lowering a 73 beetle advice

Resto64 Jack of all, master of none

1,081 posts · joined Apr 2004 · 3 Oct 2005, 10:20 am

#413896

hey all need a bit of guidence in regards to lowering a 73 beetle
is it as simple as geting some adjustable struts???

and if so who would you guys suggest to use or a brand that is a good one????

thinking of doing it but not to sure of what is required

cheers Paul

BiX Veteran Volks Folk

2,499 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 3 Oct 2005, 10:37 am

#413899

numerous ways to do it. Try a search as this has been dicussed at great lengths and also try superbeetlesonly.com forum. Depnds on if you want performance, looks, and how low do you want go?

But struts are a good idea, also if you only want a 30mm drop try shorter springs, also can cut and move lower perch. Alot of ppl recomend Vforce struts (i have yet to use them myself, as i run lower front springs)

I have no sympathy for my car, only the wallet that pays for it!
Go hard or go home!!!!

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 3 Oct 2005, 10:39 am

#413900

read here

http://www.clubvw.org.au/struts.htm

It all depends on waht wheels you want.

If you want stock wheels you can get the cups lowered and shorter inserts put in.

If you want to run wider wheels you need thinner springs, ie V Force struts.
One of the VF cars is running 8" x 17" under stock guards.

The best person to talk to is Richard Holzl.
Either call him and have a chat or u2u Alex Holzl.

The trick is to pick whatwheel you want to run.

I have the struts and am running th e Spyder wheels.
Have a look in Members rides for Egeworks car. He is running this set up as well

Thjis is my old car with the struts and 16" x 6" Boxster wheels

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Futue te ipsum!!!

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 3 Oct 2005, 10:41 am

#413901

By the way - you should have 3 bolt struts in a 73 which is easier to modify

This is what Egeworks car is.
Mine is 2 bolts

Futue te ipsum!!!

beerdoc Insano Dub Head

838 posts · joined Jul 2004 · 3 Oct 2005, 11:34 am

#413918

I used Shorter golf struts and modified the existing outer using same springs.

Keep in mind that if you go smaller diameter spring it gives you harsher ride

It all depnds what you want to do

Cost me $300.00

I would have used V force but it is my daughters car and she does not drive hard (I hope not anyway) and this method gave a plush ride

Cheers Doc

reVOLKS at Fyansford Geelong
20th OCT 2007 STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 3 Oct 2005, 12:50 pm

#413936

beerdoc wrote:Keep in mind that if you go smaller diameter spring it gives you harsher ride

It all depnds what you want to do

Yep

Stock springs are 80-85lbs?

V Forces first choice is 135lbs

That is what i have. Its interesting - the SBO guys reckon i have gone way over the top with that spring rate.
I find it firm, but to be honest, i reckon i gould have gone another step. Certainly no where near as firm as my mates Elise.

Maybe not as firm as one of there race cars, Snotty. That is running 275lbs~!
You can get thin but softer than the 135's

Beerdocs way is virtually the same, the main difference is with the thin springs a whole world opens up with wheel choice

Futue te ipsum!!!

BiX Veteran Volks Folk

2,499 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 3 Oct 2005, 3:35 pm

#413961

I think my springs are a special order from kings, they are 30% stiffer and 35mm lower. I think they make a nice compromise between race and street. Could go some slightly stiffer springs for pure bitument track work. I do run koni sports shocks which make it pretty stiff and it will jar a littel over bumps. . I think for a rallysprint beetle i may be going to the same spring rate (or a little less), but a std height.

I have no sympathy for my car, only the wallet that pays for it!
Go hard or go home!!!!

Resto64 Jack of all, master of none

1,081 posts · joined Apr 2004 · 3 Oct 2005, 7:57 pm

#414041

thanks guys for your help
hey what if i just cut the springs with the same struts??????
just want to do it for some fun as i dont drive the car that much
and how low can you go with just doing the springs??????

BiX Veteran Volks Folk

2,499 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 3 Oct 2005, 8:29 pm

#414054

Cutting the springs is possible, not safe or really legal i think. Unless you chnage the insert to a short one, mine are 30mm lower and thats the max before the spring will not be catpured at all times.

I have no sympathy for my car, only the wallet that pays for it!
Go hard or go home!!!!

Resto64 Jack of all, master of none

1,081 posts · joined Apr 2004 · 4 Oct 2005, 6:32 pm

#414289

well thats just not low enough buga

so the struts will give me crap loads of adjustment

about 4 or 5 inches????

cheers paul

EgeWorks Wolfsburg Wizard

602 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 4 Oct 2005, 6:38 pm

#414298

My modified struts are about 4" lower than standard.

No scrubbing of guards either...

VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 4 Oct 2005, 7:59 pm

#414347

It might not matter for your use, but what does that do to caster and camber gain? etc

Pay your debts, CxxT

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 4 Oct 2005, 8:41 pm

#414363

By the way.... 2 bolts wont go as low as 3 bolts

Futue te ipsum!!!