Has anyone installed an Air Ride kit on their tub, specifically on an balljoint/irs VW pan? I know Airkewld, a VW specialty parts supplier makes a kit but I was wondering if anyone has any knowledge about it.
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I have installed Pete's kit on beetles and on my own product before. Nice kit! IMHO spring for the 4 valve system, period. Anything specific you want to know?
i run air, but made my own setup.
i respect Pete's products and his business drive, but i have to be honest - for the parts in those kits - it's WAY over priced.
i run a viair compressor that is 100 duty cycle. (ie: it can run all day long pumping serious air). Chrome no less. i think i paid ~$150 for it on vwvortex air suspension
air bags - $75/pop
air shocks (MA756) - $130/pair
dual needle gauges (ebay) - $25/each
manual valves (4 from ebay) - $15-20 each
fittings / lines (local) ~$75-100
tank (2.5gal) local, used - $10
i have front/back/side/side (FBSS). 3/8" lines on bags, 1/4" lines on front air shocks
it rides awesome, but is not 'bolt on'. i had to modify/fab the whole rear setup
i guess what i am saying is you are paying a serious R&D premium on that kit.
Mango-for the cheapest way out, is an air shock absorber (like one of those load-levelers) a doable thing? Simplistic for sure! But doable?
SS
(BTW, how's that convertible top working-remember I sent you that PDF info?)
Scott S.
I specifically want to know if the rear IRS set-up of that Airkewld kit would get in the way of any of my IM's body bracing.
http://i1221.photobucket.com/a...iver365/DSCN1738.jpg
my take on IRS custom airbag fit
hmmm, i can't see how the air bags would get tin the way of body bracing.
Scott - it's all done: http://www.mangosmoothie.ca/convertible-frame
A guy back in the UK did this to a 356. I'll check for his build thread but these are his build pics.
Theres a few extra pis in there but it's worth scrolling through them.
Wild rat look car!
Couple more pics here;
http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/s...=7909691#post7909691
About half way down are some final pics of the car.
Thanks guys for all the helpful info!!! I will keep you posted on my build. BTW, do you know what size Fuchs can be run on a lowered long axle(IRS) IM tub. I was thinking of running the Flat4 "Deep Sixes" all the way around, will they fit...?
I'm running 5.5" wide Fuchs on a CMC.... It gets really tight in the rear....
I'm running 175R65-15 Pirellies all 4 corners...
I've got 6 inch Fuchs on my IM. Had 3/16" shaved off the rear of them and no fitment problems.
Agreed on the air ride fitment. I've never done it on a IM but I don't see how there could be too much in the way. The kits we've used were NOT bolt on and required some welding, so it would be easy to modify the mounts and the support bars if needed.
What is the offset on a Flat 4 wheel?
I have a set of American Eagle replic Fuchs, 15x6, with a 37mm offset. and 185/65-15 tires. They fit, but the rear tires are very close to the body; especially on the reat passenger side. I have a fairly aggressive camber, so the wheels won't rub (pan car).
I think the only way to prevent your wheel being to close is to use thinner wheels & tyres
Rob,
According to the Flat 4 website, it states that the Deep Sixes have a +35mm offset. I understand that your AE replicas are very close to the body but the camber takes care of that. I think I might have a problem becasue I have an IRS rear with long axles and I take it that you have a swing. Just want to be sure before I make a purchase... THX!
Sorry I meant to address the above post to Ron...
I'd like to narrow my rear end 3". It'd fit in the Speedster seat a lot better.
Just pull up on your hair as you're getting into the Speedstah.
Oh....wait.
You can't do that, can you?
I have IRS.
To be on the safe side you might want to try this:
Buy one wheel and one old tire (185/65-15)
Take turns fitting the wheel/tire combo on each corner. Check for rubbing.
If everything checks out, buy three more wheels and new tires.
Years ago I bought a set of 195/60-15 tires. I did a trial fit with an old 195/60-15 tire that my local tire store mounted on my Fuchs replica rim. I tried it on the back and it fit. I tried it on the front and it fit.
I'm good to go, I thought. I went out and bought four new 195/60-15 tires, and had them mounted on my Fuchs replicas.
After driving around on them for a day I found one of the rear tires was rubbing on the body. Damn.
What I didn't realize is that many, if not all, replica bodies do not sit perfectly straight on the pan (not tube).
Mine didn't.
The tire fit on the driver's side (rear), but not the passengers side (rear).
I ended up taking a bath on the 195s and replacing them with 185s, which JUST fit.
Ron
Double post. Damn slow internet!
Lane, narrow your rear end by 3"?? Watch late night TV....there's lots of gadgets out there that promise that, and more.
Does anyone know if I have to remove the body to get the rear torsions out of my IRS tub's pan?
Does anyone know if I have to remove the body to get the rear torsions out of my IRS tub's pan?
if you don't have original style torsion bar access panels in the body, it'll need to be lifted off the chassis just enough to get the torsion bars out.
^ yup.
why do you want to remove the torsions? to lower it (static) - you don't need access holes or to remove the body.
i have adjustable spring plates and they work awesome in conjunction with my rear air.
no air in the bags = sits on lowest torsion setting
air in bags = torsion is unloaded (and spring plate just rotates)
Great idea Mango, thanks! BTW, do you have any pictures of your rear IRS set up with the bags and adjustable spring plates?
pretty sure it's all on my site www.mangosmoothie.ca
it's in the build section.you'll have to poke around to find the exact pictures, but i'm pretty sure i remember taking lots of pictures of that stuff
Thanks Mango for the great tips! Your car looks great!
Also, thanks everyone for all the help...
