2" or 4" narrowed beam

[numbnuts]

Hi guys,

I am about to get round to the front beam on my 56 bug, I can't decide if I need a 2" narrowed beam or a 4". I do not want the wheels too far in but I do not want the wheels too close to the arches. I guess it depends on which brakes and wheels I decide to run.
Was thinking of CB performance disk brake kit and Gas burner replicas 5" wide I think, or maybe Porsche fuch reps in 4.5" at the front.
Anyone running similar set up that can show me how the wheels sit?

Thanks joel

[Zach Gomulka]

Decide on wheels/brakes/tires, then mock it up with a stock width beam. Cut what needs to be cut.

Wider = Better.

[Richierich56]

This is with 2" narrowed, dropped spindles, AC Ind discs up front and 5.5 repro Gasburners

[Larry S]

nice stance! that looks just right... I just bought a 2" narrowed for my 56, I wanted a little clearance but I wanted to still run shocks, sway bar, etc. and all of that is easily availble for the 2".
I had a 6" on another car and didn't like how the car handled without shocks and sway bar, around town was ok but on the interstate it was terrible.

[numbnuts]

Thanks richierich, that looks lovely any more pics?
Thanks

[Richierich56]

Thanks for the kind comments guys. By the way, my tyre sizes are 205/65/15 in the rear and 135/15 in the front.. I was considering narrowing the beam another 2" but can't decide.

[richie]

Hi guys,

I am about to get round to the front beam on my 56 bug, I can't decide if I need a 2" narrowed beam or a 4". I do not want the wheels too far in but I do not want the wheels too close to the arches. I guess it depends on which brakes and wheels I decide to run.
Was thinking of CB performance disk brake kit and Gas burner replicas 5" wide I think, or maybe Porsche fuch reps in 4.5" at the front.
Anyone running similar set up that can show me how the wheels sit?

Thanks joel

Are they genuine oval wings or repos? makes a huge difference to clearance and fit


cheers Richie

[JeeWee]

so you ac industies disc brake kit does widen the track with 1/4th of an inch? that includes the spindles right? Repro gasburners have a lot of different offset values (ET), how much are yours?

[Richierich56]

so you ac industies disc brake kit does widen the track with 1/4th of an inch? that includes the spindles right? Repro gasburners have a lot of different offset values (ET), how much are yours?

The discs widen the track 1.5"overall so 3/4" per side hence the reason i guess that my 2" narrowed beam doesnt look a great deal narrower than stock.

[numbnuts]

Richie no they most definitely aren't expensive oval wings! They are cheapo repros that came with it
I was considering getting some day mouldings wings maybe the race weight ones, is there much difference?
I have some dropped spindles on there and a stock beam, not sure on the disc brake kit on there to be honest, its a wide five kit maybe empi?
If I put up some pics can you tell me what I have?

[Richierich56]

Lets have a look and maybe we can tell you what they are

[Zach Gomulka]

I was considering narrowing the beam another 2" but can't decide.

Why?

[Richierich56]

Why was I considering it or why can't I decide?

[Zach Gomulka]

Why were you considering? It looks good, if it doesn't foul the fenders I'd call it done.

[richie]

Richie no they most definitely aren't expensive oval wings! They are cheapo repros that came with it
I was considering getting some day mouldings wings maybe the race weight ones, is there much difference?
I have some dropped spindles on there and a stock beam, not sure on the disc brake kit on there to be honest, its a wide five kit maybe empi?
If I put up some pics can you tell me what I have?

Only real split and oval wings seem to offer more clearance, the day mouldings wings were really nice but wont give you any extra clearance.

If you run 4.5 fuch you shouldn't need a narrowed beam at all but don't know the offsets on the copies, am sure if you put pics up of your brake kit someone here will know what it is


cheers Richie

[Richierich56]

Why were you considering? It looks good, if it doesn't foul the fenders I'd call it done.

Yep I think you're right - you know what it's like though, can't help but keep looking and thinking!

[Richierich56]

And for the OP my repro 5.5j Gasburners are 35mm offset.

4.5j fuchs are a 42mm offset.

[JeeWee]

regarding the wings / front fenders, anyone any experience with the KlassikFab fenders? They have specific split beetle and oval beetle fenders, do they offer more clearance?

https://klassicfab.com/klassicfab1/en/12-type-1-beetle

their fit and quality is normally quite good as I was told.

[Zach Gomulka]

regarding the wings / front fenders, anyone any experience with the KlassikFab fenders? They have specific split beetle and oval beetle fenders, do they offer more clearance?

https://klassicfab.com/klassicfab1/en/12-type-1-beetle

their fit and quality is normally quite good as I was told.

They are stock replacement fenders so the clearances should remain the same.

[Critter1]

My tyre sizes are 205/65/15 in the rear

What model Firestone tire is that? Did you paint the white lettering yourself, or did they come like that.? I've been looking for a Firestone with cool white lettering.

[Richierich56]

My tyre sizes are 205/65/15 in the rear

What model Firestone tire is that? Did you paint the white lettering yourself, or did they come like that.? I've been looking for a Firestone with cool white lettering.

They are Firehawk GT's and i did them myself with one of those Silver tyre paint pens whilst bored one afternoon!