HOW TO LOWER THE CLASSIC VW BEETLE - IMPORTANT TIPS TO KNOW - FRONT & REAR - VW BAJA - KARMANN GHIA

This week I discuss and point out how to lower or raise the VW Beetle Bug. Also will be the same on VW Bus, and VW Baja and Ghia. Great DIY for the VW Beetle Restoration process.
Donations to help support the video content, please click here:
www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted...
Check out the Members...Tshirts, And Apparel! Thank you!
www.bonfire.com/store/sladesb...
For A Members Quality Sticker: You don’t have to do anything special to be a member, just be subscribed to the channel & grab your members sticker! 👍🤗 They are high quality vinyl. If you want your sticker they are $3 free shipping in the USA ( outside the USA $5 free shipping) you can go to:
sladesvwbeetle.com/sticker/
My Website:
sladesvwbeetle.com
Friends Website:
www.superbeetles.com
www.allaircooled.com/
#vwbeetle #vwbug #aircooled #sladesbeetle #beetlerestoration #vwclassicbeetle #classiccar #vintagecar #restoration #vwbaja

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

When you add shims to the beam. The steering box doesn't line up with the steering column. The 2 tabs on the bottom of the beam where the steering box clamp goes on needs to be removed.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you, I just pinned this to the top!! Sadly when I’m filming, I’ll remember five other things I needed to say after I’m already done. 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@jimgerock9190]

I believe the Beetle and Ghia use the same steering box but the clamp is turned around differently for box alignment to the beam.

[@shawnelliott3257]

@@SladesVWBeetle Good day.... like the channel, it's very informative. Keep up the good work. Are there shops or scrap yards in USA where I can easily get parts for vw bug? If so where's the nearest to Fort Lauderdale?

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you for being here and commenting! , Pennsylvania they have hundreds and they’re getting ready to sell everything off.

[@shawnelliott3257]

@@SladesVWBeetle Thank you. Would you be able to provide me with a contact there? Do you have any idea how much a vw bug might be sold for there?

[@VWdude278]

Hi Slade. I removed and cleaned the front leaf springs in my 67 type I and forgot how they went together.. That still at 25:45 really saved my bacon. Thanks!

[@SladesVWBeetle]

You’re very welcome! I am always happy when these videos help other folks. That’s what this is all about. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment.

[@gabrielmarques4494]

Awesome video!

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thanks very much!!

[@stephenlepore4476]

thank you sir. one step closer to my Ph.D in VW!

[@eduardorodriguez3262]

Smart car tires up front I have them on mine. They have a wider contact patch than the 135s to 165s 👍🇩🇪

[@terrancemoore2035]

I did a temporary lowering on my beetle years ago. Gave a really heavy chick a ride and it definitely lowered the bug. Thank goodness it was only temporary. 😜

[@justinmoninger3055]

My man!!!! Thanks for the weekly video and all the help with our vw’s.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you my friend I appreciate that!

[@gordondonahue4810]

Nice explanation. The geometry is crucial. Everything has to work together. Mine had the 2” narrowed adjustable beam, 2 1/2 inch drop spindles and disc brake conversion with wheel spacers to clear the calipers. It did have the caster shims. I put KYB gas shocks to stiffen the front end slightly. The car handled nicely. The only thing I would ad is if your roads aren’t the best ( I live in the northeast) be ready to dodge pot holes and any other road irregularities. It can be a real PITA. A Baja has a certain appeal to me because of my experience. 😂

[@livinthelife6056]

Great video and yes you can definitely go down the rabbit hole on the front 😂

[@3rdstallgarage]

Thanks for the video. It's very helpful. Don't worry about it being too long. It was helpful. Keep up the good work.

[@robertocampos6064]

Thanks for the vídeo. Always learning something new. Didn't know about the caster and shims. Thanks

[@TheWhitetailrancher]

GREAT video buddy! one more thing to remember is that if a guy decides to put in adjusters to the center of the beam himself, A guy also has to relocate the mounting brackets too buy grinding them off and rewelding them slightly wider or they won't line up to the frame head again.

[@augienajera642]

Awesome video there Sir!!! Can't wait for the next!!!

[@beefsoda1]

Great video.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you!!

[@douglasbarnhart3324]

Thanks for the video great info see ya on the next one..

[@dennislynn7592]

Another great video 👍👍👍

[@northseacowboy]

Very well explained and detailed. Thanks for the great video.

[@jakemcnally4868]

Great video Slade. Learned alot. Planning out my '68 build. Cheers!

[@pstreetgarage7304]

Great info Mr Slade !

[@Mars36912]

You have amazing video thank you very instructive for new people to beetle like myself, its bad i my able to post picture of my beam i got on my 75 because i never see a beam beam like this I'm not sure if it been man made like this are VW make them like this.

