I had a 71 bug that was already lowered in the front when I purchased it.. He had removed some of the leaves in the torsion setup.. looked good but rode like a log wagon... I purchased a set of lowered shocks and it improved the ride 1000%... I guess that was the cheap way of lowering it back in the 80's... I guess spindles is the best way to go with the adjusters welded into the beam.. Glad you raised it up.. I think they look a little better and definitely save money from damage... Thx for sharing your experience.. We learn from others mistakes.. Take care my friend and give Oliver my best....
Wow I never even thought of lowering that way. May be cheap but it sounds like it would work haha. Thanks for following along with all my stuff I really appreciate the support!
@@smithsgarage273 yep it works but you definitely need lowered shocks to go with it or it will feel like there is no suspension at all.. Take care and stay warm...
Have you thought about bags or hydraulics? Demon Motorsport makes an amazing hydraulic kit - but you have to cut into the car quite a bit...but if you want a bolt-on system, airbags are the way to go! Thinking of getting an Evaresto kit myself!
I did think about it, it was tempting but I didn’t feel like going through all the effort. The Evaresto kit is pretty decent from what I heard tho. And it would look super cool to have the car sit even lower like that.
I recommend the Eva kits, I actually live the the vacinety of the Eva Resto business. I brought the premium rear kit for my bug, fitted it all myself and it's great the car sits beautifully. In a separate topic I love the colour of your bug dude, very cool in general 👍🏽👌🏽
@@vridaw all the bolt on frame work that fits around the gearbox, the shocks, the airbags, bolts, spring plates and probably a few bits I'm forgetting. As someone who is not a professional mechanic in anyway. It took me about a week to strip the old bits off and clean things up before I fitted the new kit.
Orig sump plate protects the drain and securing screws from direct contact. Regarding my 356 comment- put a fifty pound bag of kitty litter on top of the gas tank. Tires bite better when braking and cornering. Stock tires
Yeah, I remember the original sump plate being better. This one was recommended to me and I didn’t even think about that problem. And yeah I definitely think I have a problem with being light in the front. It’s probably because I don’t have a spare in the front or the tire jack or anything. I honestly might throw some weight up there to try it out.
Lowering the car changes all the vectors. Smaller tires in front increases braking distance because the front tires lock up sooner. And stay away from front disc brakes. And if you insist on doing so including the rears buy a better terrible kit with an emergency (Parking on a hill) function. Don't let the supplier tell you that you won't need it. Could keep your away from a telephone pole and could also save your life. Remember: brake pedal/master cylinder pushrods break too.
It probably doesn’t help that my back rotors are completely glazed with oil as well so only the front two work for stopping haha. Which means my ebrake doesn’t do anything either. But it’s interesting to know even if they did work properly it still wouldn’t be perfect so thanks.
Need help When I jack up my 67 VW after I let the jack down and remove my floor jack the car stays up in the air like a Baja And only drops back down low when I move it or take off to drive it Like it's all super stiff
Hello! Yeah, I found mine actually did that exact same thing. I know suspension does need movement to help it settle. But the independent rear end of a beetle in specific is really bad for staying way up in the air when you first drop it. In order to find the ride height of my car, I had to adjust it and then drive it around to see where it would actually settle.
Your other comment is true and I agree with it. But this one I can’t get behind, I’ve driven this car at stock height as well as this low. And it handles noticeably better, stock height is loose and honestly a bit frightening coming out of corners. But lower it could handle the corners so well I have full confidence throwing it into them as fast as my tires can keep traction. But I can respect people who don’t want to lower them because it’s not original.
Great explanation! This will me helpful to many folks!
Thank you! I’m not the best at teaching stuff but I’m glad it’s helpful.
I had a 71 bug that was already lowered in the front when I purchased it.. He had removed some of the leaves in the torsion setup.. looked good but rode like a log wagon... I purchased a set of lowered shocks and it improved the ride 1000%... I guess that was the cheap way of lowering it back in the 80's... I guess spindles is the best way to go with the adjusters welded into the beam.. Glad you raised it up.. I think they look a little better and definitely save money from damage... Thx for sharing your experience.. We learn from others mistakes.. Take care my friend and give Oliver my best....
