Any VW guys in San Diego or nearby?

[SDBus]

So, I just wrote up a really long nice intro giving my story and how I got this bus, etc. etc. etc., and my computer decided that it wanted to f#$% with me and erase it. So I am going to skip all that! HAHAH. Here is my first bus. Got it a few months ago.


When I picked it up it looked like this. It kinda looks like the German A-team!  



Couple days later I drove her down to the beach for some glamour shots.

[SDBus]

So far I have only been able to do a few things. I took off all the hideous tint (and Mexican stickers), changed out those gosh aweful rear rims, testeed some rattle can on the front, pretty much stripped out the whole interior, and some other small things. This is what she looks like today.







And yes, She does run!

[folks55]

Congrats on the bus and welcome to Rich50's site

[mr. warehouse]

Looking good. Hopefully you find some info here that will help you along.

[SDBus]

Thanks a lot guys. Glad to be a part of the scene now.

I will be sending her in for body work and paint in the next couple weeks. Found a guy here in San Diego that does some pretty respectable work at some pretty decent prices. I acquired new doors for both sides (almost the only things rusty about this bus) and will be ordering some replacement panels in the next couple weeks for him to repair some of the damaged areas. I can't wait till he gets started.

After the body work and paint is done I will be heading up to the desert where my Dad has all the tools I need to re-do the interior. I plan on doing a mild custom camping interior. got a Z-bed that I plan on re-building. Throw a couple cabinets and a nice custom stereo in it. I would like to be able to just get in my baby and take off. Couple weeks up the Californis coast with the surfboards on the roof, or up to the mountains for a couple days to camp, whatever...

After the interior I plan on doing something about the suspension and height of the bus. Honestly, I would like to drop it to the ground. Would love for it to lay all the way down, but I just don't have the knowledge and/or resources. Chances are, I will end up doing a pretty standard drop (flipped (maybe welded) spindles, narrowed (maybe adjustable) beam, IRS bug tranny in the rear with adjustable spring plates). At least that is what seems to be best judging on what everyone else has done. Any ideas, recommendation, or suggestions?

And finally, I will replace the power plant in the back. I'm sure that's a long way down the road. The engine I've got in seems to run pretty strong. Good compression, fresh tune-up, new fuel pump, new clutch etc. It'll do for now. HAHA

[RICH50]

Congrats on the bus and welcome to Rich50's site

  Welcome bro

[mr. warehouse]

narrowed beam and dropped spindles is pretty normal.
IRS isn't necessary although a lot of guys like it.
I prefer a good old fashioned straight axle kit.
Bolt in, no modifying anything, etc.

I have done a couple IRS set ups though, don't get me wrong. I just prefer a straight axle.

[SDBus]

With a straight axle kit I still have to swap out the tranny right? which will get more lower and what are the cost differences?

[SDBus]

narrowed beam and dropped spindles is pretty normal.
IRS isn't necessary although a lot of guys like it.
I prefer a good old fashioned straight axle kit.
Bolt in, no modifying anything, etc.

I have done a couple IRS set ups though, don't get me wrong. I just prefer a straight axle.

So, could I do the straight axle (swing axle) conversion kit from bus boys without changing my tranny to a type I? And if so, how is it going to ride, and how well is the gearing going to work for me?

[mr. warehouse]

First of all, you could do a straight axle kit from me.........
You'll still be changing out your trans unless you want to pull yours apart and change the axles and flip the ring and pinion.
I say if you are doing the work, do it right the first time. Go with a transmission you know is good and stay away from the "worked when I pulled it out" stuff people sell.

I can set you up with EVERYTHING you need from the trans to the brakes in one shot....
Same thing goes for the front end. That's what I do....

When you compare prices I may not be the cheapest, but there are no hidden surprises either. You get EVERYTHING needed to do the job, and of course customer service to help you along when doing the install.

From my experience, a straight axle kit will go lower than an IRS unless you do some modding and fabricating to the IRS set up.

+/- $450 will get you the IRS kit, then yo need a good IRS trans (+/- $500) , and basically the back half of and IRS car for all off the control arms, bushings, brake line fittings, etc (+/- $?? ??). then you are also going to need rear brakes to suit your need (+/- $525)

Some of what you'll need to find here...


or

For +/- $1900 you can get a rebuilt swing axle trans with a straight axle conversion (including spring plates), all the misc. pieces needed to do the install, with new brakes ready to go.

[SDBus]

That'a awesome Mr. Warehouse! I will definitely consider your route as one of my top options when I am able to actually drop the money into the build. By the looks of things, I am looking at a minimum of $3,000 for parts to do the front and the rear right? That's kinda what I've gathered. How do you feel about airbag setups? Also, How do you feel about getting the bus even lower? How much work and money do you think it is to lay a bus all the way to the ground? And in your opinion, is that too far?

