TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Mar 30, 2007 4:38 pm

Just wondering when you order a widened front beam like 6 or 8 inches do you have to get new leafs or will the sock ones work and how do you get the maximum lift out of the front end ,i would like mine to sit like this http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=339818 and for the rear what are some good mods for a swing axle setup , Thanks

Fri Mar 30, 2007 4:57 pm

There are leafs made just for the longer 6" beam or you can use stock ones cut to fit, but the ones made for the wider beam can be purchased that are stiffer.
When you order the beam make sure you get it with adjusters, that will allow you to crank up the front.
Dont forget that the wider beams are made to fit linkpin frameheads.

Fri Mar 30, 2007 5:19 pm

if you do it yourself, you can use stock leaves.

top: stock leaves

middle: how pre-fab widened beams are done. take two sets of stock length leaves and cut them at about 55% of the length

bottom: how I have done widened beams in the past, cut the leaves in half and re-drill new grub screw mounts. this saves you the cost of buying a second set of leaves and stiffens up the spring a little bit by having them shorter

Nicksan wrote: Dont forget that the wider beams are made to fit linkpin frameheads.
pre-fab wider beams are for linkpin. nothing says you can't widen your own

Fri Mar 30, 2007 6:37 pm

ok i think ill do it like the bottom one so lets say i get a 6 inch wider beam ,when im done there should be approx 6 inch gap betwwen the leafs in the center? Also 1 other thing do you get the majority of lift from adjusters,spindles or from trailing arms thanks for the help

Fri Mar 30, 2007 6:56 pm

if you do like the bottom one, the gap between center of adjusters will wind up being more like 7-8". if you buy a wider beam, the gap will be 6" and you will have to do the leaves like the middle picture

Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:02 pm

Brad, your so thorough.......... :wink:

Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:16 pm

I know you mentioned a wider beam, but I believe the car you posted is running a stock width beam.

Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:20 pm

sxuxrxf wrote: I know you mentioned a wider beam, but I believe the car you posted is running a stock width beam.
judging by the position of the steering box, i would say you are correct :-k

Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:39 pm

I dont know it probably is , I would like a wider beam but i was just pointing out the height for an example, I would like mine to have at least that much clearance

Sat Mar 31, 2007 12:06 pm

Yes, that is a ball joint beam, cut and turned I believe. Here is the build.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=216097&start=80

Sat Mar 31, 2007 7:06 pm

OK now that i have the front figured out what to do with the rear its a swing axle what is the best way to go , is there a way to widen the rear axles or do you have to go to cvs with the boxes around them ,

Sat Mar 31, 2007 7:36 pm

K-NIFF wrote: OK now that i have the front figured out what to do with the rear its a swing axle what is the best way to go , is there a way to widen the rear axles or do you have to go to cvs with the boxes around them ,

If you have a swing axle you will need to convert over to IRS.
The rear is widened by using longer rear arms, such as 2x3 or 3x3 or even longer, meaning 3" wider and 3" longer.
You would also need to use the correct axles for the application and CV joints usually 930 or type 2 or 4 depending on the arms used.
Theres more to the job though like installing new bolts and bushings, and stiffer torsion bars as well.
Its alot of work, but if you have the skills and up for it its worth it. :D

Sat Mar 31, 2007 7:58 pm

so is the stock trans used or do i need to get a aftermarket or bus trans

Sat Mar 31, 2007 8:11 pm

You can use the stock IRS trans (or a souped up one) but many people use a bus trans. with longer rear arms, but theres much more customizing to do with the bus tranny, It just depends on how much money and how far you want to go with your baja.
Read all the stickies at the top of the off road section and pickup this book........

http://www.amazon.com/Baja-Bugs-Buggies-Jeff-Hibbard/dp/0895861860

Sat Mar 31, 2007 10:12 pm

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=61284

Sun Apr 01, 2007 5:30 pm

ok i was looking on v dub parts unlimiteds web site and I was looking at the beanie boy 3x3 kit and it ask what trans are you using Im still debating on stock bug or trying to find a bus I bought the last bus trans from the local vw shop to replace the one n my bus so finding one local may be difficult so my question is it gives you the option of 69-79 Bug IRS is there a difference between 68 and 69 trans thanks and where do you guys get the jigs i see everyone using i see most of them are homeade but do you need one to duplicate?

Sun Apr 01, 2007 5:44 pm

K-NIFF wrote: ok i was looking on v dub parts unlimiteds web site and I was looking at the beanie boy 3x3 kit and it ask what trans are you using Im still debating on stock bug or trying to find a bus I bought the last bus trans from the local vw shop to replace the one n my bus so finding one local may be difficult so my question is it gives you the option of 69-79 Bug IRS is there a difference between 68 and 69 trans thanks and where do you guys get the jigs i see everyone using i see most of them are homeade but do you need one to duplicate?

Thats the kit alot of people get. Before you get it let them know what tranny your using and they should be able to give you the correct CVs, flanges and, axles.
I have seen the jigs advertised in the off road section in the classifieds here.

Sun Apr 01, 2007 6:20 pm

do you think it a satisfactory kit for a guy on a budget or would you do thing differently?

Mon Apr 02, 2007 8:55 am

K-NIFF wrote: do you think it a satisfactory kit for a guy on a budget or would you do thing differently?

It is a good kit. The other things you will need are:
irs pivot brackets and weld them in.
irs pivot bolts and washers
rear shocks and a cage to mount them to
torsion bars or go coil over (depending on your budget)
irs spring plates or c/o conversion plates
spring plate bushings.

You can cut your spring plates, but most buy new.
You can also re-use your torsions, but most go bigger to carry the suspension and longer to get a better ride.

Someone may add or recommend other stuff.

Tue Apr 03, 2007 3:17 pm

well i picked up a 3 rib bus trans and axles for a 125 bucks after work today in a junkyard i couldnt tell a definant year but it has the same tailights as my71 i looked undeneath and its a 3 rib so i guess the irs swap begins