I Have To Take The ENTIRE BODY OFF To Remove The Wheels!

[@jessemorgan3409]

So you figured the puzzle out. Next puzzle is get them on and off with the Jack and tools that you will have with you when in the road. Slick build, Jimmy brought me here.

[@warrencahill9673]

raise the air bags as high as they will go,then remove the wheel bolts and remove the tire and brake drum together,i have a sectioned 50 chev and have the same problem and this works very well,good luck.

[@kaydesign]

Good tip 🛠

[@yesmendo11]

I think this idea may work

[@lucyandemilysdad]

Hey John, how about doing a rear disk brake conversion of a smaller diameter, as you coukd gain a lot of the width that's in the rear hub back to give you a better angle to pull the wheel off maybe.... Brilliant content mate, all the best 😉 👍🏻

[@gimcrackers]

Yes - Seems like the current choke point is between the uppermost part of the drum face, and the body. So a disc setup might buy a lot of clearance here, especially with a low-hanging caliper. Seems like one thing he’s fighting is that the lower the axle droops on the independent suspension, the more canted the wheel is = takes up more width. He’s so close to success - I’d be curious to measure the wall thickness of the brake drums and see how meaty they are. Could potentially bevel or radius the outside edge of the drum face and get 3-4mm. ✌🏼

[@bearingking9202]

We notch spring plates all the time for more droop on the down travel on our off road race cars

[@jamesvesely131]

I love seeing this stuff come together. I genuinely look forward to seeing all the different projects. It’s like you have so much different stuff to just keep us busy minded as well as keeping yourself busy minded. Also we need another podcast and we need a new one with Aiden lol

[@JohnLudwick]

I really appreciate that man! I’ve really been wanting to get back on the podcast! Searching for the time 😩

[@watersmart1]

With a swing axle lowered VWs you can remove the shocks and pickup a turnbuckle long enough from princess auto or harbour freight and bolt it to the shock mounts and turn until you clear. 👍❤️🇨🇦 by the way I’m a friend of Kyle ( mustang Kyle that is) Cheers!

[@markfortin421]

Try picturing this... A '59 Mercury full custom with fender skirts. The skirts would help you radius the wheel lips enough, and they're held on with Dzus fasteners. A 5 minute wheel change, and would also accent the lowness & those beautiful fins. They make skirts new right now for a number of differemt '50's cars, so you could pick the one (Lengthwise) that you want. Just a thought...

[@BenHut69]

That car is nuts. It doesn’t even look real laid out like that. Can’t wait to see more progress

[@gradycooper475]

Thanks for bringing us along. Great work John! First time I saw you go by with the Corvair (in Meredith) I was standing with another old fireman and heard him say (in a NH drawl) "Looks like it's broke". I got a good laugh out of it knowing what a ton of work had gone into getting it to that point. So you can add that to your list of "when are you going to paint it comments". Fun to watch your progress

[@DeanofMachines]

Oh the challenge of function vs form!! I wonder if a “reverse funny car” clam shell kind of deal could work. Keep all the bag stuff mounted on the pan. Body only needs to lift up a few inches at the rear wheel well. Would hate to cut arches into the body.

[@timharper1616]

I just suggested the same thing before I read your comment. Good idea.

[@DeanofMachines]

@@timharper1616 i had a weird idea about using a generic scissor jack mounted at the rear. So when the tire is flat you break out the scissor jack handle and jack the body up off the frame. Then you take another scissor jack under whatever corner is flat and jack it up.

[@brettdorow3796]

Looks sooo good! Well worth the fight to have the wheels you want!

[@ronwolff5973]

You can roll the inner lip of the fender , also keep in mind that as the tire wears the diameter

[@alexirepoff9634]

You should notch with tube/pipe where axle rests on engine mount to gain more droop

[@JohnLudwick]

I definitely thought about that too!

[@bearingking9202]

This is helping my Renault c4v build

[@rafalvolks]

Notch gearbox mount fork where driveshaft tubes rest on it to allow more droop. On the other hand I would machine outside part of rear drums, round them to make easier for wheel to sleep on/off it. I'm sure you be able to take off couple of mm which may seem not a lot but could be huge help.

[@piasprojects]

Great job! I can see how daunting of a task this is but I knew you could figure it out!!

[@1pbean]

Such a cool looking car!

