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mr. warehouse
Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2001
Posts: 5001
Location: Nor Cal 707
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 Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2017 9:29 am Post subject: Re: How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions |
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| KILLERWATT wrote: |
| Now that we're living in a time of 6 inch welded drop spindles. Can anybody give me an argument for why I would want adjusters in my beam? Seriously considering buying some plates and narrowing the beam myself without adjusters to save money, shipping and the wait time for a builder's beam. |
Fone tuning the ride height.
I can usually have a beam out in a week. Depending on what you want, I may have it ready to go on the shelf. |
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vwchance
Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2010
Posts: 46
Location: CALGARY ALBERTA
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| Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 4:49 pm Post subject: Re: How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions |
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I'm looking for some insight on my center pin and the adjustable beam that I'm working with. I don't have any proper diagram.
Here is a stock beam, the area where the spring washer sits.
Here is my beam. Its squared and the spring washer does not sit properly on top.
I have searched and can't find a similar situation.
Here are the parts I have. And the combination I have tried Am I missing something?
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mr. warehouse
Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2001
Posts: 5001
Location: Nor Cal 707
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| Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 4:53 pm Post subject: Re: How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions |
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| vwchance wrote: |
I'm looking for some insight on my center pin and the adjustable beam that I'm working with. I don't have any proper diagram.
Here is a stock beam, the area where the spring washer sits.
Here is my beam. Its squared and the spring washer does not sit properly on top.
I have searched and can't find a similar situation.
Here are the parts I have. And the combination I have tried Am I missing something?
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Knock the upper bushing up a bit so it catches the spring washer, but not so high it sits above it.
Cut the round dust shield so it fits over the square body of the beam. |
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64sunroofguy
Samba Member
Joined: March 27, 2006
Posts: 248
Location: HESPERIA, CA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2018 9:32 pm Post subject: Re: How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions |
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| Ok I havent posted anything in a very looooong time. I have a 66 Kombi that is lowered with flipped spindles and an adjustable narrowed beam. The beam was made by a very reputable Bug beam builder but this was his first bus beam. Cut the stock torsions down to accomodate for the narrower beam and drilled new detents for the bolts on the trailing arms. I also used the bay tie rods and reamed the spindles so I could mount the tie rods on the bottom instead. So my problem is that my bus has ZERO front suspension. Meaning no downward travel at all. Rides like dog crap compared to mtbfriends buses. When I jump up and down on the bumper it DOES NOT MOVE! Its not bottomed out on anything that I can tell. I thought I did everything right. Any advice?? |
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6sixTinBox
Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 539
Location: Confinement
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| Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 2:44 am Post subject: Re: How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions |
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Can you adjust your beam adjuster up? It sounds like it's at its lowest setting. Do you have shocks installed. Can you upload photos of your setup to get a better look at your beam?
This is for beam adjuster reference only of what you should try to adjust...
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=832840
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1966 13 Window Deluxe
It is what it is |
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TDIvan
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2006
Posts: 167
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| Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 8:59 am Post subject: Re: How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions |
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Does anyone know who sells brand new straight axle spring plates (as in not a modified original)? I had seen them for sale a few years ago but I don't remember where.
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still driving the holy snot out of buses |
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mr. warehouse
Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2001
Posts: 5001
Location: Nor Cal 707
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| Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 1:21 pm Post subject: Re: How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions |
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| TDIvan wrote: |
| Does anyone know who sells brand new straight axle spring plates (as in not a modified original)? I had seen them for sale a few years ago but I don't remember where. |
I sell them.
Normal and 4" dropped. |
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Skim
Rants Master
Joined: April 15, 2001
Posts: 17082
Location: GFK 31 Year Vet
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| Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 1:17 pm Post subject: Re: How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions |
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| 64sunroofguy wrote: |
| Ok I havent posted anything in a very looooong time. I have a 66 Kombi that is lowered with flipped spindles and an adjustable narrowed beam. The beam was made by a very reputable Bug beam builder but this was his first bus beam. Cut the stock torsions down to accomodate for the narrower beam and drilled new detents for the bolts on the trailing arms. I also used the bay tie rods and reamed the spindles so I could mount the tie rods on the bottom instead. So my problem is that my bus has ZERO front suspension. Meaning no downward travel at all. Rides like dog crap compared to mtbfriends buses. When I jump up and down on the bumper it DOES NOT MOVE! Its not bottomed out on anything that I can tell. I thought I did everything right. Any advice?? |
Sounds like your beam is completely bottomed out with the shocks completely compressed.
