmebbbboom wrote: None that will retain stock performance, safety and handling. I would suggest installing a vanagon jumpseat behind the passenger seat, and a folding ambulance step so she can get in and out easily (check panasonic90's gallery for photos). Fold up the jumpseat when not in use, and you wont lose much space.

REally...I was under the impression that air bagging would give you good quality support. HOw much difference would there be? I'm actually beginning to LIKE the idea.

Tue Apr 04, 2006 8:08 pm

there are several variations on the design of a bagged beam, depending on who markets it. basically you are using the airspring for the spring action instead of the torsion leaves. all of those designs involve heavy modifications to the stock beam, and play with very important operating characteristics of the beam. Install and use them at your own risk. Thats about the nicest way I can put it.

all of the major players in custom beams are advertisers here, you should not have a problem finding a bagged beam for your bus.

Tue Apr 04, 2006 8:15 pm

All i can say when it comes too Air Beams is- you better have deep pockets, i think the Baywindow beams are around a grand....actually now that i think about it you had better have deep pockets if your going to try and lower a Baywindow at all (properly that is - no redneck hack jobs in here :wink: ) i think i priced out just the parts and it was close to $1800, and thats if you can do it all yourself, just trying to inform 8)

Tue Apr 04, 2006 8:21 pm

steponmebbbboom wrote: there are several variations on the design of a bagged beam, depending on who markets it. basically you are using the airspring for the spring action instead of the torsion leaves. all of those designs involve heavy modifications to the stock beam, and play with very important operating characteristics of the beam. Install and use them at your own risk. Thats about the nicest way I can put it.

all of the major players in custom beams are advertisers here, you should not have a problem finding a bagged beam for your bus.

HAHA, allright step, I appreciate you restraint, I know how passionate you can be when it comes certain subjects. My little girl is 7 and I originally thought of the ambulance side step. But her balance is poor and her left hand would need to hold on to something while her right grabs the assist handle behind the passenger seat. That's why I thought of the bagging system to lower the bus so she could use her walker (and hopefully crutches in the future) to just walk on in with a smaller step up.

I would like to hear from someone out there who has done this and describe what the ride is like. THanks guys.

Tue Apr 04, 2006 8:23 pm

will-g wrote: All i can say when it comes too Air Beams is- you better have deep pockets, i think the Baywindow beams are around a grand....actually now that i think about it you had better have deep pockets if your going to try and lower a Baywindow at all (properly that is - no redneck hack jobs in here :wink: ) i think i priced out just the parts and it was close to $1800, and thats if you can do it all yourself, just trying to inform 8)

Ok, that's for the front beams, yes? What about for the rear? I want the whole bus to drop.

Tue Apr 04, 2006 9:15 pm

There was a Baywindow on "The Juice" running around southeast Az a few years ago, he was low, real low, highly modified (insanely modified) the bus rode like crap, total crap but it was super low, Dave, i know my story doesnt relate to your question, but it sorta does....the moral of the story is, "stay away fro The Juice" :wink:

Tue Apr 04, 2006 10:24 pm

Air bags ride much much much better than torsion spings. A lot like you would imagine a 70's Cadilac would. There are no safety issues with a air ride system if it is installed correctly. The down side to air bags is that they are not a desined for handling....road racing and hard driving... not that your bus is capable.

Wed Apr 05, 2006 6:32 am

Franz wrote: Air bags ride much much much better than torsion spings. A lot like you would imagine a 70's Cadilac would. There are no safety issues with a air ride system if it is installed correctly. The down side to air bags is that they are not a desined for handling....road racing and hard driving... not that your bus is capable.

This is what I thought. I'm not looking for hard cornering, weaving in and out of commuter traffic or anything of the sort. I want to get my kids from point A to point B. I tend to drive like an old man in my busses 'cause I'm not in a huury, I can take my time and watch out for all the other idiots who have to get to the next traffic light 5 seconds before me.

Will-G, I'm not up on the lingo. Is "the juice" That you refer to airbags?

I don't plan on driving the bus while it's low.

Franz, '70 Cadilac. I imagine that being like riding on a matress. I can handle that.

Other opinions?

Wed Apr 05, 2006 7:06 am

daves_ale wrote: Will-G, I'm not up on the lingo. Is "the juice" That you refer to airbags?

"juice" = hydraulics. A juiced vehicle rides like shit because hydraulic cylinders offer little damping action when going over bumps. Air ride vehicles ride excellent because you are literally floating on a layer of air between the vehicle and suspension.

Wed Apr 05, 2006 7:53 am

daves_ale wrote: This is what I thought. I'm not looking for hard cornering, weaving in and out of commuter traffic or anything of the sort. I want to get my kids from point A to point B. I tend to drive like an old man in my busses 'cause I'm not in a huury, I can take my time and watch out for all the other idiots who have to get to the next traffic light 5 seconds before me.

Other opinions?

No one ever plans for an emergency avoidance maneuver. And that is the worst time to find out your bus has funky handling characteristics, especially with your 7 year old in the bus with you.

Wed Apr 05, 2006 8:58 am

Its not any more dangerous than your stock bus suspension.

Wed Apr 05, 2006 9:25 am

zef933 wrote: so whos got a pic of how close the axle is to the frame with two clicks in the rear? does anyone have a pic of a notched rear frame so i can see what they did. thanks alot guys as i look forward to lowering my bus in the coming month. later--zeph
I'm courious to see this as well. Do I have to c-knotch my frame for 2 clicks in the back? also can I use the the rubber suspension stoppers cut down for 2 clicks? I'm 1 click already but I put low profile tires on and I want to go another click.

Wed Apr 05, 2006 10:16 am

dickcharlton wrote: zef933 wrote: so whos got a pic of how close the axle is to the frame with two clicks in the rear? does anyone have a pic of a notched rear frame so i can see what they did. thanks alot guys as i look forward to lowering my bus in the coming month. later--zeph
I'm courious to see this as well. Do I have to c-knotch my frame for 2 clicks in the back? also can I use the the rubber suspension stoppers cut down for 2 clicks? I'm 1 click already but I put low profile tires on and I want to go another click.

You may have to notch the frame with 2 clicks.
Here is my '71 crew with a '67 king/link beam with drop spindles. Adjusters would bring it down the 2" it needs in front. The back is 2 outer clicks, 1 inner click. The problem with this front beam setup is I would have to notch the front frame for the tie-rods.
I have drop spindles coming from Nate for the ball-joint beam, hopefully.

Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:03 pm

I saw the bagged beam that was on the KCW site. Very nice and strong. For what I want to do, bagged, how do I do it in the rear? (some puns intended but not really :P )