Have a vintage spyder want to lower front . Has only one adjuster and lowered all the way down . Still have 2 1/2 inches above tire. Would like to use drop spindles from air cooled vintage because they have no offset plus not run into bump steering.Any recommendations have been told that drop spindles don’t work on spyder but was never given a reason. Thanks for any advice.
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if it's got a VW beam they should work, but there might be something about the way the inner fenders or frame are situated that interferes with them (although I don't see why if regular spindles work)? Hopefully Danny, Ed or another Spyder owner will chime in.
It looks a little high. I think something isn't right. When you turned the adjuster screw (Avis type, right?) did the car sit down? If not, maybe that drum thing that holds the spring pack is stuck?
Other option (while you're in there looking for trouble): maybe you have too many leaves. You can take out the small leaves in at least one of the tubes and see what that gets you. My Spyder has only the four big leaves in the lower tube, full pack above it. Came that way from Thunder Ranch.
My MG has only the big leaves in both tubes. I did that, helped the ride and handling very much.
I never pulled a trailing arm on either one of my Spyders to confirm what leaves are in there(or not in there). My cars both had good ride and good ride height.
I'd call Greg at Vintage Motorcars Inc. and ask what the usual setup is.
Worst case scenario, the center could be cut from one or both tubes and an adjuster added(and/or replaced).
I've no idea if drop spindles could be used or not. I only know that I've never seen them used on a Spyder. I've seen and worked on at least a dozen: Beck, TR, and Vintage.
One in each tube. I've only messed with the bottom tube adjuster.
Thanks for the reply’s . Removing small leaves from one tube seems the easiest. Like how it handles now. No front sway bar and koni’s up front. Just the stance doesn’t look good . Maybe do a second adjuster later. Drop spindles seems so easy but nobody done it. Seems like the reason was the 3/8 offset that would cause rubbing..
thanks fro the reply’s.
I actually put in drop spindles on my spyder initially. I was rubbing a lot. Even with my front adjusters set to max i was rubbing a little. So i just removed them and put the regular spindles in. Adjusted the front beam a little. I am running 195/60 15's up front. I personally don't like the gap, but I will probably do different tires and smaller up front next time around.
@ford356outlaw posted:I actually put in drop spindles on my spyder initially. I was rubbing a lot. Even with my front adjusters set to max i was rubbing a little. So i just removed them and put the regular spindles in. Adjusted the front beam a little. I am running 195/60 15's up front. I personally don't like the gap, but I will probably do different tires and smaller up front next time around.
They don't look bad. That is actually the correct factory stance. I run mine lower in the front though.
Next time around do 185/65R15 on the front. It's only 10mm narrower but it's a good fit in the wheel well. Also, 195/60R15 is two sizes too big for 4.5" rims. The 185 is only 10mm wider than recommended fitment and works well for me. The 185/65 profile fills the wheel well better as the diameter is a bit more than a 195/60.
Since the Sportrac5 is NLA, next time I'll opt for the Sprint Classic in 175/70R15 and 185/70R15. 550Phil on here just put them on and LIKES them. They are sticky, they fit, and they look right. BAM! Both sizes are taller than what you've got, but not by much.
@DannyP Awesome. Thanks for the great info. My clutch pedal broke on a drive today at the weld pivot point. I am in the market for a new pedal assembly. Any recommendations?
Your car has a stock VW assembly, right? Or aftermarket?
There is a company that sells pedals either stock width or Big Boy model for large feet. This has been posted about on here before.
ClassicBugParts.com has lots of pedal related upgrades and parts. I used them to rebuild mine and they work great.
@DannyP Yes it is stock. I read the old threads already. I am assuming you are talking about imohr.com.br
Nope, not imohr. Made in America for $99
Big Boy
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/cl...etail.php?id=1340666
Standard spacing but beefy:
