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Thu Sep 04, 2008 1:11 pm

anyone make a aftermarket wider balljoint front end?..i have a 1970 and seem to have a hard time finding a wider front end

Thu Sep 04, 2008 1:16 pm

they sell adjusters that widen the front end..... besides that i dont know of a widened frontend.

Thu Sep 04, 2008 1:30 pm

Try Bugzyla.com

Thu Sep 04, 2008 1:37 pm

Just get two beams, cut them off center (3" off-center for each if you want a 6" wider beam) and then weld the two beams together. You will also need to move the brackets where the mounting bolts go through (or make new ones with some c-channel (make sure it is appropriate thickness).

Once you have the beams out and dis-assembled the whole deal should take 1hr max to fab (assuming you have a large pipe cutter and a welder). You may as well cut & turn after you weld the two halves together.

Thu Sep 04, 2008 1:39 pm

I just totally rebuilt a front end and widened it 4".
Couldn't find anything good in widened balljoint ready made.

Its relatively easy and you can custom tune for what you want.

I welded in some machined spacers and have 4 adjusters.

Required 2 sets of tortion springs though, no biggie.

Came out nice, could muster up some pics by the weekend if there's interest.?

Thu Sep 04, 2008 1:57 pm

I'd like to see the pics!

Thu Sep 04, 2008 2:10 pm

here's one i did that will go in my car one of these days. 4" wider, set up so that no extra sets of leaves are needed.

Thu Sep 04, 2008 2:45 pm

Nine inches wider about the max without trimming the beam clamps.

The mounting brackets had to be notched to allow the socket to clear.

Thu Sep 04, 2008 2:59 pm

NICE!! HB and perrib, does your front track match your back? Currently, my front track is ~65 inches, and my rear is 66. I was thinking about a wider front end, but it seems kinda pointless, since both tracks are so close now. Whaddya thing?

Thu Sep 04, 2008 3:20 pm

problem is i have no fab skills..or should i say very little so everything has to be semi made..i dont have a cutter or welder :(

Thu Sep 04, 2008 3:28 pm

this is in the classifieds

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=654836

Thu Sep 04, 2008 3:45 pm

whats the difference on link pin and ball joints..what makes them so different that they wont work?

Thu Sep 04, 2008 3:55 pm

bizmarkie wrote: whats the difference on link pin and ball joints..what makes them so different that they wont work?
start by reading this: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=101670

Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:30 pm

bizmarkie wrote: problem is i have no fab skills..or should i say very little so everything has to be semi made..i dont have a cutter or welder :(

bizmarkie
Here is some free advice...Get a part time side job and buy a saw and welder. :shock:
You will be very glad you did. :D

Sat Sep 06, 2008 2:00 pm

:twisted: i know!...arggggg...you think i should just convert it to link or king pin?...seems like the way to go.I cant seem to find anyone who builds bj front ends around me