Post by 3verse on Jan 14, 2009 20:04:59 GMT -5
Well since I'm using a VW front axle beam for my RT, I though I would do a write up on the benefits of using a VW axle beam for an RT.
Obviously, the main benefit is that it is a completely self contained, suspension, braking, steering, and frame system that can bolt or weld to your RT as a complete unit. Also, they are widely available, have tons of info and new parts availble on the net, and can be adjusted and tweaked to your exact suspension/braking plans for your RT. If you buy a complete front end like I did, you can build first, and then adjust later. I will start working on the chassis that goes between my front suspension and rear motorcycle frame. From there I can start doing slow test drives and adjusting suspension height in the front and rear. After the fabricating is complete, I can then go back and make sure eveything on my suspension is top notch.
I purchased a complete front axle beam for $75 -- it came with everything: brakes, tie rods, shocks, brake lines, steering box, steering shaft, and steering wheel. Here are the pics of my beam:
Of course, I will rebuild the brakes with new pads, master cylinders, and brake lines, but everything on this beam, though greasy, is in REALLY good condition. My first beam that I paid $100 for ended up being too much work -- so be careful when buying that you don't have to buy twice like I did (I resold my first one to get my money back).
Another advantage is having two separate braking systems. I will have my front VW brakes hooked up to my brake pedal by my feet, and the rear motorcycle brake will be hooked up to a handle e-brake. You don't have to do your brake setup this way, but I thought it would be cool to have separate front and rear brakes.
As far as upgrading to disc brakes, I found a kit on ebay for $220 that provides a complete bolt-on disc brake kit. Here's the link: cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ECONOMY-KING-PIN-DISC-BRAKES-Dune-Buggy-VW-bug_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6763QQihZ001QQitemZ110335666181QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
The steering systems on VWs are very easy to adjust, lower or raise, and there are many tutorials on how to align a VW front suspension yourself. Here's one from samba.com that I found: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=295861&highlight=self+alignment
Also, you can upgrade your steering, and pretty much every other part on the front axle beam. Go to ebay and search for dune buggy parts, and there will be endless parts such as rack and pinion steering or better shocks designed for the VW suspension.
Here are some RTs with VW front axle beams:
Finally, there is one important thing to know about VW front suspensions -- there are two types. The first one is called the link pin or king pin axle beam, and the second is called the ball joint axle beam (my beam and the first pictured RT are link pin beams, the second two pictured beams are ball join beams). The ball joint beam is typically considered the better of the two for on-road handling, but after market parts are far more expensive, and they are more difficult to work on. However, if you are buying a complete, brand new, ball joint axle beam -- they are more reasonably priced -- here's a link to one on ebay that's complete minus brakes and steering: cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VW-BALL-JOINT-DRUM-BRAKE-AXLE-BEAM-BUG-BUGGY_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34200QQihZ015QQitemZ250357571007QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
I personally purchased the link pin front axle beam. After spending some time reading in forums, I found that link pin front suspensions will perform just as well as ball joint front suspensions with some tweaking. And since parts are cheaper and they are easier to work on, it was a no brainer. Also, link pin suspensions are much cheaper used and easier to find. If you are looking for used VW parts for your RT, these classifieds have a lot of good used VW parts and a good place to find the suspension for your RT: www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/
Finally, keep in mind that the farther out of the box you go with your RT build, the less people there will be who are able to help you with your build. And since so many people use VW front suspensions for kit cars, dune buggys, baja bugs, and rat rods -- there is an unbelievably large amount of information on the web.
Obviously, the main benefit is that it is a completely self contained, suspension, braking, steering, and frame system that can bolt or weld to your RT as a complete unit. Also, they are widely available, have tons of info and new parts availble on the net, and can be adjusted and tweaked to your exact suspension/braking plans for your RT. If you buy a complete front end like I did, you can build first, and then adjust later. I will start working on the chassis that goes between my front suspension and rear motorcycle frame. From there I can start doing slow test drives and adjusting suspension height in the front and rear. After the fabricating is complete, I can then go back and make sure eveything on my suspension is top notch.
I purchased a complete front axle beam for $75 -- it came with everything: brakes, tie rods, shocks, brake lines, steering box, steering shaft, and steering wheel. Here are the pics of my beam:
Of course, I will rebuild the brakes with new pads, master cylinders, and brake lines, but everything on this beam, though greasy, is in REALLY good condition. My first beam that I paid $100 for ended up being too much work -- so be careful when buying that you don't have to buy twice like I did (I resold my first one to get my money back).
Another advantage is having two separate braking systems. I will have my front VW brakes hooked up to my brake pedal by my feet, and the rear motorcycle brake will be hooked up to a handle e-brake. You don't have to do your brake setup this way, but I thought it would be cool to have separate front and rear brakes.
As far as upgrading to disc brakes, I found a kit on ebay for $220 that provides a complete bolt-on disc brake kit. Here's the link: cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ECONOMY-KING-PIN-DISC-BRAKES-Dune-Buggy-VW-bug_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6763QQihZ001QQitemZ110335666181QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
The steering systems on VWs are very easy to adjust, lower or raise, and there are many tutorials on how to align a VW front suspension yourself. Here's one from samba.com that I found: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=295861&highlight=self+alignment
Also, you can upgrade your steering, and pretty much every other part on the front axle beam. Go to ebay and search for dune buggy parts, and there will be endless parts such as rack and pinion steering or better shocks designed for the VW suspension.
Here are some RTs with VW front axle beams:
Finally, there is one important thing to know about VW front suspensions -- there are two types. The first one is called the link pin or king pin axle beam, and the second is called the ball joint axle beam (my beam and the first pictured RT are link pin beams, the second two pictured beams are ball join beams). The ball joint beam is typically considered the better of the two for on-road handling, but after market parts are far more expensive, and they are more difficult to work on. However, if you are buying a complete, brand new, ball joint axle beam -- they are more reasonably priced -- here's a link to one on ebay that's complete minus brakes and steering: cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VW-BALL-JOINT-DRUM-BRAKE-AXLE-BEAM-BUG-BUGGY_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34200QQihZ015QQitemZ250357571007QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
I personally purchased the link pin front axle beam. After spending some time reading in forums, I found that link pin front suspensions will perform just as well as ball joint front suspensions with some tweaking. And since parts are cheaper and they are easier to work on, it was a no brainer. Also, link pin suspensions are much cheaper used and easier to find. If you are looking for used VW parts for your RT, these classifieds have a lot of good used VW parts and a good place to find the suspension for your RT: www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/
Finally, keep in mind that the farther out of the box you go with your RT build, the less people there will be who are able to help you with your build. And since so many people use VW front suspensions for kit cars, dune buggys, baja bugs, and rat rods -- there is an unbelievably large amount of information on the web.