Advise required on Lowering my '69...

[VanMan]

Have decided to take the plunge and give the old girl a makeover..

Looking for any advice and info on lowering up to 3" front and rear, to give a level stance, on my '69 Devon. I have heard about 'cutting and turning' the front beam, sounds drastic, but have been advised best way is to fit adjusters such as Foksy which I believe are welded onto the front beam? Another method I have heard about is fitting a 'Red Nine' kit - any of you dudes have any experience of this?

Was also wondering if I can get away with retaining the stock wheels with their 185x14 tyres or would they foul the wheel arches? I may treat her (instead of taking the wife on holiday!) to a set of OE's or BRM's but I notice that these wheels are all 15" - does it make any difference?

Any advice would be appreciated - cant find much info on the web.

JR
stay cool 8)

 

[slammedkustom]

fitting an adjuster is the best idea, cut n turn is more hit n miss.
lowering the back is easy enought just start squirting wd40 on all the nuts n bolts now, go on get out there now, do it, go on :lol:


you back yet? :lol:
your 14s with the big old tyres will look a bit odd, brms or OE's in 15s will not only need new tyres but you have a much wider range of tyres.
look at 185/55/15 front and 185/65/15 rear as a starting point.
if your not going really low then tyre to arch clearance shouldt be a problem.
the key is good quality shocks, im running kyb gas a justs, ive have tried all the other types but these seem to be the best ride quality.
by the way id steer clear of red 9 kits on the front but there spring plates are awesome.
your welcome to email if you get stuck
C

 

[slammedkustom]

by the way tell the wife if you buy new wheels for the bus you can take her on holiday "in" the bus
2 birds 1 stone! :lol:

 

[angus]

He's married mate - 2 birds may not be an option anymore, stoned or not... :lol:

Good thread - thinking of doing the same at some point so cheers for advice.

 

[slammedkustom]

if you cant charm them, drug em! :shock:

 

[JohnS]

There's a bloke called Justyn who does a cut and twist lowering method on the front beam - he gets good reviews from those in the know over on the JK forum. He's based down south but does occasional trips up north to do batch lowering jobs for the Lothian VW Club lot. It might be worth giving him a call and see if he's coming north in the new year (01962 620204 / 07916 377906). If you do a search on JK for "Justyn" or "Wagonworks, Wagenworks, Wagonwerks" (can't remember the correct spelling) you'll get some more information. Another option is to buy a beam with a Foksy adjuster already welded in place.. http://www.bluebird-type2.co.uk/suspension.htm

 

[gninnam]

fitting an adjuster is the best idea, cut n turn is more hit n miss.
lowering the back is easy enought just start squirting wd40 on all the nuts n bolts now, go on get out there now, do it, go on :lol:


you back yet? :lol:
your 14s with the big old tyres will look a bit odd, brms or OE's in 15s will not only need new tyres but you have a much wider range of tyres.
look at 185/55/15 front and 185/65/15 rear as a starting point.
if your not going really low then tyre to arch clearance shouldt be a problem.
the key is good quality shocks, im running kyb gas a justs, ive have tried all the other types but these seem to be the best ride quality.
by the way id steer clear of red 9 kits on the front but there spring plates are awesome.
your welcome to email if you get stuck
C

Why keep well away from Red 9?
I thought the concept looked wicked.

 

[lobus]

If you want to do a bit of research, this site has a lot of info. They also export all over the world. Hid rear spring plates set up is fantastic. I have got the full kit on my bus.
If you have any queries Kimm aka the Chief will reply to emails.
Tell him, David aka lobus sent you!

http://www.kruizinwagon.com.au/index_inner.asp

 

[yoda]

fitting an adjuster is the way forward, fitted a folksy kit about 8 years ago tryed differant tyre combo's since then.So could adjust front up and down to get the clerance right with the wheel arch.remember cut and turning is for life not just for fun

 

[lobus]

Another tip is if you lower the rear, fit 15s or even 16s with low to very low profile tyres. The standard 14s like 185 or 195 x 75 won't come off the drum unless deflated.
I am running 215 x 55 x 16 on the rear.
The stock tyres makes it a bit hard when you have a flat, the flat one comes off but the inflated one won't go back on. I have adjustable spring plates on the back and if I ever have a flat (fingers crossed) all I have to do is wind the adjuster up to lower the hub down from the body.
It was a little more exoensive to do it this way but it has paid for itself over and over just with the convenience of it all.

As far as the front goes, I can get mine right down there when I want to. I run 205 x 50 x 16 and they don't scrape or rub anywhere. Ihaven't done any tubbing or cutting, the body is as original.

 

[Scott-Westy]

bit naive but what are these adjustable spring plates, do they make the back end height very easily adjustable, like in 5 mins or something?

thinking about dropping the bus all round but really we use it as a camper and some of the sites we go to are pretty rough, dont wanna rip exhaust off Be really handy if i could quickly adjust the ride height.

 

[lobus]

I will take some pics of mine, but if you contact Kimm at Kruisinwagon, he is the master at all this stuff.

 

[slammedkustom]

Why keep well away from Red 9?
I thought the concept looked wicked.

im not opening that can o worms, just do a search on VZI or other forums, my neighbours collapsed and a few of the flaws havent been worked out. basically if the bottom shock bolt shears your stuffed, since you dont have bumpstops on a lowered bus theres nothing to "catch" you and no torsion bars to take up the slack.
but thats just my opinion...

 

[VanMan]

Thanks for all your replies guys, interesting stuff - much appreciated!

Ive a better idea now and will probably go with adjusters on front beam, 3" lower is plenty for this dude considering the state of some of the roads up here!

Been speaking to the boys at BusStopEcosse so I may entrust the job to them in a few weeks when I have saved some pocket money, dont fancy tackling it myself. Havent decided on wheels yet though but likin the look of chrome OE's - are they supposed to be replica Porche 365? nice cool look anyway - Easy, is that what your bus is running on ?

Will post some before and after pics when job is done, meanwhile here is reminder of current look...

thanks again
JR 8)

 

[gninnam]

Why keep well away from Red 9?
I thought the concept looked wicked.

im not opening that can o worms, just do a search on VZI or other forums, my neighbours collapsed and a few of the flaws havent been worked out. basically if the bottom shock bolt shears your stuffed, since you dont have bumpstops on a lowered bus theres nothing to "catch" you and no torsion bars to take up the slack.
but thats just my opinion...

I know that Red 9 have now designed bump stops to retro fit!
Anyhow, will make my decision when I get round to replacing my front beam - might take the easy route and by a Bluebird beam which has already been done

 

[slammedkustom]

they have designed bumpstops now but as far as im aware they are not included in the kit which means an extra £50 on top of the kit.
kind of a major design flaw!

 

[lobus]

Mine has got adjustable bump stops, I can see that next time I've got the wheel off I am going to have to go a bit snap happy for the benefit of you Volks.
No Prob, as I can always take one for the team.

 

[Scampi]

Always?

 

[slammedkustom]

taking one for the team, parking up outside "dunnys"
gonna have to keep an eye on you lobus! :lol: