1800vw   Suspension Set-Up

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02/02/03*

 

 

 

 

 

  Most people think the first step to improve the rear suspension is to buy better shocks but in reality the first step to improve the rear suspension for off road is to get heaver rear torsion bars. You make the initial setting softer because they get stiffer much quicker. But be careful not to get too heavy a bar.

Never switch torsion bars from side to side. Once a bar is used on one side or the other it must always be twisted the same way or they will break.

Rear torsion bars will normally need to be reset within the 1st year of off road use, even if using stock bars from a donor car. That old 68 Bug suspension was never worked as hard as it will in an off road buggy. Normally after the bars have been reset one time they will be ok from then on. Any nicks or rust spots on the bars will cause them to break.       More on Torsion Bars & how to set->*Click

The stock CV is designed to work through a specific number of degrees and notching spring plates to increase the travel is asking for trouble. Switching to T-2 ( Bus) or Porsche CV's on both inner and outer is the other way to increase the usable working angle.

On KP front ends, going to long travel front shocks can make a big difference, partly because the KP arms will now be hanging down at approx. 45 degrees. Now the arms will be moving back and up not just up when absorbing that big bump. This and the fact that there is more distance to travel when absorbing the bump makes a big difference. 

Cut (2) pieces of 1-1/2" dia. Tubing 1" long and drill a small cotter pin hole approx. 5/8" from end of tubing then weld this 1" long tube to the torsion over the head of the IRS pivot bolt. After tightening the pivot bolt drop a cotter pin through the hole to keep the pivot bolt from falling out if it should loosen. If the pivot bolt comes loose you will know it, but if it falls out, it can do major damage to a lot of parts and you can loose control of the car. Better safe then sorry.

Search . all . of 1800vw Web Pages . . . . .

 S.A. Spring Plate Stops->*ck .... Spring Plate Retainer Strap->*ck ....IRS Trailing Arm Kit->*ck  ... IRS Trailing Arm Kit using stock shock mounts->*ck .... Weld in IRS pivots to convert SA to IRS->*ck       
Tubeless tire mounting tool you can make > *ck
... The easy way to put tubeless tires on extra wide rims  
Front Long Travel Shock mounting Kit->
*ck ...  Long Travel Shocks -> order


  Go Back    <-- Good reason to use the Spring Plate Retainers            

Victor Comp. Products Inc. **--Vic's--**  Phone 816-650-3535 • 230 S Hudson St., Buckner, Missouri, 64016,