What are your opinions on how to lower the front of a Bug?

MARTINSR · Post by **MARTINSR** » Wed Jan 17, 2001 7:12 am

Drop spindles sound like the best way to go, but are they worth it? The beam adjuster is a no brainer at only about $15.00, but is the ride compromised a bunch?

Alexander · Post by **Alexander** » Wed Jan 17, 2001 7:59 am

Dropped spindles are better in my eyes because they will keep the smooth ride. Adjustable beam will make the ride a lot stiffer. I am doing both because I do not like the fact that with the spindles you height is set. If I want to lower it a bit more I can always do it. If you go for the spindles make sure that you have better shocks otherwise you will have rubbing when hard conering. Adjustable shocks would be the best.

Y3K · Post by **Y3K** » Wed Jan 17, 2001 9:44 am

Don't know if this applies, but I read this re the Standard Bugs in South Africa:

"As far as lowering the cars goes, there are two ways of doing it.The cheap way is to simply cold-twist the hell out of the spring so that the front drops lower; and the other, more correct way is to buy a special spring pack which comes from the States. This has an adjustable centre portion which raises or lowers the front. The rear is fairly straight forward as it is a matter of repositioning the splines on the torsion bars."

Kobus

PS Cold-twist the hell..... I would not try or recommend it!! Rather drive with my nose up in the air.

JordanK · Post by **JordanK** » Wed Jan 17, 2001 7:50 pm

Yes, $15 for the adjusters....but then you have to put them in! And having just replaced the beam on my '73, i can say i would be very tempted to buy either the spindles (got'em on my '63) or buy a pre-assembled adjustable beam. adjusters would not be a fun job, i don't think. Anyway, my vote is for the spindles...stock ride, 2 1/2" lower. woo hoo!
Jordan

vwtrey · Post by **vwtrey** » Wed Jan 17, 2001 8:04 pm

ive always gone with adjustable beams. persoanlly, as long as bone jarring bumps dont bother you too much, you will be fine. my 74 was as low as my tires would let me go, 14" with low hoosiers, and it rode like a go-cart. and i loved every second of it!
trey

Fweemer · Post by **Fweemer** » Wed Jan 17, 2001 11:46 pm

With all this talk about dropping the height of a VW has anyone had any experience with the nose cone? A wind deflector on the front of the car the keeps the air from passing under the car. I always liked the idea because not only would you benefit the "no under air" result of a lowered car but you still retain good drivability off road since you didn't loose any ground clearance. Its amazing how many out there don't realize how important that extra inch of ground clearance is, even in the city.

But then again lots of times dropping a car can be more for the styling instead of high performance gains.
Fweemer-

tomt · Post by **tomt** » Thu Jan 18, 2001 2:41 am

Just make your mother-in-law ride in the trunk.

(in case there are any blondes out there, that was a joke)

fugnbug · Post by **fugnbug** » Thu Jan 18, 2001 5:01 am

I like my Bugs to be as low as possible, so I always have the stock beam cut, and adjusters welded in the middle. I don't mess with store bought adjustable beams anymore. I bought an adjustable king-pin beam that was unuseable.

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1964 Bug
1966 Bug
1974 Bug
*always under construction*

Travis · Post by **Travis** » Thu Jan 18, 2001 8:09 am

so do any of you guys have any experience w/ the Ghia? I was planning on dropped spindles but I know they will make my tires rub worse because they will push out the wheels even more.

I know the beam is the same, just wonder if the bodywork on the Ghia adds any more problems.

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The Story of a Ghia

JordanK · Post by **JordanK** » Thu Jan 18, 2001 12:34 pm

I dont' think spindles widen your track any...at least i didnt' notice any difference. Mine are from CB performance, and are cast. I think maybe the welded ones are a little wider...

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Jordan
1963 Beetle, 5 spokes, 1776, dropped spindles, all the good stuff...
1973 AutoStick Beetle, stock.

Y3K · Post by **Y3K** » Fri Jan 19, 2001 8:21 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by tomt:
Just make your mother-in-law ride in the trunk.

(in case there are any blondes out there, that was a joke)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm not blonde, just grey and bald. The other day we went to visit my mother-in-law on her 92nd. Used the pick-up, and when we wanted to take her out for lunch; she offered to sit on the back as she felt it might be a bit cramped in front.

For windy days, I have this 30kg bag of sand to put in the trunk of the Beetle. Maybe that trunk was only designed with space enough to take a bag of sand.

Kobus

Fweemer · Post by **Fweemer** » Fri Jan 19, 2001 11:24 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Y3K:
 I'm not blonde, just grey and bald. The other day we went to visit my mother-in-law on her 92nd. Used the pick-up, and when we wanted to take her out for lunch; she offered to sit on the back as she felt it might be a bit cramped in front.

For windy days, I have this 30kg bag of sand to put in the trunk of the Beetle. Maybe that trunk was only designed with space enough to take a bag of sand.

Kobus
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Where do you put the bag of sand? I put a 25 pound weight on the backside of the spare tire in that pocket on the front most part of the trunk made for the spare.
Fweemer-

Y3K · Post by **Y3K** » Sat Jan 20, 2001 9:28 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Fweemer:
 Where do you put the bag of sand?
Fweemer-<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

There she is (the bag of sand, not.....)

Kobus

PS Seems I also need a tire spo......

Super74 · Post by **Super74** » Sat Jan 20, 2001 3:15 pm

I had a '68 Ghia w/adjustable beam. the ride was a little harsh, but not too bad. also had empi 8 spokes on it. no fender scrubbing. just had to adjust the steering limit a tad.
Had a '69 Beetle w/dropped spindles. the ride quality was great.
My favorite method: dropped spindles.

Travis · Post by **Travis** » Sat Jan 20, 2001 5:08 pm

what size tires did you have on the front of the Ghia?

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The Story of a Ghia