[@frankfullone5283]

Great video keep up the great videos

[@lamardixon4485]

Slade, if you narrow 3” on the beam you can still run the stock shock mounts. Great video

[@backyardkombi5466]

Nice video Tony.

[@loopflex9359]

As said not everyone knows all that info and I will be fitting the castor shims once finished with the welding on the beam. What I didn't know was about the steering box not fitting properly afterwards so I have learnt something today. Thanks and much love from 🇬🇧 ..

[@SladesVWBeetle]

None of us will ever know everything I agree. You will have to knock the tabs off of the lower part of the beam where the steering box mounts. When using shims. So you can adjust it to fit better!

[@loopflex9359]

@@SladesVWBeetle Thanks Slades that's a great help and invaluable info 🤙

[@matthewborne7659]

My 68 is a year round daily driver , 80 mile round trip to work and back...all highway ! Drop spindles , adjustable beam. A professional alignment was crucial to eliminating the highway drifting. I do wish I had gotten a narrowed beam though...little bit of tire rub on rough roads ! The only tracking issues I deal with now ....are the windy days !!! Them gusty breezes with blow your little bug all over the highway !! She flies like a Whiffle Ball !!

[@ralphchristopherson782]

Great video!❤

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thanks very much!

[@jimstewart6145]

nice job. pb blaster

[@jimgerock9190]

Narrowed beam also requires a narrowed sway bar and possibly shorter tie rods.

[@ajm-wu6wd]

Thank you for this video, very informative for us newbees looking to lower our beetle. I just want to lower mine 1-1.5 in. Doesn't seem like there's many easy options.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

You’re very welcome and thank you for being here. I’m actually ordering a beam this week. I will be doing two or three videos on it. An adjustable beam of course. I’m going to show everything I can about it the quality, the fit, and the lowering procedure. So you can lower just as much as you want to or even raise it.

[@bertsparrow]

Slade, you mentioned you’d do an In-depth video on lowering the back end, and while I actually want to raise mine 2”, the process is the same - but I looked through all your videos and couldn’t find it. Did you actually do it? Also, for my 67 it seems like my large attachment bolts are different. Thank you!

[@corkeys52]

Can you use the caster shims on a regular front end.

[@MarkLoves2Fly]

Good stuff, Slade! Would shims help the handling in a fully stock "72 Beetle? I'm not looking to raise or lower my baby, but improving handling could be useful.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

That’s a very good Mark. I surely don’t believe it would hurt it. Since there is not enough caster to begin with. Vintage76 added something to the comments that I’m pinning to the top. It’s hard to remember everything when you’re filming. With shims the steering box will need adjusted.

[@mitchelspencer7716]

If using thru rods can coilovers be used

[@stephenport4768]

How low do you go before you have to install long travel ball joints in the upper and lower arms

[@PopularityContest]

Quick question would you happen to have a spare oem steering wheel?

[@SladesVWBeetle]

I think I do. I will check today. Is it for yours? 65?

[@PopularityContest]

@@SladesVWBeetle Yessir I've grown tired of that tiny aftermarket wheel I miss the stock one that fell apart on me

[@SladesVWBeetle]

@@PopularityContest I know I have a few in the garage. I’ll get back with you this evening, and check the condition of them. I’ll shoot you a Facebook message.

[@PopularityContest]

29:15 Is everything I shouldn't of done to my bug I think I may have ruined at least 6 sets of tires in the rear and may have bent my axles possibly.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

I have never seen the axles bend, although that don’t mean it didn’t happen. Those things are pretty thick. I don’t mind lowering the front end slightly. The back may be one notch, but I don’t even know if I’m definitely doing that. In the back.

[@HotPink90sSun]

“The IRS…/“ ha!

[@zinny3583]

If I remove 2 or more leafs what negative effects will it have?

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Oh please don’t do that!! It’s dangerous!!

[@PopularityContest]

Caution ⚠️ DON'T LOWER YOUR VW BUG/BEETLE ! Unless you follow this method

[@SladesVWBeetle]

It’s definitely not for every situation, or car. But I figured I would make this video, seems a lot of people do lower them. I know that you noticed a difference when you picked yours back up!!

[@PopularityContest]

@@SladesVWBeetle Honestly this car has been acting like a P.O.S lately I may driven it 3 times in four months smh

[@SladesVWBeetle]

@@PopularityContest oh no!!! Let’s get it all sorted out!!

[@henrymach]

Don't lower your Beetle. It's not a good thing to do

[@frankschwartz7405]

RIgnt! Chop, channel and section it instead...remove the fenders. Well, now I guess you'll have to slam it, just to make it look right.