Front suspension question?

[jerryg66]

Can I buy a 4" narrowed adjustable beam? Or do I have to buy a 2" and have it cut? I have 2 1/2 drop spindles on the front and they make the front wheels wider by 3/4 " on each side. So a 2" narrowed beam really woundnt do anything, narrow it by a 1/4" from stock.

[fluxcap]

Yeah man, most of the vendors will sell whatever length you want. Finding a vendor that sells a 4" adjustable bj beam shouldn't be a problem. Many of them offer 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 inch beams.

[jerryg66]

Thanks for the help Eric. I've seen the pictures of your car and I hate that for you man.

[fluxcap]

Thanks man! Crap happens, but luckily it can usually always be fixed. See you around and welcome to the boards!

[jerryg66]

Thanks for the welcome. I found one place Airkewld they want almost $700 for a 4" narrowed with everthing I need. Does that sound about right ?

[fluxcap]

I'm not sure about the price. Airkewld and CB Performance are both well known for their products. Unfortunately they are some of the more expensive ones also. I haven't narrowed my beam yet, though it is in the future, so I haven't done much about pricing it out. There are other vendors who sell beams in the classifieds on the Samba as well, just be sure and click on the "sellers feedback" link at the bottom of the ads and see if they are reputable.

[jerryg66]

Thanks. I will check it out.

[EngineerTEN]

If you beam is in rebuildable shape you can pull it out and have it narrowed at one of the local VW shops that do that kind of thing. I know Herrell Bug Parts in Carolton can do it or you can buy a rebuilt narrowed beam from them for about $250. They have a jig for doing this. http://www.herrellbugparts.com/

There are probally other places around as well that can be recommended by others on the forum.

Thanks,

[jerryg66]

What about it being adjustable? I what it narrowed 4" but I want to drop it more.

[EngineerTEN]

They can narrow it and weld in the adjusters while they are there.

[jerryg66]

I'm gonna give them a call tomarrow. Thanks again.

[Cambur]

Be sure to tell them your are going to run drop spindles allong with the beam, usually they will put the adjusters in a different angle so that you can put the car exactly where you want it, look at pics of my car the beam is all the way up, as high as it will go! do a little investigating before you throw in the cash, im not sure but i dont think you can run shock with a 4" maybe with custom shock towers... some people rather not run shocks anyway....

[Attorney Isaiah Loophole]

Yeah you can run shocks up until a 4.5" on ball joint. I am not sure what all is involved in making them work though. I would say if you can get it for 250 then that is a good deal. I was thinking for a ball joint beam it will run 350-400, they are a pain...

[EngineerTEN]

, im not sure but i dont think you can run shock with a 4" maybe with custom shock towers... some people rather not run shocks anyway....

Narrowing brings the nut for the upper bolt for the shock closer to the inner wheel well. At 4" narrowed - it might be really difficult to get a wrench into. I've heard that those who narrow the beam 5 or more inches have to cut the sheet metal in the inner wheel well to get the shock towers to fit. I my opinion, 4" narrowed with 4.5 wheels on the front gives plenty of space - unless you are installing disk brakes which push it out another in on each side.

[jerryg66]

What about the ride with no shocks? The cheepest one I found was $575.