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Greetings,

I have a FiberFab Speedster body on a 72 VW Type 1 chassis.  A series of questions.

Perhaps important?  When I bought the car last year, in an attempt to "create the Speedster look" the front end, unbeknownst to me, had been set to rest directly on the chassis.  The shocks did not provide any dampening at all.  I've had the front raised 1.5" and the stops moved to allow at least that dampening.  I'm told that it is unlikely that we'll be able to get any more lift. 

Now that I've raised the front end to clear the chassis and engage the shocks, I'd like to raise the rear.  I should do this to balance out the car but REALLY because my rear end drags on any speed bump, driveway entry or somewhat aggressive road vertical alignment change.

Can the rear end of these cars be raised?  What is involved?  What kind of shop or person can do this and what should I ask them to do?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Marshall

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@Marshall

Setting the rear ride height is relatively easy IF you have the right tools and a bit of experience.  Just about any competent VW Beetle repair shop should be able to do this for you.  Just go to the following link, print it out and bring it along with you when you visit a few shops to interview them, before deciding on the one you like to do the work.  Totally guessing, here, but I would expect a fee of about $400 to do both sides and get them even, side to side.  The fee is mostly all labor and doing this is time consuming, but they really should check the rear wheel alignment after re-setting the height.

https://www.speedsterowners.co...rear-ride-height--vw

Last edited by Gordon Nichols

@Marshall

Marshall, if your car has adjustable spring plates like this pic shows...IMG_20141204_121112

...it would be a simple matter of raising the rear wheels off the ground and turning the adjustment bolt (allan head fitting) to the desired height. Its a trial and error process, raise the wheel, adjust the bolt, put car back on the ground and roll the car to settle the suspension. Repeat process to reach desired height.

If you don't have these, then @Gordon Nichols advice is the way for you to go. Let us know how it turns out.

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  • IMG_20141204_121112
@MusbJim posted:

@Marshall

Marshall, if your car has adjustable spring plates like this pic shows...IMG_20141204_121112

...it would be a simple matter of raising the rear wheels off the ground and turning the adjustment bolt (allan head fitting) to the desired height. Its a trial and error process, raise the wheel, adjust the bolt, put car back on the ground and roll the car to settle the suspension. Repeat process to reach desired height.

If you don't have these, then @Gordon Nichols advice is the way for you to go. Let us know how it turns out.

And there you have it folks, ANOTHER technical post by the man, the myth, the legend......El Guapo.

I knew 2021 was going to be the year but I just didn't know for what. Now I do.

My rear suspension is about the same height as @MusbJim's but I have dual exhaust tips exiting rearward just behind the tires.  Because of the low height and the tips sticking out towards the back I, too, approach speed bumps and my son's slightly elevated driveway at an angle to prevent scraping on something.

Hitting speed bumps at 40+mph doesn't help.  It just scares the Beejeezus out of the passenger.

My rear suspension is about the same height as @MusbJim's but I have dual exhaust tips exiting rearward just behind the tires.  Because of the low height and the tips sticking out towards the back I, too, approach speed bumps and my son's slightly elevated driveway at an angle to prevent scraping on something.

Hitting speed bumps at 40+mph doesn't help.  It just scares the Beejeezus out of the passenger.

I think El Guapo is a little bit taller than you Gordo. Or maybe it's just the size of his melon that makes him look taller.

The front one and a half to 2 inches. My wife reports that the plan looks like it’s sticking up to high. I would assume they would raise the rear to match the front lift?

On holiday in Florida and away from my computer. I’ll try to post some more information and photos when I return home. Thanks.

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