Skip to content
Aussieveedubbers

Has anyone Narrowed a rear end?

0 likes
Share Share on Facebook Share on X Share on Reddit
Log in to reply

Unity-28 TOO LOW? NEVER

1,742 posts · joined Nov 2002 ·

#71167
Hi all, I am nearly at the stage of putting my airbags in the bug, But I have an early Bug body, on a IRS pan! Now the problem is, the wheels will come very close the guards, so what I wanted to know was my options! Do I need to narrow the whole rear end? Please let me know what you think/know?

Cheers N!

kombi_kid Moderator Good Kid too many projects

124 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#71181
just roll the seems on the guards that should give you a bit more clearance
cheers
rhys
it aint just cool its aircool'd

Unity-28 TOO LOW? NEVER

1,742 posts · joined Nov 2002 ·

#71184
Done, but Im putting on spats, so once the camber start getting real bad the wheels will hit the bottom of the spats! Plus, I want to give it as much room for the wheels to tuck under, so I get the full use of the bags!

N!

kustomkool BEING KOOL AINT CHEAP

1,611 posts · joined Nov 2002 ·

#71189
N the negative camber on an irs is bugger all.I recon you should be alright .Or you could simply modify the rear axles.Im sure Brad will have an answer...Im just guessing.I have swing axles and im sared shitless of when I put my fenderskirts on.

Unity-28 TOO LOW? NEVER

1,742 posts · joined Nov 2002 ·

#71191
PPl always say that about the camber, but My notch Has heaps (yes its IRS) and its not as low as it use to be! Well see what everyone says!

N!

TheGermanFolks Officially Full-On Dubber

248 posts · joined Mar 2003 ·

#71212
look at you N, trying to get into the expensive shit, lol. If you want to be King Shit on Turd Island, do it like this:
Make a full 4 link setup, like what the minitruckers use. Cut up you old trailing arms, and just keep the part that your axle goes into. them clean it up and use it for your basis to mount you 4 link or ladder barsw to. then just get shortened axels. Now realize that I left a few step out, but if you have any hardcore drag racers down there, they will know how to do it. or you can just not worry about it because I doubt your car will camber so hard that you will hit your skirts.
Scott R.
PRAISE THE LOWERED

Unity-28 TOO LOW? NEVER

1,742 posts · joined Nov 2002 ·

#71222
Yeah, It prolly wont hit the skirts, thats why im putting on the 5.5's, but When the bags are all the way deflated, I also dont want the tyre rubbing on the lower side of the fenders! I will see what happens, I might just get some "narrower" trailing arms made, with short axles!

PS someone has to Be king Shiat on Turd Island down here!!!!!LOL

N!

type82e Wolfsburg Wizard

591 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#71322
get some wheels that have a bit less offset so all you have to change is the wheels
marcel

Unity-28 TOO LOW? NEVER

1,742 posts · joined Nov 2002 ·

#71417
Wheels are fuchs! Already got! They are the only wheels to run! THey have cost me too much to not use them! I will be ringing Fabricate This, for a four link, or something similar!

N!

lowdown Seriously Crusin Dubber

127 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#72071
N, tell me what fabthis say about the 4 link im very interested. although a couple guys ive talked too have said a 4 link is a overkill and not needed 3 link is plenty.
but i think shortened axles and trailing arms would probably work.

PEOPLE- IRS CAMBER EXISTS!!!
OIL DRIPPERS
he who dies LOWEST wins!

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#73259
Is there anyone out there that likes the way Volkswagen made the IRS rear suspension... I'm sure as hell I do.... 3 link - 4 link... Why have a VW if You don't like the way they were made, or just modify it using genuine VW bits from other models... as far as I can see, the camber is Fixed on IRS rear ends... and why put air bags under a VW????? put it in the steering wheel where it should be... 😀:o:o:o:o😀

[Edited on 12-8-2003 by 68AutoBug]
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

no slow 63 Seriously Crusin Dubber

190 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#73311
I've narrowed and raised the rear end of my 63. It's a pretty big job....

type82e Wolfsburg Wizard

591 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#73344
there was an article on narrowing a vw rear end in one of my magazines a few years ago I thibnk hot vw's
I cant check now as theyre in storage while we move but someone else out there would have a copy?
marcel

twoguns simply aircooled

4,275 posts · joined Nov 2002 ·

#73365
because bug68... we like vw's and we want to have OUR vw the way we would like. and sometimes this means improving or just modifying bits. you can believe that vw got it right the first time if you prefer. but if its not suited to the style you want, then changes are obvioulsy required. unity (as would myself but the woman wont let me.... at the moment) obviously likes it real low. i know i do. but also would like to be able to lift and adjsut when required with out having to jump under neath ( if you can ) and spend an hour adjusting some nut. i actually would like to see my matt bus driving down the road with the safaris open and the inside back wheel cocked up jsut for the attitude and fun .

and really you dont have to shout to get your point across. but again it is your choice just as it was to set the ride you hae the way you wanted
Simply Cruzin'...

