Droppin a bay

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VWmadman
Posts: 115
Joined: Wed Dec 13, 2000 12:01 am

Droppin a bay

Post by VWmadman »

Anyone have a clue how many "notches" I need to drop to slam the rear of my 77 bay. Also are the weld in adjusters for the front any good. The cheapest I can find is just over $200...seems like alot for a few small chunks of metal. I want it really low so if any has pics tips of warnings let me know. Thanks
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vwoval.com
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Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2001 1:01 am

Droppin a bay

Post by vwoval.com »

Ditto,
I have a 68 Bay witht the wide 5 lug. What do I need to do to drop it front and back. Is it like my bug? Details and photos please. Thanks in advance




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chris
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Pillow
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Droppin a bay

Post by Pillow »

You guys are on the right track.

Front: Adjusters and/or drop spindles.

Rear: Notch down some splines on the torsion bar.

Of course you will need to make sure the bump stops are modified or elliminated and that you run the short stroke shocks (Toxic shocks brand I think).



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Adrian Pillow
'66 VW Westfalia - "Biscuit"
'67 VW Deluxe Westfakia - "Dino"
'79 Porsche 911 SC - "Cochese"
type2guy
Posts: 185
Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2001 1:01 am

Droppin a bay

Post by type2guy »

AHHHH....but your forgetting an easy way to drop the front!!

Install a front beam from a split window bus. It'll drop the front about 2"...which isn't slammed...but does look nice.

I stole the front beam from a '69 bay for a project. I had an old '59 splittie linkpin beam so bolted it up. Worked just fine. If you use a 50's or early 60's one, you have to weld a bracket onto the beam for one end of the steering dampner. Other than that it seemed to work just fine.

Havn't heard of anyone else doing it, but it seems a cheap option if you can score a split bus front beam....usually for free or $25 or so drum to drum.
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vwoval.com
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Droppin a bay

Post by vwoval.com »

I would really be interested in some photos posted of the lowered Bay Window Buses. I know many here probably don't lower but my 68 bay was saved as it was being literally dragged to the crusher!. I flagged the guy down.. asked him what the crusher guy was going to give him for it and made the transaction for $75!

It was missing a few windows and displayed few good dents but contained a full Type 1 Engine that I actually got running for a few months before it blowed oil out of the tailpipes (not even looked yet). Its currently being used as a oval parts storage shed.. and would like to get it back on the road before it rots away.

So I have nothing to lose. I would like to find a way to lower it cheaply so I could build interest slowly again and find somewhere else to store the parts =)

I'll look around for an early beam as stated above. Any more suggestions anyone has would be helpful.

Thanks!

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chris
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69three@gobot.com
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Droppin a bay

Post by 69three@gobot.com »

cheap??? Pull a few torsion bars (little ones) out of the front, and a couple spline drop in the back
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vwoval.com
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Droppin a bay

Post by vwoval.com »

Yes, I have heard of this for beetles..but is it safe or strong enough for a bay bus? A bug is pretty light.. but the bus is fairly dead weight.. especially on that nose where your sitting.

Anybody done this?

Thanks

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chris
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69three@gobot.com
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Droppin a bay

Post by 69three@gobot.com »

Not that it's perfect or anything, but you did say cheap. If you have a welder, you can cut and turn the front beam, but that is permanent. If you take out the torsions, you can always put them back in. (or put more back in, if you lowered it too much for your liking) (it's not easy to get them back in) turning the splines in the back is the only way to lower the back

I don't think weight is as much of an issue as you think. Remember, the bug has a gas tank up front. I 'm not sure how much more a bus weighs, but most of it is behind the front axle beam.

my friend Shawn lowered his 68 this way, He drives on the freeway everyday, and those big trucks were blowing him into the next lane. Not anymore. He likes it, but he also did just get new 15x5.5's and 185/60/15's
Pillow
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Droppin a bay

Post by Pillow »

>Pull a few torsion bars (little ones) out of the front<

Every bus I have seen with this modification rides like crap. Most owners eventually drop it in another fashion after they find this one sucks.

My $.02,



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Adrian Pillow
'66 VW Westfalia - "Biscuit"
'67 VW Deluxe Westfakia - "Dino"
'79 Porsche 911 SC - "Cochese"
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vwoval.com
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Droppin a bay

Post by vwoval.com »

Thanks.
Yes. I have some extra original cookie cutters with low profile tires or also some wide 5 chromies with 195/50's front and 205/60's in the rear. They are currently on a 66 bug of mine.. but could easily swap!

=) hummmm...



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chris
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type2guy
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Droppin a bay

Post by type2guy »

What about the cut and turn or adjusters? How is the ride in ones that have had that done?

Is it more that stuff hits and rubs, or does changing changing the geometry of things cause a stiffer or harsher ride? If someone knows, I'd love as much detail as possible.

Also, if anyone has made or had made dropped spindles for a bay window I'd love to hear info on that as well.
69three@gobot.com
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Droppin a bay

Post by 69three@gobot.com »

yes, lowering it in this fashion may suck, but what about the cost of lowering it the right way?

All I'm saying is it can be done
james
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Joined: Fri Apr 26, 2002 1:01 am

Droppin a bay

Post by james »

dumb question, but why are bug adjusters $20 and bus adjusters are $150 or more?? Also, the cut and twist method, anyone know how much twist equal an inch of drop?
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vwoval.com
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Droppin a bay

Post by vwoval.com »

Any pictures of a dropped bay? Anyone?
It doesn't have to be slammed.. just lowered. Post method of lowering also with it, if able

Thanks

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chris
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type2guy
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Droppin a bay

Post by type2guy »

Here's the bay I swapped the front end out on. It's got a '59 bus front beam. Makes it about 2 inches lower in the front. The rear sits a tad high cause there's no engine in it right now. I havnt made any adjustments in the back to lower it, only swapped the front beam.

Image
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