[@hemiboyrcbmxerwilliams7599]

Might need some custom air jacks for the side of the road. Great project❤❤❤

[@Zukunftretro]

This is interesting to follow, as I have the exact same issue on my Lancia Beta project that's also on a beetle chassis 😂

[@jeanlawson9133]

The rear quarters and wheel openings are part that car's appeal... simple adjustment on the quarter's with a tool...They actually make one too roll the quarter lip..

[@claytonoldzkool2604]

Legend man! I hope your happy with the solution, my brain was struggling to think of something without being there, its good to see you work through it though! 👌 P.S Your thumbnail clip looks heaps better, it suits your down to earth attitude. 🤙 Always watching from Perth Western Australia!..

[@Crazy_Alex_7667]

I’ve seen a lot of patina hate that you’ve posted on ig😂. Honestly I’m not the biggest patina fan but your cars pull it off well so therefore I guess I like it 😅

[@JohnLudwick]

Haha I appreciate it man!

[@michaeldowney6533]

I have this same issue with my static dropped 62 Ford Falcon... damn small wheel openings.

[@newbieanders6483]

is it possible to loosen the 3 bolts from the spring plate to the wheel hub? then you should be able to push the axle backwards and down, great projekt!!! 👏🏻🫶🏻🙌🏻🤙🏻 greetings from Denmark.

[@JohnLudwick]

This might be the best idea! I didn’t try that while attempting to get the wheel on.

[@DerrickG-u8f]

I have a vw bus that lays frame and I have the same issue you have I made a plate that bolts the the lower shock bracket and I use a small bottle jack to jack the rear axle Down and I deflate the tire . I have done this on the side of the road . I also run torsion delete spring plates with heim joints so maybe I’m getting more droop than you are. The project is looking sick btw

[@frankkirby5763]

Great channel. I love the content. Best wishes.

[@shemheliodore9637]

A little panel massaging or rolling and it will be mint!

[@delsloat9130]

Can you notch the frame horn to let the axle droop a little bit more? Love the look of this car.

[@jonathanburnham627]

Was going to suggest the same thing. C-notch frame horns (reinforce underneath) would let swing axle articulate a little more downward.

[@lj6278]

Make the entire quarter panel removable using Dzus Fasteners hidden in several places. Research Checker Cab quick replace rear fenders. I know It's way more work for the payoff, but think of the content you could produce. What year is the E23? I would love to buy it.

[@JohnLudwick]

Shoot me an email and I’ll send you all the info! ludwicksgarage(at)hotmail.com

[@thatsonebadhatharry8610]

You bagged the suspension to drop the car now bag the the body to raise it up. Or use jack screws to raise the body an inch or two in the rear. Just a thought.

[@JohnLudwick]

Seriously thought about that 😂

[@bertb3731]

hi John - another great episode - did you think about maybe just trimming the inner edge of the wheel arches a little bit - maintaining the same lines from the exterior, but just gaining maybe 1/2 inch to the wheel/tire envelope?

[@josephclarke4244]

I love e old cars, that said... this looks like the real version of Johnny Cash's 70s hit song "One piece at a time," the ultimate shout out to hard-working Cadillac assembly line worker's 😂

[@STUDlO305]

Just got my hoodies in! Thanks man!

[@joebeaulieu2754]

Giving you the space you need. To shimmy on up through

[@mynameis63]

Damn I like that car..I'd take a different route and LS swap it..nice interior, suspension and brakes.

[@bealzibub4002]

Shorten the axle and add hubcentric wheel spacers to sit the wheels where you want them

[@dannysutherland3580]

"When you gonna paint it?" Been hearing that my whole car life.

[@JohnLudwick]

Seriously 😂

[@deangelos1980]

I think with the new wheel tubs and that I forgot what is that's behind that castle nut milled down it will allow the wheels to come out

[@mynameis63]

You are going to mill those drums, so as to properly thread that axle nut far enough to run a cotter pins through the castled parts.... yes?

[@adamryan7261]

Had the same issue on my Karmann Ghia that lays rocker.

[@stuartcturner]

I thought you were going to Citroen DS it and make the rear quarters removable. Maybe find somewhere for a space saver to live? Then you can wrestle off roadside but slide a narrow-boy back on easy?

[@BrianSmart1959]

Carry a skinny spare, so that if you do have to change a tire by the side of the road, you don't have to struggle with getting it back on until you get it home. If the tire's flat, it will likely be easier to take off.

[@MoonerMadness]

Not that you need anymore new projects but I just found a karmann ghia that looks ready for the patina paradise treatment.

