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sactojesse Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2006 Posts: 2655 Location: Sacramento, California, USA
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 10:15 am Post subject: Re: Ghia Suspension:Lower, Narrow, Adjust - Custom & Stock |
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Aearon wrote: |
I am running Rivieras with 195\50 R15's on all four corners. I have air shocks in the rear which have a slow leak. I am interested in getting the car level or with a slight rake without raising the rear way up but I am thinking I dont have the room to lower. I know those are big wide tires but I do like the look. I am not rubbing at the moment but fear if I lower it with those big guys I will. Any suggestions?
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For the front, you'll likely need to go with an adjustable stock width front beam to clear those tires. Or, you could go with a narrowed beam and drop spindles. The addition of drop spindles to a stock width front beam will make your track width too wide for those tires to clear the fender. Riviera replicas don't have the most favorable offset. Your best bet for getting wide tires in back and in front is to go with a rim with more positive offset, such as 2 liter alloy replicas.
Also, 195/50R15 is a poor choice for the rear, as the rolling diameter is much smaller than stock (22.7" vs. 25.4" for 165/80R15). If you want wide tires in back, I would suggest 195/65R15 (25.0" diameter) or 185/65R15 (24.5"). _________________ 1966 Karmann-Ghia convertible |
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nani85 Samba Member
Joined: May 29, 2015 Posts: 3 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 9:11 am Post subject: Re: Ghia Suspension:Lower, Narrow, Adjust - Custom & Stock |
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First time posting here in the samba forum, but I have been following for over a year now. I have done a lot of reading here and I have learned a few things about Karmann Ghias.
I have seen a bunch of 2.5" in dropped spindles advertised, but last week I found some 2" in dropped spindles online. Has anybody used these? I went through the whole "wheel, tire and suspension" thread and did not find anybody using these. Thanks in advance! |
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cmdrfire Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2009 Posts: 67 Location: UK
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 11:39 am Post subject: Re: Ghia Suspension:Lower, Narrow, Adjust - Custom & Stock |
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nani85 wrote: |
First time posting here in the samba forum, but I have been following for over a year now. I have done a lot of reading here and I have learned a few things about Karmann Ghias.
I have seen a bunch of 2.5" in dropped spindles advertised, but last week I found some 2" in dropped spindles online. Has anybody used these? I went through the whole "wheel, tire and suspension" thread and did not find anybody using these. Thanks in advance! |
I used the CB Performance front disc brake conversion kit with drop spindles which are listed at the 2.5"in drop. I had some issues with Porsche wheels which are detailed here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8113254#8113254
Can't help with the 2" drop spindles, sorry. |
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bluedot Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2013 Posts: 439
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 9:42 pm Post subject: Re: Ghia Suspension:Lower, Narrow, Adjust - Custom & Stock |
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I'm gonna try some 17's again, and would love some feedback / ideas.
Currently, my car is running a CiP 2" narrowed adjustable beam, with 2.5" empi drop spindles and empi wide 5 brakes. She has 4.5" up front with 135's and 5.5's in back with 165's.
Didn't get the kingpin stuff installed correctly, so I need to redo it. Never have liked the empi wide 5 stuff, so just picked up a CB Performance wide 5 kit with their dropped spindles and drilled rotors.
The CB Performance says 7/8" additional offset. I know the empi kit must be doing that too right?
Unfortunately, my beam was not set for dropped spindles, so 3-1/2" is as high as I can go! It seems the adjusters are in the wrong spot.
I would like to put a set of 17" wheels, either radars or speedmasters on it ET40 with a set of 195/40/17's. and 205/50/17's on the back.
I'm wondering if I need to go with a 3" narrowed beam to get these tires to fit in the wheelwells, while possibly raising my car an 1" for some longer cruises.
How the heck can I calculate this without the wheels and the tires and endless trying new combinations? I'm afraid I will run out of $$ if I keep this up too long.
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sputnick60 Samba Moderator
Joined: July 22, 2007 Posts: 3907 Location: In Molinya Orbit
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Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2016 12:36 am Post subject: Re: Ghia Suspension:Lower, Narrow, Adjust - Custom & Stock |
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Hi bluedot.
I have the csp disk set which go on the cb performance drum brake dropped spindles. The original plan using mangels with backspacing to match the original rims required a 2" narrowed beam. Midway through I saw some enkei rims from the flat 4 people that I really liked. Those worked fine at the back but at below stock height all around and with 5.5 inch wide rims it needed the beam narrowed futher to 4 inches all up to work properly up the front. The csp set boasts zero offset. You've probably seen the photos of all that in my gallery or build thread.
