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massvwnut
Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2004
Posts: 113
Location: witch city
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 Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 4:35 pm Post subject: need help with lowering question? |
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I want to order a 2in narrowed balljoint beam spindle to spindle to lower the front of my thing. I would like to still run the wide five bolt pattern.
First will any of the braking components off the thing be usable or will I have to get a disk brake set up ? Does the thing steering box bolt up to a bug beam ? I have searched the forms but have found the posts confusing. I have lowered my bug and bus but with the thing it seems everyone takes a different approach. Also anyone have a picture where you just installed a stock bug beam ? I have read that this gives you a in drop. |
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tkelley
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2006
Posts: 1597
Location: Where Pterodactyls crash and burn...
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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Thing brakes are the same as beetle, so no
worries there. Also the steering box will bolt right up to
a beetle beam. The one thing that is different are the spindles.
But you'd probably want to run stock beetle or dropped spindles when
lowering.
This is a 4" beetle ball joint beam w/ dropped
spindles....
Tom
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GI Joe
Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2005
Posts: 2012
Location: Athens, TN
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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A bug beam will be a direct swap... The beams/steering boxes are identical, aside from a little bracing to the shocker towers, and a couple bolt on braces tying into the pan.(intended for utility use)
If you use use bug spindles, you'll gain a 2.5-3" drop over stock Thing spindles. The spindles you choose, will dictate what brakes you'll need. Someone will correct me, but I believe the '67 bug was a BJ with wide 5 lug pattern..
Hate to be a "search" nazi, but there are some great threads on lowering Things here... Plenty of folks ride em pretty low!
Good luck! Share pics when ya can... We all Love looking at each other's Things! 
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Shoyrtt
Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2010
Posts: 1009
Location: Redlands, CA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 5:44 pm Post subject: Re: need help with lowering question? |
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| massvwnut wrote: |
| ... Also anyone have a picture where you just installed a stock bug beam ? ... |
2" narrowed bug beam (stock spindals with adjusters) on my 74 with discs front and rear (stock rear height in this picture).
Do a little search on the disc brakes here. Pretty universal it is a great investment for the front.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=468080&highlight=disc+brakes
As far as wide 5 ball joint bug beams, I want to say they started in September of 65. I had a 66 and a 67 bug back in the day and they were both ball joint. |
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GI Joe
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Joined: April 28, 2005
Posts: 2012
Location: Athens, TN
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pip hancox
Samba Member
Joined: February 01, 2005
Posts: 362
Location: Temecula,CA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 11:25 am Post subject: |
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| tkelley wrote: |
Thing brakes are the same as beetle, so no
worries there. Also the steering box will bolt right up to
a beetle beam. The one thing that is different are the spindles.
But you'd probably want to run stock beetle or dropped spindles when
lowering.
This is a 4" beetle ball joint beam w/ dropped
spindles....
Tom |
very nice Tom. quick question....
not sure what width/offset rims or tires you're using up front but did you have any inner fender clearance issues with the 4" beam? is it a shockless beam?
I'm currently trying to decide between 2" and 4". I'll be running wide 5 disc kit with drop spindles.
thanks in advance,
pip.
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tkelley
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2006
Posts: 1597
Location: Where Pterodactyls crash and burn...
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| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 1:40 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks! The wheels are 5.5" wide with a 4.15" backspacing. I'm running 165 45 15's...and really couldn't lower the car any more without burning the paint on the fenders.
The beam is shockless. It slightly rubs when fully locked right or left and only with an extra person in the front.
I initially went with 4" beam because of going to disc brakes in the future but still having a "tucked" look.
Overall, I wouldn't change anything with this set-up.
Tom
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pip hancox
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Joined: February 01, 2005
Posts: 362
Location: Temecula,CA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 1:53 pm Post subject: |
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k cool, 4" it is then.
thanks Tom.
_________________
DBK!
'49 Standard.
'51 Crotch Cooler.
'58 Kombi.
'65 Notchback.
'64 Ghia.
2 Things.
wifes 2332 '59 lowlight ghia. |
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tkelley
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2006
Posts: 1597
Location: Where Pterodactyls crash and burn...
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| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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| pip hancox wrote: |
k cool, 4" it is then.
thanks Tom. |
Of course, no worries
Tom
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massvwnut
Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2004
Posts: 113
Location: witch city
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| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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| thanks for your help. went with a 2in narrowed adjustable beam.. |
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