Narrowed front beam ???.

Ask and give advice here
Post Reply
Haans
Camshaft
Posts: 893
Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2016 7:10 pm
What model do you have?: 1960 ghia
Location: Nelson Mandela Metro
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 107 times
South Africa

Narrowed front beam ???.

Post by Haans »

Ok,..maybe I'll now expose my ignorance 😏here BUT,..I see in the "volksworld that guys seem to always fit narrowed beams up front??
What is the purpose ???? Or isit just to look nice ??👀
What say you ?
Haans


User avatar
retrovan
Donor
Donor
Posts: 8709
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:51 pm
What model do you have?: 52T1,68FB,72Bay,75FL
Location: Eich! no, in Jefferys Bay
Has thanked: 421 times
Been thanked: 539 times
Contact:
Netherlands

Re: Narrowed front beam ???.

Post by retrovan »

Not sure if its a Young thing, but some of the reasons I have heard is to

1) fit fat tyres
2) fit disk brakes so not to have the wheel standing out.
3) ????????

All I know its not good for road holding.

Maybe someone younger can reply and tell us WHY ???????

Herman
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
64 Notchback
Crankshaft
Posts: 767
Joined: Wed May 28, 2014 7:18 pm
What model do you have?: 69 Baja bug, Sand R
Location: JHB South
Has thanked: 78 times
Been thanked: 37 times
South Africa

Re: Narrowed front beam ???.

Post by 64 Notchback »

If I recall it is to give the front that lowered look without actually lowering the car and to get the front wheels "tucked" into the fender.
Surely it must affect the turning circle?
Haans
Camshaft
Posts: 893
Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2016 7:10 pm
What model do you have?: 1960 ghia
Location: Nelson Mandela Metro
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 107 times
South Africa

Re: Narrowed front beam ???.

Post by Haans »

So it's mostly for the looks and the uncomfortable ride !!!

Retrovan I have sent 2 pm's to you but I dunno what happens to it,..... can't find them in my outbox,....so I do not thinkyou got them ???

Haans
User avatar
Tony Z
Donor
Donor
Posts: 14994
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
What model do you have?: 2.3L 69; 1302; P/Van
Location: Klipheuwel (near Durbanville), Cape Town or working at sea
Has thanked: 191 times
Been thanked: 487 times
South Africa

Re: Narrowed front beam ???.

Post by Tony Z »

it allows you to drop the front end and not have the tyres rub the fenders
also stems from drag racing mentality where a car that is long and narrow wants to go straight, and a car with wheels in a square wants to turn - so if you are in a slide and have lost control, the long and narrow tends to turn the car to face its direction of travel, whereas the wider car just wants to spin
User avatar
retrovan
Donor
Donor
Posts: 8709
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:51 pm
What model do you have?: 52T1,68FB,72Bay,75FL
Location: Eich! no, in Jefferys Bay
Has thanked: 421 times
Been thanked: 539 times
Contact:
Netherlands

Re: Narrowed front beam ???.

Post by retrovan »

Haans wrote: Tue Dec 17, 2019 6:37 pm So it's mostly for the looks and the uncomfortable ride !!!

Retrovan I have sent 2 pm's to you but I dunno what happens to it,..... can't find them in my outbox,....so I do not thinkyou got them ???

Haans
Noting in my inbox

You can send to my e-mail if you want.

or WhatsApp on zero 7 nine 34 eight 9 seven one 2

Herman
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
Haans
Camshaft
Posts: 893
Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2016 7:10 pm
What model do you have?: 1960 ghia
Location: Nelson Mandela Metro
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 107 times
South Africa

Re: Narrowed front beam ???.

Post by Haans »

I'll try again
Haans
User avatar
fourier
Oil Cooler
Posts: 342
Joined: Fri Sep 26, 2008 1:21 pm
What model do you have?: '59 Ghia, '77 Beetle
Location: Melkbosstrand, Cape Town
Has thanked: 31 times
Been thanked: 37 times
South Africa

Re: Narrowed front beam ???.

Post by fourier »

Narrowed beams are usually run on cars that are lowered.

If the car is lowered, it is more likely that the outer edge of the tyre will come into contact with the fender, when taking a corner. To avoid body damage, the turning circle has to be limited (compromised). Alternatively, installing a narrowed beam restores some of the clearance between the outer edge of the tyre and the fender.

Lowered Ghias are very unforgiving, and require an up to 4" narrowed beam, to restore the turning circle. Personally don't like the tucked under look.
(o= i =o) (o\ ! /o)
Haans
Camshaft
Posts: 893
Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2016 7:10 pm
What model do you have?: 1960 ghia
Location: Nelson Mandela Metro
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 107 times
South Africa

Re: Narrowed front beam ???.

Post by Haans »

So!,.....bottomline is,........I'm too longin the tooth 😂🤣😘
And I love comfort !!
Nothinglike cruising in a ghia at 90 k's,....can do it all day acording to boytie!
Thanks guys !
Haans
User avatar
Tony Z
Donor
Donor
Posts: 14994
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
What model do you have?: 2.3L 69; 1302; P/Van
Location: Klipheuwel (near Durbanville), Cape Town or working at sea
Has thanked: 191 times
Been thanked: 487 times
South Africa

Re: Narrowed front beam ???.

Post by Tony Z »

only 90? My bus doesnt even go that slow
Haans
Camshaft
Posts: 893
Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2016 7:10 pm
What model do you have?: 1960 ghia
Location: Nelson Mandela Metro
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 107 times
South Africa

Re: Narrowed front beam ???.

Post by Haans »

Tony,.....91 ?? 😂🤣😜

Haans
Post Reply