what shocks to use with drop spindles

scottyellow67

I just installed CB Perf disc brake kite with drop spindles. What shocks are the recommended?

Nubby · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 2:54 pm Post subject:

I would go with an oil based shock not gas if you want a stock like feel to your ride. KYB....

TonysGarage · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 3:01 pm Post subject:

scottyellow67 · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 3:08 pm Post subject:

are there different lengths??? or just order the normal size for a 67 bug?

wildman1 · Samba Member Joined: December 30, 2003 Posts: 674

If your beam is stock, not lowered and all you added were the spindles to achieve desired drop, then you order standard length shocks for your year VW. KYB's are gas, the GR-2's are firm and should be last choice if soft ride is your goal. I suggest Kofap/Boge/Mexican type oil shocks for soft ride and again KYB GR-2's for a sportier suspension when needed.

Nubby · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:33 pm Post subject:

Are you running just dropped spindles with a stock beam?

Lettuce · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 11:05 pm Post subject:

KYB makes both oil and gas shocks. The silver GR-2 are oil and the white GAS-A-JUST is a gas shock.

stock boge's are soft. GR-2 are a little stiffer. Gas-a-justs are more stiffer.

gimpy60 · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 5:10 am Post subject:

KYB gr2 are gas, gr stands for gas ryder, you better do your homework more in depth. The silver are on road, the white gas-a-just are off road. Rolling Eyes

_________________
How the hell ya spost ta fix it, ya don't even know how it works boy

andk5591 · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 2:21 pm Post subject:

gimpy60 · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 2:42 pm Post subject:

No pissing match, there is oil & nitrogen in them, therefore they are gas charged shox. I think you will find this is true for all gas shox. I have never heard of a gr2 "technically" referred to as a oil shock. but what do I know? Rolling Eyes

_________________
How the hell ya spost ta fix it, ya don't even know how it works boy

scottyellow67 · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 5:59 pm Post subject:

Yes, I am currently running a stck beam and drop spindles. I may want to go lower later. Which brings me to another question. What is the next phase of lowering with out replacing the beam???Is there one? Cool

andk5591 · Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 5:15 am Post subject:

Beam adjusters are freaking amazing - I did a 2" narrowed adjustable CB Performance beam in my wifes 61 - adjusting height was so easy. But the question is how low can you go and not bottom out in our lovely PA potholes....... I am kicking myself in the butt for not doing an adjustable beam on my current project - I did dropped spindles and I would like another 3/4" or so........

And as far as the GRs being gas or not - I have to conceed - I could not find the documentation I found before. Big thing is that the GR is a conventional twin tube design and the Gas Adjust is mono tube - A Gas adjust WILL actually provide lift on a light car - like the front of a bug - but they work beautifully for something like the rear of our buggy, which is lowered slightly, so I want the shocks a little stiffer.
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone 1914. Ex wifes car.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Ex-wifes car.
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

wildman1 · Samba Member Joined: December 30, 2003 Posts: 674

wildman1 · Samba Member Joined: December 30, 2003 Posts: 674

gimpy60 · Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:23 pm Post subject:

I am still trying to locate an oil only short shock. The kyb & now monroe-matic are just too stiff. I'm lowered around 3", have plenty of spring w/o any shox but ain't gonna drive it like that. Been toyin with the idea of extending the shock towers, not out of the question. If someone knows about a short oil shock, let us in on it, ok?
_________________
How the hell ya spost ta fix it, ya don't even know how it works boy

wildman1 · Samba Member Joined: December 30, 2003 Posts: 674

scottyellow67 · Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 6:22 pm Post subject:

wildman1 · Samba Member Joined: December 30, 2003 Posts: 674

A "stock adjustable beam" could only mean one thing these days....not narrowed. A beam is either stock or has adjusters, hence adjustable. What are your intentions with this Bug? If you plan to drive it anywhere and want to enjoy it and preserve it, then just spindles will do. If you plan to slam it and scrap the pavement just to look like all the others do, then you'll need an adjustable beam for that.

Personally I would get it rollling with the spindles and chosen shocks, drive it, let it settle after a few hundred miles and then decided what you want. Go for your needs, not what you see and like, two different things most of the time. Good Luck!

andk5591 · Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 7:22 pm Post subject:

Couple thoughts - running a lower profile tire helps - I am running about 1.5" shorter fronts on our 61 and that gives me an additional 3/4" of lowering. And depending on the wheels you have, you may be able to use a reasonable width tire. I personally think a 145 is a little too narrow, but thats just me - I like to be able to steer. I have 185/60-15s on the front of the 61.

Something else that some do is just put a little weight in the front. Another things is to remove a couple spring leaves. Some of the kit car manufacturers used this to get the front height down and I recently talked with a couple folks that had done this with no issues - but you should research this more. I personally had never done it and probably wont.

I was going to do weld in adjusters, but till it was all said and done, a new CP narrowed (2") beam with adjusters wasnt that expensive.

A comment on the shorter KYBs for lowered applcations - depends on who you get them from, but one of the ones that is typically sold is also a replacement for a Chevy Blazer - In my opinion the valving would be way too stiff - BUT I have not used them, so I can't say firsthand. Maybe this is why some folks think they are too stiff.........
Someone else sells a KYB that requires mounting bolts adapters that sounded like a more appropriate shock, but I don't remember the particulars. I spent about an hour on the phone with KYB on this issue.....
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone 1914. Ex wifes car.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Ex-wifes car.
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

scottyellow67 · Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2011 4:32 pm Post subject:

I ordered the KYB GR-2's today. Thanks for the help guys.


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