TheSamba.com :: View topic - How can i get a bit of lift for the rear?

Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:00 pm

Just wondering if anyone has a suggestion on how I can get a few inches of lift on my 72 Super Beetle. I have a trailer hitch on it and it sometimes scrapes the pavement. Also I like the "hint of off road" look. Any ideas on how I can lift it a few inches? Special shocks? Anyone done this?

Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:20 pm

Is the hitch touching under a load or just on the car? If it is the load a heavy duty shock would help (may an air adjustable or spring loaded off road adjustable). You can always just turn and reset you torson plates in the torson bar. But I am not sure how that would effect the handling. You can also use a taller tire that has a heavy side wall to prevent sagging the tire. The best maybe a combination of all the above, that way each step is a small postitive adjustment.

Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:32 pm

Quote: You can also use a taller tire that has a heavy side wall to prevent sagging the tire.

LT (light truck) tires are for towing and heavier loads also.

Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:09 pm

The taller tire is certainly a simple way to do it, but that will also change your effective gearing and leave you with less towing power.

Take a look at the "Late Model FAQ", specifically at topics about lowering. Raising the rear is basically the reverse of lowering.

Max

Tue Nov 10, 2009 11:46 pm

The hitch hits once in a while, we live on an island with a ferry, it will hit on the ramp sometimes depending on the tide. The hitch is under the vehicle so it reduces clearance. It's not too bad, I mostly just like the look of picking the back end up a little. The hitch will hit without the trailer on. Off road adjustable sounds cool. I like the combination approach. Thanks

Bill Jacobs wrote: Is the hitch touching under a load or just on the car? If it is the load a heavy duty shock would help (may an air adjustable or spring loaded off road adjustable). You can always just turn and reset you torson plates in the torson bar. But I am not sure how that would effect the handling. You can also use a taller tire that has a heavy side wall to prevent sagging the tire. The best maybe a combination of all the above, that way each step is a small postitive adjustment.

Wed Nov 11, 2009 2:44 am

I raised the rear of my '71 Convertible with Gabriel air-adjustable shock absorbers. I've done (once, different car) rear torsion bar adjustment, and this was way easier. I just add air, and up it goes.

Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:23 am

Try coil over shocks. You can adjust your height with them.

Wed Nov 11, 2009 8:12 am

coil overs put too much stress on the upper shock mounts and don't let the torsion bars do thier job

Wed Nov 11, 2009 1:33 pm

I would go air! I used the coil overs years ago, and WOW, that was a rough ride! I don't know how much better air shocks will ride, but the coil overs were very stiff!

Wed Nov 11, 2009 2:21 pm

TonyPgh wrote: I would go air! I used the coil overs years ago, and WOW, that was a rough ride! I don't know how much better air shocks will ride, but the coil overs were very stiff!

The Gabriel air shocks I used on a different car were nice until I got the air in the shocks to higher psi's... then it was rough but bearable. When you have a trailer on the rear end it wont bounce and be as rough though. I had them on an old Cutlass, purely for aesthetic reasons.