Skip to content
Aussieveedubbers

Front Struts Question

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

SebastienPeek Custom Title Time!

1,657 posts · joined May 2011 ·

#886052
So, I'm looking at doing some really cool stuff to the front end of Zelda.

But, I need a question answered first. I have a couple of things that need to be sorted before I can go any further.

Has anyone converted a beetle front end from three bolt strut setup to a two bolt one? What parts need to be replaced and the sort?

Would love to find out soon, want to make some stuff come a reality as soon as possible.
The sold one, '73 VW 1303 - Zelda
The project, '74 VW 1303 - Gretl

BiX Veteran Volks Folk

2,499 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#886056
from my understanding all you need are the new struts, spindles/hubs and lower control arms..... so entire front suspension from a 1303.
I have no sympathy for my car, only the wallet that pays for it!
Go hard or go home!!!!

SebastienPeek Custom Title Time!

1,657 posts · joined May 2011 ·

#886060
I'll have to try and find the spindles and hubs and the lower control arms then from somewhere...

Will hopefully find somewhere that stock them online or something...
The sold one, '73 VW 1303 - Zelda
The project, '74 VW 1303 - Gretl

DylanTheDubber Custom Title Time!

1,252 posts · joined Jun 2009 ·

#886063
Im not sure that doing that is any better, Im pretty sure Joel went the other way and converted his 2 bolt to 3 bolt.

From Dylan

SebastienPeek Custom Title Time!

1,657 posts · joined May 2011 ·

#886065
Two bolt is a better and easier solution for what I'm attempting.

There is a way to get the car a lot lower with a two bolt pattern than with the three bolt pattern.
Plus, it is a lot cheaper. This is definitely a factor in the decision, sure it'll probably cost me more to go to the two bolt pattern with the parts needed (mentioned above) and we'll see what happens.

The struts are the easy bit. It's the hubs and lower control arms that I'm worried about.
The sold one, '73 VW 1303 - Zelda
The project, '74 VW 1303 - Gretl

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#886082
generally speaking - you can go lower on a 3 bolt set up
Futue te ipsum!!!

SebastienPeek Custom Title Time!

1,657 posts · joined May 2011 ·

#886111
All good, I think I've sorted out the problem and know exactly what to do.

I'll get some generic struts for whatever car (as long as the mounting pattern is the same to mount to the body of Zelda) and then weld the bolt thingy for the lower control arms from the current struts in her onto the generic ones. That should work for what I am wanting to do...

Lot's of cutting and welding to come. Will continue to update the build thread, just thought I'd ask this question outside of it.

I really appreciate this VW community, thanks guys!
The sold one, '73 VW 1303 - Zelda
The project, '74 VW 1303 - Gretl

vlad01 Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,270 posts · joined Jun 2010 ·

#886172
Bizarre wrote:generally speaking - you can go lower on a 3 bolt set up

Generally speaking, I have seen cool race quality 3 bolt stuff, never heard of 2 bolt or seen it?

71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#886186
Its what all Super Beetles and Porsche 924/944 run after 73.

Just the Negative scrub radius layout like modern cars have.






As opposed to the old 3 bolt struts before them

SebastienPeek Custom Title Time!

1,657 posts · joined May 2011 ·

#886404
Keeping with the three bolt struts.

I've changed my mind about the suspension stuff, going to work hard on just getting her to run fine and then work on the suspension later.
Will end up getting Topline MaXX struts probably, three inches at the front and a couple more splines at the back.

Want to get her scraping the exhaust.
The sold one, '73 VW 1303 - Zelda
The project, '74 VW 1303 - Gretl