If you need to cut your beam again, it is the perfect time to revisit the position of your height adjusters. You'd cut, narrow, rotate ( to the proper angles) then weld it all back together.
As for working out the right dimensions I can only suggest gaining access to an original beam and take measurements off that then do the various subtractions for the spindle, disk and wheel combinations that come up with the overall shock tower to shock tower width that can function properly.
Nicholas _________________ '66 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet...
'65 Porsche 356C Coupe...
2005 Mecedes Benz C180 Kompressor Estate
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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J1 Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2014 Posts: 698 Location: SoCal
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Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2016 12:24 am Post subject: Re: Ghia Suspension:Lower, Narrow, Adjust - Custom & Stock |
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If one wants to narrow a beam without adding adjusters, would it be easier to cut a section at each end OUTSIDE the mount brackets instead of cutting out a section in BETWEEN the brackets? The benefit as I see it is that you won't have to cut the brackets off. _________________ 1971 Ghia coupe. Assume I know nothing and you'll be pretty darn close to the truth. |
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c21darrel Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009 Posts: 8206 Location: San Dimas
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J1 Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2014 Posts: 698 Location: SoCal
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Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2016 11:25 pm Post subject: Re: Ghia Suspension:Lower, Narrow, Adjust - Custom & Stock |
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I assume the "ends" are the sections outside of the shock towers. But would cutting the section between the mounting bracket and the shock tower (at both sides) be easier than cutting the center? Again this is if without adjusters. _________________ 1971 Ghia coupe. Assume I know nothing and you'll be pretty darn close to the truth. |
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c21darrel Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009 Posts: 8206 Location: San Dimas
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blakedouglas Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2012 Posts: 3 Location: Pasadena, TX
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Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2016 7:46 am Post subject: Re: Ghia Suspension:Lower, Narrow, Adjust - Custom & Stock |
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tHANKS FOR ALL OF THE GREAT DETAILS, FEEDBACK AND INSTRUCTION
I have a 73 Ball Joint/Disc Brake stock Ghia that I plan to install drop spindles up front.
I will be running 135/15 tires with 4.5in wide chromies.
Any suggestions of other parts I should replace while having the spindles installed?
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sactojesse Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2006 Posts: 2655 Location: Sacramento, California, USA
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Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2016 10:59 am Post subject: Re: Ghia Suspension:Lower, Narrow, Adjust - Custom & Stock |
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blakedouglas wrote: |
Any suggestions of other parts I should replace while having the spindles installed? |
Ball joints and tire rod ends. _________________ 1966 Karmann-Ghia convertible |
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Bloku Expert Noob
Joined: April 09, 2013 Posts: 559 Location: Tulsa/Jenks Oklahoma
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 12:22 pm Post subject: Re: Ghia Suspension:Lower, Narrow, Adjust - Custom & Stock |
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Nice looking Ghia blakedougles! I like to see getting used.
About the parts to replace... It depends on the condition of your front suspension. If you have good ball joints and good tie rod ends, then I would not replace anything, but if the previous is NOT true, then I would replace all those things. Also, for drive-ability, I would install caster shims to return the car's caster angle so it will want to drive straighter.
Lastly, IMHO, I would NOT use 135 tires. Though they are known as the classic, lowered, VW tire, I would get something along the lines of a 155 and up tire because of how squirrely those are said to get on the highway!
Best of luck to you! _________________ 1971 Karmann Ghia
1975 Porsche 914
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1975 BMW 2002
1976 BMW 2002 (Bored and Stroked w/ 5-Speed)
1981 BMW E21
1986 Toyota 4Runner (Dead engine and trans)
1989 Toyota 4x4 PU
1994 BMW E36 (Daily) |
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c21darrel Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009 Posts: 8206 Location: San Dimas
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JMkarmann Samba Member
Joined: December 25, 2016 Posts: 9 Location: belgium
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2017 3:35 pm Post subject: Re: Ghia Suspension:Lower, Narrow, Adjust - Custom & Stock |
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Hi new here on the samba. And newbie with my 65 Ghia
I would like to fit 16'' 6j Wheels et 20.
I have currently stock Beam, i bought front disc kit with drop spindles
Any body knows if 195 45 16 in rear and 185 40 17 in front would level my ghia.
