Front Suspension Improvements

[FTACO2007]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this forum and VWs. Just bought a 1969 Beetle with an extended front end as shown in the attached pictures. The steering and suspension feels loose at higher speeds.

What improvements could be made to the front end suspension, etc. that would bolster or add more support while driving at higher speeds?


Cheers!

[RLFD213]

Have you checked the suspension: ball joints and tie rods? If you disconnect the steering coupler you can feel what the steering box feels like. What air pressure are the tires set at? And does the beam have all the leaves in it? You said it feels light at higher speeds but can you give a better detail of what’s going on.

[Dougy Dee]

Id install Caster Shims and get a proper alignment done.

[my3bugs]

i notice piston rods to hold the head n fog lights

[NJ John]

Most of those beam extenders had caster built in. Plus a drop. Check the caster, just in case. More caster never hurts.
Add a front sway bar. Check for worn parts. Stand on the beam and make sure you have bounce in the suspension.
I align my VW’s with a tape measure and angle finder.
_________________
1973 standard, yellow, lowered, 3” narrowed front, 1600 blo-thru turbo w/single dell 15.4@86, so far
11.41 et buggy. Long gone
Let’s go O’s! Let’s go O’s!
https://www.youtube.com/@AirSpooledGarage

[BIGMIKEY]

Your height adjusters are missing some parts. At least the aluminum block, adjusters screw and lock nuts. You might try putting those back first.

The adjusters are supposed to have these parts. Note the blocks that the adjuster screws push against.

Mike T
_________________
BIGMIKEY

Deserter Series 1 project.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=787047&highlight=

1973 Beetle Driver, Marina Blue.

[viiking]

Wow!

I've been around VW's for over 50 years and have never seen an extended front end. Maybe it's because I live in Australia. We'd certainly have trouble getting something modified like that registered for the road here.

What is its purpose? I guess it has something to do with off-road/baja bugs??

Certainly when I was young they used to cut down a chassis to fit shorter wheel base kit cars, but was the extender there to extend the wheel base somewhat?
_________________
1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[RWK]

Possibly lower gas tank and move forward to bring C.O.G. down
_________________
73 Type 181
63 Type 113
63 Type 261- 428 071
62 Type 241-378 025 178 530

[my3bugs]

what is all that twine wire or what ever it is wrapped around the tie rods ? looks like it took someone a lot of time to do that ??? for what ?

[viiking]

Wow!

I've been around VW's for over 50 years and have never seen an extended front end. Maybe it's because I live in Australia. We'd certainly have trouble getting something modified like that registered for the road here.

What is its purpose? I guess it has something to do with off-road/baja bugs??

Certainly when I was young they used to cut down a chassis to fit shorter wheel base kit cars, but was the extender there to extend the wheel base somewhat?
_________________
1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[my3bugs]

ya , like Viking i had never heard of or seen anything like this front end extender so i googled it and found some info .

here is one guys . there were 3 or 4 others .

https://krankengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/20...ion_R2.pdf

[viiking]

Well that just reinforces that you never stop learning and you don’t know everything
_________________
1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[my3bugs]

look at this guys work . it looks like a LOT of work to me !!!!!!!!! far beyond anything most of us folks here can do . i was a house painter i dont have any metal skills .

to design cut n weld these it an incredible impressive job , they must have a wanted longer wheel base BAD BAD BAD !!!!

here is another

pacific customs has this available

https://www.pacificcustoms.com/ac701990-400.html

[my3bugs]

i think some of us are baffled by the extender and whats thats stuff wrapped around your tie rods ?

ok back to your original post , just trying to help . the front end you have is not stock , someone has added adjusters to raise or lower the suspension by the adjuster nuts right in the center of the 2 beams . you loosen the lock nut and then turn the adjusters in or out , it turns the springs inside up or down depending raising or lowering it . so you can raise or lower your front end , street guys lower off road guys raise it ......another member said your adjusters are missing a block or something ??? ...... im no help just pointing out what i can see .

[NJ John]

Search “volksrods” in the gallery. That’s part of the look of a volksrod, extended front axle in 8”, 10” and 12” options and fenderless . There used to be a couple of shops making the extenders. A fenderless beetle with stock wheelbase just doesn’t have the look.
_________________
1973 standard, yellow, lowered, 3” narrowed front, 1600 blo-thru turbo w/single dell 15.4@86, so far
11.41 et buggy. Long gone
Let’s go O’s! Let’s go O’s!
https://www.youtube.com/@AirSpooledGarage