Vw beam hold extra weight?

[69satellite]

I'm building up a 54 ford anglia 100eand have been thinking about different front suspensions to put under it. I measured the beam on the ghia and it will fit under the Anglia. But will the vw beam handle the extra 400 lbs that will be on the front?

[Ol'fogasaurus]

What engine? I think there might a MII/Pinto kit that will fit that.

There are 20% stronger spring packs if you really want to head in this direction. Fitting it so the wheels sit and the arc states within the fender arc for turning.

[69satellite]

Be swapping in a ford 2.3 and t5. I could go mustang 11 but was trying to find a cheaper alternative. I am trying hard not to clip the front if I can avoid it.

[buildabiggerboxer]

I like the sound of this but with changes lol,,,,,,It will take the loads and can be made tougher with a few gussets anyway, but I would guess the VW beam would be right were the motor would want to sit, then the steering gear stops you re siting the motor, but you could rear engine it with wasser Boxer power and a trans axle, a 100E would look way cool wheel standing, and you must have VW experience to be on here anyway, so why not,,,,,,,

[Dale M.]

The mustang suspension will give you all around better handling and ride.... Trailing arm is good, but "A" arm is better and its stronger and more selection for spring rates...

Dale

[Ol'fogasaurus]

Its been a while since I have see one (there were a couple for sale around here within the last year of so) of the later Anglias' or Hillmans in person. As I remember, the frame is not a box or tube so your going to want to box it past the transmission anyway.

The trailing arms swing to the rear so the arc is going forward. As had been said, the front beam is most likely going to be in the way of the engine unless you set the engine back (Chev for power/parts or Ford for narrowness [length is longer unless you change over to the shorter water pump] V8. I think even an inline 4 or V6 will need to be set back, not just as far.... maybe; not sure about a V4.

Edited to add missing word and spelling corrections.

Lee

[69satellite]

There is a guy who put one on a beetle pan.http://www.sucksqueezebangblow.co/2014/ ... e.html?m=1


I'm just trying come up with an option that works good but won't cost me 2k. I'll have to think on it more. The uk guys use escort mk1 parts and the few u.s. guys I've seen on the net usually end up doing some kind of clip on the front.I really don't want to have to clip it when the frame rails are in good shape and so are the inner fenders. It is a uni body car, but was planning on subframe connector any ways.

[Ol'fogasaurus]

Well, the VW beam is fairly simple and parts for the VW engine are available alright. He did lose most of his trunk space and I am assuming the fuel tank is up north.

If you are planning on a frame or connectors I think I would do it right and allow for more engine options though. There are some pretty google small water pampers or some real power like an electric motor is something to consider .

[Bruce2]

In the late 80s my buddy had a Beetle that was on a custom chassis powered by a front mounted 327 Chevy. The chassis was made from 3'x4" box and had a stock K&L front beam. The engine was set quite far back, the center of the single carb was directly under the front window.
The stock K&L beam was not cut for either ride height or width, it was completely stock. The extra weight lowered the car to the perfect ride height that set the tires right where he wanted in the front fenders.
Will it handle an extra 400lbs? Sure.

[Ol'fogasaurus]

I knew a couple of guys with V VWs and yes, they used VW beams. Never rode in one though. They did sit a lot though.

[petew]

I think the beam will be right where you DON'T want it. I'd give it a miss.

A better alternative would be something from an 80s jap fwd or a minitruck. I know width is an issue, but you could narrow the front subframe. Mazda and Datsun both made small pickups that might work well. Also check early corollas and honda civics. You might need to convert to macpherson strut.

P.s. just personally I'd not be putting a small block chev on top of a beam designed to support just 700lbs.

[Mike T]

Many years ago I saw a Fenderless street rod that used a Type III front end. I remember it had disc brakes and the skinny VW tires on the front. Big fat tires in the rear. V8 of some sort. It evidently worked ok because I saw it driving around over the course of a few years.

Mike T