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Wed Dec 14, 2005 11:15 pm

hey... im using adjustable beam too...up n down..
just wanna ask about caster shim...how thick it is...?
please help

Wed Dec 14, 2005 11:58 pm

There are also lowered balljoints that have more articulation and allow the car to ride better when its lowered. Most of the time when you lower it by adjusters the ball joints will eventually bind. So the replacement lowered versions have a bigger slot to allow them to articulate more.

There are also more extreme ball joint excentrix that help with camber when lowered.

If you want to use the entire suspension travel, there is a torsion spring replacement alternative and thats and air ride system. This eliminates all the torsions and allows the car to be suspended by air, giving it an ultra smooth ride with out the bobble head effect.

2 companies that can help you in that dept. are www.airkewld.com and KCW.

There is also a narrowed beam alternative that comes with adjusters that narrows the track width allowing you to install aftermarket brakes (that push out the wheels),with out the wheels sticking out or if you want that tucked look If your like me and you like to run larger diameter wheels and you can't get the correct offset, you can narrow your beam to tuck the wheels under the fenders. These beams can come in many widths to allows any and all configurations you would want. Companies that make them as far as I know are, www.airkewld.com , www.franklinsvwwerks.com & KCW.

Due to the differences in heights, updating the shocks with a quality versions helps more than you think. Once you set your ride to the correct height you are comfortable with, measure the distance from the upper shock mount to the lower shock stud and purchase a set of shock that give you equal travel up and down. this will give you a drastic difference in ride.

Hope this helps!

Thu Dec 15, 2005 1:46 am

thank u airkewl...u are kewl...
where i cant get kyg gr2 for my bug

Fri Dec 16, 2005 3:26 am

Let me clarify something with you guys as I'm planning to do this soon.

On a stock 1200 fender using the drop spindles(drops by bout 2") and using 195/50 tires, what are the other necessary things I need to get to fit them in so that if it doesn't rub. Or would it rub at all?

Also do I have to change to airshocks? Like KYB GR2?

Fri Dec 16, 2005 5:32 am

SmOcKxY wrote: Let me clarify something with you guys as I'm planning to do this soon.

On a stock 1200 fender using the drop spindles(drops by bout 2") and using 195/50 tires, what are the other necessary things I need to get to fit them in so that if it doesn't rub. Or would it rub at all?

Also do I have to change to airshocks? Like KYB GR2?

Most dropped spindles i've seen are 2.5" drop.

I have 195/60-15 tires on 5.5" rims and they fit just fine with a 3" drop.

KYB GR2 are low pressure gas shocks... no air adjustable shocks.

Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:20 am

SmOcKxY wrote: Let me clarify something with you guys as I'm planning to do this soon.

On a stock 1200 fender using the drop spindles(drops by bout 2") and using 195/50 tires, what are the other necessary things I need to get to fit them in so that if it doesn't rub. Or would it rub at all?

Also do I have to change to airshocks? Like KYB GR2?

If funds allow, a 2" narrowed beam will always help when you install drop spindles. Most of the time a 2" narrowed beam is an off the shelf item that is produced by CB Performance. Usually $179-200 for a beam and $65 for torsions. This will give you extra clearance on each side.

Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:29 am

Glenn wrote: SmOcKxY wrote: Let me clarify something with you guys as I'm planning to do this soon.

On a stock 1200 fender using the drop spindles(drops by bout 2") and using 195/50 tires, what are the other necessary things I need to get to fit them in so that if it doesn't rub. Or would it rub at all?

Also do I have to change to airshocks? Like KYB GR2?

Most dropped spindles i've seen are 2.5" drop.

I have 195/60-15 tires on 5.5" rims and they fit just fine with a 3" drop.

KYB GR2 are low pressure gas shocks... no air adjustable shocks.

Oh i see...you're driving a super right?Are the fenders on the super wider than the standard bug?

So I do not have to change to gas shocks?Cos I was thinking the stock oil ones will bottom out easily if i just use drop spindles.

Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:32 am

Airkewld wrote: SmOcKxY wrote: Let me clarify something with you guys as I'm planning to do this soon.

On a stock 1200 fender using the drop spindles(drops by bout 2") and using 195/50 tires, what are the other necessary things I need to get to fit them in so that if it doesn't rub. Or would it rub at all?

Also do I have to change to airshocks? Like KYB GR2?

If funds allow, a 2" narrowed beam will always help when you install drop spindles. Most of the time a 2" narrowed beam is an off the shelf item that is produced by CB Performance. Usually $179-200 for a beam and $65 for torsions. This will give you extra clearance on each side.

If i were over in the States, I'd probably spend the money. However, I'm over here in Asia and parts are not so readily available. Mostly we order them from States or Europe. The downside is shipping costs are most of the time as expensive as the part itself.

Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:35 am

I have a standard.

Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:44 am

Wow!That is a very nice ride height!

I dun suppose you still using stock shocks right?

Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:54 am

They're 2" shorter KYB GR2 shocks for a 72 Opel GT. They just bolt on.

Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:58 am

Any diff from those for the bug itself?

How about lowering the car using adjustable coilovers?Would that be another method? If i'm not wrong no other parts needs to be changed right?

Fri Dec 16, 2005 10:01 am

Don't ever use coil over shocks on the front of a Standard Beetle... unless you going offroad.

Fri Dec 16, 2005 10:05 am

Oh okie...so the best cheap combi would be to use drop spindles and KYB GR2 shocks?

Fri Dec 16, 2005 10:10 am

For dropped spindles you use stock length shocks.

Cheapest... a few sand bags in the spare tire well.

Seriously, if you can weld, then a set of AVIS adjusters are probibly under $30 and you supply the labor. Shorter KYB shocks are $40 for the pair, so you're looking at $70 cash out of pocket.

Fri Dec 16, 2005 10:17 am

I guess I'll be going the drop spindles way. Find a reputable brand and ship it over. Shipping is cheaper than trying to get a whole beam over!

If I use stock length shocks, wouldn't it bottom out easily?I noticed That KYB and EMPI have shocks for lowered bugs, wouldn't that be a better bet after getting the spindles in?

Fri Dec 16, 2005 10:21 am

With dropped spindles the distance between the top and bottom shock mount is unaltered and you don't need shorter shocks.

Fri Dec 16, 2005 10:26 am

Alrightey! Thanks Glenn for your patience with my questions! You've helped me a great deal!

Tue Dec 20, 2005 8:09 pm

I have a lowered front end/narrowed beam question.

Does anyone now if someone makes a narrowed swaybar that is stock diameter? All of the ones I have seen are 3/4in or bigger for narrowed beams which is way overkill for what I need.

Mike
59 single, 66 bug, 69 bus, 73 super
Member of the Ddk

Fri Jan 06, 2006 3:17 pm

What does lowering accomplish? Is it for looks or improved handling or something else I do not know about? My car, a '70 Vert, is all over the place in high wind.