2" narrowed link pin beam

[Wired1]

I am narrowing a link pin beam for my '63 beetle. It is currently running dropped spindles and Empi-5 GTs with 185/65 tyres up front and they hit the guards under braking - fender braking we call it down here.

I have pinched the beam out of my '67 beetle which is getting ready for IRS conversion and the Baja treatment so I can still drive the Red bug while I build the beam. There isn't a lot of information about how to do this so I will make a video of it when I'm done.
So far I have measured up the original beam, removed it from the car and taken it home from my workshop in town to start chopping it up.

I am taking 1" out of each side as this will give me 1/2" clearance off the fender and that is all I need. I'm not a fan of the narrowed look. I'm also not fitting adjusters as the ride height is exactly right. I found some exhaust tubing that is exactly 44mm OD which is the same ID as the beam and I will use this to sleeve the joins.

We have one of the strictest vehicle inspection systems in the world in enzed with compulsory inspections every six months so I want it to look as stock as possible.
For the same reason I'm also going to slim and plate the towers so that it still looks stock.

[Fasterbrit]

Good work! Nice to see a post from Downunder 

[Richyrich]

Nice, love this home build stuff, and from NZ as well, cool. keep up the work Bud..

[Wired1]

Thanks guys, got a bit of welding done this evening after work - my ideal Friday night

[Wünderwolff]

I know it's a bit late for that now  But maybe the next beam?

But in order for the narrowing beind less conspicious, I cut the two tubes behind the two shell that are used to tighten the axle to the chassis. I grinded them of first and welded them back on after the operation. This way I could really weld hard without the welds showing at the tech control.

[Wired1]

Yes someone else said that locally too - you do have to take the clamps off and move the steering box locaters but neither of them are hard to do.

[Wired1]

Welded up and smoothed back. Then a nice thick coat of primer...

[leec]

Nice work

[Wired1]

Thanks, I'm picking the best photos of course 
Shortened the torsion bars and re-countersunk the grub screw holes. Looks like stock again...

[Wired1]

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/X5k6w65hS70" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/X5k6w65hS70</a>

[IP359]

Very interesting video Wired1 !
Don't hesitate to share next ones
Thanks

[Wired1]

Will do thanks, I've got a few on Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/user/wiredkiwi) showing ball joint and link pin beam mods plus a motor rebuild and a few motorcycles I've restored. All good fun.

[Wired1]

These arrived today from the laser cutter, I drew them up using a pencil and paper and they translated it to a dxf without a comment on my archaic drawing. These are for the beam I take out of Red Bug when I put the narrowed one in and will also have adjusters in the middle of each pipe. I measured the above beam today and it has ended up 60mm narrower than stock (about 2 3/8"). The next one will be 100mm (4") easy and still fit like stock.

[Wired1]

Swapped over the beams today and it took most of the day. The narrowed beam was a snug fit but clears the inner guards by about 5mm and there is no squeaking when you are driving so I guess it's clear. It would be very difficult to go any narrower than this (60mm) with stock towers.


Amazingly the wheel alignement was exactly right just by sheer good luck. I shortened the track rods by 25mm each and assumed I would have to adjust them, better buy a lotto ticket I guess.

It drove really well on the test run and no fender braking now - hate that noise.
Seeing how this fits I will rebuild the beam that came out with the custom towers I had made and will make it about 3" total narrowing which will end up with a good 10mm clear of the inner fenders but still fill the fenders nicely. I will also fit adjusters to the next one as it would be nice to be able to fine-tune the height.
Movie to follow of course

[Wired1]

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/1EGeTgqHlkc" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/1EGeTgqHlkc</a>