Narrowed Beam on a Bay - What is it like to drive and advice

[adamski]

Thanks mate, I see what you mean!

I basically want the look of Faux bus on page 1 or your split on page one. The position of the wheels look about the same.

Thanks!

I will take some pictures to Paul at T2D when I take my van, he has been very helpful.

 

[faux]

My beam was from Paul at T2D, it is a CB 2" narrowed beam (1" either side). The 4" beams are bought as 2" and modified for the additionl 1" either side. My wheels are a 21 et offset which means they tuck under alot, you have to take that into the equasion.

You will also need CSP disc kit if you are fitting king/link pins I think or bay drums (and spigot ring).As I well know, nothing is easy when it comes to modifying.

 

[adamski]

Thanks Mr Faux, I will go for the 4'' beam then, as I don't have the offset on my wheels.

I'm going do more research this weekend at Brighton Breeze!

 

[Tofufi]

4" narrowed beam, stock wheels and tyres.

I'm running std balljoints, spindles and everything else.

 

[Trikky2]

Now I am probably being a bit provocative here maybe but why is it necessary to put a narrowed beam on a vehicle?

One of the main contributors to bad handling was always body overhang - like on the old Vanguard of the 50's for instance.

One of the main reasons cars like the mini were such good handling and grippy vehicles is because they worked to the principal of a wheel on each corner.

Can somebody explain why making the track of a vehicle narrower and increasing body overhang should improve the handling? Im puzzled?

Im not saying this to annoy anybody - i just dont understand

 

[BamberJim]

Had my old van done 4" and the ride was very good it was slammed on adjusters with oils shocks. check my posts for pics, the one thing that concerned me was that you do loose the anti-roll bar,, but i suppose you don't throw the bus into corners anyway. MArk at the Bus Station was the cheapest i found, and his work was quality

 

[kempy]

Now I am probably being a bit provocative here maybe but why is it necessary to put a narrowed beam on a vehicle?

One of the main contributors to bad handling was always body overhang - like on the old Vanguard of the 50's for instance.

One of the main reasons cars like the mini were such good handling and grippy vehicles is because they worked to the principal of a wheel on each corner.

Can somebody explain why making the track of a vehicle narrower and increasing body overhang should improve the handling? Im puzzled?

Im not saying this to annoy anybody - i just dont understand

Quire simply it's just to alter the look of a car and nothing else. I think it looks great, however don't intend to do it on my latest van as i can't justify the costs associated with it at the moment.

Lowering a van slightly and correctly can help reduce roll but depends how you drive it.

It's all down to choice and wanting to put an idividual mark on your van and the current fashion/trend.

Mike

 

[faux]

FUN, FUN, FUN,

Slow and Low

A 1.6 single port is never going to going to break any land speed records, and at stock height they are a bit wobly, so why not have a bit of fun add some cool factor and make your bus stand out. It ain't that practical and it comes with it's problems but it's mine and I dun it. :lol:

(And I have kept all my stock suspension for when I grow up)

 

[adamski]

slow, low and keeps me off the streets!

 

[VWAIRCOOLED]

You can make your own narrowed beam too if you want to,you can buy the beam mounting plates,cut off your old shock towers and weld them onto the beam how you want it.Can't go in too far though or the shocks won't go up and down! Before you hack off your old shock towers do one side at a time and weld on a brace to the side you're working on.I reckon I will give this a try over the winter.
If you've got the cool air catalouge 3rd edition go to page 51 it tells you how to do it! The new shock towers/side plates are £149.95 Also you will need to cut the torsion leaves to size and shorten and retap the track rod.Or buy them, narrowed leaves are £69.95 a set and shortened track rods are £39.95 each.

 

[Tofufi]

Now I am probably being a bit provocative here maybe but why is it necessary to put a narrowed beam on a vehicle?

One of the main contributors to bad handling was always body overhang - like on the old Vanguard of the 50's for instance.

One of the main reasons cars like the mini were such good handling and grippy vehicles is because they worked to the principal of a wheel on each corner.

Can somebody explain why making the track of a vehicle narrower and increasing body overhang should improve the handling? Im puzzled?

Im not saying this to annoy anybody - i just dont understand

Mine actually corners very nicely because there is very little body roll compared to stock. On ring roads etc I tend to lose cars round the roundabouts and corners, and then have them overtake me on the straights.

I don't explain why it corners well, it has no anti-roll bar and 4" narrowed. But it feels nice to drive anyway

 

[faux]

Rusty Lee has some side plates for sale too I think.