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 Lowering the front of a 70 Bug

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Davids74Super
SacTown
Davids74Super


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Join date : 2010-07-08
Age : 35
Location : Wilton, CA

Lowering the front of a 70 Bug Empty
PostSubject: Lowering the front of a 70 Bug   Lowering the front of a 70 Bug EmptyWed Jan 12, 2011 9:16 pm

Soon, I'm going to be lowering the front of my 70 Bug. I have never done this before, so I will be needing help on how to do it.

I know someone with an adjustable beam, so I can get that, but I don't know how to install it, or what other parts I need.

As far as the work involved, it's no problem, I really just need a parts list of what I will need.

Thanks.
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Low Class
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Low Class


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Join date : 2010-07-12
Age : 61
Location : Penn Valley

Lowering the front of a 70 Bug Empty
PostSubject: Re: Lowering the front of a 70 Bug   Lowering the front of a 70 Bug EmptyWed Jan 12, 2011 9:44 pm

In December I installed an narrowed adjustable beam in my 64. Your parts list will depend on the beam. Is it complete from spindle to spindle? If not then you will have to swap parts from your current beam. You may want to install new ball joints depending on their condition.
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Guest
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Lowering the front of a 70 Bug Empty
PostSubject: Re: Lowering the front of a 70 Bug   Lowering the front of a 70 Bug EmptyWed Jan 12, 2011 10:34 pm

I recently built and installed an adjustable beam to drop my '70 bug a couple inches. If I was to do it again, I would just use 2-1/2" drop spindles and leave the beam alone. Lowering the beam jacks the steering geometry all out of whack, and you you will have to buy "lowered "shocks. In either case, if you're going for the "nose down" look, you will need to get a set of caster shims to make it drive good. Just my 2 cents. Hope it helps!
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Bradford
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Bradford


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Lowering the front of a 70 Bug Empty
PostSubject: Re: Lowering the front of a 70 Bug   Lowering the front of a 70 Bug EmptyWed Jan 12, 2011 10:55 pm

Yeah.. I have had both.. spindles on my 66 and adjustable beam on all the rest.

I found that the spindles just were not enough. So when I go again, will do both. But will only use spindles on a narrowed adjustable beam. The spindles push your front wheels out 1/4" each side.

The beam swap is pretty straight forward.
Wheels and brakes off.. gas tank out.. 4 bolts on the front of the beam, two on top.. steering coupler off..and exchange.

Getting the arms off can be a pain.. and if you are swaping the torsion bars.. tape them together as they come out.. helps when re-installing them.

you can buy Nissan truck front shocks.. like 91' year will work. they are 2 1/2" lower and bolt right in. and yes.. caster shims do help correct geometry.

I did like the ride that spindles gave me.. all stock.. just didnt like my front wheels that close to the fender.. your forced to use narrow fronts. But other than that..
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Davids74Super
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Davids74Super


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Lowering the front of a 70 Bug Empty
PostSubject: Re: Lowering the front of a 70 Bug   Lowering the front of a 70 Bug EmptyWed Jan 12, 2011 11:19 pm

I want the front end low. It sits way too high now.

Lowering the front of a 70 Bug 73187_1470458328986_1459462750_31109898_1222865_n



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Bradford
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Lowering the front of a 70 Bug Empty
PostSubject: Re: Lowering the front of a 70 Bug   Lowering the front of a 70 Bug EmptyThu Jan 13, 2011 12:11 am

That is pretty high. Drop spindles alone you would still have about 1.5 inches from tire to fender. You might want to consider doing both.

You can do adjustable only, but will be a rough ride no matter what. Mine (before I sold her..sniff, sniff), was adjustable only and it bounced around even with lowered shocks. I had 185/60/15 on the front and the tires where right at the fender.. I liked the way it looked. I think part of the tread actually was under the fender a bit.

Lowering the front of a 70 Bug 100_1615

And here is my 66 with drop spindles only... stock 165r15

Lowering the front of a 70 Bug Bugside1
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Davids74Super
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Lowering the front of a 70 Bug Empty
PostSubject: Re: Lowering the front of a 70 Bug   Lowering the front of a 70 Bug EmptyThu Jan 13, 2011 1:03 am

So an adjustable beam with drop spindles and lowered shocks would be all I need?
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Lowering the front of a 70 Bug Empty
PostSubject: Re: Lowering the front of a 70 Bug   Lowering the front of a 70 Bug EmptyThu Jan 13, 2011 1:11 am

Don't forget caster shims and extra length bolts. But yeah, that's about all you need.
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Low Class
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Lowering the front of a 70 Bug Empty
PostSubject: Re: Lowering the front of a 70 Bug   Lowering the front of a 70 Bug EmptyThu Jan 13, 2011 11:52 am

And when your done with the front you will stand back, take a look, and say "I really need to lower the back" I am still in the process of adjusting my ride height.
It really helps when you have people like speedbuggy to get things dialed in Wink
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Lowering the front of a 70 Bug Empty
PostSubject: Re: Lowering the front of a 70 Bug   Lowering the front of a 70 Bug EmptyThu Jan 13, 2011 10:58 pm

Thanks Jeff, but you had it dialed in when you got here. By the way, how're you liking it that low?
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Davids74Super
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Lowering the front of a 70 Bug Empty
PostSubject: Re: Lowering the front of a 70 Bug   Lowering the front of a 70 Bug EmptyFri Jan 14, 2011 12:42 am

Low Class wrote:
And when your done with the front you will stand back, take a look, and say "I really need to lower the back"

If that happens, then I will lower it in the back as well.
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Jim Douglas Jr
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Lowering the front of a 70 Bug Empty
PostSubject: Re: Lowering the front of a 70 Bug   Lowering the front of a 70 Bug EmptyFri Jan 14, 2011 4:46 pm

Aww. Your stock Bug looks just fine standard height.
Don't join the cult! Invest in paint! cherry
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silvertonguedevil
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Lowering the front of a 70 Bug Empty
PostSubject: Re: Lowering the front of a 70 Bug   Lowering the front of a 70 Bug EmptyFri Jan 14, 2011 5:13 pm

Slam that baby!
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Jim Douglas Jr
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Lowering the front of a 70 Bug Empty
PostSubject: Re: Lowering the front of a 70 Bug   Lowering the front of a 70 Bug EmptyFri Jan 14, 2011 6:25 pm

Didn't you spent time in jail for that?
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silvertonguedevil
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Lowering the front of a 70 Bug Empty
PostSubject: Re: Lowering the front of a 70 Bug   Lowering the front of a 70 Bug EmptyFri Jan 14, 2011 6:51 pm

^^^ Laughing Laughing I literally had Diet Pepsi shoot out of my nose!! Laughing Laughing
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Davids74Super
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Lowering the front of a 70 Bug Empty
PostSubject: Re: Lowering the front of a 70 Bug   Lowering the front of a 70 Bug EmptyFri Jan 14, 2011 9:25 pm

Jim Douglas Jr wrote:
Aww. Your stock Bug looks just fine standard height.
Don't join the cult! Invest in paint! cherry

Paint is on its way as well. Also new interior.
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Guest
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Lowering the front of a 70 Bug Empty
PostSubject: Re: Lowering the front of a 70 Bug   Lowering the front of a 70 Bug EmptyFri Jan 14, 2011 10:35 pm

I'm still laughing!
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