how can i lower my 71 bug at the front end. all options considered. I have no idea really

I take it you are talking super??

If so - go the struts or just move the prech

Steve C did a great article here

http://www.clubvw.org.au/struts.htm 

Places like V Force and VVDS sell them

Also read at http://www.superbeetles.com  and go to tech and stuff

Barry

thanks barry but i am not sure if mine is a super or not ? the chassis number says aug 71 and it has an s badge on it but my girlfriends is a 76 which should have macpherson struts and my suspension is totally different to hers. i found a photo in how to hotrod of my suspension and it says its a macpherson strut but to add to confusion the next page has a photo of my girlfriends and also labels that as macpherson struts. i have attached image of suspension on my car can u help identify. cheers david

thanks barry but i am not sure if mine is a super or not ? the chassis number says aug 71 and it has an s badge on it but my girlfriends is a 76 which should have macpherson struts and my suspension is totally different to hers. i found a photo in how to hotrod of my suspension and it says its a macpherson strut but to add to confusion the next page has a photo of my girlfriends and also labels that as macpherson struts. i have attached image of suspension on my car can u help identify. cheers david

You have the super

your girl friend has the last of the beetles - a 76
They went back to beam front end

Yours will be a 1302 - 3 bolt suspension. Refers to how many bolts hold the strut at the base.
3 bolt allows for a further drop than the later 2 bolt.
Decide if you want to ever run Porsche or deep front wheels. If you do you will need a narrower spring on your suspension and it is easier to go to the adjustable 80mm spring
I run the 2 bolt V Force ones and am running 6" x 16" on the front with 195 tyres. All under stock guards.
A friend is running 7" x 16" with a 205 under stock on the 3 bolt.

You can put
lowered/heat treated springs
lowered perch
or the adjustable which has a lowered narrowed perch for the thinner spring

If you are just going to put a lowered spring or the perch get hold of a spare pair and do the work on those. Once it is done it is a lot easier to just swap the towers over

thanks barry you have answered a lot of questions re the diff between our two cars . i will look into lowering stuff .mine is a 3 bolt cheers david

Terrific job - way cool look

a little rubbing on right hand turn at full lock
dont know what to do about that - put up with it I guess

Breville

depends what sort of steering box u have. Get under and the "steering?" arm that comes off the box may have 2 bolts that u adjust to touch the side before your wheel does.
All the boxes i have seen have them except for the one i have now and i need it most with the 195's up front

Do you know how they lowered the car??

For $180 I'd be guessing the old oxy got a bit of a work out!!

hey barry thanks again umm just wondering what the cost of the vforce setup u run . 6*16 will be plenty i thinks cheeers david

checked out my suspension an its looks like thee perch is just welded to the shock . Is that right and if so is lowering the perch just a matter of grinding and re welding. how do you shorten springs is it simply a matter of tackling them with the grinder as well. i assume that if you buy thinner narrower springs you just fit them were th e old ones come off. any answers greatly appreciated i am new at this hotrodding bus and my learning curve is steep cheers david

Don't hit the springs with a grinder!!!
Ok as i see it options best to worse
1-proper adjustble struts
2-lower and or stiffer front springs (either standard diameter (king spings 30mm lower 35% stiffer) or the narrower ones(with shocks to match if stiffer)
3-lower the perch

also blue will know this better, but i thought if u use the upper bearings of a 1303 on a 1302 it gives u a 1inch lower ride?

the circular shelf that the sring rests on was moved down the tubeand rewelded

very good job - you would think they were standard

thanks for the tip - not exactly sure what you mean but i will take a look under

so was it just the perch that was lwered then. did you need different springs or shocks at all. and does it afect the amount of travel that your shock has over bumps etc

any ideas on good proper adjustable struts and how much. looks like best way for me i thinkz

Bix

not sure on what you said about the bearing??

The V Force towers are about $1000 supply and is new springs and strut insert.

If you just lower the perch you can reuse springs and insert.
Lower springs can also reuse the insert

But you should put a new shorter insert in as well

Yes all this shortens the suspension travel but it was excessive before and will be fine
There is also the tapered spring. You cannot put a thin spring on a large perch. Topline sell a hourglass spring to help putting wide tyres on - but why bother.

Buy the time you lower the perch, put inserts in and buy new springs the adjustable do it for you and you have the option to put shorter springs in if you want. and it is a new proper piece.

Breville

i will take a pic and show what i mean

blue, iam sure i saw on superbeetles only a post about how if u use the top perch/bearing unit from a 1303 strut on a 1302 strut it gives u a 1 inch drop?

u seem to know that forum, thought u mite know the post?

Ride is hard - you feel the bumps etc

however stability is good.

Wanting now to fix the rubbing and also

find a way to stiffen the back some sort of a sway bar or better than standard shocks would be good - anyone got a spare

regards

These are the stops u adjust on the box.

For some reason i dont have the same piece and it doesnt/cant have the stops

Breville,
Here is a pic of my setup.
3 bolt with VForce parts.

the swinging arm on mine in only about 6 inches long and has a hole for the damper and the rod

Then u have the same as me

All the others i have had were as above - but the one i have is like yours them

Oh well - just turn carefully then

Hey Bigbruvabob and blue74,
What is involved in lowering an IRS rear end?
How low can you get the rear without causing to much damage to it?
Cheers Lee.

Simple

lower/twist the spring plate spline a couple of notches

The back is easy and cheap

cheers mate.
picking up a new pan off of dave becker.
want to get ol' yella nice and low.