To Narrow or not Narrow????

Hello All,

I am in the process of updating the suspension on my 62 original Beetle and I have a few questions with regards to the front beam.

Firstly, I will let you know what I am doing:

Wide 5 Disc Brake (Front) upgrade using the Vintage Vee Dub kit - Narrows track by 6mm
Dual Master brake cylinder
Sachs super tourer shocks all round

I have already:
Installed a Camber Compensator on the rear
Upgraded the front sway bar


I would like to lower my ride by 1 - 2 inches, however, can not install drop spindles because of the disc brake kit.

What are the Pro's and Con's of a narrowed beam (apart from cosmetic)?
Would a narrow beam enhance handling, improve or worsen the drive quality?

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
John

All I can say is if it is the look you are after then go for a narrowed beam.
I didn`t notice a huge difference in the way my Bug handled (with a 6 inch Narrowed Beam) but I didn`t push it that hard.
Sounds like you are more into the handling side of things and to be honest you shouldn`t have any tyre to guard clearance issues with just lowering 1-2 inches.
Just fit a pair of beam adjusters.
Graham.

What wheel/tyre combo do you want to run??

johnnyk wrote:would like to lower my ride by 1 - 2 inches, however, can not install drop spindles because of the disc brake kit.

What are the Pro's and Con's of a narrowed beam (apart from cosmetic)?
Would a narrow beam enhance handling, improve or worsen the drive quality?

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
John

Hi John,
I don't believe that by narrowing the front end You would get any enhanced or improved handleing...

Quality ride goes out the window so I'm told...
only drive on flat roads.... no bumps..

Just lower Your front end so that You can still turn etc without rubbing on the guards...

The only problem I have is when Im turning and hit a large bump/hole in the road... then the tyre is pushed up to the fender lip...

cheers

LEE

lowering the car will impact the ride quality depending upon how it is done.. i have found that narrowing the beam has not effected the handling of my car.

68AutoBug wrote:

johnnyk wrote:would like to lower my ride by 1 - 2 inches, however, can not install drop spindles because of the disc brake kit.

What are the Pro's and Con's of a narrowed beam (apart from cosmetic)?
Would a narrow beam enhance handling, improve or worsen the drive quality?

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
John

Hi John,
I don't believe that by narrowing the front end You would get any enhanced or improved handleing...

Quality ride goes out the window so I'm told...
only drive on flat roads.... no bumps..

Just lower Your front end so that You can still turn etc without rubbing on the guards...

The only problem I have is when Im turning and hit a large bump/hole in the road... then the tyre is pushed up to the fender lip...

cheers

LEE

Hey Lee, sounds like you need to narrow your beam, that`ll stop that tyre to frnder lip problem!!
Graham.

Thank you everyone for your feedback.

I have decided to have adjusters welded into the beam and it will not be narrowed.

I have not installed the beam yet as I found some rust in the front heater channel as well, so I am treating that first.

I will post some before and after photo's once complete.

Cheers,
John