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Narrowed beam, how much will I need??
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mudchicken
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 11:26 am    Post subject: Narrowed beam, how much will I need?? Reply with quote

I'm sorry as I know this has been gone over before but I cant seem to find anything that answers my specific question. I will be lowering my 71 Ghia with 2.5" drop spindles and link adjusters. I will be running the factory wheels and tires. How narrow of a beam will I have to go with for this set-up? I am not sure how low I want to go with the adjusters yet but no matter what I will be running stock wheels and tires. Let me know what you all think.

Thanks!!!
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SoCalJes
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 2:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Talk to the guys over at Airkewld, they will set you up
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Ace
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 3:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There are inexpensive 2" ones out there just for this. You are basically compensating for dropped spindles which is widening your track about 1" to 1 1/2". Even empi has ones with bearings installed. Doing a whole assembly and just swapping is the best way to go instead of robbing your complete front end.
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tisius
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 3:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There just isn't a quick answer to this since there are lot of variables.
How low do you want to go? Disc brakes or not? What rims (offset)? What size of tires (how wide)?

Make a specs wish list and then talk to a specialist, like Airkewld for instance.
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Ace
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 3:59 pm    Post subject: Re: Narrowed beam, how much will I need?? Reply with quote

mudchicken wrote:
I will be lowering my 71 Ghia with 2.5" drop spindles and link adjusters. I will be running the factory wheels and tires.
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mudchicken
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 4:39 pm    Post subject: Re: Narrowed beam, how much will I need?? Reply with quote

Ace wrote:
mudchicken wrote:
I will be lowering my 71 Ghia with 2.5" drop spindles and link adjusters. I will be running the factory wheels and tires.


Thanks Ace.

I am not sure how low I want to go as I will use the adjusters to dial her is to the just right stance. The Ghia came with disc brakes so yes I have disc brakes. I will also be using factory 15" wheels and stock tires on them 15" wheels.

I wasn't sure a 2" would be enough but if it is that works. The reason I am asking is because I am thinking of narrowing my beam when I install the adjusters. I just wasn't sure how much to go. Thanks for the info but more would be helpful.
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djway3474
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 6:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

with stock 165/85 15 with just a decent drop not in the weeds you will rub my steering radius is very limited and I dont have the spindles just a drop the cheap 2 inch would help me alot
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dubulup
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 8:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

stock tire height of the side wall is huge...big part of the comfort of a stock (old) VW.

If you drop with spindles and have beam adjusters...you'll have to raise it back up so those tall tires don't rub.

As others have stated Airkewld will be able to answer how narrow you need to go, for how low you want to be
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Ace
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 9:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I guess that there is only one opinion that matters around here for some. Do what is best for you.
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mudchicken
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 12:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ace wrote:
I guess that there is only one opinion that matters around here for some. Do what is best for you.

Hey Ace, thank you for the information I appreciate you helping me out. I did not want to offend you in any way. I am just on a small budget and don't have the money to make the mistake of doing it wrong. I just need reassurance that I will be okay with 2". If I mess mine up in the process I know I can buy a 2" for a decent price but anything over that can get pricey. I would LOVE to use an Airkooled set-up but again I am on a tight budget. Thanks again for the help.
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Ace
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 1:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Why would I be offended? Heck, you learn the most doing it yourself and the factory used some of the best parts. For me, that is what these cars are all about is doing the work yourself and understanding what is going on. Take a look at your shock towers against the body and you will see how much clearance you have. People section the back and weld in a plate for more clearance. There are even precut shock towers for doing it yourself for even more clearance.
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sactojesse
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 1:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

mudchicken wrote:
I am on a tight budget.

If you're on a tight budget, the cheapest way is to keep your stock spindles and install adjusters on a stock width front beam. Or, use drop spindles and buy smaller diameter front tires. If you go with a 2-inch narrowed beam and drop spindles, you'll also have to factor in the cost of narrowed torsion leaves, narrowed sway bar, and narrowed tie rods.
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mudchicken
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 5:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

sactojesse wrote:
mudchicken wrote:
I am on a tight budget.

