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golden age
Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2009
Posts: 22
Location: north carolina
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 Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 6:43 pm Post subject: 1965 Squareback.... To do the beam conversion or not? |
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Hello everyone. We purchased a 1965 squareback last fall and are in the middle of getting it as perfect as we are going to get it for now. My next purchase is wheels and tires but not sure if I want to stay wide five or go with the porsche pattern and go with a bug beam??
I really love how it drives now and it is lowered all around now but not enough to hit. Don't want to go much lower, just want to get a new set of wheels and tires. We are thinking of going with all chrome fuchs and a skinny whitewall tire (real not ports). My fear is going with the bug beam will take the ride and handling away from what it is now. Any square folks out there with any input would be very appreciated. Thanks. |
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ataraxia
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 4504
Location: Illinois
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| Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 7:10 pm Post subject: |
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| You can get just about any bolt pattern for wheels to work with a Type 3 beam if that's the reason you're considering a swap. |
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golden age
Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2009
Posts: 22
Location: north carolina
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| Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 7:37 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks for the input. Yes Everett just told me the same thing. I wasn't aware of that option. Like I said, I'm thinking of running wide five fuchs size 4.5x15 up front and 5.5x15 in the rear. Would I need to run short axles in the rear for those? And would those fit upfront with the stock beam and no rubbing? |
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turbomicrowaves
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Joined: February 25, 2007
Posts: 1136
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| Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 7:42 pm Post subject: |
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Like Ataraxia said, you don't have to switch beams to change bolt patterns. You can get 66-71 type 3 disc brake spindles and have the stock rotors redrilled to 5x130. Also, new calipers are easily sourced through most vw parts suppliers. Shouldn't be more than $400 for everything.
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'68 Sunroof Squareback
"There are no pieces"
OCT3 - Orange County Type 3's |
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golden age
Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2009
Posts: 22
Location: north carolina
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| Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 8:28 pm Post subject: |
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| ok great. is anyone out there running these size Fuchs with their factory setup? I just don't see many squares lowered with a stock setup. they all seem to go the big beam route. I'm guessing that's mostly to go lower and still achieve the same turning radius? |
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Soul Built
Pimpin' Aint Easy
Joined: August 28, 2004
Posts: 1636
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 11:28 pm Post subject: |
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| My Notchback is pretty low but I didn't need to covert my beam.I am running 4.5 fuchs and my turning radius isn't reduced one bit. I wouldn't do the beam personally but to each his own. |
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turbomicrowaves
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Joined: February 25, 2007
Posts: 1136
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| Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 11:39 pm Post subject: |
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You have to take into account wheel offset, tire size and suspension height. Are you considering the new empi wide five fuchs or the older AEW fuchs? What size tires are you planning on running?
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'68 Sunroof Squareback
"There are no pieces"
OCT3 - Orange County Type 3's |
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golden age
Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2009
Posts: 22
Location: north carolina
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| Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 5:10 am Post subject: |
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the tires on my square right now are:
front: continental 165/60 R15 77T. rear: continental 185/65 R15 86H
I'd like to stay with that size but we're thinking of having diamond back tire make some 1/2" whitewalls. as for the Fuchs, they would probably be the new wide five fuchs from cip1. do you have any pics of your notch so I can see the height you're at?
and did you do the drop spindle conversion or did you just add the 4.5 Fuchs?
thanks again for the info.
| turbomicrowaves wrote: |
| You have to take into account wheel offset, tire size and suspension height. Are you considering the new empi wide five fuchs or the older AEW fuchs? What size tires are you planning on running? |
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Soul Built
Pimpin' Aint Easy
Joined: August 28, 2004
Posts: 1636
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 6:54 am Post subject: |
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I used dropped spindles from Old Speed. Tires are Firestone 125's
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golden age
Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2009
Posts: 22
Location: north carolina
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| Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 9:59 am Post subject: |
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yeah I don't want to give up my ride so that's why I'm on the fence. it's at a good height now and might barely scrape but that's rare. are you running wide five Fuchs on your ride?
| Soul Built wrote: |
| My Notchback is pretty low but I didn't need to covert my beam.I am running 4.5 fuchs and my turning radius isn't reduced one bit. I wouldn't do the beam personally but to each his own. |
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W1K1
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Joined: March 04, 2004
Posts: 4919
Location: Southern AB
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| Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 10:34 am Post subject: |
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125's ? Hello ....bicycle tire trying to stop the 2200 lb car with a 3.75" tread width.
Stock 165R15 4.62" tread were sketchy driving with mine, the 185's feel much better now.
