Stance after Dropped Spindles, too high?

[63ragtopDud3]

1963 Ragtop
drum brakes
stock beam
2.5" Drop Spindles
145/65-15 smoothies in front
165/80-15 smoothies in rear
1 or 2 outer clicks in rear (cant remember)
KYB 343144 Excel-G Gas Shock front and rear

The car is sitting too high in the front and I feel like the spindles didn't do anything. Not sure if its because I have smaller tires in the front and/or lowered the rear too much? I've been reading about people advising to not use gas shocks. Should I switch to crappy oil shocks? Keep in mind, there's no weight in the front right now (gas tank, seats, spare tire, etc) either, so I know I can close the gap by an inch after everything is said and done. But thats still too high.

I literally just put the body back on, would really hate to replace the beam at this point, but I feel like that's my solution. Not much for the tucked in look, so I'm thinking a 2" narrowed beam w/ adjusters is what I need to close the gap between the tire and fender.

[Glenn]

Did you install them upside down?

Something is not right. Should look more like this...

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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
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[63ragtopDud3]

Man, I freakin hope not. Not sure how I could have. Can you post a pic of your spindles for me, please?

[Glenn]

[63ragtopDud3]

Referencing this screenshot from Jbug's installation video, I installed them like this...

[Busstom]

[63ragtopDud3]

[Busstom]

Damn, they're on correctly...something else going on

Hard to tell without being there, taking some measurements and looking all over. The rear end looks really low, but that doesn't change what's going on up front. Maybe take the shocks off and roll it around to settle it? Bounce on it and see if springs are stuck? But the torsion arms look pretty normal.

Edit: by the way, I just re-read your post and saw your comments on shocks; I think you'll be way more pleased with oil shocks, they're not crappy, and even gas shocks have oil in them, they just ride way harder than OE style shocks.

I don't think that's affecting the ride height much, not that much, but still take 'em off just to troubleshoot right now.
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My name's Steve and it's pronounced "Bust 'em" (cuz people think I'm Tom)

[djfordmanjack]

you mentioned correctly: No weight on the front. gas shocks. That's enough. maybe you tightened the link pins too much, or something in suspension is frozen. should be springy when you jump on the front. here's my dropped spindles, otherwise stock suspension. oil shocks. 62.

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67 1500 Käfer, og paint Lotus weiß L282 w/red interior

[63ragtopDud3]

Removed the shocks, bounced on the front a good bit. Very springy. Not really any difference though. Still 4" gap between tire and fender.

No gap between the frame and napoleon hat. All body bolts are fastened.

Maybe I screwed something up when I took off the torsion arms off to replace the seal? But if I recall, there was really only one way to put them back on.

[djfordmanjack]

do you still have the big rubber stops on the beam or did you cut the arms off ?
the rubber stop also stops the trailing arms in lower direction. If it's missing, your suspension will back of much further. it appears that way. your wheels are very much tucked forward.

don't worry so much. you got no glass, no interior, no tank, no sparewheel, no bumper. easily 150-200pds missing on the front end. it's sprung very softly. it will give in once you add the weight.
_________________
Hotrods, Fords, Veedubs and Triumph Twins !
52 Barndoor DLX Coachbuild project
54 Oval project
55 Wolfsburg panel project, og paint Taubenblau L31
62 Dickholmer, Seeblau L360
63 1500 Notch, og paint Rubin Rot L456
67 1500 Käfer, og paint Lotus weiß L282 w/red interior

[djfordmanjack]

adjusted axle left vs stock height right. you can easily see where the missing rubber stop will let it back out much further.
ignore the german text, was meant for my buddy.

also the spring holes are square with the trailing arms, so even mounting them upside down won't change the ride height.

_________________
Hotrods, Fords, Veedubs and Triumph Twins !
52 Barndoor DLX Coachbuild project
54 Oval project
55 Wolfsburg panel project, og paint Taubenblau L31
62 Dickholmer, Seeblau L360
63 1500 Notch, og paint Rubin Rot L456
67 1500 Käfer, og paint Lotus weiß L282 w/red interior

[63ragtopDud3]

Yes, bumper stops are still in place. If I sit on the front of the car (my whole 175 pounds), the car drops a couple inches and the wheel also looks as though it is more center with the well.

Maybe you are right missing all that extra weight in the front.

[banana split]

That thing is sitting Baja status with those dropped spindles.

I bet these are the problem : KYB 343144 Excel-G Gas Shock front

Take them off and see if the front settles down. I would never run a stiff shock like that up front... especially on a lowered Bug. An oil shock will be much better suited... in my opinion.
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My Beetles :
1951 Crotch Cooler 11G Split Ragtop
1953 Zwitter
1964 Chop Top

[Busstom]

Playing devil's advocate:

A front bumper is only 14 pounds, a tank FULL of gas is ~90 pounds. Glass and interior won't contribute much at all because that's all over the CG of the vehicle.

If the beam and spring configuration is stock, and the arms aren't resting on the torsion bump stops, then those aren't a factor.

Test for yourself, stack a hundred and fifty pounds right where the gas tank goes and see what you get (20 lb concrete stepping stones are one of my favorites).
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My name's Steve and it's pronounced "Bust 'em" (cuz people think I'm Tom)

[petrol punk]

Don't switch to crappy oil shocks, switch to Sachs or Boge oil filled shocks. They're better than KYBs for everything that doesn't require a stiffer front end. The gas shocks act as a spring of their own. Get some stock shocks in there, finish the car with all the extra weight that brings, settle the suspension, and you should be looking much better.
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36hp '56 European DeLuxe oval
'70 bug 1835cc

[Jeff Geisen]

Appears to me you installed something other than drop spindles.
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I Corinthians 4: 1 thru 5

‘63 ragtop - ‘68 single cab

[jbannon]

Have you checked if you over tightened the link pins? If they are too tight and were tightened when the beam/car was on stands, you essentially locked the trailing arms on place.

Another question: Did you replace the torsion plates with new ones? That will have an effect on ride height as well.

[63ragtopDud3]

@jbannon .. I did not replace the torsion plates, only the bushings.

I think I found the issue... or atleast one of them. I put three 60lb sand bags in the trunk and removed the shocks. That got me a couple inches down to a more reasonable stance. I then realized that the passenger fender seems to flare out more than down, if that makes any sense. I took measurements of both fenders and found that the drivers side is essentially wider by about an inch. After doing some research on here, I believe my drivers side is from a 59 due to the conduit coming out of the back of the headlight bucket and other contributing factors. Would someone else with a early 60s beetle be able to take some measurements for me where I have it taped off? Thanks!

[Busstom]