[@legovaro]

"We'll keep a roll of painters tape in the car, at all times, in case a wheel has to come off" 😂😂😂😂😂

[@JohnLudwick]

😂😂😂😂

[@joell439]

🎉🎉 38.8K SUBS 🎉🎉

[@JohnLudwick]

So crazy!! Grateful!

[@noke1785]

the BBS sandwich got me ^^ did u ever see a Mercedes-Benz W 111, it would match your kinda style - i really dig that patina and lowride style =) greetings from germany =)

[@boosTiMon]

When you need a shoehorn to put your wheels on and off! 🥵

[@JohnLudwick]

Seriously 😂

[@BMSmouthers]

Just wait until you have hubcentric rings on that hub. It’s going to be that much more of a pain unfortunately. Praying you won’t ever have to go through that fight on the side of the road 🙏🏼

[@draggonhedd]

yeahhh trimming the backs of those fender lips flat and reinforcing with flat plate probably seems like a good idea...I would not arch the fenders. Maybe do what other's have said and make removable panels?

[@moss1transcendant]

the joys of modifying

[@johnwhitehurst474]

Deflate the tire for install! Shave the axel and hub!

[@jamesfcookjr]

Did you try air down the tire on the takeoff and the install 🤔👍🏽😊❤️

[@garyburnham-j9d]

carry grease to lube the side of the tire

[@mmartian1969]

What about C notching the frame horns similar but opposite to the rear frame on a truck for axle clearance? Would that get enough additional drop to clear?

[@jstaal1911]

Disc brake conversion? Maybe that would give you more space.

[@JohnLudwick]

That’s exactly what I’m thinking now! Good idea!

[@jstaal1911]

Nice! My brother has a '70 Beetle he's considering doing disc brakes on. Look forward to your video on your conversion to see how its done!!​ @JohnLudwick

[@kylestumpo7372]

Perfect solution, as for the haters out there, just ignore them it's easier to be critical of something than to put out a positive thought into the world. Plus they're still watching and giving you views so 😆 🤣. Did the 700 stay in NH?

[@JohnLudwick]

Exactly man! And yes it did!

[@dcallan812]

Nice job, some maintenance jobs area lot better if you dont need to strip the interior and remove the body. 🤣 Some new chrome bumpers would look nice 🤔🤦‍♂ Great video 2x👍

[@Dallas-v4j]

Would it be worth just, ever so slightly, pumping the wheel arches out a smidgin? Not so much that it takes away from how it looks but just enough to get wheels on and off. Better than cutting out the arches and making them into spats, which of course is another option.

[@jamiecampbell3068]

Section the panel. Raise the entirety of the upper wheel lip an inch. Test. Raise in half inch increments until good. Shrink stretch lip extensions to uncut lower panel. Get some craft paper and grease tip crayons. Play around a little with "imagination world". I know you want a stock appearance on the body .. but that car is so uncommon MOST PEOPLE would NEVER catch the modification. As well, car has been drastically altered from stock already .. so don't be fearful of the "fuk'it" button. And NO .. ... I do not mean DRASTIC body revision. Just play a little with what you have. Cut the panel, and raise. Stay away from the beltline reveal line. Love your stuff. God bless !!

[@joserios4415]

John, nice to greet you brother, how are you going to change that tire if you have a flat on the road?

[@leventedudi9243]

Hi John, what do you think about fabricating some feder skirts?

[@THE-HOOLIGAN71]

Cut the skirts and add dzus fasteners you'll still have the skirts but easy to take the wheel off..

[@miguelpagansr6128]

Hey John, what if you mill down the drum where the castle nut sits? You said that you needed 5/8 of an inch for the wheel to come straight down. Good luck with the project.

[@strattenvanwyk8303]

Just keep a skinny biscuit spare wheel around for a quick get me home fix on side of road and fight with replacing the wheel at home/shop with a lift😂😂

[@paulamblerart]

"...not really thinking but....raise the rear up...then jack up the spring plate so the car`s wheel is back up in the fender....then try it...what am I talking about?....no idea..."😎

[@Mopar46]

Maybe, like you mentioned; let some air out of the tyres for a bit more wiggle room?

[@otanica]

On my Commer van i have to undo both rear bags and shocks and watts link to force the back wheels off. Its still not easy.

[@faroironandcustoms6577]

So kool!!!!

[@GrafsGarage3]

Havent seen this suggested yet, but rear disc brakes may allow for more clearance?

