TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Mar 13, 2003 8:57 pm

im new with the whole bus deal, i know my way around a bug real good, but i just bought my first ever bus and i want to lower it...i was wondering is it basicly the same set up as a bug or what.....is the back set up basicly the same?.....please help if u can...tell me what i need...

thanks, mikel

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/60786.jpgwomack

Fri Mar 14, 2003 9:21 am

how much do you want to spend?

cheap ass way, pull the springs out off your front beam, and turn your spring plates in the rear,

not so cheap ass, put an adjuster on the front beam, turn the plates in the rear,

or put adjuster on the front and a straight axle on the back,

or put spindles on the front narrow the beam add adjusters, put a straight axle kit on the rear

option keep going from there its all about the cash

mikee

Fri Mar 14, 2003 9:43 am

yeah...mikee is right. as i have just completed the last option mikee lists i would tell you this.... While it is a doable project for a technically oriented person, theres A LOT to it. If you have the cash, do it right and maybe have someone else do it. If i knew then, what i know now..my bus would've been with either Rizzag (Jeff) in portland or Cameron at Vintage Vee Dubs. Those guys can go through the build like a hot knife in butter. If you do do it yourself...plan everything first and order all your parts first!

Fri Mar 14, 2003 9:02 pm

PLEASE DONT PULL THE TORSION BARS OUT OF THE FRONT BEAM. IT WILL SAVE YOU FROM POSSIBLY BEING KILLED WHEN THE FRONT END COLLAPSES AND YOU CAREEN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE IS A RIGHT WAY TO DO THIS WITHOUT EVER TOUCHING THE BEAM FOR A MODERATE DROP OF 3.5 INCHES. BUY OR BUILD A SET OF DROPPED SPINDLES(CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM JEFF VIDAL) HE IS THE ONE WITH THE BAD ASS CAMPER ON HIS AD. TELL HIM ODIN SENT YA.

Fri Mar 14, 2003 9:05 pm

BUGNU2, PLEASE DISCONTINUE GIVING RATHER UNINFORMED ADVICE TO PEOPLE THAT DONT KNOW. ABE LINCOLN SAID ITS OK TO BE IGNORANT JUST DONT OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND LET EVERYONE ELSE KNOW. PLEASE REMEMBER THIS NEXT TIME YOU WANT TO "HELP"

Fri Mar 14, 2003 9:22 pm

what is a "straight axle"... can u lower a bus like a bug inthe back?.....just by drop a notch or 2...?

Fri Mar 14, 2003 11:52 pm

STAIGHT AXLE IS WHEN YOU INSTALL EITHER A TYPE 1 OR A TYPE 3 SWING AXLE TRANS INTO YOUR BUS. YES THE THEORY IS THE SAME BUT PROBLEM IS THAT IT CAUSES ALOT OF STRESS ON THE INTERNALS OF YOUR REDUC BOXES.

Sat Mar 15, 2003 9:43 am

When you lower the rear of a bus with reduction boxes it becomes harder for the gear oil in the transmission to adequately lube the gears and bearings. ie; the fluid must run uphill to the boxes. Sure there is fluid in the boxes, but it will leak past the upper bearing into the axle tube and it will be harder for it to flow back in. Guys with lowered swingaxle bugs have trouble with seals burning out and bearings wearing out. If you want to lower a bus IMHO you should step up and do it the right way so you don't endanger yourself and others with poor quality, cheap work. This forum is an excellent way to find out what can be done and who can do it if you aren't skilled enough to do the work to a high standard. The lower you go, the more spendy it gets. So how low can you afford to go?

Sat Mar 15, 2003 3:54 pm

im not really sure how much i can spend...id say i am going to put about $600 or around there... so you are saying i need to get a straight axle trans out if a bug and put it in my bus and then lower away?

thank, mikel

Sat Mar 15, 2003 4:29 pm

i am planning to get dropped spindles for the front ($200+) from the classifieds and then a swing axle kit for the rear ($340+) from bus-boys. then i will have to deal with differnet drums and tranny and all that other crap. i dont think $600 is going to get you much but maybe im wrong. go to bus-boys.com and check out the prices of the lowering systems by clicking "Suspension Conversions - Type 2 & Vanagon" and then "Instructions" for more info on lowering. hope this helps. jake.

Sat Mar 15, 2003 9:06 pm

That's right. $600 is a good start for the front end. You have to realize that just swapping in lowered spindles and adjusters is only the beginning. While you have the frontend blown apart you should completely rebuild the brakes and more than likely will need to rebuild the king and link pins. You will also need new shocks, maybe tie rod ends, or bearings. Individually these things are cheap but they add up fast. You definately don't want to cheap out on something as critical as steering, suspension and brakes. Don't be tempted to cut corners in a rush to be profilin'. Ask some of the forum vets (Rizzag , Cameron, etc..) what they recommend. Read all the old threads about lowering. Before you tear your bus up figure out exactly what you want to do or you will be spending even more to fix the screw ups.Go to shows and ask people how they did the work and who did it and how much it cost. If you are planning on doing it yourself factor in tools and equipment. Good luck. You came to the right place and aren't afraid to ask for help and adise. Sometimes that's the hardest part.

Sat Mar 15, 2003 9:10 pm

I think I meant "aDviCe". There, I feel much better, Thank you!

Sun Mar 16, 2003 8:03 am

well the guy that i got it from put all new brakes(front and back) on it as well as all the steering shit like tie rodsand tie rod ends...as well as some other shit..so all that shit is new, and i have all the shit to do it with a the place to do it at....just another question i have....if i get a bug tranny and put it in the bus, where or what do i get the longer axles at?....and do i need the back brake drums from a type 3?...bus-boys .com said i did?

thnks, mikel

Sun Mar 16, 2003 5:27 pm

DORK, THE RIGHT TRANS FOR YOUR SWAP IS A 67 OR 68 TYPE 1 OR TYPE 3. THESE TRANS WILL ALREADY HAVE THE RIGHT AXLES IN THEM FOR THE SWAP. AS FAR AS USING TYPE 3 BRAKES, THAT ISNT THE WHOLE SCOOP,YES THEY WILL BOLT ON, BUT YOU CAN USE YOUR BUS DRUMS IF YOU HAVE THE SNOUT TURNED DOWN(MUCH MORE COST EFFECTIVE). YOU WILL HOWEVER REQUIRE THE USE OF EITHER A TYPE1 OR TYPE3 BACKING PLATE AND SHOE ASSBLY. IF YOU USE THE DROPPED SPINDLES IN THE FRONT YOU MAY NOT NEED THE ADJUSTERS. THIS DEPENDS ON HOW LOW YOU WANT IT.