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T3man Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2004 Posts: 163 Location: killeen tx
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Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2017 8:32 pm Post subject: Stock Beam Air Ride? |
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I just want my car to raise and lower about 4" all the way around. Can you use a stock front and rear beam to make into air ride? By just using air shocks? _________________ 1962 Blue notchback n model
1964 White Variant S Type 3 Squareback Euro
1966 Blue sunroof fastback
1969 Bahama Yellow camper bus
2170 Silver Alien space ship. Leaks Nuclear waste! |
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Mike Fisher Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006 Posts: 17969 Location: Eugene, OR
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Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2017 8:57 am Post subject: Re: Stock Beam Air Ride? |
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NO you can't use airshocks! Patrick Colvard (squareonair here) builds custom air ride VW suspensions on the stock beams/trailing arms etc in MO.
https://www.facebook.com/squareonair _________________ https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey |
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Boogievan Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2007 Posts: 152 Location: Port Orchard, WA.
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Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2017 9:39 am Post subject: Re: Stock Beam Air Ride? |
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This is a very broad topic, and there are many differing opinions when it comes to air ride, so don't expect a everyone to come to a general consensus here...
Many people run air shocks on the front, usually with a type one conversion beam. However, there are pages and pages of arguments about why they are, or are not suitable/safe for the job. Let's not get into that...
You *could* notch your torsion bars way down and use air shocks to supplement them, but they would end up fighting each other. At best, the ride would be butt turrible. Not advisable.
The long and the short of it is this: Proper suspension (whatever it is comprised of) is essential to safe operation of your vehicle and is not a place to cut corners... Good air ride is not cheap, and cheap air ride is not good. |
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supersuk Samba Member
Joined: December 20, 2010 Posts: 958 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
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Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2017 3:25 pm Post subject: Re: Stock Beam Air Ride? |
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I have a stock beam with air ride. I machined off the inner splines for the lower torsion bars and used that in conjunction with thrust bearings on the outside. The ball joints are the limiting factor now. I'm sure if I used the oldspeed drop spindles, my beam mounts will be on the ground. The only problem i've encountered so far with running a stock beam is that you will need fairly high pressures to make it go up. I currently have a 200psi system on mine.
I'm not sure how well the trailing arms will wear because I don't drive the car very much. Right now, its just garage queen status. _________________ 68 Fastback Build: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5396323#5396323 |
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Boogievan Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2007 Posts: 152 Location: Port Orchard, WA.
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Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2017 3:55 pm Post subject: Re: Stock Beam Air Ride? |
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supersuk wrote: |
The only problem i've encountered so far with running a stock beam is that you will need fairly high pressures to make it go up. I currently have a 200psi system on mine. |
Have you considered moving the lower shock mounts further back on the arms? More leverage for lower pressure. Less up travel as well, but really, down travel is what ya want anyway.... |
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supersuk Samba Member
Joined: December 20, 2010 Posts: 958 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
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Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2017 6:51 pm Post subject: Re: Stock Beam Air Ride? |
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I have. Its next to do on my list, but just don't have much time to work on things right now. I'm also not sure what kind of metal the trailing arm is made of so i'm a little concerned with welding to it. Can't have the relocated shock mount break off due to improper welds.
With that said, I measured it and it looks like I can move it back about 1.25" without bumping into the tie rods or anything else. If I do it that much, then I can put my larger shocks with bags instead of the monroes I have now. Should be able to lift the front with ease.
When I have time, I'll do a write up after the mod is complete. _________________ 68 Fastback Build: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5396323#5396323 |
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Boogievan Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2007 Posts: 152 Location: Port Orchard, WA.
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Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2017 10:01 pm Post subject: Re: Stock Beam Air Ride? |
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I do believe the arms are cast steel (not iron), which would make them safely weldable... Someone please recalibrate me if I'm incorrect here.
A pair of rolling sleeve shockwaves would work great If you have the room. I ran those on the back of my old Lincoln Continental when I bagged it, and it ended up riding really good. If they can lift that barge, they could probably make your Fastback do a wheelie. |
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Clatter Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2003 Posts: 7537 Location: Santa Cruz
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Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2017 7:40 am Post subject: Re: Stock Beam Air Ride? |
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The trailing arms are steel.
Welding sway-bar mounts on confirmed this here. _________________ Bus Motor Build
What’s That Noise?!? |
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supersuk Samba Member
Joined: December 20, 2010 Posts: 958 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
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Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 1:55 pm Post subject: Re: Stock Beam Air Ride? |
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Ok, thats good information right there. I guess I can start on that portion of the project. I'm going to buy some spare trailing arms and work on those. Will update my build when i'm done. _________________ 68 Fastback Build: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5396323#5396323 |
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