Installing a 68 bay window beam in my 63

[hoagy86]

Hi everyone had a few questions regarding my swap for anyone who has done this swap. My first question is do I need 68 69 only shocks? My torsion arm bolt is the shorter. My. Next question is what master cylinder do I need 68 69 only again? Just a couple questions before I even start. Thanks just curious anyone did this swap what year parts they used?

[Lind]

The shocks attach only to the beam, so use the bay shocks.

Use a '67 master cylinder if you want dual circuit brakes, and use an earlier master cylinder if you don't mind single circuit brakes. The brakes are no different than a '63-'67 bus.

The bay beam will put the wheels further towards the back of the wheel opening. It is not a big deal, but it is noticeable when you have seen it.
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[hoagy86]

Thanks lind this picture is how it looks with a latebay front end so I’m mainly doing this to upgrade to stock 15.

[ZENVWDRIVER]

… picture is a disc brake Bay adapter, on a 1957 bus- z

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6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
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2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
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[Alan Brase]

68-69 use a smaller bolt pattern mounting to the frame than a 1970-79. If you have a beam already mounted, I'd just change to the drum brake spindles. It actually gets a little complicated as the torsion bars are softer 68-69 because the extra frame members added 1970 up model year made the later buses over 200lb heavier in the front.
I too, like early wide 5 wheels, but I think if that were mine, I leave the later setup just to enjoy the later brakes. Plus I could always swap wheels with my Vanagon or late bay.
I rather like the non stock green color.
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Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home

[hoagy86]

Thanks al for the input although The beam in it is hacked..ever seen a late beam fit? Not pretty you cut the beam open on both sides..I was shocked when I first saw it #1 of my first things to replace and get that out. Ya the latebay a have different pattern to bolt up so there solution just drill new hole so it would mount. No thanks…so that is why I found an early bay so it mounts right up. This disc brakes don’t matter to me bc the bootee was never hooked up you really have to step on it to stop so I figured wasn’t really a downgrade as good drums stop just as well. Just my option on that on why I’m heading this route..

[Alan Brase]

[Tizian]

I have an early bay beam installed on my deluxe. And it worked well over the last 25 years or so

It lifts the front a bit higher than stock though. So you might want to make it adjustable - about 40-50mm will do.

Doing that you also might want to replace the lower rubber stops with the sort of the upper ones. That gives a bit more clearance when you hit a deep bump...

And then you’ll also need a modified shifting link.

[3foldfolly]

The bay beam will give you a smoother ride.

[hoagy86]

Thanks Tizian for the pics, do you have a part number of the shocks you have?what year Master cylinder are you running? Curious as the shocks look like Monroe and have heard decent reviews.
Also hear great things on the koni brand shocks.

[hoagy86]

I also found out why I was having such a hard time with the master cylinder well in your pic that bracket that holds it is gone. Mine got cut off to fit the other hackage. Is there a replacement you can buy and weld back?

[Tizian]

[hoagy86]

No sorry for the confusion my original bracket has been cut off since the late has it attached to the beam. I’ve run into that and which shocks to buy has held the project took it out for a drive but 1st and 2nd gear were hard to find 3rd and 4th super easy to find and reverse back into the garage. Might be telling me to swap the beam or just something else needing some love