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#73400
OK.. I get the point.. two guns.
and Your Bus looked great at Nambucca - Valla Park.... It looks like My son wants to have the same look too... was yours the one with the white interior??
cheers Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

twoguns simply aircooled

4,275 posts · joined Nov 2002 ·

#73404
yes mate it was.
but i learned a leason from the blue and white split.
my interior was done in white with black piping ( my choice) to compliment the exterior but also to make the cabin more bright. but we use it everyday. and some marks jsut dont come out. wish i had put some velour colour in where i sit. ah well maybe next time.
Simply Cruzin'...

twoguns simply aircooled

4,275 posts · joined Nov 2002 ·

#73406
yeah... if he does i have made a sticker for them... 59bus has one on his now. a little expression thing. but the bus needs to be in the spirit of it all.
Simply Cruzin'...

Unity-28 TOO LOW? NEVER

1,742 posts · joined Nov 2002 ·

#73407
I drive my IRS Notch everyday, and It drives nice, But The Irs for a bug, is too Wide a track for the thing to be dropped basically as low as it will go! I need it to be narrower so that my rear wheels dont hit anything when the bags are deflated! I really dont want to put in a 3-4 link, cause the cost is way high, but if thats the only way, well I will! Im looking into getting narrowed trailing arms made, but so far no success!

N!

Menangler Custom Title Time!

1,991 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#73579
June '94 Hot vw's has an article on narrowing IRS trailing arms, we did it to an IRS Karmann Ghia, so it could fit 16x7 inch Porsche alloys under the stock rear guards, bit of a job but works well if you can keep it all straight,
I still have the jig we made to do it somewhere.

[Edited on 13-8-2003 by Dave Becker]
FAHRVERGNUGEN;
Description of a pleasurable sensation,
Experienced when a car and it's driver are in mutual harmony, A unique driving experience, Pleasure, Satisfaction,
A feeling experienced by Volkswagen Drivers.

Menangler Custom Title Time!

1,991 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#73583
Here is a pic of the car

1 attachment · Log in to view

FAHRVERGNUGEN;
Description of a pleasurable sensation,
Experienced when a car and it's driver are in mutual harmony, A unique driving experience, Pleasure, Satisfaction,
A feeling experienced by Volkswagen Drivers.

twoguns simply aircooled

4,275 posts · joined Nov 2002 ·

#73587
well ill be...

that blue ghia was in work shop at woy woy this week... getting a new motor. i think the old one was a bit worn. very nice. i was looking at the rims, thinking they looked hot and huge. all you could see in the engine bay was the air con unit. the rest was one the bench.
Simply Cruzin'...

Menangler Custom Title Time!

1,991 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#73591
Air con unit???? that must have been but in by the current owner.
Softy Ghia owners😀
FAHRVERGNUGEN;
Description of a pleasurable sensation,
Experienced when a car and it's driver are in mutual harmony, A unique driving experience, Pleasure, Satisfaction,
A feeling experienced by Volkswagen Drivers.

squizy Thinking about another dub...maybe

4,082 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#73634
N,

I knew someone would come through re doing it before. I do remember a HOTVW's or Trends magazine talking about this, and also a radical Ghia Cab with it done. Knowing you Nectar [based on what I've read], you'll want to do it real good - and properly too. Take your time, gather your info, and then charge to that solution!

Squiz......😎

kombi_kid Moderator Good Kid too many projects

124 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#73751
N buy a kombi tub in it and slap in some bags!!!!! thats what im doin!!!! but first i have to save!!!
very exy to do!
hope it comes out tops for you i definately want to see it finished!!!
can u post a pic of the bug that the bags are going into?
cheers
rhys
it aint just cool its aircool'd

Unity-28 TOO LOW? NEVER

1,742 posts · joined Nov 2002 ·

#73811
June 94 Hot VWS! Whos got it? CAn you scan it for me? Dave, any chance you can let me know what you did to that ghia? Squiz, I read that article last night with the Ghia cab with the American Racings on it, A lot of work to that car, But really only narrowed the traling arms and use short axles! We'll see how I go!

N!

Menangler Custom Title Time!

1,991 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#73841
I can try and scan it for you, U2U me your email and I will give it a go.
FAHRVERGNUGEN;
Description of a pleasurable sensation,
Experienced when a car and it's driver are in mutual harmony, A unique driving experience, Pleasure, Satisfaction,
A feeling experienced by Volkswagen Drivers.

Unity-28 TOO LOW? NEVER

1,742 posts · joined Nov 2002 ·

#75876
Dave, I still havent got the email! I would love to get the info, You can fax me if you like!

Thanks heaps N!

lowdown Seriously Crusin Dubber

127 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#77508
Dave if you want email it to me and ill print it out at work and give it to Nectar.😎

Menangler Custom Title Time!

1,991 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#77677
Lowdown, I have sent the pics to you, see if they work for you.
Dave
FAHRVERGNUGEN;
Description of a pleasurable sensation,
Experienced when a car and it's driver are in mutual harmony, A unique driving experience, Pleasure, Satisfaction,
A feeling experienced by Volkswagen Drivers.

KruizinKombi Seriously Obsessed Cyber Dubber

3,493 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#77709
Dave, that Ghia looks awesome (😎), have you got any more photos of it somewhere we could view them?

Hey N, make sure you take lots of pics for us. I've got an IRS assembly waiting to go into my 1500S, so I'll be interested to see how you narrow yours. :thumb
Kruizin Kol