hey,
just wondering how hard it would be to lower my bug?
cheers
28ugu Learner Dubber
6 posts · joined Jan 2006 ·
lowering a 74 'L' bug
barls Administrator Causer of Chaos and Mayhem
9,473 posts · joined Jun 2004 ·
the best way is with adjustable struts. the best ones are from v force
“We all pay for life with death, so everything in between should be free.” Bill Hicks
the chaos project - click me
the chaos project - click me
helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body
7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·
I'm about to go through lowering front struts on our S beetle. The strut inserts are leaking. I am going to get the struts, taken out and dissassembled. Then I am going to remove the spring cups on the strut outers by 2" and reweld them lower down, along with the brake line bracket. Then get the struts reassembled with shorter strut inserts (Golf ones I think?). Uses stock springs and will cost me less than $200 in parts. The rear has sagged so that end is ok.
You can buy lowered struts from some VW places with the lower inserts. I can't remember which website I saw it on, but they were about $400 a pair. You can't run wide tyres when you lower using this method
The adjustable ones are the best and priced according to the great quality and adjustability. You can run wide tyres with these. Someone may have the price, I think I was told about $900 a pair.
You can buy lowered struts from some VW places with the lower inserts. I can't remember which website I saw it on, but they were about $400 a pair. You can't run wide tyres when you lower using this method
The adjustable ones are the best and priced according to the great quality and adjustability. You can run wide tyres with these. Someone may have the price, I think I was told about $900 a pair.
1303Steve Scirocco Rare
8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Hi
Adjustable struts are the best way to go.
Hellbus, if your only moving the cups you dont need to use short strut inserts. You only use short inserts when you actually shorten the outer casing. You will need to get some Golf 1 bump stops and shorten then and then refit your stock dust sleeve.
Steve
Adjustable struts are the best way to go.
Hellbus, if your only moving the cups you dont need to use short strut inserts. You only use short inserts when you actually shorten the outer casing. You will need to get some Golf 1 bump stops and shorten then and then refit your stock dust sleeve.
Steve
cab1303 Seriously Crusin Dubber
104 posts · joined Apr 2005 ·
I am in the process of purchasing some adjustable struts myself, and i am aware i have to get inserts, but where and who could i get them from?
helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body
7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·
I did the job by lowering the cups, with stock inserts and it rides nice now, and looks so much better.
cab1303 Seriously Crusin Dubber
104 posts · joined Apr 2005 ·
Hellbus i saw your DIY job, but i'm not so keen on chopping my original strut, you did a great job by the way.
helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body
7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·
Thank you for noticing the good work.
It wasn't exactly DIY as in DIY standard. It was done to a "professional" standard.
It is definitley a less expensive option. In fact it cost me nothing as I was able to do it myself.
If I ever wanted to go up again I don't think it would be hard to find some original struts again. Or cut the cups and raise them again.
It wasn't exactly DIY as in DIY standard. It was done to a "professional" standard.
It is definitley a less expensive option. In fact it cost me nothing as I was able to do it myself.
If I ever wanted to go up again I don't think it would be hard to find some original struts again. Or cut the cups and raise them again.
Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l
12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
3 bolt struts are a LOT more common than 2 bolt
I have kept my original 2 bolters as spare.
What do yo have on yours cab 1303??
I have kept my original 2 bolters as spare.
What do yo have on yours cab 1303??
Futue te ipsum!!!
cab1303 Seriously Crusin Dubber
104 posts · joined Apr 2005 ·
I have 2 bolt struts on my cab.
I was really thinking about cutting the cup of the struts and relocating them, but i asked a local vw mechanic around here if he'd do it, but he wouldn't, and i certainly can't do it myself, never used an angle grinder!
Has anyone used the EMPI adjustable struts found on the samba?
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=262674
I was really thinking about cutting the cup of the struts and relocating them, but i asked a local vw mechanic around here if he'd do it, but he wouldn't, and i certainly can't do it myself, never used an angle grinder!
Has anyone used the EMPI adjustable struts found on the samba?
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=262674
Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l
12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Have a look at
http://www.toplineparts.com/
and www.superbeetlesonly.com
Also give Richard a call at V Force or u2u Alex holzl
I am sure they will sell a set of lowered cup struts. That is all those ones are.
Do you want to run 6" + rims on the front?
If so - the only way is narrowed springs
Pick what wheels first
http://www.toplineparts.com/
and www.superbeetlesonly.com
Also give Richard a call at V Force or u2u Alex holzl
I am sure they will sell a set of lowered cup struts. That is all those ones are.
Do you want to run 6" + rims on the front?
If so - the only way is narrowed springs
Pick what wheels first
Futue te ipsum!!!
Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l
12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
What about just a set of lowered springs???
have you read here yet??
http://www.clubvw.org.au/struts.htm
have you read here yet??
http://www.clubvw.org.au/struts.htm
Futue te ipsum!!!
helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body
7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·
Yep definitley cannot run any wider than stock rims with 165 wide tyres if you go the cup lowering method and keep stock springs. Our tyres are 10mm fom the spring now. OK for us as we only want stock tyres. Wider tyres will need adjustable struts or as mentioned narrower springs.
Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang
9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·
i used the naughty naughty method on my first 71 superbug
i cut 2 1/2 coils of the springs and dropped it about 4 inchs
looked hot and handled better than it did b4 but i was young and dumb and didnt know about adjustable struts and lowering spring cups etc
but like the others have said if your keeping standard rims on lowering the bottom spring cup gives good and cheap results
Joel
i cut 2 1/2 coils of the springs and dropped it about 4 inchs
looked hot and handled better than it did b4 but i was young and dumb and didnt know about adjustable struts and lowering spring cups etc
but like the others have said if your keeping standard rims on lowering the bottom spring cup gives good and cheap results
Joel
cab1303 Seriously Crusin Dubber
104 posts · joined Apr 2005 ·
here is a photo of my car
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=50346&page=1#pid469105
I am currently running lowered springs, and konis with 15x5.5inch wide rims, but hoping to sell them, in place for nice detailed stock rims, or chromed sprintstars so i can go low, with 135s tyres up front.
adding the adjustable struts, with a spring and strut insert combintaion that will best fit.
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=50346&page=1#pid469105
I am currently running lowered springs, and konis with 15x5.5inch wide rims, but hoping to sell them, in place for nice detailed stock rims, or chromed sprintstars so i can go low, with 135s tyres up front.
adding the adjustable struts, with a spring and strut insert combintaion that will best fit.
Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l
12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
You cant go as low with 2 bolt as you can with 3 bolt.
About 2 inches is all you will get from a 2 bolt as compared to 5 inches from 3 bolt
Yes you can change from 2 bolt to 3 bolt with work
About 2 inches is all you will get from a 2 bolt as compared to 5 inches from 3 bolt
Yes you can change from 2 bolt to 3 bolt with work
Futue te ipsum!!!
BiX Veteran Volks Folk
2,499 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·
I run the same as cab, lowerd springs and koni sport shocks, with empi 8 with 195/65r15 road tires, and 5.5 inch steelies with 195/55/r15 semi slicks for the track. The semi's are very wide compared to the 195 road tires. But i run a 15mm foam bead between guard and body to give me more space.
I have no sympathy for my car, only the wallet that pays for it!
Go hard or go home!!!!
Go hard or go home!!!!
cab1303 Seriously Crusin Dubber
104 posts · joined Apr 2005 ·
Im not really up for cutting, welding or butchering my cab in any places, but hoping to get pretty low.
Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang
9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·
well unless u get some adjustable struts ur options are very limited
Joel
Joel
Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l
12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Even with adjustables you aint gunna get it in the weedscab1303 wrote:Im not really up for cutting, welding or butchering my cab in any places, but hoping to get pretty low.
these are some of my rides that have had adjustables.
The martini olive one has 15's the others 16's
I run 2 bolts
You want weeds you will need to change to 3 bolt
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Futue te ipsum!!!
Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l
12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
You dont have to do irreversable changes
Just change to 3 bolt suspension
I will try and find a slammed 3 bolt i almost bought
Just change to 3 bolt suspension
I will try and find a slammed 3 bolt i almost bought
Futue te ipsum!!!
Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang
9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·
well now we know where all sydneys Lbugs have gone lol
i'm thinking of converting my 74L to 3 bolt
i've got a fairly buggerd stub axle atm but have the full front end of my 71 super is there much differnce btwn the 2 aside from the strut mounts?
i've noticed that 3 bolt seems to be slightly narrower
the 2bolt sway bar was a good 2inchs wider i found out
Joel
i'm thinking of converting my 74L to 3 bolt
i've got a fairly buggerd stub axle atm but have the full front end of my 71 super is there much differnce btwn the 2 aside from the strut mounts?
i've noticed that 3 bolt seems to be slightly narrower
the 2bolt sway bar was a good 2inchs wider i found out
Joel
cab1303 Seriously Crusin Dubber
104 posts · joined Apr 2005 ·
Very nice rides! What wheels were on the orange/red beetle, Porsche?
So the best thing really is the topline or v force stuff, or fully adjustable kit?They drop pretty low right? Bit expensive for me right now.
Your cars look almost like my ride height at the moment!
Have you ever tried 145 or 135s up front? They would add to the lowness of the car with adjustables? as long as the body gets as close as it can to the tyres that would look sweet, right now i have a big gap between the tyres and front guards on 195/50s
[ Edited on 30/3/2006 by cab1303 ]
So the best thing really is the topline or v force stuff, or fully adjustable kit?They drop pretty low right? Bit expensive for me right now.
Your cars look almost like my ride height at the moment!
Have you ever tried 145 or 135s up front? They would add to the lowness of the car with adjustables? as long as the body gets as close as it can to the tyres that would look sweet, right now i have a big gap between the tyres and front guards on 195/50s
[ Edited on 30/3/2006 by cab1303 ]
EgeWorks Wolfsburg Wizard
602 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·
Here's mine with 3 bolt v-force adjustables. Worth every cent. this is with 185/60/15 up front. It could possibly go 1/2 inch lower...
[ Edited on 30-3-06 by EgeWorks ]
[ Edited on 30-3-06 by EgeWorks ]
cab1303 Seriously Crusin Dubber
104 posts · joined Apr 2005 ·
Nice ride height. Looks lower in real life.
Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l
12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Here is that 3 bolter i was looking for
t's the lowest one i have seen
t's the lowest one i have seen
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Futue te ipsum!!!