Lowering the Thing front end

[mstatedog]

Just bought a $300 thing. It needs the works. I am interested in lowering the front. I plan to use a complete late model bug beam with adjusters...all the way out to the spindles. I want to keep the 5 lug drums. I understand that they (the front drums) are the same drums as a 67 bug....correct? Looking at part numbers the outer wheel bearings are the same for the thing, and bugs from 1966 and up. The inner wheel bearing, however, is different....or at least has a different part number. The thing pn is 311-405-625D, a 68 1/2 thru 79 bug (including the super beetle) is 311-405-625B and the 66 thru 68 1/2 bug pn is 311-405-625. WHAT is the difference, the inner diameter? Do I use the inner bearing that matches the spindle year (example:74 spindle, 74 inner bearing)?????

I'm trying to stay away from finding 67 bug stuff....

Another question: I don't have the thing at my house yet....is the width of the thing beam the same as a bug beam. If the bug beam is narrower....how much narrower??

thanks,

mstatedog

[Marc]

There's only 2 ball-joint inner bearing sizes, the 625-plain for `66-`mid`68 and the 625-whatever for mid`68-up. The ID was increased approximately 1mm, as was the ID of the grease seal, so both parts need to match the spindle (all of the ball-joint drums use the same OD bearings and seal). In short, if the Bug spindles you use are mid`68-up (19mm wrench-size tierod ends rather than 17mm), all of the Thing brakes/bearings/etc. should be a straight bolt-on. If you use the 4-lug Beetle backing plates you'll gain adjuster holes on the backside.
Width difference should be insignificant - It was ~20 years ago the last time I did this but I don't recall any problem with it. I DO remember discovering that Thing and 14" 5-lug bus drums aren't the same backspace.

[Bob Ingman]

Marc, I sent you a PM a few days ago. Check your user panel. Good luck. Bob Ingman

[Kenny2428]

Why would you want to lower a Thing? I think they look awsome when lifted!

[Bob Ingman]

Kenny look at the chopped and lowered thread. Click on the first link I put up there. Good luck. Bob Ingman

[mstatedog]

Thanks for the info marc!. Kenny, I was sort of split between an off-road thing and a street thing.....I'm keeping all the original stuff so that I can switch back if I want. This thing is a real beater.....and would just sit and rot if someone didn't rescue it.....I think things look cool lowered, raised or just plain stock.

mstatedog

[Kenny2428]

I know what you mean...

[mstatedog]

Much thanks Nthang......I guess I could further lower it by installing a set of avis adjusters?......which brings up another question.....Is the set screw that holds the leaf springs (in the center of the beam) just positioned differently than that of a bug?....giving the thing a higher front end?

mstatedog

[Bob Ingman]

The beam and adjusters are the same as the bug. Its the spindles that give the increased height. Good luck. Bob Ingman

[mstatedog]

Thanks for offering up the kg spindles.....I've got one question....maybe you or someone could answer.....How can I retain the 5 lug wheels with the kg spindles? I assume they are 4 lug with disc brakes? I would rather not run adapters...

nthang, are the spindles complete with calipers?...or bare bones?

mstatedog

[Bob Ingman]

mstatedog thats the big drawback to going the KG disc route. You must either run 4 hole wheels or adapters. Good adapters are probably the better solution. These are good ones. Good luck. Bob Ingman
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