July 8th | Mexico | You actually handed money over for this job...
Daniel from IAS Labs dropped me an email about updating his 1975 Brasilia and its front suspension. He used the word "hacked" in his initial email. I wasn't ready for the pictures that came back.
If ANY experience, for reference, I have 21+ years, resonates with you, head this warning. If you hire someone and you don't vet their work, you could actually hand money over for this kind of work. Please, don't risk your life or the lives around you even thinking of driving around the streets with so many issues. Please.
With that said, Daniel asked for the PRO's expertise on what it would update this Brasilia and bring safety, enjoyment, and quality of ride, back to the forefront of this Classic VW. The Answer. The Stage 2 PRObuilt Beam.
With the vehicle having cosmic wheels and the current 5" narrowed beam, Daniel was having rubbing problem on the inner fenderwells and he also did not like how much it tucked inside the fenders. We opted to do the 2" narrowed version to check as many boxes as possible. Here are the specs on the beam;
Stage 2 PRObuilt Air Ride Ball Joint Beam Complete - 2203
The BEST way to add Air Ride to a Classic Volkswagen Type 1 with ball joint front suspension (1966 through 1977), is by installing a Stage 2 PRObuilt Beam. When the PRO's say complete, they mean complete. You will not need anything in addition to this assembly.
The Stage 2 PRObuilt Beam is built on the Ultimate Beam platform. It's made in stock width and up to four inches narrower than OEM to allow for wider wheels, drop spindles, and disc brakes, that add track width.
The complete beam comes as you see it, spindle to spindle, with an entire PRObuilt steering system installed and ready to bolt in and go.
What's included? This Stage 2 PRObuilt Beam is spindle to spindle, built in any configuration, from stock to four inch narrowed. It comes powder-coated, satin black, ready to install. The front end comes complete with the following;
New Ultimate Adjustable Beam
New Drum Drop Spindles (CB Performance/EMPI) or OEM Spindles
PRObuilt Steering Box filled with Corn Head Grease
Reconditioned pitman/drop arm/clamp
When it comes to how narrow you need, check out this article here. The PRO's recommend a FOUR Inch narrowed for most applications as it allows for just about any wheel to fit and tuck under the fenders.
If you are going for the dropped look and want to run either Airkewld's GEN 2 Disc Brake kit or your factory drums opt for the DRUM Drop Spindles. If you keep your Factory Disc Brakes (4 lug), opt for the DISC Drop Spindles. If you are keeping the drop moderate, a stock height spindle for the drum or factory disc is available. If you want to run the disc brakes you already have, click here.
Install kit (saves time, ensuring you have everything needed to do the job right) New beam bolts, upper and lower body pads, and inspection plate) .
If you want to make this beam install even more complete, maybe installing a GEN 2 Disc Brake kit might make sense. To have the PRO's install them, you will need to add the labor to do that here, then choose your disc brake kit here.
You will need an Air Management Kit (AMK) to lift and lower the vehicle on demand. If you are only doing front air ride, you can use a 2 valve AMK and use one valve per corner. This will eliminate sway left to right when turning. Trust me. If you are going to do full air ride, then the 4 valve AMK is what you need. (If you decide to use a different manufacture for air management, the PRO's will be UNABLE to tech support any issues you have as we will be unable to replicate the issue in house).
If your steering coupler from your column to your steering box has seen better days, the PRO's suggest the OEM PRObuilt Steering Box Coupler found here.
7.5 inches of up-and-down movement
Taller shock towers allow for the use of shocks that will work with any ride height adjustment
Industries finest packaging to ensure it will arrive to you unscathed
Do I need to do body mods to install this beam? No. The inside dimension is 29 13/16". That gives a clearance of 1/16" on each side.
How do you narrow the beam 4" when I only have 1/2 inch on each side of my stock beam? We utilize the outer ends of the tubes and gusset outwards to give us the needed space. Here is a video that explains it.
Do I need to send in a core? No. The PRO's have a few options for your cores. Check them out here.
Will I need anything in addition to this assembly? No. It's as complete as it comes from the factory.
The front end will be coated apart and assembled to keep the clean look with new hardware. It's set to the medium height setting so that you can adjust it to your liking. It's pre-greased, and alignment will set in a rough application for shipping.
Financing is available during checkout.
What do you think of the old beam build and what do you think of the new beam build?
