TheSamba.com :: View topic - Barndoor front Beam set up Narrowed and Lowered

Sat Nov 09, 2013 7:00 pm

Looking to Lower the 54 Barndoor..
I'm currently having custom made beam and was hoping to use 64-67 trailing arms and dropped spindles as I'm wanting to fit the Wagenswest front Porsche brake kit set up to the Bus.
My question (if anyone can help) is how do you tie together the steering? as both early and late Bus set ups are differnt. I was hoping to retain the BD steering box, just not sure how or which tie rods would fit or you would use.

Any ideas or help :?:

Sun Nov 10, 2013 6:03 am

If you want to retain the BD steering box you'll need to stick with the stock BD center pin setup. The early/late boxes rotate opposite each other. You can also run a later steering box and centered center pin but you will need to trim a little sheet metal where the drag link would go. Later trailing arms require later torsion leaves and retainers in the beam ( good if going with adjusters ). I'm pretty sure you can run all later steering components if you are slamming it but, at stock height, the tie rods will hit the reinforcing bars that bolt to the frame rails.

Sun Nov 10, 2013 11:54 am

Do a search On this forum there is lots of info you can use beetle spindles this lowers and narrows a barndoor and adjusters would work to get lower.
There seams to be a few different ways to lower BarNdoors

Sun Nov 10, 2013 11:47 pm

bubblehead wrote: If you want to retain the BD steering box you'll need to stick with the stock BD center pin setup. The early/late boxes rotate opposite each other. You can also run a later steering box and centered center pin but you will need to trim a little sheet metal where the drag link would go. Later trailing arms require later torsion leaves and retainers in the beam ( good if going with adjusters ). I'm pretty sure you can run all later steering components if you are slamming it but, at stock height, the tie rods will hit the reinforcing bars that bolt to the frame rails.

So what your saying is with flipped later 64-67 spindles I can retain the original centrer pin set up on the (new custom beam, which will have adjusters) and the tie rods will clear the frame rails?
If so, are the tie rods different ftom early to late Bus? as I would like to go with new to ensure no play.

Mon Nov 11, 2013 6:21 am

You have to run the steering box, track rods and spindles from one set up (barndoor or later bus). You can't mix parts from one set up and use with parts of the other.

If you don't mind cutting out the sheet metal from underneath your bus then ues the non barndoor set up with your spindles. You will need a new steering box though.

I tried running late spindles with barndoor steering and steering box and it's horrific, it just doesn't work.

Mon Nov 11, 2013 7:34 am

a11djr wrote: bubblehead wrote: If you want to retain the BD steering box you'll need to stick with the stock BD center pin setup. The early/late boxes rotate opposite each other. You can also run a later steering box and centered center pin but you will need to trim a little sheet metal where the drag link would go. Later trailing arms require later torsion leaves and retainers in the beam ( good if going with adjusters ). I'm pretty sure you can run all later steering components if you are slamming it but, at stock height, the tie rods will hit the reinforcing bars that bolt to the frame rails.

So what your saying is with flipped later 64-67 spindles I can retain the original centrer pin set up on the (new custom beam, which will have adjusters) and the tie rods will clear the frame rails?
If so, are the tie rods different ftom early to late Bus? as I would like to go with new to ensure no play.

No. Like Scotty said, you basically have to go all early or all late. And yes, tie rods and ends are different too.

Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:05 am

The steering arm on barndoor spindles is different. If you want to keep the barndoor steering arrangement, you have to keep the barndoor spindles.

Maybe a guy could modify the 64-67 spindle steering arm???

Mon Nov 11, 2013 11:48 pm

OK I think it makes sense. 8)

So
1) If I have a modified Beam (custom made) I can go with the later (upto 67) tie rods and droped spindles.
2) Use a later (upto 67 steering box)
3) And only have to notch out underneath to allow for the drag link, due to its new centre position, right ?

And in doing this, it will also allows me to retain the reinforcing bars without any clearance issues ?

Tue Nov 12, 2013 3:11 pm

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=370963

I'v lowered a couple of barndoors in my day and this is the method I prefer.

Tue Nov 12, 2013 10:04 pm

Busfarmer wrote: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=370963

I'v lowered a couple of barndoors in my day and this is the method I prefer.
X2 on the method. I used ball joint bug spindles instead of link pin on my 52. Drives awesome.