| Author |
Message |
s.e.charles
Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015
Posts: 240
|
 Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2024 1:44 am Post subject: narrowed beam front suspension |
 |
|
why would i want one?
does it narrow the vehicle's track?
thx |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
slayer61
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2021
Posts: 1018
Location: CA
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2024 6:45 am Post subject: Re: narrowed beam front suspension |
|
|
Your front tires rub the fenders?
Only the front. 
_________________
| Cusser wrote: |
... Most folks are idiots when it deals with electrical !!! |
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
3/4 race cam? What's missing, one of the lobes?  |
Paul
'68 Manx clone... Sears??
2276 built on AS21 case
W-125 w/ GB 1.25:1 rockers
Mahle forged pistons
CB 4340 crank
CB H beam rods
deep sump
44 HPMX
EMPI GTV 2 STG II wedge ports
CB Magna spark
1 5/8 merged collector w/ hater stinger |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
oprn
Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2016
Posts: 12758
Location: Western Canada
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2024 6:59 am Post subject: Re: narrowed beam front suspension |
|
|
It does two things:
1) it's the ticket that puts you squarely in the "COOL" crowd.
2) allows you to run large wheel offsets and a super low ground clearance without fender rubbing.
The downside in my view above and beyond the expense of all the changes involved is that it takes a car that had questionable highway speed handling into the "not sure if it is safe anymore at speed" territory. The already poor directional stability on uneven (pounded out by transport trucks) highways, crosswind conditions and bump steer situations will be exaggerated.
I think you will find that the majority of VWs with this mod are 1/4 milers, show cars and curb queens. To each their own.
_________________
We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Busstom
Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2014
Posts: 3855
Location: San Jose, CA
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2024 1:18 pm Post subject: Re: narrowed beam front suspension |
|
|
| s.e.charles wrote: |
| why would i want one? |
As already pointed out, if lowering enough causes your tires to rub/hit your fenders, you might want to narrow the beam.
You might also want to narrow if your choice in wheels have a negative or high negative offset, then you need to pull the hub faces in to compensate. There are limits to this spacing.
| s.e.charles wrote: |
| ...does it narrow the vehicle's track? |
Yes, it narrows the front axle's track.
As also alluded to, it negatively affects your cornering/handling/stability in most cases, and also, if you narrow enough, it will increase your turning radius (which is usually not good) because the tires/rims will now be closer to the beam and inner fender wells, where potential interference will occur much sooner during turning.
And lastly, and possibly of greatest importance: it may introduce your front-end to that awkward and unsightly appearance of "Winnebago" wheel wells, where your front fenders overhang the front tires by a grossly exaggerated amount. Insiders who think this looks cool and don't care about performance think this is awesome...outsiders (especially non-car enthusiasts) who just happen to look at the car are probably just generally confused as to why something looks so peculiar and "off" and wonder what's "wrong with that picture." 
And lastly further, if narrowed too much, some guys run without shock absorbers, which in my humble opinion, is just whack.
_________________
My name's Steve and it's pronounced "Bust 'em" (cuz people think I'm Tom) 😏 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
s.e.charles
Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015
Posts: 240
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2024 1:48 pm Post subject: Re: narrowed beam front suspension |
|
|
thanks for the explanation(s) & opinions; much appreciated.
sid |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Busstom
Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2014
Posts: 3855
Location: San Jose, CA
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2024 8:38 am Post subject: Re: narrowed beam front suspension |
|
|
The "Winnebago look"
_________________
My name's Steve and it's pronounced "Bust 'em" (cuz people think I'm Tom) 😏 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
EVfun
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012
Posts: 5491
Location: Seattle
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:38 am Post subject: Re: narrowed beam front suspension |
|
|
| s.e.charles wrote: |
why would i want one?
does it narrow the vehicle's track?
thx |
I think the main reason goes something like this...
The owner installs some 2 inch drop spindles, the track is widened about 3/8" per side.
The owner installs a front disc brake kit, the track is widened about 1/2" per side.
The owner installs one of the common aftermarket wheels, the track is widened about 1/2" per side.
Now the vehicle track is around 1-3/8 inch wider per side so naturally the front tires hit the fenders. The narrowed beam will pull the tires inward. Usually only a 2 inch narrower beam is required, but depending on wheel choice sometimes as much as a 4 inch narrowed beam is needed to clear the fenders. Some aftermarket wheels have a lot less offset than the 33mm of stock wheels. If the owner wants to run wider tires that adds to the outside front track width too.
_________________
| Wildthings wrote: |
| As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Busstom
Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2014
Posts: 3855
Location: San Jose, CA
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2024 2:21 pm Post subject: Re: narrowed beam front suspension |
|
|
The ultimate Winnebago action!
Looks like someone put an Isetta front end on it.
_________________
My name's Steve and it's pronounced "Bust 'em" (cuz people think I'm Tom) 😏 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
