Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Slammed thing/181 suspension and wheel/tire combos
Page: 1, 2  Next
Forum Index -> Thing/Type 181 Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
tkelley
Samba Member


Joined: January 10, 2006
Posts: 1597
Location: Where Pterodactyls crash and burn...
tkelley is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 8:00 am    Post subject: Slammed thing/181 suspension and wheel/tire combos Reply with quote

There are plenty of slammed/lowering thing how-to threads here, but would like to start a thread covering suspension and wheel/tire specs with pics all in one place.
I often get questions asking what the suspension specs are of the cars I've built, so I feel it's warranted.

So post some pics along with suspension specs along with wheel/tire combos.

Here are a few I've done:

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


1974 Thing with a 4" narrowed adjustable scratch built bj beam with 2.5 dropped spindles with flipped tie rods in front.
Out back it's had three inner spines up and one outer spline down with notched spring plates and bump stop mounts.
grey kyb's shocks out back

wheels are 5.5" empi slots with 165 45 15's front and 195 55 15's rear



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


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



1973 RHD Thing with a stock width adjustable beetle beam with 2.5 dropped spindles and flipped tie rods.
Out back it has 3 splines down with notched spring plates and bump stops. Short grey kyb shocks all around.

wheels are 4.5" BBT sprint stars up front with ET34 with 165 45 15 front tires. Out back is 5.5" BBT sprint stars with ET24 with 195 50 15 tires.


Tom
_________________
When the sun doesn't rise, we'll replace it
with an H-bomb explosion or a painted jail cell...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
waxhead
Samba Member


Joined: January 19, 2004
Posts: 946
Location: Philly 'burbs
waxhead is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 8:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good idea. This should be a 'sticky' because these questions get asked fairly often. Here's my work in progress:

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


Front:
Bug beam, narrowed 2 inches, with adjusters installed. Ghia spindles/disc brakes. Tires are 145/65/15 on 1973 Porsche 6x15 cookie cutters.

Rear:
Rear suspension is also from a bug. Turned two inner clicks. Tires are 185/65/15.
_________________
Mike B.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
RHDthing
Samba Member


Joined: April 01, 2011
Posts: 61
Location: Caliente Nv
RHDthing is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 10:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

[img]https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery


Front : stock width BJ bug beam with link pin adjusters and 2.5 inch drop spindles and aairshocks. Tires. 165/45r15

Rear: 3 inner splines down with shaved arms. Soon to be on air bags. Tires 185/55r 15

The back tires and suspension will be changing along with the rims so stay tuned
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
RHDthing
Samba Member


Joined: April 01, 2011
Posts: 61
Location: Caliente Nv
RHDthing is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 10:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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


Hope that works now. Also front fenders sit on the tires when aired down.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
GI Joe
Samba Member


Joined: April 28, 2005
Posts: 2012
Location: Athens, TN
GI Joe is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 7:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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



Love it!! Cool I've got do build a slammed Thing!
_________________
'74 Thing, "Our Thing"....Blue 181
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...p;start=60
'71 Beetle RPU
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8080337#8080337
www.NLEOMF.com
Respect, Honor, Remember
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
massvwnut
Samba Member


Joined: May 06, 2004
Posts: 113
Location: witch city
massvwnut is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 2:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Gi Joe, is the front beam adjusted all the way up ? I am in the process of installing a bug beam with with adjusters and dropped spindles. No air shocks. hope it will work... ps stock width beam.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
GI Joe
Samba Member


Joined: April 28, 2005
Posts: 2012
Location: Athens, TN
GI Joe is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

massvwnut wrote:
Gi Joe, is the front beam adjusted all the way up ? I am in the process of installing a bug beam with with adjusters and dropped spindles. No air shocks. hope it will work... ps stock width beam.


I think your question should directed to RHDThing! He posted that Thing, I just commented how I love it!! Wink
_________________
'74 Thing, "Our Thing"....Blue 181
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...p;start=60
'71 Beetle RPU
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8080337#8080337
www.NLEOMF.com
Respect, Honor, Remember
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
massvwnut
Samba Member


Joined: May 06, 2004
Posts: 113
Location: witch city
massvwnut is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sorry.. RHD thing ?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
RHDthing
Samba Member


Joined: April 01, 2011
Posts: 61
Location: Caliente Nv
RHDthing is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 12:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mine are all the way down it literally puts the beam a 1/2 inch off the ground when aired out cause of the fenders.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
waxhead
Samba Member


Joined: January 19, 2004
Posts: 946
Location: Philly 'burbs
waxhead is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 9:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

massvwnut wrote:
Gi Joe, is the front beam adjusted all the way up ? I am in the process of installing a bug beam with with adjusters and dropped spindles. No air shocks. hope it will work... ps stock width beam.


