TheSamba.com :: View topic - Class 11 Look-a-like

Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:01 pm

I have a 74 SB that is very good original condition. I live in West Texas and have access to several state park areas close to my house. I don't drive my VW on the street that much, but I would use it in the wilderness area if it had a little more ground clearance. What is the easiest way to lift the front and rear a bit so I could use 235 or even 9.50 tires? I do realize that the Super Beetle is not the best candidate for off-road racing, but that's not what I'll be using it for.
Anyway, any suggestions for an easy 2"-3" lift would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:27 pm

i dont know much about the McPherson strut front.....

but with the back tho preloading the torsion bars just like a normal beetle is the easiest way to go without spending money and drastically changing things up.

Fri Mar 05, 2010 4:25 pm

Would some type of coil-over shocks work for the rear lift? Are there stiffer front struts that might work to gain a couple of inches of lift?

Fri Mar 05, 2010 5:08 pm

I believe there are spacers for the front but that will only give you 2" of lift.The coil overs are junk and will just make it stiff.Do it right and get a standard.

Fri Mar 05, 2010 7:48 pm

ottvw wrote: Do it right and get a standard.

x2

but take a look in the baja super beetle thread they might tell you how to lift it

Fri Mar 05, 2010 7:50 pm

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=401200

Quote: Yea i have a 71 Sb , The biggest problem you will face is the front end needs to be higher and after a few jumps the struts will tend to bend. Which will cause the tires to rub on the springs. What i did to compensate for that is use Riviera rims that kick out the tires just enough to avoid rubbing on the springs. Another thing you can do if get a hold of some rear rabbit springs and place those springs in the stock SB springs that way you will raise the car about 3 inches and have duel springs. Oh and before i forget one problem that you might face down the road is the bolts the clamp the sway-bar to the pan tend to brake off. I remedied this by making a hole on the side of the pan head and put in thicker bolts and put a nut on the opposite end.[quote]

Sat Mar 06, 2010 2:18 am

dam i'm already quoted yea duel springs was the best decision i ever did!Finally got the pics up so here you go

Sat Mar 06, 2010 2:29 am

Sorry first time posting pictures

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Sat Mar 06, 2010 8:21 am

I'm not going to be jumping ANYTHING. All I need is enough clearance so I could run larger tires which would allow better ground clearance. The paths I'll be taking do not allow speeding or what you guys are thinking of when "off roading" is mentioned.
Just thought someone may have lifted a SB without cutting things up or screwing up the ride. All I need is a couple of inches lift.

Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:35 pm

I don't see why you could not build a bracket to lower the control arms ane make some spacers to lower the top of the struts. I have seen it done on rally cars.

Casey