Lowering a Bay FAQ

[xcoldgrimjimx]

[cooper363]

Stock 14's with 165/55 up front and 185/60 in the rear.

[CalLookVdub]

after much deliberation I finally decided to make up some spacers between the backing plate and the cable sheathing/conduit. I cut off the old end, cut it down and drilled out the center as low as i could go to make room for the end to fit in. Ended up with about a 3/4" spacing. I thought I had more pics of the spacer but I guess not. I also slotted the spacer to be able to slide the cable in. Not really necessary if you were to put the spacer in before installing the cable up to the front. I ended up having to lengthen the cable as well. I found some cable clamps at the local hardware store and so far it all seems to work out fine!

I also found another trick to getting the wheel back on a lowered bus!

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My Rides
'58 beetle - L335 Capri Blue
'63 15 window Deluxe
'67 Squareback
'68 Sunroof beetle - 1st bug, bought back
'70 Bay window deluxe
'71 Bay window
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'14 Jetta SE 1.8T

[Dogo]

Looking for pics of front tire(s) on a 4.5 or 5” x 15 rim. Open to anything but would like to get a visual with pics. Also maybe your thoughts on load rating on what your rolling. TIA

[Kiwi1966]

Morning
Currently prepping a spare beam for my 69 bay which I am wanting to lower by 40 mm for adjusters and I am can remember seeing a post which I cant find where they fitted the top tube adjuster to the front of the beam (180 out) rather then to the original postion at the back thus avoiding fouling up with the gear change tube.This would mean redrilling the location dimples either on the cente of the torsion leaves or the two outer trailing arm leave dimples on the oppisite sides, anyone done this or any thoughts please

[68 Bay]

keeping it simple narrowed airbeam, flipped spindles, tubbed 3 inch on 17s BRMs seeeeeeeeeeeeeesh

[panel]

^^^ ......Looks awesome
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My '65-Subaru EJ20 Turbo conversion

[ratlookvw]

Anyone running deep 6 inch 901 Fuchs in the rear of a 68-70 bay? I have 4.5 inch plates but still not enough space between my tire sidewall and the wheel well. I have 944 brakes in the rear. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
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If the RV Hut is a rockin, don't come a knockn'
57 Panel, 66 highroof panel, 65 Notch, 59 Vert, 61 Vert, 1969 Fridolin, 'Reggie ' 66 RV, 65 Pipe Truck, 65 RHD T-34, 70 dbl slider panel, 1969 Deep sea green sunroof automatic square, the greypoop-on, and a shit load of wheels!

[sgmalt46]

put on 2.5 dropped spindles pulled 4 bars on front. 3.25 drop plates.
what is the trick to get the rear wheels on and off. ? I had to flatten
the tire and left the drum off even then it was tight. too lazy to go
though all 200+ pages . is there a trick ? thanks
Steve.

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55 deluxe 23 window bus
64 crew cab
55 rag top beetle
66 beetle
71 square back (sold) ! good luck with it Henry!
46 beetle 552nd royal army service corps CCG

[panel]

[cdennisg]

[bonzai272]

Hey all. I'm working on installing a 4" narrowed adjustable beam in my 72 bus but the beam I got did not have a bracket for the brake servo. I now have a bracket and was planning to weld it to the beam but it appears the steering arm will make contact with the servo when turning right.

Anyone run into this matter before and have any insight?
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1955 Beetle

[Ebo]

Hey folks,

I already wrote about this topic approx 2 years ago. But I still see recommendations to cut-off the bump-stops (front beam with adjusters).
In my eyes this doesnˋt make sense at all (for both, with or without dropped-spindles). Because right after passing the (possible cut of bump-stop) the ball joint will be at the end. In my eyes the engineers back then did a great job in exactly figuring out where the latest block (metal on metal if the rubber on the bump stop is missing) should be just right before the ball joints will be at the end of their possible travel. So for me in ANY CASE it would be the best to keep the bump-stop-arms without rubber as an emergency stop to protect the ball joints. Cutting them won`t give any more way/travel/depth.
Any comments or opinions on this? Am i wrong?

[slimesub5]

[BYeaton]

[Flozwo]

Hello!

After study all 233 pages to learn everything about lowering my Bay.

Here the result... I´m so in love with my bus. Many thanks to all for the informations that i got in this topic.

Front:

4 inch narrowed/adjustable front beam and drop spindles

165/50-15

6 x 15 ET52.3

Adapters 20mm

Back:

One outerspline

Adjustable Springplates

195/65-15

6 x 15 ET52.3

Adapters 25mm

Thanks to Siggis Aircooled Parts

Many greetz from Germany Osnabrück...

Florian

[Sash_Bay]

16 years ago this thread started. Its a thread I read every letter of when I was getting into Bays. I love going back and reading the first 10-20 pages. The down right anger that was politely displayed is comical. I love when they say "it's a fad" or "it dangerous". Well, per the usual...want drives innovation. Happy trails ya'll. Hope the sparks fly and the wheel bearing whine!!!

[busmania]

I was a hater forever (maybe not in this thread but I’m sure I hated on lowered buses somewhere on thesamba). Then I got tired of the same ol same ol and decided to lower a bus (in this thread towards the last few pages). I may never own a stock height bus again. Love my lowered bus and it may be time to go lower. Drives just like every stock bus I’ve owned (40+) with the occasional bottom out but so what! Cruises at 85 on highway no problem. One handed driving in the wind.

Question on going lower. I currently have the 4” slambay special. Running 15” wheels. It’s nice but Ive always wanted to run 17” Wheels. If I lower the front more and tub it for 17’s, what needs to be done in the back? Not sure I’m ready for engine and tranny raises but maybe I’m open to it. Looking to change my bus up!

[vwbrian83]

Some pics of my 68 on 17s with 3" tubs. Wagenswest slam bay special. 3.5" dropped spindles- 1" beam raise. Rear horseshoe plates and adjustable torsion plates- notched frame for axles

[busmania]

Nice. Thanks for the information. Does anyone sell pre made tubs?

And, does anyone make adjustable rear spring plates for bay buses? I know wagenswest does but they always seem to be unavailable.