TheSamba.com :: View topic - How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions

Sun Jan 24, 2010 10:12 pm

I am banging around the idea of lowering my 62 bus, and was looking for a few opinions. It currently has the stock 40 horse motor in it at stock height. I do have everything for a straight axle kit, but no bigger motor. I assume without reduction boxes, I wont have any umph left with the stock motor.
Is it worth it to install the drop spindles on the front and adjust the spring plates 1 notch so I can use the stock motor? Would I have any ground clearance with this option? I just got it on the road and the motor only had 500 km on it from the P.O so this is why I am undecided. I have read through the treads, but was still hoping for more opinions regarding current motor.

Sun Jan 24, 2010 11:49 pm

When you lower the rear with the straight axle kit (and eliminate the RGB's) you also use a smaller diameter rear tire. (front's too, but that does not affect gearing) By switching to a smaller rear tire you change the gear ratio and thereby allow your current engine to do the job adequately. This all depends on what transmission you use, of course. If you have a later big nut trans, and flip the ring and pinion, your 4th gear will likely be too tall for any big hills and such. If you have earlier gearing (I cna never recall the exact numbers) you should be OK.

Don't lower the rear by adjusting the spring-plates and keeping the RGB's, it looks stupid, and you still have to listen to straight cut gears whining away.

Anyone, feel free to correct me if I am wrong on any of this. It's late and I am tired.

Sat Feb 06, 2010 4:05 pm

cdennisg wrote:
Don't lower the rear by adjusting the spring-plates and keeping the RGB's, it looks stupid.
I am thinking of doing exactly this? Why does it look stupid? Presumably it removes the standard positive camber.
Where can I find pictures of vans lowered with RGB's?

Sat Feb 06, 2010 4:24 pm

jpaulnewman wrote: Where can I find pictures of vans lowered with RGB's?

Both of these have dropped spindles and one spline w/ RGB's...

Sat Feb 06, 2010 5:52 pm

jpaulnewman wrote: cdennisg wrote:
Don't lower the rear by adjusting the spring-plates and keeping the RGB's, it looks stupid.
I am thinking of doing exactly this? Why does it look stupid? Presumably it removes the standard positive camber.
Where can I find pictures of vans lowered with RGB's?

It looks stupid because you get negative camber with the slightest drop. (look closely at the pics) If you use a straight axle (or IRS) the camber will be at or bear zero. Looks much better, and handles better, and doesn't wear tires as quickly.

Look at the rear tires on this one. He is carrying a load, but not that much.

Photo credit to Long-roofs.

Sat Feb 06, 2010 6:15 pm

Thanks for those pics.
I actually like the look of the negative camber. And surely it's got to handle better than the positive camber I currently have? (It's a stock ride hight panel van)
I've always run Beetles with massive negative camber and surprisingly I actually tend to get quite even tyre wear!

How much does on outer spline lower with RGB?

Sat Feb 06, 2010 6:21 pm

Suit yourself. Remember, beetles are much lighter. Buses will wear the tires faster. If you like the look, go for it! :D

I'm not positive, but there may be gear oil issues as well. If the axle tubes are slanted towards the trans, the only oil in the RGB's is what you put in there. In a stock height setup, that oil moves around some. Not sure if it will be an issue, but something to keep in mind.

Sat Feb 06, 2010 6:22 pm

cdennisg wrote: Buses will wear the tires faster.
That's a fair point - I have noticed that seems to be the case!
Yeah, I have thought about the oil. Again it's the same issue with a Beetle wheel bearings, but I suppose the RGB's may rely more on oil!

Mon Feb 15, 2010 11:15 pm

Not to argue anything here, just state some fact...I ran my bus in the late 80's through the 90's with 1 spline drop on the rear and RGB's. I drove about 120 miles a day, and changed/ checked my gear oil often...never had any issues. But, then I had also pulled quite a bit of leaves out of the front end for some droppage too :shock: and never had any issues.... All that seems to be taboo now! But since there are better ways to lower our busses, I'm willing to try them!!!

Scott

Wed Feb 17, 2010 5:31 am

i have a 67 bus,my question is if can I put an IRS transmission with an straight axle kit?or a 67 bug transmission with an straight axle kit?thanks for the help

Wed Feb 17, 2010 8:34 am

An early IRS trans with dual side covers can be converted to run swing axles by swapping the entire diff with that from a swing axle trans. The 67 trans would work, too, you just need the right axles and axle tubes for either swap.

Wed Feb 17, 2010 8:40 am

Thanks for the info

Thu Feb 18, 2010 11:17 am

rat fasty, it is a pain in the ass to chane the trannys over. Some have a 6 bolt ring gear and some an 8. I found out the hard way this is very difficult to find the right parts. I'm not saying it can't be done, I'm just saying it's a big pain in the ass. I think your better off flipping your diff in the tranny in the bus.

Thu Feb 18, 2010 11:43 am

Hi bubba im the guy who called you yesterday asking about the lowered spindles,how hard it is to change the gear rings

Sun Feb 21, 2010 2:06 pm

WideFive wrote: jpaulnewman wrote: Where can I find pictures of vans lowered with RGB's?

Both of these have dropped spindles and one spline w/ RGB's...

don't listen to haters.
slam that thing and buy bearings if they go out or get tired of the ride.
flip your spindles and flip 180 degrees your rgb's with sealed bearings.

Sun Feb 21, 2010 8:53 pm

bill may wrote:
don't listen to haters.
slam that thing and buy bearings if they go out or get tired of the ride.
flip your spindles and flip 180 degrees your rgb's with sealed bearings.

I am not seeing haters here, just people giving their opinions on lowering with Boxes. I drove the Bus above, lowered in the rear 2 outer clicks with Boxes ('91), wore tires out in 2k miles....flipping Boxes 180º would be better. Straight axle kit is even better.

Sun Feb 21, 2010 10:40 pm

^^^Yep.

Or have massive rake or massive camber when lowered with RGB's. Simple.

Mon Feb 22, 2010 7:57 am

Mon Feb 22, 2010 2:10 pm

Sorry guys been working on my bus so i do not have much time to read all this thread i just wanted to ask one thing is there really any way how to lower a bus without buying adjusters or dropped spindles.. ive heared about taking of a leaf from the torsion barsbut dont think it is a good thing.... the guy from where i bought the bs from said there is a way how to lower it from the front from some bolts on the side of the axel is it real??..... he wasnt refering to the rear because he told me about the splines for sure but lost contact with him and i wish to lower my bus the cheapest way :?

Is this myth true thanks guys :)

Tue Feb 23, 2010 8:30 am

Proper lowering = money (or make your own parts)
There is no way to lower your bus without putting in
some serious effort or some cash.

Easy as that!