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Fun with my 71 Ghia project
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SoCalJes
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PostPosted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 12:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

didget69 wrote:
Nice work so far!

Could I recommend these as a substitute for your rear apron fasteners? It's what I am using for my removable rear apron -

Button Head Allen screws -
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


bnc


Thanks. The screws that you see on there are standard screws and for mockup only. They are going to be full of junk by the time the car is finished painting. The nice ones like what you show are still in their box along with all the other stainless screws nuts and bolts. Good catch!
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Jesse
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SoCalJes
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 5:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Got some things done today.
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Got the mid-mount all done.
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A different view.
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How many have narrow beams and then find out you need to do this to the tow bar?... Shocked
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I had to cut it and remove 3 inches out of it
and yes those are sandals. It's hot here. Cool Laughing
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Jesse
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CiderGuy
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 3:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I picked up locally a very heavy duty used tow bar yesterday. I plan on adding about 18 inches or so to the length, so I don't damage the nose of the Ghia when making turns.
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SoCalJes
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 3:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I got lucky, the combination of this tow bar and the hitch on the Taco I can make very tight turns and keep the two from touching. The only part I don't like is that there is no way of backing up!

Another thing I liked is that the KG is so light that I cant even feel it when I'm towing it. The first time I towed it I kept looking back to see if it was still there...

In fact the only way I can see it's still back there is around turns because when I'm driving straight I can't even see it.

What do you tow yours with?
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Jesse
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CiderGuy
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 6:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

SoCalJes wrote:
I got lucky, the combination of this tow bar and the hitch on the Taco I can make very tight turns and keep the two from touching. The only part I don't like is that there is no way of backing up!

Another thing I liked is that the KG is so light that I cant even feel it when I'm towing it. The first time I towed it I kept looking back to see if it was still there...

In fact the only way I can see it's still back there is around turns because when I'm driving straight I can't even see it.

What do you tow yours with?


We have a very low miles 1998 Isuzu trooper that we use to pick up and haul things. I have used my Jeep Wrangler in the past to tow, but I had to sell that so I could bring another Ghia home .....
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Cars Currently Owned:

1970 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1973 Karmann Ghia Coupe - Project car for sale
1970 Karmann Ghia Convertible (Body off restoration)

Timing is everything
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SoCalJes
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 12:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

CiderGuy wrote:
SoCalJes wrote:
I got lucky, the combination of this tow bar and the hitch on the Taco I can make very tight turns and keep the two from touching. The only part I don't like is that there is no way of backing up!

Another thing I liked is that the KG is so light that I cant even feel it when I'm towing it. The first time I towed it I kept looking back to see if it was still there...

In fact the only way I can see it's still back there is around turns because when I'm driving straight I can't even see it.

What do you tow yours with?


We have a very low miles 1998 Isuzu trooper that we use to pick up and haul things. I have used my Jeep Wrangler in the past to tow, but I had to sell that so I could bring another Ghia home .....


Must be nice when you forget where a part goes Wink
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Jesse
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CiderGuy
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 7:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

SoCalJes wrote:
CiderGuy wrote:
SoCalJes wrote:
I got lucky, the combination of this tow bar and the hitch on the Taco I can make very tight turns and keep the two from touching. The only part I don't like is that there is no way of backing up!

Another thing I liked is that the KG is so light that I cant even feel it when I'm towing it. The first time I towed it I kept looking back to see if it was still there...

In fact the only way I can see it's still back there is around turns because when I'm driving straight I can't even see it.

What do you tow yours with?


We have a very low miles 1998 Isuzu trooper that we use to pick up and haul things. I have used my Jeep Wrangler in the past to tow, but I had to sell that so I could bring another Ghia home .....


Must be nice when you forget where a part goes Wink


I can't my better half speaks German.
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Cars Currently Owned:

1970 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1973 Karmann Ghia Coupe - Project car for sale
1970 Karmann Ghia Convertible (Body off restoration)

Timing is everything
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WooleyNelson
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 10:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

SoCalJes wrote:

In fact the only way I can see it's still back there is around turns because when I'm driving straight I can't even see it.



Try removing your Taco's tailgate and tilting your inside rearview mirror down....... Smile
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SoCalJes
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 1:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

WooleyNelson wrote:
SoCalJes wrote:

In fact the only way I can see it's still back there is around turns because when I'm driving straight I can't even see it.