Do i have to narrow my Beam? I test fitted the rear rim without wheel and it looks i am going to hit the bumstop with the rim.
Any ideas?? |
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craigolio1 Samba Member
Joined: April 24, 2010 Posts: 157
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2017 6:21 pm Post subject: Re: Ghia Suspension:Lower, Narrow, Adjust - Custom & Stock |
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Did you mean 16 on the front as well? It might look odd with mismatched sizes like that. I've seen it done with the rear as there is more fender to fill but even then it looks odd. In my opinion you're better off matching the wheel size and increasing the tire size a little at the back if you want to. But doing that too much messes with your gearing.
Craig _________________ I'm the new guy. Thanks for your patience.
1970 Ghia Convertable - Restoration in progress.
Link to my build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=637602
Located in the Toronto area. |
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xzener Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2006 Posts: 1777
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Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2017 4:10 pm Post subject: Re: Ghia Suspension:Lower, Narrow, Adjust - Custom & Stock |
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So I'm gathering all the parts needed to convert my 68 KG to short axle... But am starting to wonder if I need to. I've read conflicting information about fitting the 17x7 fauks on a 68. Before I buy the axles, I plan on buying a drum and a rim to see how they will fit on long axles. Was hoping to hear from others to confirm how cheap or expensive this is going to be.
Anyone out there running 17" fauks on long axles??
Thanks.
EDIT:
OK, further research indicates the car in question was a 69 with IRS. So I will continue purchasing the items needed to convert. _________________ My 70 beetle was totaled Now to build the Ghia I always wanted. Rest in peace Ruby, I will miss you. Hello <insert Ghia name here>! |
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JMkarmann Samba Member
Joined: December 25, 2016 Posts: 9 Location: belgium
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 12:13 pm Post subject: Re: Ghia Suspension:Lower, Narrow, Adjust - Custom & Stock |
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craigolio1 wrote: |
Did you mean 16 on the front as well? It might look odd with mismatched sizes like that. I've seen it done with the rear as there is more fender to fill but even then it looks odd. In my opinion you're better off matching the wheel size and increasing the tire size a little at the back if you want to. But doing that too much messes with your gearing.
Craig |
Yes 16 front and back maybe a bigger tire in the back indeed but what would fit, and what do i have to do you make the front fit without Rubing. narrowing? How mush? |
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Figment Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2016 Posts: 218 Location: Connecticut, USA
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Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2017 6:09 pm Post subject: Re: Ghia Suspension:Lower, Narrow, Adjust - Custom & Stock |
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I don't want to do an adjustable beam. Not yet anyway.
Could anyone hazard a guess on how many torsion bar teeth to move to get this stance a bit more balanced? _________________ '71 Ghia coupe |
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craigolio1 Samba Member
Joined: April 24, 2010 Posts: 157
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Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2017 6:45 pm Post subject: Re: Ghia Suspension:Lower, Narrow, Adjust - Custom & Stock |
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JMkarmann wrote: |
craigolio1 wrote: |
Did you mean 16 on the front as well? It might look odd with mismatched sizes like that. I've seen it done with the rear as there is more fender to fill but even then it looks odd. In my opinion you're better off matching the wheel size and increasing the tire size a little at the back if you want to. But doing that too much messes with your gearing.
Craig |
Yes 16 front and back maybe a bigger tire in the back indeed but what would fit, and what do i have to do you make the front fit without Rubing. narrowing? How mush? |
This is the million dollar question. I have collected a couple of different sizes of old tires to try in just to check for fit. Then I'll know what to buy when it's tire time.
Craig. _________________ I'm the new guy. Thanks for your patience.
1970 Ghia Convertable - Restoration in progress.
Link to my build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=637602
Located in the Toronto area. |
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57BLITZ Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2012 Posts: 2385 Location: DEEK - U.S.A.
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Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2017 7:30 pm Post subject: Re: Ghia Suspension:Lower, Narrow, Adjust - Custom & Stock |
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Figment wrote: |
Could anyone hazard a guess on how many torsion bar teeth to move to get this stance a bit more balanced? |
The rear torsion bars/spring plates are splined . . . .
Are you sayin' that you want to raise the rear to match the front so you will be able to drive it off-road, OR, do you want rear more low than it is now so that the front of your car points up to the sky?!?!?!? _________________ Jesucristo es mi Seņor y Salvador! |
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