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What 1974 beetle is this?? Suspension question

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coldwindblows Learner Dubber

15 posts · joined Jun 2010 ·

#785184
Hey all,

so need your expert advice.

this is my 1974 Beetle. It has a 1300 badge, but has a 1600cc engine.

Colour is the original Dulux 'Martini Olive' colour, has a few minor blemishes but im the happiest man in Sydney right now, i love it to bits.

Will be doing a upgrades and repairs as i go, today i ordered a SVDA dizzy and new coil from Gold Coast Veedub. Jack there seems like a top bloke, and seems to think that this will solve my flat spot issues with my current 009.

Anyway, next on my list of things to do is upgrade the rear and front shocks? im having a bit of trouble understanding what to look for, pedders stuff seems pretty cheap but maybe you guys can advise me other wise. i havent had any experience with suspension, so please be kind, im a real newbie in this area.

Just to perhaps post the obvious (in the picture) has a flat windscreen and drums all around.

i find it help OBVIOUSLY, to know as much about the car as you can before you start, so perhaps one of you guys could help with the model etc of my beetle? Like i said, as best i can tell from rego and other folks, its a 1974 model.

also if you could explain the type of suspension i have, and what my options would be, that would be awesome. I dont want to go toooo overboard, this really will be a work in progress and a long term project.. there are just some creaks etc (mostly from the rear) if i hear correctly, and should sort it out soon i imagine.

thanks so much for all your help to date, this seems like the place to be for dubbers in Aus.

cheers all
Matt

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barls Administrator Causer of Chaos and Mayhem

9,473 posts · joined Jun 2004 ·

#785186
its a 74 standard. drum brakes all round is the give away. check your spare it should be upright not laying down.
it will have the beam front end not the strut front end.
“We all pay for life with death, so everything in between should be free.” Bill Hicks
the chaos project - click me

coldwindblows Learner Dubber

15 posts · joined Jun 2010 ·

#785188
hey,

yeah certainly does have a spare up right, and seems to have a beam across the front.

so shocks wise, is this pretty much all i can replace to better the ride??

barls Administrator Causer of Chaos and Mayhem

9,473 posts · joined Jun 2004 ·

#785189
where in sydney are you mate? it might be best to wander in to a vw place and have a chat about it.
beams aren’t my specialty, i like the strut versions personally.
“We all pay for life with death, so everything in between should be free.” Bill Hicks
the chaos project - click me

coldwindblows Learner Dubber

15 posts · joined Jun 2010 ·

#785191
im in the CBD.. so fairly central i suppose

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#785200
Ball joint front end is the answer your looking for
so any 68-76 beetle front shocks will do the job

Pedders arent bad value, I havent got much nice to say on monroes though.

coldwindblows Learner Dubber

15 posts · joined Jun 2010 ·

#785202
interesting, pedders only seems to list "With CV Joint Rear Axle" and only talks about Outer Tie Rod End and Rear Shock's.

might be worth a phone call, SURELY they will have shocks to fit the front....

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#785206
they probably just dont have them entered on their website
the only difference between swing axle and IRS rear shocks is the width of the bottom spacer

any of the main vw part suppliers will have front shocks in stock

57oval Officially Full-On Dubber

305 posts · joined Oct 2006 ·

#785208
coldwindblows wrote:interesting, pedders only seems to list "With CV Joint Rear Axle" and only talks about Outer Tie Rod End and Rear Shock's.

might be worth a phone call, SURELY they will have shocks to fit the front....
I have tried Pedder shocks, very average.
Replaced them with Bilstein shocks from the US for around $450 shipped for a complete set.
I have them on my notch for over 20 years and still working well

barls Administrator Causer of Chaos and Mayhem

9,473 posts · joined Jun 2004 ·

#785211
ok the choices you have in vw places are con at vw village in kensington, richard at force in mortlake or as dave would say vintage will have them.
“We all pay for life with death, so everything in between should be free.” Bill Hicks
the chaos project - click me

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 ·

#785243
barls wrote:ok the choices you have in vw places are con at vw village in kensington, richard at force in mortlake or as dave would say vintage will have them.
Or Tooleys at Hornsby,Fermans at Penshurst,Unique in Melbourne,Mick motors in QLD.There are lots of good parts suppliers.

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#785397
coldwindblows wrote:interesting, pedders only seems to list "With CV Joint Rear Axle" and only talks about Outer Tie Rod End and Rear Shock's.

might be worth a phone call, SURELY they will have shocks to fit the front....

Hi
get a copy of VWA Magazine...

most of the advertisers will sell and keep vw shocks in stock
remember how old our cars are...
and vw parts don't usually fit any modern cars..

buy at a VW Shop... and save money..

I only use oil shocks on a beetle...
gas shocks are too stiff for beetles... IMHO..

also get oil change gasket sets and tappet cover gaskets

and a spare fan belt.. alternator belts are the best..

LEE


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- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#785489
If your not lowering the front, most Oz shock suppliers will sell stuff that fits but gives you a ride that is very rough. For stock suspension I recommend Cofap which a nice and cheap but most importantly have the correct valving (nice and light) for our lighweight frontend. For a few more dollars you can go with Boge and if you want top of the line, go with Koni (adjustable) and my best of the bunch is Bilstein. All these range from about $120 pr through to $400 pr. Monroe, Pedders and the like will most likely not have the bump stop incorporated which is also a major issue, but the ride is like a brick.
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
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