Wow I never even thought of lowering that way. May be cheap but it sounds like it would work haha. Thanks for following along with all my stuff I really appreciate the support!
@@smithsgarage273 yep it works but you definitely need lowered shocks to go with it or it will feel like there is no suspension at all.. Take care and stay warm...
You should check the lower ball joints because they're probably trashed and put the missing springs in.
Just for your own knowledge, Porsche 356’s came with the front adjusters from the factory.
I actually didn’t know that. That’s a cool piece of information. Thanks for sharing
Nice looking bug!
Thank you!
Have you thought about bags or hydraulics? Demon Motorsport makes an amazing hydraulic kit - but you have to cut into the car quite a bit...but if you want a bolt-on system, airbags are the way to go! Thinking of getting an Evaresto kit myself!
I did think about it, it was tempting but I didn’t feel like going through all the effort. The Evaresto kit is pretty decent from what I heard tho. And it would look super cool to have the car sit even lower like that.
I recommend the Eva kits, I actually live the the vacinety of the Eva Resto business. I brought the premium rear kit for my bug, fitted it all myself and it's great the car sits beautifully. In a separate topic I love the colour of your bug dude, very cool in general 👍🏽👌🏽
@@AM2024uk what comes with the premium kit? I am seriously considering it !
@@vridaw all the bolt on frame work that fits around the gearbox, the shocks, the airbags, bolts, spring plates and probably a few bits I'm forgetting. As someone who is not a professional mechanic in anyway. It took me about a week to strip the old bits off and clean things up before I fitted the new kit.
Orig sump plate protects the drain and securing screws from direct contact. Regarding my 356 comment- put a fifty pound bag of kitty litter on top of the gas tank. Tires bite better when braking and cornering. Stock tires
Yeah, I remember the original sump plate being better. This one was recommended to me and I didn’t even think about that problem. And yeah I definitely think I have a problem with being light in the front. It’s probably because I don’t have a spare in the front or the tire jack or anything. I honestly might throw some weight up there to try it out.
Lowering the car changes all the vectors. Smaller tires in front increases braking distance because the front tires lock up sooner. And stay away from front disc brakes. And if you insist on doing so including the rears buy a better terrible kit with an emergency (Parking on a hill) function. Don't let the supplier tell you that you won't need it. Could keep your away from a telephone pole and could also save your life. Remember: brake pedal/master cylinder pushrods break too.
It probably doesn’t help that my back rotors are completely glazed with oil as well so only the front two work for stopping haha. Which means my ebrake doesn’t do anything either. But it’s interesting to know even if they did work properly it still wouldn’t be perfect so thanks.
@smithsgarage273 If it's swing axle and it leaks oil - using 2 big o rings may solve it. I had to do it once using 944 disc.
Need help
When I jack up my 67 VW after I let the jack down and remove my floor jack the car stays up in the air like a Baja
And only drops back down low when I move it or take off to drive it
Like it's all super stiff
Hello! Yeah, I found mine actually did that exact same thing. I know suspension does need movement to help it settle. But the independent rear end of a beetle in specific is really bad for staying way up in the air when you first drop it. In order to find the ride height of my car, I had to adjust it and then drive it around to see where it would actually settle.
Tire size you running!? Thanks in advance
Sorry I didn’t reply sooner! I have a video talking about the tire sizes if you want to go check it out!
Coilovers?
Adjustable torsion bars! I did think about doing a coil over conversion though.
How to make Volkswagen handle like a Porsche 356 - don't lower it.
Your other comment is true and I agree with it. But this one I can’t get behind, I’ve driven this car at stock height as well as this low. And it handles noticeably better, stock height is loose and honestly a bit frightening coming out of corners. But lower it could handle the corners so well I have full confidence throwing it into them as fast as my tires can keep traction.
But I can respect people who don’t want to lower them because it’s not original.