center beam

waynek · Post by **waynek** » Sun Jan 26, 2003 12:01 pm

Hi all,
I was checking out my ball joint replacement options and discovered that
the center beam needs a bit of work.
Now, I have a new Type 1 center beam all
ready to go.If I decide to temporary put
this on my Thing, other than the front end being a couple of inches lower and I do not
have extra supports,what other problems will
I run into.
Thanks to all...

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Sun Jan 26, 2003 5:26 pm

You can install your 181 stuff on the 111 beam. Look for the thread"181 facts and figures and parts interchange" here for all the details of what will interchange.
If you decide to swap drum to drum inly the drums will de different unless you have a 66-67 beam then it is still wide 5&BJ. Good luck. Bob Ingman

[This message has been edited by Bob Ingman (edited 01-26-2003).]

waynek · Post by **waynek** » Mon Jan 27, 2003 2:54 am

Thanks Bob,
May swap control arms, with the new
ball joints and get the support brackets
welded to the beam,then the whole works
will be new.
Wayne

Houndoggy · Post by **Houndoggy** » Mon Jan 27, 2003 7:22 am

Hey Wayne,
While your at it, replace the outter tie rod ends, that way, you'll have a brand new front end. That's what i did cuz i'm lowering my 74 Thing. I put new outter tie rod ends, bug spindles and arms, new sway bar mounting tabs and even POR-15'd the drums. That way they'll never rust out on me. I even went ahead and gave it a brake job and bought a sping kit and replaced all the springs (mine were rusted out) too.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Mon Jan 27, 2003 7:57 am

Houndoggy a lot of Thing guys use the K Ghia front beam when lowering because you get disc brakes in the process. Are you wide 5 in front still? Do you want to be? Beats carrying two spares. Good luck and keep posting. Bob Ingman

waynek · Post by **waynek** » Mon Jan 27, 2003 3:52 pm

Thanks Houndoggy,
The Type 1 beam has new ball joints and
tie rods,I had it completely rebuilt a couple of years ago.It's for my '67 Type 1
so I have all new front end parts, the
question is do I change my Thing control
arms over and add the extra supports.Seems
like the way to go, then I'll have a totally new front end..

Houndoggy · Post by **Houndoggy** » Tue Jan 28, 2003 9:00 am

Wayne, unless your doing some harsh off-roading, i'd probably go with the stock control arms. VW made them pretty tough as it was cuz the car was meant to driven off-road. If you do go off-roading often, then yes i'd beef them up some. Either way, u cant go wrong. I replaced just about the whole front end on mine simply for safty reasons, i wanna have complete control when i drive my twin girls in it. Bob, yes i kept the stock front drums, 5 wide bolt pattern, getting new polished 5-spokes for it, that way i can still use the stock emergency wheel, hopefully i wont ever need to use it, i only use my car for shows and occasional sunday drive. "keep a good Thing going"!

waynek · Post by **waynek** » Tue Jan 28, 2003 1:51 pm

Houndoggy,
I'm a beleiver in safety as well.The new
beam I have is for my 67 beetle.That means
I should be able to put all stock beetle
on my thing.The only question I have will
205x14 tires work ok with the lower front end.
Once I have things changed over, I plan
to take my Thing beam apart and fix it and change the ball joints.By the fall I'll
put the original beam back on.