TheSamba.com :: View topic - Introduction and a narrowed beam question

Fri Nov 07, 2008 1:04 pm

Hi,
My name is Jon Hall and I am the proud owner of 1956 "European Deluxe" Beetle. I purchased this vehicle nearly 10 years ago when I was stationed in Germany.

I currently live in Tulsa, OK and I recently joined a local VW club. The VW club of Tulsa is nice, but I was really looking for more VW technical info/expertise. Thus, I have now come here!

My build is along the lines of a resto-custom (if you still call it that) with the stock body and modified suspension and engine. I decided to go that route since the body was somewhat rough (rusty) and many of the original, period components were missing.

The mods thus far include a 1600 DP engine, dual Kadrons, 12v Alt conversion, dropped front spindles, American Eagle (EMPI) polished wheels, larger (later) front brakes, etc. It runs and drives ok so I have been hesistant to mess with it for the past 6 years.

In the near future I would like to install a narrowed front beam. I have the CB 2" dropped spindles (circa 2001) and the American Eagle EMPI wheels which are 5.5" wide. So I would guess that the tires are 1" to 1.5" out from the original location. I am running a 145 size tire in the front.

The tires come to the outside of the fender lip and rub on larger bumps and sharp turns. I was thinking of purchasing a 3" or 4" narrowed beam to tuck them back in. Any advice regarding which beam width I should choose?

BTW, this BBS is an awesome resource!

Sat Nov 08, 2008 6:47 pm

I have a 56 that I am working on. I bought a 6inc narrowed from Franklins vw. cant run shocks with this set up but it looks cool as hell

Sat Nov 08, 2008 9:37 pm

yep runnin 6" also, I think it fits the look of my car perfectly

you might get more responses if you post this in the readers rides section,

oh, and welcome 8)

Tue Nov 18, 2008 8:01 am

It all depends on the style and look you are going for. And also if you are trying to stick to a somewhat original theme with the car.
I have had a 2", 4", 6" and 8" beam under cars. My personal choice is go big, and do an 8" narrowed beam. the 2" will fit the tires, and keep a non tucked look. The 4" gives it a somewhat tucked look.
You may also have some problems if you are trying to slam it with the size tires you have for the front. One you go 6" or more, you have to start looking at the headlight buckets, and everything else in the way.
I personally think that the 4" beams don't ride as nice as a 6 or 8" beam. With shortening the spring packs, and running shocks you tend to get a harsh ride. Going 6 or 8", you have no shocks, and the springs are set at a pretty good rate with the shortening.

Tue Nov 18, 2008 9:10 am

I just did the same drop as you with a 2" narrowed beam from Franklin's VW Werks. That puts the wheels at about where they were stock (accounts for the push out of the drop spindles). I'm not personally a fan of super narrow beams, but 4" would look good too.

I'm not going to say definitively that Franklin's beams are the best, but a lot of people think they are. http://www.franklinsvwwerks.com