Try removing your Taco's tailgate and tilting your inside rearview mirror down....... Smile


Because it rains here so often and without warning I have one of those fiberglass lids on the bed of the truck to keep everything dry. Taking that off and on is not an option. It's just a nail bitter wondering if it's still back there. Shocked
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Jesse
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SoCalJes
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 4:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

So here is what I was up to today.

By the way air suspension for the front is real basic. You basically remove your springs out of the beam and replace them with a round rod that is held in place with a couple of rod clamps washers and thin thrust bearings. This will make your arms move freely. Then get a standard air shock like what you would see on the back of a car or truck (one end with and eyelet and the other with stud mounts just like your original shocks) and replace the stock shocks. You now have a soft suspension that you can position where ever you want.

Since the arms now move freely and independently you will want to get a heavier sway bar for obvious reasons.

Not all beams will line up your air shocks correctly so the cutoff wheels, grinders and welders will be required to keep your suspension from destroying them.

Also the older your car/lower suspension arms are the more likely you are going to want to reinforce the stud that sticks out for the shock as all the weight on the front will be on that stud. [More Later...]

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

In my case (3" narrowed beam) I had to move the top shock mount hole back by an inch so the back of the top tower had to be removed to make room for the neck and bag of the sock.
This will move the shock body away from the upper arm. The top of this shock tower will need to be reinforced and closed. And by closed I mean that the shock towers are made out of two stamped steel plates that are spot welded along the edges. When you cut an ear of it you will want to make a piece that fits in between the edges, weld it in and grind it smooth. Imagine just extending back the piece you cut off.

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Here you can see the difference in space between the shock and the upper arm. Now this alignment will have full travel without any issues.
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Jesse
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mountainkowboy
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 5:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Beams were not designed to take that kinda weight on the shock mount. It WILL fail. You need to fab a mount and gusset it for it to have any possibility of lasting any amount of time under normal driving conditions.
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SoCalJes
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 6:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

mountainkowboy wrote:
Beams were not designed to take that kinda weight on the shock mount. It WILL fail. You need to fab a mount and gusset it for it to have any possibility of lasting any amount of time under normal driving conditions.


Did you see the part where I said

"The top of this shock tower will need to be reinforced and closed."

And

"you are going to want to reinforce the stud that sticks out for the shock as all the weight on the front will be on that stud."?
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Jesse
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mountainkowboy
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 10:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

SoCalJes wrote:


Did you see the part where I said

"The top of this shock tower will need to be reinforced and closed."


didn't see this

And

SoCalJes wrote:


"you are going to want to reinforce the stud that sticks out for the shock as all the weight on the front will be on that stud."?


Saw that

I also re-read the post and have a question? Are you using a normal air-lift shock for the suspension.
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Chuck in Socal
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SoCalJes
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 3:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

mountainkowboy wrote:
Are you using a normal air-lift shock for the suspension.


No worries Wink and yes its an air shock in the front and bags in the rear.

One key note on the air shock is to use one that can be fitted to a 1/4" DOT air line. The ones with that tiny 1/8" line will make the suspension painfully slow to react.
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Jesse
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mountainkowboy
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 3:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Are they like a ride-rite?
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SoCalJes
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 4:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

mountainkowboy wrote:
Are they like a ride-rite?


Those are a bit on the small side like a helper spring. You would want something with a little more area in the bag remember most of the weight is in the back.

Check out http://www.avsontheweb.com/easystreet-dominator-bag-sale/ Prices are pretty reasonable I think and quality is not an issue.

You can pretty much get anything your need there but there are many out there that sell the same.
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Jesse
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mountainkowboy
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 7:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

interesting
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SoCalJes
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 7:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

mountainkowboy wrote:
interesting


If you get a chance to ride in a bagged car done right jump on it. Even if you leave it stock height, it so so smooth.
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Jesse
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mountainkowboy
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 8:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's what I do for fun now, don't need to take a ride in one. Just never tried to do a beam front end.

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Chuck in Socal
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SoCalJes
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 9:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

mountainkowboy wrote:
That's what I do for fun now, don't need to take a ride in one. Just never tried to do a beam front end.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


That looks like a fun truck. So how does it ride compared to springs?
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Jesse
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