why narrow a beam...?

hlwimmer · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 11:58 am Post subject: why narrow a beam...?

newbie question, but one that i don't know the answer to: why do folks narrow the beam?

why do i ask? i'm reasearching/thinking how to make my car handle better and trying to figure out the best solution using the parts i have (4.5in rims and stock beam)... many threads mention narrowing, but i'm not exactly sure why. i have my ideas, but i also used to believe in the easter bunny, so... i figured i'd ask.

Glenn · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 12:01 pm Post subject:

They are narrowed to pull the tires toward the center so you can still run wide tires without them hitting the fender when you lower the car.
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hlwimmer · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 12:08 pm Post subject:

thanks. that was the top contender: wider tires necessitates a more narrow beam.

with a stock height, would you still need to narrow if running (or trying to run) wider tires? do you think you could run 185/65R15s in the front and 195/65R15s in the rear (on 5.5in rims) without narrowing the beam... and without it looking odd? if someone made a 175/75R15 it'd be much simpler for me... seems like with the 4.5in rims, the 165/80R15s are the only game in town Confused

vic · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 12:54 pm Post subject:

Another reason is so you can slam your bug without having to worry about the tires rubbing on the outside of the fenders. Plus they look bad ass!!

Alan Willis · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 1:25 pm Post subject:

If you do not use drop spindles or disc brakes up front you can lower your car up to 4" without probs
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Glenn · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 1:31 pm Post subject:

My 74 is lowered 3" with a stock width adjustable beam, stock Ghia spindles, 5.5x15 alloys with 195/60-15 tires.

Close, but they don't hit.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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sovereignsamba · Banned Joined: March 06, 2004 Posts: 2845

nice tires glenn! you should see what I'm rolling on my thunderbird hehe.

MAdams · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 3:37 pm Post subject:

Glen what happens when you have 4 people in your car ? Do those tires rub? Especially when you hit the breaks hard into a corner.
Mark

Glenn · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 3:49 pm Post subject:

hlwimmer · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:11 pm Post subject:

thanks, glenn: so, yours is stock width, but lowered and i'm assuming the ghia spindles are for the brakes rather than changing the specs of the suspension... so essentially, yours is stock width. the tires themselves are lower profile than stock, which might help prevent rub... but your real "secret" is the 5.5in rims, so you can actually run the 195s.

wondering a few things...

if i were to keep my 4.5in rims (expensive powdercoat job) could i run a 185 tire? 195 would be too wide i'm guessing per the rim width... while 175s don't come tall enough. i could run 185/65s all around which are the closest 185s to stock diameter (an inch less) while getting more rubber on the road.

if i were to switch my rims to 5.5, then i could run 195/65s on the front with my stock width and 205/65s on the rear... for a very close to stock diameter (1/2in less on the front, stock in the rear) with lots more rubber on the road. would the front rub at stock height with 195s? according to glenn's setup, no, but... would the rears stick out too far? dunno. i need to look for pictures with 205s on the rear (glenn?)

thanks for the above input fellas.

Glenn · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:15 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't go wider than a 185 with 4.5" rims.

The stock Ghia spindles are for front disc brakes. Most "dropped spindles" push the tires out a 1/4" inch on each side.

A 195/65-15 will fit, but you won't be able to lower the front.
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MAdams · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:21 pm Post subject:

So do you think with my set up, which is a 63 bug link pin, tires are 195/60/R15 dropped spindles and with 3 or 4 people in car I get tires rubbing on fender. So I just ordered a cb 2" narrowed front beem with new springs, hoping to suck tires in and stop the rubbing. It seems to only rub when I have to stop kinda hard. Which with the hp this thing puts out is very often. HE HE.
Mark

Glenn · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:23 pm Post subject:

2.5" dropped spindles with 195/60-15 on a stock width beam will rub.

I'm not sure if a 2" narrow is enough. Ask the people at CB.
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MAdams · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:29 pm Post subject:

well I already orderd it from serrano so if they do rub I guess Ill have to put some 185 up front and hope for the best until the tires were out. Thanks.

I just didnt want to give up my shocks, so Ill have to figure something out to keep this 2" narrowed beem.

Teeroy · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:47 pm Post subject: why narrow a beam...?

Volksfab and Franklins both build a 4" narrower beam with shocks . TROY
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flatfour · Samba Member Joined: August 23, 2003 Posts: 688

flatfourkings · Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 1:05 pm Post subject:

Narrowing your beam will affect your handling. I have a three inch narrowed beam and i love it but i don't trust the way it feels at 80+mph. I drove my buddies 4 inch narrowed and i did not like it. It was too squirrely. Some may say otherwise but the general population would consider the 3 inch narrowed beam the way to go for more practical dropping applications.


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