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makin' boost Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2013 Posts: 17 Location: Pac Northwest
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Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 10:03 am Post subject: Red 9 Design front wishbone suspension |
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Anyone running one ? I'm thinking about it for my '79 Bay.
Any feed back or information would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Woody |
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1967250s Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2007 Posts: 2137
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Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 10:17 am Post subject: |
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Any link to it? |
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SGKent Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007 Posts: 41031 Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 11:43 am Post subject: Re: Red 9 Design front wishbone suspension |
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makin' boost wrote: |
Anyone running one ? I'm thinking about it for my '79 Bay.
Any feed back or information would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Woody |
Hi Woody - you appear fairly new here. Welcome.
How long have you owned this 1979 bus?
We drive our 1977 sometimes on really winding Sierra roads going into Yosemite and often out-corner the modern SUV's and sports cars. Buses were designed by some of the same folks who were designing Porsche cars. Our suspension is stock other than the shocks are Koni which feel about like older Monroe or Gabriel shocks from the 70's, just slightly stiffer than say other oil-filled, although not gas filled. Is there some reason you are considering a wishbone suspension vs the stock beam? They are so rugged and handle really well on what is essentially a utility truck. |
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borninabus Samba R&D Dept.
Joined: May 18, 2006 Posts: 4536 Location: Arizona Highways
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Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 11:55 am Post subject: |
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there is a build in the split forum:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=495874&view=previous
you can PM that thread's author or post a reply in the thread.
please search, buy a bentley and change your fuel lines.
_________________ 88 Van WBX, A/T - 13 JSW TDI 6M/T - 2012 Touareg TDI Sport |
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makin' boost Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2013 Posts: 17 Location: Pac Northwest
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Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:07 pm Post subject: |
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I've owned this beige / brown sunroof '79 bay for about 10 years. So as the cliché goes, my cost was, "for you senior, today, almost free".
Its in pretty good shape. The usual rust at the battery box area, drivers side step needs to be replaced but beyond that, its solid.
I'm pretty comfortable, now, with getting the sunroof to operate.
I'm 'kinda going in the "race taxi" direction. I'm going to build a hot rod bus that will run 75 mph all day, comfortable and able to pull the Grape Vine, Siskiyou's or Loveland Pass with ease.
I have a 911 motor to put in it. I have a complete Porsche 993 front suspension that I want to rob the brakes and hubs from.
I want big brakes to back up the 911 motor and crisp steering, so the Red 9 front suspension looks pretty cool, almost as good as wall art.
Granted it is an expensive piece, no question and that is why I'm asking for any input of others that have the Red 9 set up. |
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richparker Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2011 Posts: 6980 Location: Durango, CO
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makin' boost Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2013 Posts: 17 Location: Pac Northwest
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Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:21 pm Post subject: |
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To add to the above;
I've traded emails with Simon, they seem very responsive and knowledgeable.
100% $$ up front and a 6- 8 week lead time is a bit uncomfortable.
Its a big number $$$ and leap of faith.
That's why I'm asking.
Thanks,
Woody |
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makin' boost Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2013 Posts: 17 Location: Pac Northwest
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Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:33 pm Post subject: |
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richparker wrote: |
Your question makes a lot more sence now. I guess if you are gonna drop the duckets on a Porsche powered bay build, what's another $3k on a front end. |
Today, $3k is something to consider and pay attention to. $3k could cover a lot of other items.
Simon indicated he had other customers in California and Nevada, he just couldn't remember their names ......................... |
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skills@eurocarsplus Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007 Posts: 16859 Location: sticksville, ct.
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Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 5:52 am Post subject: |
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Have you checked earlybay.com? A few over there have used it. Biggest bitch was if you are way low, the rack will hit the road.
I wanted to buy the coilover deal they had but it seems that they like to blow up....in a bad way _________________
gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
Jake Raby wrote: |
Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
Brian wrote: |
Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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Red Fau Veh Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2012 Posts: 3037 Location: Prescott Az.
