Lowering my bus... Which way????

[gonzomillstrood]

Hey there,
need some advice from those that know. Let me set the scene. 1970 bay,
want to lower it, I'm pretty much decided on adjustable spring plates at the back.
Not sure about the front though.

I don't want to totally slam it as I'm thinking of practicality. Gonna be running stock
rims for the time being, but I'm thinking of getting sprint stars in the future.

Oh, and just for good measure I want to ditch the drums and upgrade to discs.

There you have it! Please help!

:?:

 

[Guest]

the most advanced front end is the new wishbone setup from red9design. they offer a 10% discount for earlybay members. you would be looking at £1500 minimum and if you want them to fit it another £400. you could give slamwerks a bell i think they do an in-out service not sure around £700 i think. then you have linkpin conversion if you want to slam it your looking at £1000.

the cheapest method is to weld in adjusters £100 or drop spindles £450, there are several people reselling transporterhaus spindles, wagons west are also an option but they offer welded spindles.

check this install out its the mutts nutts

http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=19507" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

upgrading to discs is fairly simple if you get a latebay hubs and discs, i know FBI stock these as i bought a set (spindles included from them fairly cheaply (you'll need adapters to retain wide five though)

 

[Clem]

Much of this is wallet related and what the end result you want, also.
You say you dont want 'slammed' so maybe you dont need the rear spring plates? and one spline rear adjustment is free, harmless and gives about 3-4". Match that up front with adjusters or centre boss realignment and jobs a good un for under £400 in a garage. As Johnny alluded to, form that point onwards every inch costs a fortune to do properly and there are various ways to acheive it ...

Re, the brakes. Do you want to retain youre wide 5 stud pattern? If so you'll need a disc kit such as the CSP conversion. If you dont mind changing to small 5 stud pattern then the later bay parts swap is a good cheap(er) option.

Edit - looks like you want to retain the wide 5 - so it must be a disc kit.

 

[young_dubya]

If your handy with a welder you can buy a splitty beam, adjustable spring plates, dropped spindles and all the best gear to go with it for a nats nagger over £1k. I have heard this week that standard late split beams are 2" narrower than your stock bay setup.

Ive got stock
spilt beam C/W trailing arms (courtisy of Scott Wilson) £220 delivered
Transporterhaus linkpin spindles £325 on thier site
adjustable spring plates, Slam shocks, linkpins, adjusters just over £500ish. cos they did me a wicked deal!! from T2D.

You can go as low as you want with this setup depending on what body mods you want to do.

 

[gonzomillstrood]

Cheers guys.

I think my minds made up. Gotta be turning a spline and weld in adjusters complete with csp discs. How does this affect the ride?
Before I sold my bug 10 years ago I fitted drop spindles up front instead of swayaways because I wanted the full suspension travel. I might consider drop spindles as well.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Clem]

Cheers guys.

I think my minds made up. Gotta be turning a spline and weld in adjusters complete with csp discs. How does this affect the ride?
Before I sold my bug 10 years ago I fitted drop spindles up front instead of swayaways because I wanted the full suspension travel. I might consider drop spindles as well.

Thanks for your help.

The ride will be fine like that ... no more than a 3-4" drop though, to respec' yo ball joints.

 

[Bwuttonmoon]

Hi I have just done the same as you are planning...'70 bay with mild drop but i kept the drums.

I went with adjusters on the front and adjustable springplates on the rear. The advantage with adjustable springplates is you can get the wheels off easily when you need to.

Spence

 

[dave]

mine has just been lowered 3.5 inchs, wheels fine to get on and off, i also csp discs fitted at same time, best cash ive spent on the bus!!!!!!!!!!now stops and handles loads better!!!!!!!!

 

[Bwuttonmoon]

mine has just been lowered 3.5 inchs, wheels fine to get on and off, i also csp discs fitted at same time, best cash ive spent on the bus!!!!!!!!!!now stops and handles loads better!!!!!!!!

My rear wheels wouldnt come off when dropped :lol: does yours have the later shape
flared rear wheel arches?...just curious.

 

[dave]

Early arches, standard tyres, wheels only just clear when removing / fitting!!!! clearance in mm NOT cm!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Austin]

good thread, does anyone know how much it would cost to get adjusters welded to the beam? i've got wagons west rear horseshoe plates, and wagons west drop spindles, i dont think the front will be low enough so i think adjusters will be best. my welding skills are have not been used for 13 years so, although i have a go at anything, welding is best left to someone else!!

what do people pay for adjusters to be welded in?

sorry to jack the thread, thought others might be interested in this q too.

ta