'67 front beam compatability

TotallyVW · Post by **TotallyVW** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 8:51 pm

I have a '67 standard Bus all original. I have the opprotunity to acquire a front beam (drum to drum) pretty cheap from a '56 Bus. Would this be a good option for parts? I want to flip the spindles at some point, are these compatible? Steering Box? Thanks.

gblakeney · Post by **gblakeney** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:51 am

Should bolt right in. Different spindles though, but if it is drum to drum that should be no problem. '64 and up (I believe) have a smaller outer wheel bearing and threaded nipple. The early drums have a larger dust cap that fits inside the drum, whereas the later has smaller cap that goes over the drum nipple.

I also believe the outer end of the stabilizer mounts to the frame on an early bus whereas it mounts to the beam of a later.

You would just have to add the horseshoe shaped bracket onto your frame or weld the bracket to the early beam. Or vice versa

I will have some later model brakes complete (drums, shoes, springs, cylinders, backing plates, bearings etc.) to get rid of pretty soon if you need anything. Like in the next week or two.

TotallyVW · Post by **TotallyVW** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 9:48 pm

Sounds like the the differences might be out-weighing the "good deal". Thanks for your response.

Happy Holidays!

gblakeney · Post by **gblakeney** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 9:57 pm

Well, if it is hub to hub then the only real issue is the stabilizer. That is if you are swapping it. It may be worth it just for the cores on the spindles.

I have never run one of those on my bus.

In fact, I pass the speedo cable through the bracket.

vw-in-neptune · Post by **vw-in-neptune** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 3:54 pm

most bus guys take the the later beams and put them on earlier buses because of the size of the front drum. if you are going to run anytype of aftermarket wheel your best bet is to stay with the 67. the 56 would be a bushing beam and the 67 would be needle bearings.

if you were to narrow the beams id narrow the 56 and tap the bushing back into the beam and put on the dropped 3.5 spindles from the 67 beam and the trailing arms too.