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Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 9:48 am Post subject: |
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You can fabricate your own front steering and suspension for a lot less. I saw a baja bus and it had some kind of sandrail front beam with a arms. The people that build long travel sand cars could make a custom a arm front end for a bus, or the folks that build super 7's. Custom is the way to go not store bought imo. _________________ 1971 Deluxe Sunroof Bay 1905 stroker, dual idf40's, 74mm Scat forged crank, engle 110 cam. CB 044 heads, AutoCraft rockers, chromoly push rods
1973 Orange transporter stock type 4 with dual 40 Dellortos and Empi single quiet pack
1969 Adventurewagen blue whale Gene Berg 1776 built by Dave Kawell dual 36 DRLA's, Vintage Speed exhaust, Bosch 019 screamer
1961 Swivel Seat camper, L345 grey
Touch Nicks Thing wrote: |
Swivel Seat panels are for people with no friends |
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GeorgeO. Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2010 Posts: 881 Location: Menifee, CA
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Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 10:02 am Post subject: |
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Damm I want one of those! |
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skills@eurocarsplus Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007 Posts: 16859 Location: sticksville, ct.
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Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 1:00 pm Post subject: |
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How do you think you can build one for a lot less? You are kidding, right? _________________
gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
Jake Raby wrote: |
Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
Brian wrote: |
Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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GeorgeO. Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2010 Posts: 881 Location: Menifee, CA
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Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 2:32 pm Post subject: |
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My question is how is the steering assembled? |
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webwalker Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2006 Posts: 2803 Location: Mount Laurel, NJ
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Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 2:40 pm Post subject: |
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skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
How do you think you can build one for a lot less? You are kidding, right? |
x2 If you could 'build your own cheaper' (for something as subtle and complex as steering and suspension) no one would be running a slop unrebuildable steering box.
M _________________ "Consistent maintenance with quality products is the cheapest warranty you'll ever need."
1977 CE1 Transporter Deluxe, Subaru EJ22, Skills Cooling, Steedle HD 091 w/ GuardT .82 4th
Click to view image |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50336
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Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 2:52 pm Post subject: |
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I personally would be cautious of putting a lot of miles on a fairly well engineered and tested replacement front suspension. A one off job you build yourself would be kind of scary. |
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makin' boost Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2013 Posts: 17 Location: Pac Northwest
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Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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GeorgeO. wrote: |
Damm I want one of those! |
'Ya, they look really nice and I'm fairly confident with the engineering and manufacturing side. There is no way something similar could be replicated for less than $3k (unless you work for free) IMHO.
The real issue that I'm debating at the moment is the 100% $$$ up front and the 6 - 8 week lead time.
I've been to the UK Bay Bus site and read the postings. The "servo" brake booster bracket issue doesn't bother me, I can solve that. The ride height, I can work around that.
It sure would be a lot less complicated if they were manufactured in the US.
Some feed back from existing owners would be a big help also.
At the moment, I'm working on the oil tank set up for the 911 motor.
Starting at the back and headed forward. But always thinking forward. |
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makin' boost Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2013 Posts: 17 Location: Pac Northwest
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Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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GeorgeO. wrote: |
My question is how is the steering assembled? |
It is a rack and pinion steering box, that, I was told, bolts right up to the existing shaft.
I have also heard that the Bay bus's have a plastic "bearing" top and bottom on/in the steering shaft that can become worn over time.
Anyone with experience on this ?? |
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coopster Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2005 Posts: 54 Location: Glasgow,Scotland, United Kingdom
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Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 8:11 pm Post subject: |
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I've got one fitted to my Rhd 72 Westy , after 3 failed steering boxes the last failure happening when on holiday in the south of france - I bit the bullet and called Simon.
I had already been running the e-z rider conversion he did for about 6 years with no problems ,so I was confident that the wishbone beam would be well engineered .
In the UK our buses have to go through an annual MOT test which is checks everything from structure to steering and modifications . I have had my beam fitted for a couple of years now with no major problems apart from as a previous poster had said the connecting rod to the steering rack hangs quite low and due to my bus being slammed I ended up disconnecting it when I hit a hidden pothole in Belgium - I have since raised my bus up slighty and have had no problems since - Simon is a great guy to deal with and is always available on his phone to answer any questions
Here is how bus looks now on the 2nd lowest setting on the beam and about half way on the coil overs
I am no way connected with Red 9 just a happy long term customer[/img] |
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skills@eurocarsplus Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007 Posts: 16859 Location: sticksville, ct.
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Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 8:50 pm Post subject: |
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there was some talk of the ez rider causing issues/broken springs/broken bars. has this been resolved?
i know, i should just call... _________________
gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
Jake Raby wrote: |
Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
Brian wrote: |
Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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coopster Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2005 Posts: 54 Location: Glasgow,Scotland, United Kingdom
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Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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hi I never had any problems with ez rider system , just upgraded to wishbone as it had the steering rack and when I removed my old beam the inner section of shock towers were rusted through - looked ok from outside but the surface that sat against chassis rail was shot on both sides - that confirmed I had made the right choice |
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