67: lowering the front end

[RC67convert]

After 2 years of owning my 67, I'm interested in lowering the front end. I'm looking to upgrade the ride while on So Cal freeways at 65-70 mph, and around town. I'll usually have a passenger and occasionally back seat passengers.

I'm not interested in the slammed front end, Cal Look.

I have read that just drop spindles will cause tire rub when making a U turn or speed bumps.

Currently, I have 165/70 15's and am probably going to go 185's all the way around.

I'll also upgrade the brakes to disc in the front.

Do I want just the adjustable beam? Looking at AirKewld PROBuilt and a few others, complete front end.

Thanks

[rcooled]

[ashman40]

Have you considered whether you are keeping the wide-5 (5x205mm) '67-earlier wheel pattern or changing to later 4x130mm bolt pattern when upgrading to disc brakes? The '67 Beetles that came from the factory with disc brakes used 4x130mm Ghia disc brakes and later style 4x130mm wheels.

Many 5x205mm front disc brake kits will push the wheels out 7/8" on each side. To compensate you may need to narrow the front beam a corresponding amount. This should be considered if you are buying an adjustable front beam. You may need to shop for a narrowed+adjustable beam.

Also, many wide-5 disc kits (Empi) are meant to be bolt-on to stock height drum spindles. If going this direction you don't want to switch to Ghia front disc spindles. These wide-5 disc rotors are custom and you may want to make sure where you can buy replacement discs. Ghia style 4x130mm discs and calipers are common VW OE replacements.


So if you keep your wide-5 wheels you may need a custom disc brake kit which may need a narrowed beam.
Or, switch to Ghia style 4x130mm disc kits require different wheels, or wheel adapters. Wheel adapters push the wheels out so deeper offset wheels may be needed, or a narrowed beam. Depending on the disc kit you may need new Ghia spindles. There are bolt-on drum spindle disc kits as well.
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AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!}

[Airkewld]

[EVfun]

[Stockholm VW]