Hi, I'm debating whether to go for a narrowed beam maybe 3" or keep it stock. I want ride drop spindles as well but am not sure about clearance and rubbing issues. If I'm going to spend the cash I want to spend it in the right areas. Has anyone got a pictures of their lowered bugs with narrowed beam or stock just to give me a better idea.

Cheers

Scriv

what wheel / size / offset / tyre combo you planning on running

I haven't got that far ahead yet. I guess I am just trying to find out whether I can lower on drop spindles but use a stock beam and not have rubbing on the arches? I know the size of the rim and tyre can a big effect,but what would be the max size I could go with without rubbing?

You need to pick your wheel / tryre combo first

Guessing you have a pre 67 beetle?
Lots of questions
What brakes are you going to run?

I guess tell us the look you are after and then we can point you towards some builds in memebrs Rides

Iv got a 67 Beetle currently.
I am going to run Discs up front.
I wouldn't mind going around this kind of ride height. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3362/3646659826_c9e0631fab_z.jpg?zz=1 
and I know I want the style of wheel this guy has up front.
I have got my chassis stripped down and currently getting sand blasted, and want to get this all sorted so I can order what I need and start piecing it back together.
I know what I am asking is very vague but, that's why I'm here to get some know how from you guys that know what its all about.

do it. it looks kooler

Here's my build thread. My beetle has disc brakes on a k&l beam and if you look through the thread once the black radars went on (with 135 rubber) I went from a stock beam to a 2" narrowed. Basically speaking rubbing issues will be encounted once lowered with dropped spindals as they widen the track by about 12mm per side

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91358 

You are probably better off dropping in to Al at Das Resto Haus
You are both at Burleigh Heads

http://dasrestohaus.com.au/ 

Al is on here under Dasdubber

Al has built many cars in the look you are after and sells the parts you will need

Cheers Matt, Bluey looks like a ripper top work there. With the set you have now,do you get much rubbing on full lock? I think il go with my original plan go for a 3" beam,that way iv got room to play with and if needs be I pack the wheels out with spacers to get the look I'm after. Too much room is better than not enough I guess.

Iv spoken to Al and the boys down Das Resto but just after a bit of all round info. The more people you speak to the bigger picture you get.

I don't know why I didn't get on to this site ages ago.

I have a ghia which had a narrowed beam fitted with fuchs wheels, these wheels had an offset that made the beam narrowing manditory, i have since removed the beam and replaced it with a standard width beam and wheels that have the correct ET to make certain that the standard geometry is maintained, the car drived a 100% better with the standard beam and wheels that have the right offset, see what wheels are available that does not require the beam to be narrowed, if you stick to the early stud pattern you can have a set of steel wheels made that will allow you to run the dropped spindles that do not rub, a very simple process, alot of the current after market wheels available rub without the dropped spindle with a decent tyre fitted like a 185, my advice is to maintain the stock set up and have a safer, better handling car that does not have a increase in bump steer, unsprung weight and increased wear in all the suspension components. all my cars run standard width beams and drive a lot better for that. you will also have to look at the legal issue of running a narrowed beam.

VW060
What set up do you run in your beetle in the avatar?

It has a standard width beam with a set of composit 7' x 17" wheels that i had made to suit the car, it has a set of custom disc brakes that i disigned and fabricated, the wheel track on the front is 12mm over standard, well within the legal requirements of 25MM, if you can keep the standard geometry it is well worth the effort.

Look on "the samba " , us vw site plenty of pics there