[lilbill]

Hi Guys, I'm in the process of building a fenderless VW (yep, VW) street rod. Lowered nose, chopped top, big motor (by VW standards) etc.
I've seen some similar cars with hot rod style dropped axles and really like the look. I've read some articles and looked at a bunch of different kits and homemades and figure it's a doable modification but before I jump in there with a torch I thought I better try to talk to some guys that have some real world experience with these front ends. I've kinda decided on a 4" drop with coilovers,I haven't decided yet on the arms though between ladder bar wishbones or a 4 link setup.
My main question is how do these front ends handle and ride? What kind of toe, caster, camber do they like? And finally does anyone have any tips or links on scratch building one with junkyard available disc brake spindles?
Here's a link to a site I built covering the project, there's not much there right now because I just started the project but some of you might still get a grin out of it.
Thanks,
Lilbill
<a href="http://lilbill2180.tripod.com/" target="_blank">http://lilbill2180.tripod.com/</a>

[hemi6spd]

well, i put a stright axle out of a 61 ford econoline in a 65 gto to look like the old gassers.
handling is like driving a 4x4, not too bad. caster and camber depend on what axle you use, some have "tunable" kingpin bosses to move the spindle in or out, your best bet is to buy a new axle kit from someplace like speedway motors, ive had good results from their products, they have a web site and they are in nebraska, hope that helps.
remember, Jesus is the reason for the season !!
sam
jn 3:3

[lilbill]

thanks for the feedback. here's some pics of what i'm after <a href="http://server5.ipshosting.com/~volksrod/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=134&s=7b14980127999df7db7b1 9c4e06d2648" target="_blank">http://server5.ipshosting.com/~volksrod/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=134&s=7b14980127999df7db7b1 9c4e06d2648</a>
from what i've found out so far, a drop axle is ok for a sunday cruiser but sucks performance wise. maybe i should look into a arm front ends, maybe designed along the same lines as a prowler

[Barz51]

I cant get in to see the pic. Try up loading it to your photo album. I have never seen a fenderless VW. Sounds Kool

Good luck,
Cory

[OddRodder]

Hey,lilbill, there are lots of different front axle setups for VW bugs and dune buggies. You should be able to find what you need on the internet. It should be a simple bolt in option.(no welding,etc.) Lowering your vehicle should improve handling and as long as you aren't bottoming out suspension components or scrapping bottom,ride should not suffer to much.

[Chumpy]

illBill, you're a weird dude!
I respect your mania. :p
You can buy adjusters that weld on your original front beam that will allow you to adjust the height of your bug. Or you can buy
one that is ready to go in any dune buggy
shop. you can get lowererd spindles too.
Do you really want an early ford type droppped axel with coil overs? If so, I have heard many argure that 4 link works best with coil overs.
That's going to be some strange steering
linkage.....
sounds like fun though.

[lilbill]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm familiar with all the normal front end mods on VWs but recently I've been seeing more Bugs with straight axles and that's all new territory to me. I know how to fit one, that's just basic fabrication. What I'm curious about is how other cars with straight axles ride and handle compared to wishbone frontends. I put some pics in the album under "lilbill" showing some straight axle Bugs in case ya'll think I'm toked up <img src="graemlins/pimp.gif" border="0" alt="[pimp]" />

[OddRodder]

I see where you are going now lilbill! And it looks like a damn cool idea to me! Being a Gasser -Hiboy kind of guy, I love straight axles anyway. I say Go For It! It won't handle to bad unless you set it up high anyway! You might check speedwaymotors.com for different axle setups and steering parts!

[Mr Mike]

I've been thinking about starting a similar project, and while researching it, I ran across Piranha Motor Cars (PMC). They make a kit for attaching a Super Bell dropped axle and coil overs to a standard VW. The company also sells fiberglass kits for modifying the front and rear fender areas to give the VW a fenderless look. They're located in Costa Mesa. I haven't tried to contact them yet, but hopefully they're still around. Good luck! You can get their info at: <a href="http://beetle.cabriolets.online.fr/gallery/piranha.html" target="_blank">http://beetle.cabriolets.online.fr/gallery/piranha.html</a>