narrowing front beams

kombi_kid Moderator Good Kid too many projects

124 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 2 Jun 2003, 10:19 pm

#53178

hey
just want to know whats involved to narrow a front end in both beetle and kombi??? what are the advantages/disadvantages? etc
cheers
rhys

it aint just cool its aircool'd

Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus

5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 3 Jun 2003, 8:14 am

#53283

Not sure about the kombi but for beetle:

Narrowing involves cutting both torsion tubes and taking out whatever width you want and rewelding - often done when installing adjusters to minimise number of cuts and welds.

If width is taken out of centre you have to relocate the mounts that hold the beam onto the pan as well as the steering box locating tabs - also cut the torsion leaves to length and redrill the depressions which locate the torsion arms onto the leaves. Then you have to shorten your tie rods - do the end with a right hand thread so you can retap it with a normal tap.

Link pin I think you can go 1.5-2inches without interfering with body, ball joint may be up to 2.5 I think. You can modify link pin shock towers (replace the inside pressed section with a flat section) to get another 1 inch possibly. Others just hammer the body to make room!

Advantages - tuck wide wheels under stock gaurds and the skinny front look.
Disadvantages - affects handling - you are effectively decreasing track width and will therefore reduce cornering stability (to a degree).

Alan

www.dasrestoparts.com.au

kombi_kid Moderator Good Kid too many projects

124 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 3 Jun 2003, 10:32 am

#53338

hey alan
so there sounds like to be a fair bit of work!!!
what length is usually taken out???
cheers
rhys

it aint just cool its aircool'd

Unity-28 TOO LOW? NEVER

1,742 posts · joined Nov 2002 · 3 Jun 2003, 1:20 pm

#53361

The length taken out is what ever look you want to go for! Im going 4 1/2 inches on a ball joint beam! Hopefully without too much body work (will try for no body work) Im making up some new shock towers! But thats the Look im going for, And the car really wont be driven that much!

N!:thumb

Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus

5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 3 Jun 2003, 4:25 pm

#53411

Usually about 2inches is pretty standard - just have to be careful if you lower it a lot you'll start to rub the headlight buckets as well as the outer edge of the pan - your turning circle will be reduced.

Cutting and welding the beam allegedly is not that hard but keeping everything aligned and straight is the hard part - you don't want a bent beam!

How much you want to narrow does depend on what look you are after as N said - in a recent hot vws I saw a narrowed link pin beam with the shock towers inside the body and the fuel tank raised up so it could accommodate the new tower location. You are only limited by time, money and expertise 🙂

www.dasrestoparts.com.au

kombi_kid Moderator Good Kid too many projects

124 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 3 Jun 2003, 5:30 pm

#53438

so i spose a kombi would be easier because of no fuel tank!!!
something to ponder over next time i have a spare front end!!!
cheers
rhys

it aint just cool its aircool'd

type82e Wolfsburg Wizard

591 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 3 Jun 2003, 9:48 pm

#53522

there was an article on it in VW trends? not that long ago have a look back maybe rhys I have it somewheer but it is on the bottom of the storage shed now
marcel

kombi_kid Moderator Good Kid too many projects

124 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 4 Jun 2003, 8:14 am

#53662

our newswagent could never get VW trends!! hows the move going marcel??? found any new parts in it???
cheers
rhys

it aint just cool its aircool'd

2443TT Fahrvergnugen

962 posts · joined Dec 2002 · 4 Jun 2003, 9:03 am

#53672

I've got this PDF file that is the actual article from the VW trends that covers the narrowing of a beam.

I'll be doing my link pin front end soon, and will be removing 3". There is a shock tower conversion kit from www.airspeedparts.com that allows you to retain the use of shock absorbers when narrowing a link pin front end.

Cheers everyone!