_________________
GFK
Samba since before the towers collapsed. Still here.
1953 Kabriolet
1954 Sunroof
1959 Lowlight Ghia vert
1960 Lt Grey Double Cab SMZ LEGIT
1963 Deluxe Turkis Walk Thru 15 Window OG Paint |
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mr. warehouse
Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2001
Posts: 5001
Location: Nor Cal 707
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| Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 1:27 pm Post subject: Re: How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions |
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| Skim wrote: |
| 64sunroofguy wrote: |
| Ok I havent posted anything in a very looooong time. I have a 66 Kombi that is lowered with flipped spindles and an adjustable narrowed beam. The beam was made by a very reputable Bug beam builder but this was his first bus beam. Cut the stock torsions down to accomodate for the narrower beam and drilled new detents for the bolts on the trailing arms. I also used the bay tie rods and reamed the spindles so I could mount the tie rods on the bottom instead. So my problem is that my bus has ZERO front suspension. Meaning no downward travel at all. Rides like dog crap compared to mtbfriends buses. When I jump up and down on the bumper it DOES NOT MOVE! Its not bottomed out on anything that I can tell. I thought I did everything right. Any advice?? |
Sounds like your beam is completely bottomed out with the shocks completely compressed. |
Or when it was assembled, the arms were forced in. |
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64sunroofguy
Samba Member
Joined: March 27, 2006
Posts: 248
Location: HESPERIA, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 9:44 pm Post subject: Re: How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions |
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Ya Skim. Its actually adjusted as high as it can go right now. And you saw it. Thats all the way up.
I thought same thing with shocks but it rides the same with or without shocks on. I cant remeber if I had to force control arms together to put spindle on. I’m Gonna pull everything apart completely tomorrow and just have a look see. |
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Outlaw1929
Samba Member
Joined: December 31, 2017
Posts: 25
Location: Santa rosa
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| Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2018 5:26 pm Post subject: Re: How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions |
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| Can anybody tell me how far they are moving shock mount back when they cut new beam plates when Narrowing and lowering a bus beam? And is the shock mount stayed the same height as stock just moving back? Thanks guys |
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mr. warehouse
Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2001
Posts: 5001
Location: Nor Cal 707
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| Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2018 8:41 pm Post subject: Re: How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions |
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| Outlaw1929 wrote: |
| Can anybody tell me how far they are moving shock mount back when they cut new beam plates when Narrowing and lowering a bus beam? And is the shock mount stayed the same height as stock just moving back? Thanks guys |
I'm in Santa Rosa and have done beams waiting. If you want to grab one and be done with it, or you can come by and grab some measurements. |
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Outlaw1929
Samba Member
Joined: December 31, 2017
Posts: 25
Location: Santa rosa
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| Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 11:52 am Post subject: Re: How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions |
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| mr. warehouse wrote: |
| Outlaw1929 wrote: |
| Can anybody tell me how far they are moving shock mount back when they cut new beam plates when Narrowing and lowering a bus beam? And is the shock mount stayed the same height as stock just moving back? Thanks guys |
I'm in Santa Rosa and have done beams waiting. If you want to grab one and be done with it, or you can come by and grab some measurements. |
Thanks Greg, I’ll. Hallar at ya, |
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demon1018
Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2009
Posts: 930
Location: crystal river, fl
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| Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2018 5:45 pm Post subject: Re: How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions |
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| mr. warehouse wrote: |
| TDIvan wrote: |
| Does anyone know who sells brand new straight axle spring plates (as in not a modified original)? I had seen them for sale a few years ago but I don't remember where. |
I sell them.
