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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

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.

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

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

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

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

I know what you mean...

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

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

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

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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