If you're on a tight budget, the cheapest way is to keep your stock spindles and install adjusters on a stock width front beam. Or, use drop spindles and buy smaller diameter front tires. If you go with a 2-inch narrowed beam and drop spindles, you'll also have to factor in the cost of narrowed torsion leaves, narrowed sway bar, and narrowed tie rods.

Good info as well.
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Jeromerino
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 11:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ace wrote:
There are inexpensive 2" ones out there just for this. You are basically compensating for dropped spindles which is widening your track about 1" to 1 1/2". Even empi has ones with bearings installed. Doing a whole assembly and just swapping is the best way to go instead of robbing your complete front end.


I've been looking around to see if anyone does a non-adjustable 2" narrowed beam and can't seem to find anything. All I really want to do is add the drop spindles, so the adjustable factor on the beam is not really needed for that. If that's not happening, I'll probably just go with Airkewld for a complete front end even though I have no trepidations about building my own properly.
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 11:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

CB Performance bare 2" narrow non-adjustable bare beam is $249 .. their adjustable PUMA beam is $269 .. seems like it would be worth $20 for all of that extra adjustability to fine tune the ride height to perfection (or if you change wheel/tire diameters down the road).

* EDIT: I was looking at part number 6286 66-on ball joint beam $249.95 .. oops I ASSumed it was 2" narrow but looking closer it seems to be a stock width beam Embarassed part number 6299 is the 66-on ball joint beam adjustable but stock width as well $224.95 .. part number 6277 is the 66-on ball joint beam 2" narrow and adjustable for $364.95

Of course that is a BARE beam .. you still need to add narrow leaves, etc.

If your beam is solid and you have some welding skills, read this:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=338179

You may want to try to narrow your original beam, leaves, etc yourself to save a dime and be able to say "I did that" Cool


Last edited by cseay1 on Wed Apr 24, 2013 10:19 am; edited 1 time in total
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 2:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the heads-up on the CB Performance beams and other tips. I don't have a welder right now, but do have welding skills. I'll peep around a little more before making a decision.
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 11:43 am    Post subject: want to build my own Reply with quote

Read the responses on this thread. I'd like to build a BJ beam from scratch. I have the tools and materials, but don't have the measurements to cut the tubing to length. Anyone know the length of a 2" narrowed BJ beam? I read somewhere that the stock BJ beam measures 34 1/4", so 2" narrowed should be 32 1/4" does that sound about correct? Thanks.
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PostPosted: Wed May 01, 2013 10:44 pm    Post subject: Adjusters Reply with quote

Just want to pipe in here, and give a full body hell yeh for adjusters to fine tune my ride height. You would too!
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Airkewld
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PostPosted: Thu May 02, 2013 6:54 am    Post subject: Re: want to build my own Reply with quote

soopaman wrote:
Read the responses on this thread. I'd like to build a BJ beam from scratch. I have the tools and materials, but don't have the measurements to cut the tubing to length. Anyone know the length of a 2" narrowed BJ beam? I read somewhere that the stock BJ beam measures 34 1/4", so 2" narrowed should be 32 1/4" does that sound about correct? Thanks.

Correct.
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PostPosted: Sat May 04, 2013 6:56 am    Post subject: Re: want to build my own Reply with quote

Airkewld wrote:
soopaman wrote:
Read the responses on this thread. I'd like to build a BJ beam from scratch. I have the tools and materials, but don't have the measurements to cut the tubing to length. Anyone know the length of a 2" narrowed BJ beam? I read somewhere that the stock BJ beam measures 34 1/4", so 2" narrowed should be 32 1/4" does that sound about correct? Thanks.

Correct.
Thanks Airkewld. I've had a chance to browse your site and really like your beams, but unfortunately they're a little out of my budget. I haven't ruled out purchasing one though. I figured I'd take a stab at trying to build one. The shock towers will be a challenge though. I looked at the ones that comes with your beams and love your attention to detail. What gauge sheet metal are the made from? I have 1/4" sheet metal I planned on using for my towers. Will that work? Again, thanks for the responses.
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