Normal and 4" dropped. |
Do you have new splined collars for those? I have a project that I have been looking for some of those but have had no luck |
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BATComm1
Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2011
Posts: 152
Location: Broken Arrow,Ok.
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| Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2018 3:24 pm Post subject: Re: How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions |
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I've looked around and got a few different answers...
Got a 66 bus that I am doing a IRS kit on, not going to slam it all the way down do to roads and such so my question is will a 6.5" wide wheel fit on the rear? I'm looking at some that are on a beetle now with no issues.
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1965 Beetle, 1966 13 window deluxe walk thru (SOLD) 84 Rabbit 16V Swap |
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mr. warehouse
Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2001
Posts: 5001
Location: Nor Cal 707
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| Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2018 6:39 pm Post subject: Re: How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions |
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| demon1018 wrote: |
| mr. warehouse wrote: |
| TDIvan wrote: |
| Does anyone know who sells brand new straight axle spring plates (as in not a modified original)? I had seen them for sale a few years ago but I don't remember where. |
I sell them.
Normal and 4" dropped. |
Do you have new splined collars for those? I have a project that I have been looking for some of those but have had no luck |
I do not. Try Nate @ WagensWest. He gets +/- $75 each for them I believe. |
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DubStyle
SBS Hit Squad
Joined: July 26, 2003
Posts: 6250
Location: SBS headquarters: Missery
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| Posted: Wed May 02, 2018 10:31 am Post subject: Re: How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions |
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| 64sunroofguy wrote: |
Ya Skim. Its actually adjusted as high as it can go right now. And you saw it. Thats all the way up.
I thought same thing with shocks but it rides the same with or without shocks on. I cant remeber if I had to force control arms together to put spindle on. I’m Gonna pull everything apart completely tomorrow and just have a look see. |
Take some pictures, maybe something that looks normal to you, will jump out at someone here.
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Anthony
SBS #1
SBS #1 on FB
"The original & best lowered Split Bus website/club" |
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TheVintageVw
Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2004
Posts: 654
Location: Porter Ranch California
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| Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 1:22 pm Post subject: Re: How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions |
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Been reading this post all the way thru and im confused 
This might be a simple answer.
have a 66 bus, want to put in a 68 type 3 drum to drum tranny.
Other than nose cone and swing arm plates this is basically a bolt on affair right? could I just use 5 lug type 3 rear drums on the existing back plates?
I am reading mixed answers and can't figure it out.
Thanks in advance for your help |
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chris henry
Samba Member
Joined: October 28, 2004
Posts: 867
Location: porterville ,CA
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| Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 4:38 pm Post subject: Re: How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions |
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| halchka99 wrote: |
Been reading this post all the way thru and im confused
This might be a simple answer.
have a 66 bus, want to put in a 68 type 3 drum to drum tranny.
Other than nose cone and swing arm plates this is basically a bolt on affair right? could I just use 5 lug type 3 rear drums on the existing back plates?
I am reading mixed answers and can't figure it out.
Thanks in advance for your help |
It is pretty much bolt in if you are using offset spring plates like the ones from wagons west of the bolt on kit from Old speed. If you go with a wolfgang style kit you will need to change the axle tubes to the longer ones supplied in the kit. |
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cdennisg
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2004
Posts: 20263
Location: Sandpoint, ID
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| Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 6:18 pm Post subject: Re: How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions |
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| halchka99 wrote: |
Been reading this post all the way thru and im confused
This might be a simple answer.
have a 66 bus, want to put in a 68 type 3 drum to drum tranny.
Other than nose cone and swing arm plates this is basically a bolt on affair right? could I just use 5 lug type 3 rear drums on the existing back plates?
I am reading mixed answers and can't figure it out.
Thanks in advance for your help |
Swap the nose cone to the type 2 style, offset spring plates will bolt up to your type 3 axle tubes, and a 4 to 5 lug adapter will make your stock wheels bolt on easily. The adapters may need some minor clearancing at the outer edges where they contact the raised ridge of the 4 lug drum.
Here is a 64 I built with this exact setup.
You can use 5 lug type 3 drums, but they are expensive and more difficult to find. 4 lug drums are much more common, and cheaper.
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