| Author |
Message |
ThingBeast
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2012
Posts: 363
Location: Texas
|
 Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 11:09 am Post subject: |
 |
|
KRS, you are correct in that there is so much info out there on suspensions but at the end of the day, its your car, do what you like, I did. I lowered mine via adjustable beam only. I could not use drop spindles as my AC Industries disc brakes won't allow me, so mine is lowered about 3.5" up front, not slammed. I'm running 145's up front and 195's in the rear. I don't like to be worried about bottoming out or scraping everywhere. Volkswagnut is probably right in that if you want to slam your bug, you will get a harsh ride. I didn't want to worry about ripping off my extra large sump in the back or not be able to fully turn my wheels to make a U-turn. I will post a pic of my car these evening so you can see where mine sits. With so many opinions out there, do yourself a favor and talk to someone with tons of experience on air cooled suspensions like Airkweld. They have it down to a science. They are great people who will explain to you in detail how the suspension works even if you don't buy anything from them. Just my 2 cents worth....
PS: that's a SWEET looking bug! I like the chrome wheels on it!! How bout some interior pics! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Northof49
Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2013
Posts: 1759
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 11:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
My 2" narrowed beam ghia rides pretty stiff at the front. Much more so than the shortening of the torsion springs by an inch would account for. After dropping it around 2" the trailing arms look fairly parallel to the ground, so I am not sure that would account for it either. Beats me, but it sure handles great. No anti sway bar, and it rides like its on rails. 195/60/r15 tires.
_________________
1958 Karmann Ghia owner |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Rome
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2004
Posts: 9638
Location: Pearl River, NY
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 12:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| krs, your new wheel/tire combination and vehicle stance looks excellent. What size tires are on there now? The wheels are 4.5" wide Porsche 356 replicas. I rarely see them painted in body color, which looks good on yours and makes the car actually look older than with the chromed wider wheels. Hope you keep this combination and can enjoy your ride. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
krs.br79
Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2014
Posts: 358
Location: Utah
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 1:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Rome wrote: |
| krs, your new wheel/tire combination and vehicle stance looks excellent. What size tires are on there now? The wheels are 4.5" wide Porsche 356 replicas. I rarely see them painted in body color, which looks good on yours and makes the car actually look older than with the chromed wider wheels. Hope you keep this combination and can enjoy your ride. |
Wow, I guess that explains the spare having a Porsche center cap, I thought they were stock wheels with 165's on them. Kind of interesting tidbit, thanks for that.
I like the feel and the height of my last pictures, and I think that's about how I will keep it. I have ordered up a set of caster shims along with a few other pieces, and will look at getting them put on, then do my alignment as best I can.
I appreciate all the feedback, and pointers, and areas and parts to look at. While I am not a personal fan of the slammed to the pan look, I have always been a fan of a functional, lowered look on all my cars. I have also never ridden in a stock trim bug to know what one rides like for comparison.
But again, I think most my questions were answered, and again I have been able to add to my iKnowledge on certain components of the car. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Rome
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2004
Posts: 9638
Location: Pearl River, NY
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 1:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Whatcha got for an engine, to have the $$ vintage speed exhaust? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ThingBeast
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2012
Posts: 363
Location: Texas
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 2:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| KRS, hit me up when you are ready to do your alignment. I can show you how to do it the way I did mine, turned out perfect. Very simple, just have 2 jack stands and some fishing line and tape measure handy, that's all you will need. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
krs.br79
Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2014
Posts: 358
Location: Utah
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 9:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Rome wrote: |
| Whatcha got for an engine, to have the $$ vintage speed exhaust? |
I have more exhaust than I do engine right now. I just needed to ditch the terrible stinger with rusted out merge collector that came with the car. I'd like to build an engine next year, and since I didn't want to double spend on an exhaust, I just purchased the VS exhaust now.
But to answer your question, it's a 1600dp. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ThingBeast
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2012
Posts: 363
Location: Texas
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 10:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
| KRS, any luck with the alignment? Just curious. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
krs.br79
Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2014
Posts: 358
Location: Utah
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 10:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
| ThingBeast wrote: |
| KRS, any luck with the alignment? Just curious. |
Yes, I think...
I installed the caster shims, and did the alignment like we talked about. Took it on the freeway and all seems straight. I think I need to do a little adjusting on the steering box, but other than that it's feeling good.
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ThingBeast
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2012
Posts: 363
Location: Texas
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 11:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
| That's great news glad I could help. Hopefully it was as easy as I explained. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ThingBeast
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2012
Posts: 363
Location: Texas
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 11:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
| That's great news glad I could help. Hopefully it was as easy as I explained. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
krs.br79
Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2014
Posts: 358
Location: Utah
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2016 2:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Rome wrote: |
| krs, your new wheel/tire combination and vehicle stance looks excellent. What size tires are on there now? The wheels are 4.5" wide Porsche 356 replicas. I rarely see them painted in body color, which looks good on yours and makes the car actually look older than with the chromed wider wheels. Hope you keep this combination and can enjoy your ride. |
I have fixed my suspension issue, but this was in regards to the Porsche replica wheels.
I finally pulled the old tires off these rims and did some looking around. I guess this was a good find, as these are 1956 Lemmerz Wheels, from what I gather these were for the Porsche 356, not just a replica.
Good thing I didn't scrap them.
_________________
1963 Turkis Beetle |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
grandpa pete
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2008
Posts: 6426
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
