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ronbdavis
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2009
Posts: 62
Location: Virginia
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 Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:30 pm Post subject: |
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Glenn, have you installed caster shims? And had you considered dropped spindles either instead of, or in combination with, the adjustable beam?
I have a late model I would like to lower a bit, but am thinking the standard 2 1/2" drop from spindles may be more than I like. Lately I am thinking more of a Ron Lummus narrowed (2-3"), adjustable beam instead. I can turn bolts but can't weld worth a damn. |
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vespaboy200
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2009
Posts: 54
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:14 am Post subject: |
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| Glenn wrote: |
| vespaboy200 wrote: |
So in my conclusion it is not worth lowering your VW Beetle with lowered beams ,its not safe!it doesn't add performance!And adds excessive wear on the suspension...
If its a daily driver,trust me do not use the adjustable beam method....no good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DANGER>>>>DANGER>>>>DANGER>>>> |
I've had different results, i've put over 100,000 miles on this setup and feel it handles better, brakes better and rides like stock.
Avis adjusters lowered 3"
19mm front anti-roll bar
KYB GR2 shocks (72 Opel GT) 2" shorter
Rear dropped 1"
25mm rear anti-roll bar
KYB GR2 shocks (VW)
5.5x15 ET42 Porsche/Pedrini aluminum wheels
195/60-15 tires
It handles like a go kart. |
Sounds good....may be it was just the crappy hack job the last owner did to the beam .... |
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Glenn 
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 79924
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:27 am Post subject: |
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| ronbdavis wrote: |
Glenn, have you installed caster shims? And had you considered dropped spindles either instead of, or in combination with, the adjustable beam?
I have a late model I would like to lower a bit, but am thinking the standard 2 1/2" drop from spindles may be more than I like. Lately I am thinking more of a Ron Lummus narrowed (2-3"), adjustable beam instead. I can turn bolts but can't weld worth a damn. |
Yes... I have single shims.
I didn't want dropped spindles. First off the push the wheels out and with 195 tires, I would of had to narrow the beam. Also I wanted to go lower then the set 2.5" of dropped spindles.
The trick to a nice ride are the shorter front shocks. If you use stock shocks, the rate are progressive. Meaning the more you compress them the harder they get. So putting them on a lowered beam means that are always compressed a few inches.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי |
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dubtype1
Vdubn' Till I Die
Joined: April 13, 2005
Posts: 2298
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:08 am Post subject: |
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| vespaboy200 wrote: |
It begins......back to original,replacing everything except rims and tires... |
You couldn't of been that low runnin' those tall ass tires......
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MIAMI V-DUBS
Caleb
'65 Beetle project |
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vespaboy200
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2009
Posts: 54
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:47 pm Post subject: |
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It never ends... 
Last edited by vespaboy200 on Mon Nov 30, 2009 2:17 am; edited 1 time in total |
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vespaboy200
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2009
Posts: 54
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| Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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| All shocks and damper in drives really nice....but the ass end is a lil low i think...does anyone know the stock height of a vw beetle? |
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vwsb74
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2009
Posts: 1201
Location: socal
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| Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 7:30 pm Post subject: |
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| Glenn wrote: |
| Madtat wrote: |
| if you lower it properly and follow up with some $ on suspension componets for your application it will handle properly . |
Exactly... mine handles great.
3" in the front and 1" in the rear but some other upgrades. |
Glen, how many splines did you turn to get 1 inch drop at the rear?thanks |
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Glenn
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 79924
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 7:32 pm Post subject: |
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| vwsb74 wrote: |
| Glenn wrote: |
| Madtat wrote: |
| if you lower it properly and follow up with some $ on suspension componets for your application it will handle properly . |
Exactly... mine handles great.
3" in the front and 1" in the rear but some other upgrades. |
Glen, how many splines did you turn to get 1 inch drop at the rear?thanks |
It was a combination of inner and outer splines. Honestly, I did it 15 years ago and don't remember the exact combo.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
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vespaboy200
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2009
Posts: 54
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| Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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car drives nice now except when i get on the highway and once i get up to about 60 mph the front starts to bounce like crazy......................
what could it be...ive replaced all the shocks and damper... |
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Endicott jb
Bondo King
Joined: February 17, 2008
Posts: 1902
Location: Havre, MT
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| Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:30 pm Post subject: |
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It's because stock does that.
_________________
Josh
OORAH!!
1965 vw beetle(Mayble)
1968 vw beetle(Caroline)
1974 VW Panel Bus
2003 Dodge 2500 5.9 Cummins(Katey)
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Don't drink and post
http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/gg353/endicott_jb/IMG_20110113_085237.jpg
When life throws you curveballs switch to boomerangs. |
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Max Welton
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2003
Posts: 11101
Location: Black Forest, CO
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Inane Cathode
Samba Member
Joined: September 11, 2009
Posts: 556
Location: Westminster, CO
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| Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Endicott jb wrote: |
| It's because stock does that. |
Me neither |
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Max Welton
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2003
Posts: 11101
Location: Black Forest, CO
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69 Jim
Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2004
Posts: 6264
Location: Chickengeorge's Neighbor
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| Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Max Welton wrote: |
Really? Mine doesn't.
Max |
Same here. |
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hoghead5150
Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 989
Location: oklahoma
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| Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 11:48 pm Post subject: |
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most likely tires. are they balanced? how old are they?
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"i got a friend that knows a guy who's best friend has an uncle that used to have a bug just like yours!"
i measured once, cut it three times, and the damn thing is STILL to short! |
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vespaboy200
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2009
Posts: 54
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| Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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Last edited by vespaboy200 on Mon Nov 30, 2009 2:19 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Max Welton
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2003
Posts: 11101
Location: Black Forest, CO
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vespaboy200
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2009
Posts: 54
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| Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 10:47 pm Post subject: |
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Last edited by vespaboy200 on Mon Nov 30, 2009 2:19 am; edited 1 time in total |
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LeviMan2001
Samba Post Whore
Joined: April 11, 2009
Posts: 3854
Location: Alaska
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| Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:39 am Post subject: |
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| vespaboy200 wrote: |
| Max Welton wrote: |
| vespaboy200 wrote: |
| hoghead5150 wrote: |
| most likely tires. are they balanced? how old are they? |
What I have noticed is that the bounce only starts after hitting a bump on the road and it gets worse as the car accelerates ... |
That sounds like bad shocks.
Max |
All new shocks... the frame head pan is weak... |
Lets just hope the car doesn't all of a sudden just lower itself while driving then 
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=366056 - My '73 Super Build. 2332cc, 16" Fuchs |
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vespaboy200
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2009
Posts: 54
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| Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 6:01 am Post subject: |
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no that will not happen,I would never lower a beetle again,unless its my new beetle 2001....
Last edited by vespaboy200 on Mon Nov 30, 2009 2:20 am; edited 1 time in total |
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