Ok I need some input from the vw public. Freddy the 54 is much cleaner now (ren talked me into cleaning up the pan etc) and I'm starting to have doubts about the direction. It's the running gear that's the problem:

Old:
Freddy's original pan (lp) with front beam but haven't got original gearbox or engine. All standard.

New:
1970 swing pan with good gearbox. Adjustable, 2-inch narrowed bj beam. Cb dropped spindles. Porsche stud pattern brakes.


Problem is the height issue for dumping him as bj pans can't get the drop that their forefathers could. Also wondering if it's stupid to put a '54 on a 70's pan and then having to register it as a 1970 bug (I shouldn't care but it gets to you after a while).


Thanks for your input.

'54 bitch. simple, low, original, resale, crazy rear camber, '54 title :blah

DUDE,

I'm, going with Ren on this.....

keep it simple, and original, 54.....

clean, uncomplicated look, with bad attitude camber at rear, and as low as at the front.. Besides wide 5 and swing axle will become the "splitty's" of suspension.. everyone will want it..
Fit the big motor, and later gearbox, and it will go. while still looking original, and the rego label will tell the story for all who look at it... and 54 was a very good year.


rossko

link pin=lower

Stick with the LP

Marc

if you want it to handle like crap, go through link/king pins, have shoddy brakes and scrape on the ground, stay with the link pin. remember it's all the 1954 technology you're keeping with the pan.

if you want real handling, real brakes and not so scrapies, go the 70 pan.

I have Link pin on my buggy and I wish I'd gone ball joint now, but then I guess it's horses for courses. Personally, I prefer real handling but that's just me.

P.s. John Jones is not GOD.

the question is what will freddy be used for? now and in the future

ie: how much will it be driven? = maintainance, ware, comfort

: where will it be driven? pot holes? speedbumps? driveway entrances? heavy traffic? only city? HWY's? back roads?

: stock early motor/mild 1600/hot T1/4?

: how do you drive (not how do you intend to drive it... instinct will take over... you know it)

: how rich do you feel... big brakes in wide 5 = $$$

: how rich do you feel... do you have more of the parts to complete a BJ or a link pin pan

: how long are you willing to take getting it where you want it?

: are wife, kids, morgage or return to study on the cards... all of these will add years to a project, as they take lots of time and all the available $ (ask me how i know )

: could you handle a driving project?

: is the look more important than functionallity?

: will anyone else be driving it... you don't want to put someone in the drivers seat of a cranky, fast, viscous handling car with heavy steering and drum brakes it they normally drive a modern thing... it could well end in tears.

:will you have to haul passangers about that will make your life hell if it is uncomfortable... ie wife, mother, grandmother etc.

:do you think you will sell it in the next few years or keep it forever? it you plan on keeping it does it's resale value matter?

:how have your intersts in VW's (or plans for this car) changed over the last few years? in a few years time will you curse yourself for putting it on a BJ pan as you want to drag it or go stock restoration? or curse yourself as it's on a l/p pan and you want to build up a hot street car or circuit racer/hill climb car?

there are lots of other things to think about aswell.

hope this helps

henry.

i think stick to the original
i swapped my floor pans have a 1960,s floorpan under a 69 shell and it gets very confusing when i say she is regoed as a 6o,s beetle always trying to explain myself .
but not that it matters now as she is getting wrecked

john jones is not god, but looking at his recent cars, he comes pretty close .....then again I'm an aethiest.

Well whether he's god or the devil I'm now selling all the B/j lowering stuff... hang on forget the religious crap:


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=57621 

who is john jones?

Only the guy who built this:



[ Edited on 19-10-06 by ruckus ]