61' splitie project

sergio · Post by **sergio** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 11:15 pm

hi aircooled vw pervs,busy restoring my dream ,a +- 61' bus. busy with body work at the moment & its almost ready for primer. have photos but must still figure out how to upload them as my pc skills belong in the jurassic period. will keep updating posts though. will restore it as original as possible with the only exceptions beeing the wheels & suspension which i want to have lowered(need help with the front by the way. no one ive spoken 2 seems 2 b sure how 2 do it. the rear is pretty much like a beetle i gather). the wheels will b standard items but i want 2 widen them & i should mention that i am looking 4 a set of 15's 4 this purpose, if any one knows where i can buy a set. thats all 4 now guys, tchau

Post by **Pine** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:46 pm

Sergio wrote

have photos but must still figure out how to upload them

hope you don't mind?

These are the ones you sent me by mms..

Post by **fig** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:11 pm

It's your bus, so do as you please, but WHY would anyone want to lower a bus?

I think it looks stupid and significantly detracts from the utility of a bus. I also dispute the idea that handling is improved.

It seems to me that the lowered bus fad is starting to play itself out. I'm seeing quite a few people asking for advice on returning buses to stock height, and many more people questioning the wisdom of lowering buses.

I rate lowered buses as the Naughties equivalent of the hacked wheel arches of the Seventies. May have seemed like a good idea at the time, but nowadays everyone just shakes their heads and wonders how they're going to fix it.

Another thing, it sounds like you've got conflicting wishes with lowering and widened rims. Most seriously lowered buses use the narrowest tyres they can find, to avoid hitting the wheel wells. I think you'll find that even a mild lowering job presents some serious clearance challenges for the wheels/tyres.

The only "approved" method of lowering a bus is to load it with a ton of gear and hit the road!

MINCE · Post by **MINCE** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:15 pm

"ton of gear and hitting the road"

HAHAHAHAHAHA

i think a bus looks better lowered. personal view. I dont have one, probably never will, but if i did have one, i would look into lowering it.

taste really.

ride issues, i am sure there is genius out there that can work it out so it can rock the world. If they can make a 3-wheeled car and still sell them, they can work out how to lower a bus and have it ride nicely.

i dunno.

Post by **fig** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:25 pm

You're right on all counts and, yes, it's a matter of taste.

I just don't buy any of the reasons other than looks. And as I said, I think it looks stupid.

I am concerned that a lot of people are suddenly catching the bus craze and want to do what is "cool", ie, lowering, without knowing anything about the pros and cons. The result is often abandoned projects and fcuked up cars.

I drive my buses every day. They work hard, carry heavy loads, and travel long distances, often in places where the roads do not justify the name. I wouldn't be able to do any of that with a lowered bus.

But if you own a bus and want to lower it, go ahead. I have been collecting front beams for years. When the fad passes and a new owner wants to put your bus back to stock height, I'll be able to name my price ...

MINCE · Post by **MINCE** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:32 pm

dude, i know what you are saying too.

obviously a lowered bus would suck if it is an everyday shpiel.
I say "live and let drop"

how about an air-ride system, you can raise and drop however and whenever you wish?!

THAT would be AWESOME!!!!!

Merlin · Post by **Merlin** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:41 pm

I did a LOT of readng up on Air Ride kits last year and came to the conclusion that ALL of them have more cons than pros, cost a fortune, and are not for anything more than show use.

They are not designed for this kind of use, have unacceptable failure rates, and necessitate dangerous modifications to your buses.

You could go with the suggested company. Creative Engineering, but at approx. 50k before duties, it's your call.

These too are not a 100% satisfactory option.

N.

MINCE · Post by **MINCE** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:43 pm

hmmm, well, work one out

Post by **Pine** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 5:37 pm

Fig wrote:

The only "approved" method of lowering a bus is to load it with a ton of gear and hit the road!

Merlin · Post by **Merlin** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:00 pm

Niiice...the obligatory oil spill at the rear.

ZeroAxe · Post by **ZeroAxe** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 12:29 am

Merlin wrote: They are not designed for this kind of use, have unacceptable failure rates, and necessitate dangerous modifications to your buses.

Is that why most(if not ALL) trucks rely on pneumatic(or air) suspensions? I am with Mince. It can be made to work. It's going to cost you, but it can work. I personally were(or even still am) looking into hydraulic suspension.... Time will tell.

Post by **fig** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 12:42 am

The trucks were designed with that set-up from scratch.

It's not the air suspension itself. I think Merlin is referring to the kinds of chassis hacks needed to really slam a bus (which is what air ride is for). There is no clearance for rear axles and steering boxes etc, so big chunks need to be cut out of the frame. Also the wheel arches need to be boxed for clearance. All air ride kits necessitate hacking to fit the plumbing and compressor etc.

Is that all really worth it for a rather dubious "look"?

Dropped spindles and IRS rear are at least reversible.

Merlin · Post by **Merlin** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 7:55 am

What he said ^ ...

Read up on the subject before slating my comments eh?

Assumption is the Mother...

N.

sergio · Post by **sergio** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:41 pm

hey guys,sorry 4 not logging on but had one crazy week so far,couldnt even get near a pc

but rejoice,i am here

....first of all,thanx 4 posting my pics pine,no problem,i dont mind. and about the lowering, well yeah,its just a personal thing & just 4 looks in my book. every single car i've owned[22 at last count] ,i've lowered,every single one of them & in the bus , i only wanna do it slightly so that front fender gap closes a bit without stealing its originality. same goes 4 the rim widening,only a bit. i should mention that i am a panelbeater by trade & have done my homework. so ,that settles it then ??...

MINCE · Post by **MINCE** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 9:38 am

merlin is right
sergio is right
fig is right

sergio, I love lowered buses. but tastefull lowering, slamming is kak dude

looking forward to seeing it done