TheSamba.com :: View topic - Beetle Rod....SoCal look front suspension info needed.....

Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:52 pm

Hello folks,

I just picked up a '69 Beetle project that will be turned into a SoCal Beetle rod.
What do I mean by "Beetle Rod"?
Here's the original site:
http://www.socalook.com/socalook.html
Speedway Motors sells the beam and suspension kits:
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/SoCal-Look-VW-Straight-Axle-Kit,4040.html

I just got off the phone with Speedway and the crossmember is on galactic backorder with no guesstimated time of restock.

No matter what, $1800 for the crossmember and suspension is completely out of my budget.
SO.......
Front Suspension:
I'm looking to the vast and ever-helpful VW world out there to possibly steer me in the right direction for instructions and suppliers for the early Ford front suspension.

Crossmember:
I will undoubtedly build my own crossmember to attach to my bulkhead.
I have enough welding and fabricating experience to do what needs to be done. But blueprints, drawings and photos are all welcome and appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
E-mails, PM's, whatever....

Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:16 pm

Why not just get a beam extension kit and slam the stock beam?

Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:18 pm

If youre on a budget, I seen cars that use extenders to push their vw front beam forward for that look.

http://www.volksrods.com/id101.htm

Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:18 pm

No offense to anyone who's done that but there's NO comparison, looks-wise, between using the Model A Ford front suspension and an extended VW beam.

The Ford/Street Rod front suspension is MUCH cleaner, more compact and, by far, more "street rod".

Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:22 pm

ok.
so go buy the 1800$ kit
Or hit up the antique car swaps

Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:23 pm

Fab4Fan wrote: If youre on a budget, I seen cars that use extenders to push their vw front beam forward for that look.

http://www.volksrods.com/id101.htm

Thanks for the link!!
Awesome site.
I'm checking it out right now.

Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:51 pm

Go to www.volksrods.com then search for posts from jmpowie, he built his own adapter to run a Ford front end on his Super Volksrod. He's a friend of mine, it's a cool piece.

Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:07 pm

MO Turbo Manx wrote: No offense to anyone who's done that but there's NO comparison, looks-wise, between using the Model A Ford front suspension and an extended VW beam.

The Ford/Street Rod front suspension is MUCH cleaner, more compact and, by far, more "street rod".

Keep in mind that a VW isn't very "street rod". $1800 is steep. If you do indeed have the welding and fab skills I think you should be able to come out a lot cheaper. Start looking at pictures for inspiration!

Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:24 am

Freak182 wrote: Go to www.volksrods.com then search for posts from jmpowie, he built his own adapter to run a Ford front end on his Super Volksrod. He's a friend of mine, it's a cool piece.

I was looking at pics on there........there's a SEA of them!
Thanks for the "name". That'll help immensely.

Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:21 am

Here's the thread

http://www.volksrods.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14444

You will need to register to see the pics.