Raised spindles

TIMBERWOLF · Post by **TIMBERWOLF** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 8:21 am

Can the spindles marketed for lowering a bug cal look stylee be flipped side for side to become spindles for raising the suspension. I'm trying to picture in my head where the steering arms would be etc but haven't come to a conclusion. Steering joint tapered reams would be upside down but could have bump steer fittings installed. anyone got a better imagination than me?

Might end up doing the BC racing diy spindle set up if above isn't possible, just there are some cheap units for sale.......

Post by **Marc** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 8:36 am

Hmmm... kingpin control arms are offset by 7mm and balljoint spindles have a camber-adjustment eccentric at the upper balljoint. It's an interesting idea but it sounds impractical at the outset to me.

Crash · Post by **Crash** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 8:49 am

The steering arm would be on the wrong side and the angle of inclination would be backwards making your tire point out a lot at the top.
Your best bet is to buy or make the lift spindles. Check http://www.blindchickenracing.com/How_t ... indles.htm for what we did to build some.

-Mark

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Blind Chicken Racing
http://www.blindchickenracing.com

vwlownslo · Post by **vwlownslo** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 9:10 am

Hey Mark (a.k.a CRASH), how are those bad boys holding up?

I know you guys do good work (from what I've seen on your site) and I'd imagine they have been through quite a thrashing! lol... Any suggestions on what temp settings, wire etc. for welding them up?

I plan on doing the same thing on my bug once I install a linkpin beam. I plan on using linkpin spindles and balljoint spindles when I do it though, so I can have a linkpin setup that uses 4lug KG disc brakes and calipers.

Any suggestions that you would have would be great!

Oh, and do you think it woulb be a good idea to tap and thread a few holes for tappered reccesed bolts (2 or 3) to help join the two spidle halves prior to welding or is that over kill?

Thanks!

[This message has been edited by vwlownslo (edited 02-19-2003).]

[This message has been edited by vwlownslo (edited 02-19-2003).]

usabug · Post by **usabug** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 9:13 am

Sol Cal sells raised spindles for $199.00 a pair. 2" or 3" lift; depending on how high you need them to go.

Dean

Crash · Post by **Crash** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 10:43 am

I have built several with either 6011 or 7018 arc welding or .035 wire using 75/25 gas and a hot setting. We have never had one fail and have beat the crap out of them. One thing to consider is how much lift you really need. The more the lift the more leverage you have on the rest of your suspension parts. I would say 3" is max although I have made 4" that have held up. With the kingpin you don't need as much spindle lift because the suspension itself will give much more lift than balljoint. The easiest spindle I have found to make these out of are super beetle spindles. They have a much bigger backing and are easier to weld on properly. When assembling you want them close but it is not too critical as you can adjust quite a bit out with an alignment.

-Mark

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Blind Chicken Racing
http://www.blindchickenracing.com

TIMBERWOLF · Post by **TIMBERWOLF** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 12:59 pm

I'll give it a go, got some spindles in here some place, got to get this place tidied up some time.

Some time soon! The evil that is house moving is upon the Timberwolf pack! Hey Crash and Insayn, we're thinking of getting one of them freaky Oregon geodesic dome homes. It'll go well with the freaky cars!

INSAYN · Post by **INSAYN** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 1:24 pm

Yes, those houses are pretty unique, aren't they? I have seen several of them over the years, out here.
http://www.domes.com/index.html

INSAYN

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'74 Baja
'?? Tube framed Baja Project
www.blindchickenracing.com

INSAYN · Post by **INSAYN** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 11:33 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by vwlownslo:
<B>Any suggestions on what temp settings, wire etc. for welding them up?

Oh, and do you think it woulb be a good idea to tap and thread a few holes for tappered reccesed bolts (2 or 3) to help join the two spidle halves prior to welding or is that over kill?

</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

What welder are you using. It would depend on how much power you have on tap to give you any setting to go with. On mine, (the ones being made in the pictures) I used my Miller 185 maxed out on power, and wire speed at like 75 or so. Mine will burn 3/8" in one pass, and that is suffcient for these.

As for the extra bolts, it is not necessary for added strength, but I just ran a few bolts through the existing holes that naturally line up at 2.25" just to keep the pair the same, and then wire glued them together with .030" wire.

The trick to cutting them square, is being able to secure them in the vice of the saw. Study up on the pics, and go for it. Very EASY project.

INSAYN

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'74 Baja
'?? Tube framed Baja Project
www.blindchickenracing.com

[This message has been edited by INSAYN (edited 02-19-2003).]