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1973 super
1965 squareback 1500E
1971 bay window westy- subi swap |
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Soul Built
Pimpin' Aint Easy
Joined: August 28, 2004
Posts: 1636
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 12:47 pm Post subject: |
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| W1K1 wrote: |
125's ? Hello ....bicycle tire trying to stop the 2200 lb car with a 3.75" tread width.
Stock 165R15 4.62" tread were sketchy driving with mine, the 185's feel much better now. |
Are you asking me how my car rides or criticizing my choice of style? It drives, stops, and looks fantastic. Thanks for your concern. |
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golden age
Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2009
Posts: 22
Location: north carolina
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| Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 1:23 pm Post subject: |
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really nice looking notch you got there. nice stance too! and that's with stock beam converted to Porsche pattern?
| Soul Built wrote: |
I used dropped spindles from Old Speed. Tires are Firestone 125's
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Bobnotch
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Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 22410
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 1:47 pm Post subject: |
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| golden age wrote: |
really nice looking notch you got there. nice stance too! and that's with stock beam converted to Porsche pattern?
| Soul Built wrote: |
I used dropped spindles from Old Speed. Tires are Firestone 125's
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Kevin's car has the 5 on a 130 Porsche pattern set up.
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Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
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W1K1
Samba Member
Joined: March 04, 2004
Posts: 4919
Location: Southern AB
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| Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 3:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
Are you asking me how my car rides or criticizing my choice of style? It drives, stops, and looks fantastic. Thanks for your concern. |
Neither, i found 165's sketchy, i can't imagine 125's
Of course YRMV 
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/jim_martin_engine_build.php
1973 super
1965 squareback 1500E
1971 bay window westy- subi swap |
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Bobnotch
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Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 22410
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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| W1K1 wrote: |
| Quote: |
Are you asking me how my car rides or criticizing my choice of style? It drives, stops, and looks fantastic. Thanks for your concern. |
Neither, i found 165's sketchy, i can't imagine 125's
Of course YRMV |
Yup, so much happier when I went from 165-80's, to 195-60's. Night and day difference. 
_________________
Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
| Tram wrote: |
| "Friends are God's way of apologizing for relatives." |
| Tram wrote: |
| People keep confusing "restored" and "restroyed". |
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vlad01
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2010
Posts: 3069
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 9:42 pm Post subject: |
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| W1K1 wrote: |
125's ? Hello ....bicycle tire trying to stop the 2200 lb car with a 3.75" tread width.
Stock 165R15 4.62" tread were sketchy driving with mine, the 185's feel much better now. |
lol sounds like someone wants to die!
even 185 are pizza cutters by my standards.
I did not know there was anything smaller than 165 lol 125!!! 
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The best of VW engine development!
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71 Aussie notchback, the money pit
92 VP vacationer, old faithful never die
95 VR executive, Restored beyond factory
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golden age
Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2009
Posts: 22
Location: north carolina
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| Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 9:23 am Post subject: |
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| wanting to run 4.5 Fuchs up front with deep 6's on the rear. I'm guessing I'll need short axles in the rear to fit those wheels correct? and leaning towards no bug beam conversion 👍. don't want to change how great it rides and handles. |
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Bobnotch
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Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 22410
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:55 am Post subject: |
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| golden age wrote: |
| wanting to run 4.5 Fuchs up front with deep 6's on the rear. I'm guessing I'll need short axles in the rear to fit those wheels correct? and leaning towards no bug beam conversion 👍. don't want to change how great it rides and handles. |
Yup, you'll probably have to go with 64 and ealier bug axles and tubes, and then have the snout of the rear hub cut down. If you do a search, you'll find all of the various parts needed to do the short axle conversion.
Yes, I'm all for keeping a t-3 beam in a t-3. They just ride so much nicer, even when lowered. My son went with 195-50's to get his t-3 closer to the ground up front, but keeping the width to help the car handle. Yes, the shorter side wall does try to harshen the ride a little, but he's happy with it. He's also got 8 spokes on it, which is really the wrong offset for the car, but with the 195-50's, they actually clear the fender lip (he's at least 3 splines down).
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Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
| Tram wrote: |
| "Friends are God's way of apologizing for relatives." |
| Tram wrote: |
| People keep confusing "restored" and "restroyed". |
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Notch
Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2005
Posts: 142
Location: Lodi, CA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 12:58 pm Post subject: |
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| golden age wrote: |
| ok great. is anyone out there running these size Fuchs with their factory setup? I just don't see many squares lowered with a stock setup. they all seem to go the big beam route. I'm guessing that's mostly to go lower and still achieve the same turning radius? |
I am curious about the turning radius as I would think when you move the tire in that it would rub the inner fender panels and not allow you to turn as sharply.
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'67 Bug
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