Need Help with Suspension on my First Baja Bug

[vw_avery]

I'm planning out the suspension setup for my Baja Bug build and could really use some advice. I'm still pretty new to all this, so any tips or input would be appreciated.

Right now, I'm working on installing a modified class 11 cage and finishing up the interior. The next stage of the build is suspension!

I'm planning on running a 6-over beam with 10" shock towers, +2" arms, and combo spindles up front. Out back, I'm thinking 3x3 arms.

The part I'm stuck on is shocks. I'm not sure if I should run coil carriers with bypasses or go with internal bypass coilovers. What do you guys recommend?
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Life's too short to drive boring cars

[halfassleatherworks]

Depends on how much $$$$$$$$ you plan to use.

[halfassleatherworks]

As for your shocks, wait intel you get the suspensions built to find out what your travels are, and how much room you have around things , then go from there,

[DHale_510]

There is a world of difference between a class 11 cage and suspension and a class 5 cage and suspension. Start with the cage before the suspension. There is little left to a VW chassis in the long travel class 5 world. Even a real class 11 has far more than a kit cage, full length tube chassis and front axle support bars "hidden" in there for example.
Dennis

[Schepp]

The question you need to ask yourself is... What are you using the car for?
High speed desert?
Low speed mountain fire roads?
Looking cool?

You don't need all of that for 85% of applications out there.

What about your current setup don't you like?

Do you have $10k+ laying around for go fast parts? The shocks you're describing are $$$$
Start a list with prices of all and I mean all the components involved to assemble the package that you want before buying anything. It adds up real fast.

How's your tranny holding up? Is it stock?
What's powering your rig currently? What condition is that in?

Your car looks pretty good as is. Or does it just look cool?

The interior is the last thing to be finished. you're going to be cutting, welding, grinding inside the car to mount the shocks.
All of which is done at the end. After all of your drivetrain is assembled and travel limitations are known and set. Only then can you know where and how your shocks will be mounted.

Are you doing the work or is some one else?

Not trying to discourage you. Just being realistic.

There are many members on here who go lots of places with relatively stock bugs. They do just fine.

I have a ball joint setup stock width 6" travel. Stock boxed rear arms 9" travel. I'm more than happy with it.

[vw_avery]

[vw_avery]

[vw_avery]

[vw_avery]

[vw_avery]

What’s your guy’s thoughts on micro stub?

Pros and cons, is it worth it, reliability benefits, etc…
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Life's too short to drive boring cars

[Schepp]

Avery,

Good to see your progression pics.

Honestly next I would work on getting that 3-rib in the car. It's going to take a decent amount of work in itself.
You'll need to address if you want the shift rod in or on top of the tunnel. A 10-degree mounting kit will get it in the tunnel for a cleaner install.

Unfortunately you've already built the engine cage. This also was one of the last things to complete.

The 10-degree trans kit gives you more rear ground clearance. Since the engine will be raised up a couple inches. With that kit there will be a large empty space between the sump and the lower tubes of your current cage.
If you go with the kit that puts the shift rod on top of the tunnel, the engine will likely stay in its current location. With no additional ground clearance achieved.

After that move on to rear trailing arms.

I recommend finishing one end of the car at a time. Since the back is more involved to that first.

Start thinking about your steering setup as well. You're not going to use the stock components if you go wider anyways.

[halfassleatherworks]

[vw_avery]

[vw_avery]

[halfassleatherworks]

[vw_avery]

[vw_avery]

What axles do you guys recommend I run? I was planing to use 930s, but I’ve heard talk about 934/935s?
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Life's too short to drive boring cars

[ORANGECRUSHer]

Your first VW and you want to redesign the entire thing from day one? You've come to the right place because these guys love spending other people's money vicariously.

Whoever chopped the body at the engine bay needs to be shot.
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Brian H.

OrangeCrushERBerrien Warrior-2.4L Quad4-2x3 arms-1.5Fox coilovers-094-930CVs
LAZY MARY1970 Baja 2110cc-82mm CB forged crank-AA pistons/cylinders-Grant rings-1.1 vw rockers-CB serpkit-CB chromoly PRs-CB maxiflow filter pump-wix51515 filter-Dual 44IDF-cut/turned front beam-AEM wideband-Auber CHT-Donaldson Dual PowerCore filters-custom AL air boxes

[Schepp]

You're talking like doing the work is a weekend project.
It's not. The folks who can do it that quick have done it many times before.

The racecars you see on the internet are designs that were thought, tested and proven out. Not a bunch of Chinese parts cobbled together in a couple weeks.

The extra time taken to do things the right way and in the correct order will save yourself headaches and money down the road.

Of course you will do you and do it your own way. Its your car.

Expect the car to be down and on stands for a few months at least.

You can save yourself some cash by shopping for used parts. People are always selling old racecar parts.

[vw_avery]