[@JohnLudwick]

This is a very good idea, Alex! I will definitely look into this. The axle stub will still be that far out, and I’d imagine the rotor hat may also be that far out too. But definitely something to look into!

[@GrafsGarage3]

@@JohnLudwick would be interesting to see if theres a Samba thread or someone whose been there and done that can give a definite answer!

[@johnlyon326]

I love these classic American vehicles, and I'm cool with preserving the 'patina'. But this compulsion to drop the body within millimeters of the road surface. Is it supposed to improve on the original design? Not for me. I just hope the customization is reversible.

[@dkaoster]

Could you deflate the tires to give yourself more room?

[@timharper1616]

As trick as you are making this car, why don’t you hinge the body at the front and quick release it at the rear? It would be like a backward funny car body. You could use a couple of small auxiliary air bags, or race car style screw jacks or air jacks to give you the clearance you need.

[@johnnyw5450]

Can always do what Citroën did in the 60s

[@dermottbarrett764]

perhaps I missed it but what about deflating the tires?

[@roreysmith6390]

I would build something like the citron where whole quarter comes off

[@Flamed48]

Make a skirt set up like a 55-57 t bird

[@DavidSchmitt-z6u]

Why don't you make wheel skirts

[@bearingking9202]

Notch the horns for more drop

[@frederickgoodwin4172]

Why don't you cut the rear pales and then refit them the same with a refit a bit like the Citroen cx5

[@wesleyjephta3831]

I think once you Deflated your wheels it would help with the clearance

[@adventureswithedna]

And here I thought I had problems having to remember to jack up Edna by the frame to get the rear wheels off. I had no idea 😂😂😂

[@jasoncyphers4265]

Now to watch the show 🎉

[@robertzalnis3162]

I would install run flat tires. I have them on my wife's car and she drove home 60 miles with double flats when she hit some debris on the highway. she never knew they were flat. she told me when she got home the yellow light was on the dash for the tire inflation. Run flats will get you home.

[@regkershaw]

Could you have shorter the axle tube and axles to give you more room.. Or use disc brakes instead of the drum brakes

[@LiltruckerDarkspear]

how about a hindged wheel arch? switch to a low profile tire?

[@shakenout4980]

What if you gently flared the rear quarters? Didn't you mention you wanted to get into some metal shaping projects in the future? ;) Consider keeping the body line of the wheel opening but with a gradual flare out of about 1" at the centerline of the wheel.

[@MrSlushierGravy]

Eww

[@shakenout4980]

@@MrSlushierGravy 😆 Maybe "flare" is the wrong word for what I'm picturing. I should say gently "bow" the body line out. And 1" might be a bit much. After machining the hub centre and fully seating the castle nut, it might only take 1/2" or 5/8" outward pull.

[@moss1transcendant]

i have some similarities on my project

[@jotterson1156]

Reverse notch the frame to go lower with the axle?

[@1pbean]

Let the air out of the spare to help install it. You can air the tire back up with the bag system tank air.....right? Typing out-of my butt maybe.

[@mej6519]

Could fabricate some wheel spats.

[@Yelmer93]

That intro. 😂

[@shaggysan1]

Convert to independent so it can swing straight down tire stays straight instead of the top of tire swinging toward body?

[@shaggysan1]

Or does that create more issues when it’s lowered cause the body tapers in so much and needs the tire to camber in at the top to clear?

[@RearEngineShop]

Just too lazy to paint it. 😂 Only kidding I like how all the cars look.

[@JohnLudwick]

😂😂😂

[@clivehoward1520]

Hi why not deflate tire then fit and pump back up.

[@grabasandwich]

Your 'vair is still jaw dropping 🤤

[@JohnLudwick]

Thanks man! So excited to start on the four door!

[@KobyChavez]

Wow, that’s a lot for the E. Why so much again?

[@middlemnmiddlemn2186]

obviously changing things isn't a problem, cut the opening bigger and fabricate fender skirts the same size you cut out. You won't have lost the line of the car.. it already looks like a cut up 57 thunderbird that's been hacked up, look at a bird with and without the skirts. you won't have had to drive ANYTHING to the mechanical function of the car.

[@mnvjim7900]

What car is that on the trailer with the bug?

[@bryanbutler5243]

I have to raise the body on the allegro to get the rear wheels off too 🤦

[@racer67]

I slammed a 63 ford fairlane 500 it was small it had little wings n circle tail lights it basically looked like the American🇺🇲 version of that audi 🇩🇪