412 le lowering help

Discuss with fans and owners of the most luxurious aircooled sedan/wagon that VW ever made, the VW 411/412. Official forum of Tom's Type 4 Corner.
User avatar
ubercrap
Posts: 1394
Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2004 8:00 pm

Post by ubercrap »

I don't know if 17x7.5's will fit in the front, but maybe if you stretched some 195/40's on there? I've seen pictures of 17x7's, but I haven't tried it myself yet...
plumcrazee
Posts: 128
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2006 10:18 am

Post by plumcrazee »

lol i will get them on somehow lol even if i have to flare the arch :wink:
they will go on :D
User avatar
raygreenwood
Posts: 11912
Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2003 12:01 am

Post by raygreenwood »

Raising the front strut mounts will be a problem. As it is....there is but maybe 3/4" above them. If you ever have a strut bearing totally crap out on you...the rod will leave dents in the hood. Ray
User avatar
Wally
Posts: 4569
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2002 12:01 am

Post by Wally »

Plum,

Be advised that the way that Ray described: shorter shocks and lowered bottom spring perches is THE best way to lower the 411/412 and superbeetles!

So try your wheels and tire combo first on your own car and see if you have the room. The type 4 is quite roomy for bigger wheels,so you may be in luck :wink:

Regards,
Walter
T4T: 2,4ltr Type 4 Turbo engine, 10.58 1/4 mi in a streetlegal 1303

"Mine isn't turbo'd to make a slow engine fast, but to make a fast engine insane" - Chip Birks
User avatar
raygreenwood
Posts: 11912
Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2003 12:01 am

Post by raygreenwood »

If you find wider wheels that give good clearance and no rubbing..let us know what the offset is please! Ray
plumcrazee
Posts: 128
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2006 10:18 am

Post by plumcrazee »

will do i have the wheels already i just need to see what clerance there is. if i have to i will leave the lowering for a bit but i do what the porka wheels on :wink:


cheers peeps :lol:
User avatar
Wally
Posts: 4569
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2002 12:01 am

Post by Wally »

FYI, I have just tried my 7x16 ET55 porsche rim with 195/45 tire on the front and that needed a spacer to fit.
A 20-25mm spacer will do nicely. There is enough room for a 205 tire.
With the above combo, top of the tire is still under the lower spring perch.

I also tried a 7x17 ET55 with a 205/50 tire. That combo is much 'higher' and with the 22 mm spacer still have a nice 1 cm (10mm) clearance with the spring perch, but the tire side wall is about as high as the side of the spring perch.
A 4x130 to 5x130 adapter of that thickness should work very well and is what I will do for the front.

With both rims tires and the 22mm spacer I had, there was still 'plenty' clearence with the fender edge :D
So, a 7,5x17 rim and a 205 tires with 50 or better 45 height ratio should be very possible.

Greetings,
Walter
T4T: 2,4ltr Type 4 Turbo engine, 10.58 1/4 mi in a streetlegal 1303

"Mine isn't turbo'd to make a slow engine fast, but to make a fast engine insane" - Chip Birks
plumcrazee
Posts: 128
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2006 10:18 am

Post by plumcrazee »

Wally wrote:FYI, I have just tried my 7x16 ET55 porsche rim with 195/45 tire on the front and that needed a spacer to fit.
A 20-25mm spacer will do nicely. There is enough room for a 205 tire.
With the above combo, top of the tire is still under the lower spring perch.

I also tried a 7x17 ET55 with a 205/50 tire. That combo is much 'higher' and with the 22 mm spacer still have a nice 1 cm (10mm) clearance with the spring perch, but the tire side wall is about as high as the side of the spring perch.
A 4x130 to 5x130 adapter of that thickness should work very well and is what I will do for the front.

With both rims tires and the 22mm spacer I had, there was still 'plenty' clearence with the fender edge :D
So, a 7,5x17 rim and a 205 tires with 50 or better 45 height ratio should be very possible.

Greetings,
Walter




cheers dude as i will be running addapters as well and 205/40/17 up front it should be a nice clearance and maby a bit for lowering as well :wink:
rupert
Posts: 14
Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2003 3:04 am

Post by rupert »

do,snt using spacers effect the steering geometery and handling at all ?
User avatar
ubercrap
Posts: 1394
Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2004 8:00 pm

Post by ubercrap »

Many of the later model Porsche wheels have quite large positive offsets, this allows you to use bolt pattern adapters between the hub and wheel, as well as bring the wheels out to something similar to the factory offset with the thickness of the adapter. If the adapters are properly made and installed, it should be virtually the same as if the wheels had a factory offset from the beginning. Quite convenient really!
rupert
Posts: 14
Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2003 3:04 am

Post by rupert »

I,ve got a pair of 25mm spacers kicking about I,ll try them.
RubbaDubba
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 6:55 am

Hiya all.

Post by RubbaDubba »

Hi, just new to the 412 scene. (Hi Rupert - Scotty d Vzi)

Thought I'd add some info.
The 412 I have just bought, has been lowered, cut springs the guy thought. It also has on it 17x7 Golf wheels with 205/40's on. No spacers I dont think but then I havent even had the wheels off yet!

Cheers

Scott
plumcrazee
Posts: 128
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2006 10:18 am

Post by plumcrazee »

hi guys again well i bought scots 412 off him last week with golf 17s on with 205 40s all round and looks like this

Image

Image

but have got porka cayenne wheels to go on tomorrow with 205 50 on the front and 225 45s on the rear all looked good with clerance yeasterday when i fitted the wheels up with no tyres

will post some more pics then :wink:
User avatar
vwfye
Posts: 1010
Joined: Sun May 21, 2000 12:01 am

Post by vwfye »

how is it lowered? how is the ride? are the parts lasting?
Notchback mid-engine speedster
Little Giant Killer 3
User avatar
Wally
Posts: 4569
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2002 12:01 am

Post by Wally »

Looks very nice already!
T4T: 2,4ltr Type 4 Turbo engine, 10.58 1/4 mi in a streetlegal 1303

"Mine isn't turbo'd to make a slow engine fast, but to make a fast engine insane" - Chip Birks
Post Reply