[SDBus]

Hey, any southern california bus guys in here? Looking specifically for anyone in San Diego but anywhere around So Cal is good. Thanks

[cage66]

If you are considering Air ride IRS is THE BEST there is.
 This is not from personal experience (although I love IRS)
Many people I know switch from SAK to IRS to do air and even Nate (Wagenswest) and Franz (KCW) will tell you.

[mr. warehouse]

That'a awesome Mr. Warehouse! I will definitely consider your route as one of my top options when I am able to actually drop the money into the build. By the looks of things, I am looking at a minimum of $3,000 for parts to do the front and the rear right? That's kinda what I've gathered. How do you feel about airbag setups? Also, How do you feel about getting the bus even lower? How much work and money do you think it is to lay a bus all the way to the ground? And in your opinion, is that too far?

Yeah $3k will get you in the ball park if you are doing the labor.
How low you go depends on how you set the thing up. Nothing in my eyes is too far or too low as long as you can drive it.

My Italian flap has all the bells and whistles *except* air ride, AND I drive it lay'd out.

Straight axle, narrowed beam, dropped spindles, notched frame rails, raised steering box.

When I park it and when I drive it sits at the same height. No air.

Anyne that drives it tells me they'll never riden in a smoother, easier to steer bus... 

Most of the crazy lay'd out sitting on the ground buses you see are on air. They look cool when parked, or for the few seconds they get lay'd out for a driving shot.

I usually try to talk people out of doing air, mostly because it's a lot of money (when done right)  to spend so you can look cool when parked....
That's not to say I haven't done a few air ride setups, I just don't push them.

For less money than you spend on air you could make your bus ride *very* nice all the time.

If you are considering Air ride IRS is THE BEST there is.
 This is not from personal experience (although I love IRS)
Many people I know switch from SAK to IRS to do air and even Nate (Wagenswest) and Franz (KCW) will tell you.

Why is it THE BEST?
Seriously I'm curious. Just because Nate and Franz say it is, or is there a reason?
I'm always open to learn more.

[SDBus]

So, you say that air ride is much more expensive when done right... I see the kit from Airkewld for $2,100. Is this kit not legit? Or is there a ton of added shit that's needed on top?

[mr. warehouse]

So, you say that air ride is much more expensive when done right... I see the kit from Airkewld for $2,100. Is this kit not legit? Or is there a ton of added shit that's needed on top?

That kit is just the air ride and manual air management system.

You'll still need a beam, spindles, tie rods, and transmission. Not to mention brakes. If you want to "set it on the ground" you'll need a steering box raise too as made obvious by this video at the 57 sec mark.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1b-x4XOSbU" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1b-x4XOSbU</a>

[SDBus]

Good point. I guess if I just put this kit in, I'd be going from stock to a few inches above stock. Hahaha. Not what I'm going for.

I have looked at the Wagenswest version as well. Seems like a pretty good setup but I think that you've got a good point. I am going to need a lot more than just a kit to really drop this bus.

I need to move out of my apartment and get a damn garage.

[mr. warehouse]

 :tears:I not going to knock any others shops, but I hate when other shops show *cheap* prices to get customers sucked in....

I know people think my prices are high compared to other shops, but again to beat a dead horse, with me you get everything. I don't hook you with a cheap $400 beam and then nickel and dime you to death with shocks, tie rods, torsion's, bushings, etc...

Like I said before, I fix the $500 drop jobs.... or If you find it cheaper, I can fix it.

Not being a wise guy, just being real.

Do your homework before spending your money.

[cage66]

Greg I havent done either so I cant say from experience but it seems like the general population agrees.
 Some good info in here
http://www.steeringboxscrapers.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=6202&hilit=air+ride

 Greg is a stand up guy and knows his shit.
I have never heard ANY negative feedback on his work. He has helped my a number of times. And although I have never had him lower anything for me I would not hesitate to do so.
 But I am a cheap ass and try to do as much as possible on my own.

 My old bus looked great but was too low to be a practical daily.
Something to consider. How low is too low to enjoy?

[SDBus]

Thank you both for the info. Just curious, what are your names so I know who you are referring to? Also. who is Greg? Nate is at Wagenswest right? I see you both over on the samba too. Sounds like you are both very knowledgable. Great to get some good advice and good knowledge. Much appreciated.

[cage66]

Im Chase.
 Greg is mr. warehouse
 I really dont know shit, I can just pull up info of other people knowledge.
 

[SDBus]

I guess if I read that right I would have figured out who Greg is. And from the looks of your work, Chase, it seems as though you've got some pretty decent knowledge mixed with lots of creativity and plenty of tools. I love the fact that you're willing to build a lot of this stuff yourself. I too am fairly broke. Anything I decide I've got too save up for sO I guess I've got plenty of time to think about it. Also, much to my surprise, I'm having a tough time finding people in San Diego that know much about lowering a bus. :-/

[SDBus]

Not to discount Greg AT ALL! (my last post might have come off that way). All the stuff I've seen from Greg looks great as well. Once I am ready I will definitely be looking in greg's direction (at least for some of the stuff). Again, I appreciate both of your feedback.