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CommodoreCollector Samba Member
Joined: August 07, 2013 Posts: 74 Location: Duncan
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Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2016 4:50 pm Post subject: Split Beetle Front Beam Differences |
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Couldn't find a post about this in the FAQ, so figured I would start one.
Q: Are there any differences from a 1949-1953 Split Beetle front Beam?
Q: Is it possible to use a later King Pin Beam from a bug in place of the split beam?
Q: Where there any notable changes in their design/construction that would be helpful for those rebuilding their back to stock?
Q: Are there any differences between the early beetle brake front brakes drums and later beetle? _________________ Christopher
Not For Sale:
1969 Karmann Ghia
1961 Type 2 DD Panel
1960 Euro Kombi
1959 Type 2 Single Cab
1958 Type 2 Panel
1958 Type 2 Single Cab
1958 Karmann Ghia |
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52 split Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2007 Posts: 149 Location: the best island in the world, vancouver island
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Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2016 6:00 pm Post subject: Re: Split Beetle Front Beam Differences |
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hey Chris yes early beams are short shock tower mounts, kdfs had no shock towers. yes you can use a later link pin beam. early brakes use 4 bolt wheel cylinders. I have a bare split beam that needs repair if you need it. |
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CommodoreCollector Samba Member
Joined: August 07, 2013 Posts: 74 Location: Duncan
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Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2016 7:27 pm Post subject: Re: Split Beetle Front Beam Differences |
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52 split wrote: |
hey Chris yes early beams are short shock tower mounts, kdfs had no shock towers. yes you can use a later link pin beam. early brakes use 4 bolt wheel cylinders. I have a bare split beam that needs repair if you need it. |
I have a rough kdf beam with og rusty leaves and one upper control arm. I am missing pretty much everything else.
If I can sub in a 1955-1960 bug beam in the meantime I can get the car (almost) rolling which is the goal at the moment. _________________ Christopher
Not For Sale:
1969 Karmann Ghia
1961 Type 2 DD Panel
1960 Euro Kombi
1959 Type 2 Single Cab
1958 Type 2 Panel
1958 Type 2 Single Cab
1958 Karmann Ghia |
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nlorntson Crazy VW Lady
Joined: March 13, 2004 Posts: 3776 Location: Twin Cities, MN
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Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2016 7:33 pm Post subject: Re: Split Beetle Front Beam Differences |
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Splits have a very different shape to the inner wheel arch than an oval or later car. I wonder if that would be a problem with trying to use a later beam?
This is the area I'm talking about:
This is, I think, an oval front clip. The profile of a split is much less pointy. |
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OvalTeenAZ Samba Member
Joined: May 12, 2007 Posts: 661 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2016 9:25 pm Post subject: Re: Split Beetle Front Beam Differences |
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Here is what I know from my knowledge over the last few years of playing with these cars.
194x - 1948. Used in KDF cars.. Very short shocks that connected to the upper control arm... The later style mounts to the bottom arm.
1949 - 1950. Could possibly be 1949 only. Welded seam down the shock tower. I've never owned a 1950 model so I'm not sure on the change over.
1951-1952 with spot welded seam.. As seen on my 2 '51s and a '52
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CommodoreCollector Samba Member
Joined: August 07, 2013 Posts: 74 Location: Duncan
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Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2016 11:22 pm Post subject: Re: Split Beetle Front Beam Differences |
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Great info OvalTeenAZ. My August 1950 front beam looks like 1951-1952 front beam picture you posted. _________________ Christopher
Not For Sale:
1969 Karmann Ghia
1961 Type 2 DD Panel
1960 Euro Kombi
1959 Type 2 Single Cab
1958 Type 2 Panel
1958 Type 2 Single Cab
1958 Karmann Ghia |
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splitjunkie Samba Member
Joined: April 04, 2006 Posts: 4083
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Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2016 1:23 pm Post subject: Re: Split Beetle Front Beam Differences |
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Any '53 through '65 link pin front beam will bolt on with no issues. _________________ Chris
You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld |
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CommodoreCollector Samba Member
Joined: August 07, 2013 Posts: 74 Location: Duncan
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Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2016 8:37 pm Post subject: Re: Split Beetle Front Beam Differences |
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splitjunkie wrote: |
Any '53 through '65 link pin front beam will bolt on with no issues. |
Just wanted to update to let everyone know i was able to mount a 1960's king pin beam into the 1950. However it did need some modification. The sway bar had to be removed to give the beam more clearance to swing into place. Also the two studs on the top of the 60's beam had to be removed since they are bigger than the bolt holes in the 1950 to hold the beam to the body. _________________ Christopher
Not For Sale:
1969 Karmann Ghia
1961 Type 2 DD Panel
1960 Euro Kombi
1959 Type 2 Single Cab
1958 Type 2 Panel
1958 Type 2 Single Cab
1958 Karmann Ghia |
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Dan14 Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2004 Posts: 21
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Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2024 8:24 pm Post subject: Re: Split Beetle Front Beam Differences |
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Can anyone tell what control arms are compatable with a beam from a 50? Spindles too? My beam came bare and i'll need to canabalize one... |
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Blue Baron VW Aficionado
Joined: June 16, 2006 Posts: 23752 Location: Southeast USA
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 10:41 am Post subject: Re: Split Beetle Front Beam Differences |
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Splits used fewer and thicker torsion leaves, and the suspension was much stiffer. I'm not sure whether later parts are a direct swap. _________________ We are striving for perfection, to make our cars run forever, if possible.
Heinz Nordhoff |
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Dan14 Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2004 Posts: 21
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Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2024 9:01 am Post subject: Re: Split Beetle Front Beam Differences |
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Thanks for the feedback BB. Anyone know if there are interchangeable parts with newer beams? |
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