ride quality of 4" narrowed beam?

[gingerporsche]

Hi all,
Just wanted to know if anyone is running a 4" narrowed link pin beam on dropped spindles an what the ride was like??
Thanks
wilf

 

[windsurfer]

I'm running the very same, only driven stock before that. The honest answer is 'not great', steering is difficult but it looks COOL! I don't find it too bad though and am getting more used to it as time goes on (only had it for 4 months). Go for it :mrgreen:

 

[young_dubya]

how do you mean steering is difficult??? :?: :mrgreen: interested as im thinking of going this route. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[Monster966]

It's fine, I just put some bugpack shocks on the front instead of kyb's, much better. They're a fair bit shorter so don't bottom out at all & they are actually supple so it doesn't jar over every line in the road anymore. My steering doesn't seem heavy to me, I'd say check the steering out not the narrow beam.

 

[windsurfer]

how do you mean steering is difficult??? :?: :mrgreen: interested as im thinking of going this route. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

When you go lower, any problems with the steering box is accentuated, I got a repro box which helped but driving it is definately harder than when at stock height. It will not just go in a straight line without constantly adjusting and the faster you go, the more you feel it. Everyone I've spoken to who's gone lower says the same so I'm really surprised to hear someone saying 'it's fine', yes it's drivable and I'm getting used to it but I'd be lying if I said it's just great and didn't warn you that it will feel different and a bit scary at first.

That said, I wouldn't go back to stock and have taken my wife and two kids away in it so I'm not too worried :mrgreen:

 

[alex4057]

I'd say your bus has been set up incorrectly if it feels like that!!!!!!

PM Adamski on here if you don't believe me, but even some of the UK's premier slamming shops tend to get the job done but don't tend to be set up that well.

Link Pin and drop spindles is the most affective and comfortable way of running a VERY low but still safe and drivable Van!!!

I have driven a few but can't comment fully as my van is ball joint (hence why i said PM Adam)

I have been in and driven the van below and can tell you it's the most comfortable and easiest van to drive. It runs the set up your on about plus Porsche disc up front and adjustable spring plates in the rear, The reason it drives so well is the time and effort gone into setting it up, Anyone can slam your van cheap, but it'll drive like a bag of shite!!! This van has had chassis rails notched at the front and the rear to allow for Steering, arms, driveshafts etc to have plenty of travel without obstruction.

We drive our bays faster and harder than most people think possible, it's all due to Mark and Matt @ autotechniks and there expertise in tuning and setting up VW's but especially Bays!!!

If your bay drives badly it's because you've gone down the cheap route and then not set it up correctly!!!!

Mark @ Autotechniks : 01372 878 381

Facebook group:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Autotechniks-Type-2-Performance/110083145937?ref=ts" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[ballbag]

Link Pin and drop spindles is the most affective and comfortable way of running a VERY low but still safe and drivable Van!!!

Mine's ball joint and drives brilliantly, it has a 4" beam that I built and T2D dropped spindles and there's about an inch between my wheels and the arch.

 

[easy]

Ive got a 3.75 inch narrowed creative beam with creative adjustable shocks on the front and just dropped 2 splines on the back. All runs and drives like a dream. I have driven tons of buses and seen tons more and this ride suits me best, it steers well and handles loads of extra load when i cruise down to Cornwall etc.

If i had one critisism is that its a bit bouncy, but thats cos my seats have been resprung and have plenty of boing in em! :lol: 8)

 

[young_dubya]

how do you mean steering is difficult??? :?: :mrgreen: interested as im thinking of going this route. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

When you go lower, any problems with the steering box is accentuated, I got a repro box which helped but driving it is definately harder than when at stock height. It will not just go in a straight line without constantly adjusting and the faster you go, the more you feel it. Everyone I've spoken to who's gone lower says the same so I'm really surprised to hear someone saying 'it's fine', yes it's drivable and I'm getting used to it but I'd be lying if I said it's just great and didn't warn you that it will feel different and a bit scary at first.