I did quite a bit of research and I was told that a bug beam with adjusters and dropped spindles would drop the front too much. I just went with adjusters (set at their lowest). I guess it depends on what your idea of 'low' is, but I want the car to be driveable - don't want to be hitting small bumps, man hole covers etc.

Let us know how it works out.
_________________
Mike B.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
GI Joe
Samba Member


Joined: April 28, 2005
Posts: 2012
Location: Athens, TN
GI Joe is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 11:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

RHDthing wrote:
Mine are all the way down it literally puts the beam a 1/2 inch off the ground when aired out cause of the fenders.


Son it's a set of the "raised fenders" you could lay pan....

Just sayin!

At least you're on air, where you can get a sensible ride height for the roadways!
_________________
'74 Thing, "Our Thing"....Blue 181
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...p;start=60
'71 Beetle RPU
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8080337#8080337
www.NLEOMF.com
Respect, Honor, Remember
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
tallman206
Samba Member


Joined: January 06, 2006
Posts: 316
Location: St.Petersburg Florida USA
tallman206 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 11:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

GI Joe wrote:
RHDthing wrote:
Mine are all the way down it literally puts the beam a 1/2 inch off the ground when aired out cause of the fenders.

Son it's a set of the "raised fenders" you could lay pan....
Just sayin!


Boys, where we come from, that's what we call a 'road grader'!
_________________
Jerry Henning
Southern Classic Works
St.Petersburg, Florida
1973 VW Type 181 with 616/33-6 powerplant
1962 356B-T6 Cabriolet Rustbucket
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
RHDthing
Samba Member


Joined: April 01, 2011
Posts: 61
Location: Caliente Nv
RHDthing is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 1:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah but it looks good the way it sits. Honestly considering making a build thread for it if the is enough interest.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
GI Joe
Samba Member


Joined: April 28, 2005
Posts: 2012
Location: Athens, TN
GI Joe is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 9:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd enjoy the info.... Wink Cool
_________________
'74 Thing, "Our Thing"....Blue 181
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...p;start=60
'71 Beetle RPU
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8080337#8080337
www.NLEOMF.com
Respect, Honor, Remember
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
citroen
Samba Member


Joined: February 28, 2010
Posts: 1578
Location: louisville ky
citroen is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 7:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

RHDthing wrote:
Yeah but it looks good the way it sits. Honestly considering making a build thread for it if the is enough interest.
send me all the pictures and I will put all the pictures on Ron and My website http://kubeltreffen181.com That goes for anyone else that wants to send me pictures of any other projects that you have for things. Our website is not for just things that we build Ron and I started this site for all thing owners we will be glad to put any pictures or any info on shows for Things. This site is for Thing owners. Thanks from the Domeck Brothers
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Shoyrtt
Samba Member


Joined: August 21, 2010
Posts: 1007
Location: Redlands, CA
Shoyrtt is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 12:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you Moderator for cleaning up this thread! Cool

Here is the current state of my lowered Thing project:

The front was lowered by a 2" narrowed bug beam with adjustors and dropped spindals. Right now I have a set of stock bug 15" steel wheels wrapped with 135 SR 15 Nankings up front and 195/50/15 in the rear. I have a set of 3" dropped plates from Atomwerk Engineering for the rear that I have not installed yet. The plan is to run a set of air shocks all around. Cool

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


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


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
juangonz
Samba Member


Joined: December 05, 2006
Posts: 7
Location: Charleston, SC
juangonz is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Mar 17, 2015 6:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Any pics of the notch on the spring plates Tom?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
jmf337
Samba Member


Joined: August 27, 2009
Posts: 44
Location: Orlando, FL.
jmf337 is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 9:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

juangonz wrote:
Any pics of the notch on the spring plates Tom?

I would like to see that as well!

Here is my car. 2" narrowed & adjustable EMPI beam, CB Performance drop spindles & radiused ball joints. 1 click in the back, as I cant go any lower unless I notch the Spring plates. 15" Bug rims with 165 60 15 on the front, 14" Bus rims with 185 65 14 in the back. I plan on running Bug rims all around.

I just got it on the ground today, and my plans are to go lower, probably a 145 65 15 up front & 165 60 15 in the rear.

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


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


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Classifieds Feedback
jmf337
Samba Member


Joined: August 27, 2009
Posts: 44
Location: Orlando, FL.
jmf337 is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 12:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Question. Are you guys running the support braces when switching to a bug beam?
Thanks,
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Classifieds Feedback
waxhead
Samba Member


Joined: January 19, 2004
Posts: 946
Location: Philly 'burbs
waxhead is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 1:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm not - I don't think they are necessary for a Thing that will not be going off-road, although it would be fairly easy to install them - just weld some tabs onto the beam.

Also, here's a photo of notched spring plates:

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

_________________
Mike B.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Thing/Type 181 All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page: 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.