That said, I wouldn't go back to stock and have taken my wife and two kids away in it so I'm not too worried :mrgreen:

that too me sounds like its trolley wheeling, id have said you need abit more caster.

 

[Dave68]

Can I jump into this topic. I'm running my first bus and I bought it a couple of months back with all new steering (but not steering box), suspension and brakes, with CSP discs on the front, a 70mm narrowed link pin beam and a two spline rear drop. It looks dead cool. (I'll try and get a picture up) This was done by a well known company. Now as I said my experience in driving early bays is minimal and I'm more used to Golf GTI's and Cooper S's, therefore I was expecting the steering to be vague compared to what I'm used to, but I have to say it is a bit worrying :shock: at times. The ride on my bus is great, considering it's low and the engineering appears top notch, but I'm just wondering now whether there is more that could have been done with the 'set-up'. Can anyone recommend someone in the East Midlands that would be able to take a look, because I would prefer it to be a little more positive!! :?:

Cheers

Dave'68

 

[easy]

how do you mean a bit more positive dood? braking? stearing? both? 8)

 

[adamski]

I agree what Alex says, my van drives great, it was originally done at T2D, and they are legends at the suspension. Mark and Matt at Autotechnicks have completely sorted the engine, and general running of the van. I feel like I have a new bus since it has been to them.

The steering before it went to T2D was poor, and the ride like jumping about on a bag of rocks. 1 narrowed beam (LP) and dropped spindles later, and it drove like new (from a steering and ride quality).

 

[pinstriper]

I agree with Alex and Adamski.....
to get a bus low and driving well isn't as simple as whacking an adjustable beam in.
we are balljoint at the front [late bay]...with a T2D adjustable narrowed beam and T2D dropped spindles...coilover assisted shocks, gas KYB's on the rear, [includeing...new ball joints, new track rod ends, steering idler pin, new drag] new tyres and tracking done...it rides like a magic carpet
speak to T2D they sell everything you need...what Mark and Matt at Autotechnics don't know about lowering buses would fit on a stamp...and they are also very helpful.

 

[alex4057]

Link Pin and drop spindles is the most affective and comfortable way of running a VERY low but still safe and drivable Van!!!

Mine's ball joint and drives brilliantly, it has a 4" beam that I built and T2D dropped spindles and there's about an inch between my wheels and the arch.

Mines Ball joint too

but you can go lower easier with link pin

 

[petegee56]

I have to say, i have gone from a late bus lowered on a stock beam with adjusters to a king link pin beam with dropped spindles and narrowed 2 inches on my new bus, the ride quality with my new bus is like a different world, so much smoother and a better drive

Pete

 

[Dave68]

Hi Guys
Can I ressurect this topic as I've had no access to the interweb since my post. 'Easy' asked what I wanted to be more 'positive'? and I have to say it's just the steering that I'm not that happy with. The ride, for being a low bus is great, there's no 'po-going' or anything like that, it's just that there seems to be a constant need to correct the steering, even on the best of roads. As I said, does anyone have any ideas or recommendations. I could go back to where I got the bus from, but it's bloody miles away and I would rather work with someone more local. Lesson learned there for me!
Cheers
Dave

 

[adamski]

If you search on thesamba.com there is a guy who has installed a creative steering box on a seriously slammed bay (he had to mod the chassis, and shorten the steering column). That is a great way to sort the steering. After a few thoughts and comments, my suspension is awesome, but the steering is not amazing, but it has always been like that!

 

[dagboyblue]

i think i'm going to go the narrowed king and link pin beam with drop spindles - what are the best places to get this combo??

 

[adamski]

I'm running the very same, only driven stock before that. The honest answer is 'not great', steering is difficult but it looks COOL! I don't find it too bad though and am getting more used to it as time goes on (only had it for 4 months). Go for it :mrgreen:

This van, and a chap called Faux certainly have two of the coolest looking Bays this side of the ocean.