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1958 Classic Volkswagen Beetle Ragtop | Mr. Skiba | Build Sheet

The 1958 Ragtop that started it all, she's known as BREKNNX (Breaking Necks).
- by Pete Skiba - PRO since 2002 | Airkewld.com | Updated on 6/4/23

Front Suspension
  • Stage 2 PRObuilt Air Ride Beam - 4" Narrowed with Drum Drop Spindles
  • BAD Series Disc Brakes in 5x130mm with Red Wilwood 4 piston calipers
Rear Suspension
  • Air Ride Kit and Stainless Hardware
  • Freeway Flyer Short Axle Transaxle
  • BAD Series Disc Brakes with paint matched eBrake calipers
Related: 1962 Beetle Chassis Rebuild | 1958 Karmann Ghia Chassis Rebuild | Sick 1963 Beetle Build

Also: All the products needed to recreate a similar stance on your 1949-65 Beetle are shown below. If you have any questions as it pertains to your vehicle and set up, please contact one of the PRO's.



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Classic VW Complete Air Ride Kit - 1000 Classic VW Complete Air Ride Kit - 1000

A better way to Air Ride a Classic Volkswagen Type 1 with link pin front suspension and swing axle rear suspension (1949 through 1965) is with a Complete Air Ride Kit from Airkewld. It converts the ENTIRE VW from torsion-sprung suspension to air-ride suspension.

List Price $2,799.99
Airkewld Army Price $2,299.99 Complete Kit

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Ultimate Adjustable VW Front Link Pin Beam - 2102 Ultimate Adjustable VW Front Link Pin Beam - 2102

A better way to lower a Classic Volkswagen Type 1 with link pin front suspension (1949 through 1965) other than utilizing adjusters in the center of the beam is to order an Ultimate Adjustable Front Beam.

The Ultimate Beam (UB) allows you to adjust your ride height from stock height down to *seven inches on average. The UB has Delrin bushings, a steering dampener bracket, and grease-able zerks. The UB can come in stock width, up to 4" narrowed with shock towers. New torsions, tie rods, and shocks are recommended for the best overall user experience. If you don't know what beam makes the most sense, click here. This beam replaces the factory beam part number 113401021A.

4" Narrowed and Stock Width LHD are in stock


There are three ways to lower your 1949 through 1965 Type 1. Good, Better, Best.

Good
- Install a pair of adjusters, based on budget and skill set - no tech support
Better - Install an Ultimate Beam - Tech Support Included
Best - Install an assembled beam like the Stage 1 PRObuilt Beam - Tech Support Included

Made in the USA | Product updated 12/25/23 by Pete

Typical time to install - 4 Hours |
Install PDF Link | Install Video | Tools Needed

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List Price $1,199.99
Airkewld Army Price $849.99 Each
Savings: $350.00

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Stage 2 PRObuilt Air Ride Link Pin Beam Complete - 2202 Stage 2 PRObuilt Air Ride Link Pin Beam Complete - 2202

The BEST way to Air Ride a Classic Volkswagen Type 1 with link pin front suspension (1949 through 1965), 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.

List Price $3,599.99
Airkewld Army Price $3,299.99 per Assembly
Savings: $300.00
PRObuilt Transaxle Freeway Flyer - Short Axle - 2300 PRObuilt Transaxle Freeway Flyer - Short Axle - 2300

The BEST way to enjoy the shifting experience and low RPMs at higher speeds in 1949 through 1965 Classic Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle and Karmann Ghia is with a PRObuilt Freeway Flyer Transaxle equipped with *OEM sized Short Axle/Short Spline Axles (SASS). *(It can fit others, see the Complete Details section for more information).

This transaxle is Perfect for the Cruiser application. Key features of this transaxle are the 3.88 Ring and Pinion, overdrive 4th, new synchros, bearings, and seals in a rebuilt SASS 12-volt platform. All transaxles from the PRO's are 12 volt and do not come with OIL. The PRO's recommend
This oil from LAT or this on Amazon. You will need 3.5 quarts usually.

The PRO's offer a few different transaxles with varying lengths of the axle. This allows us to fit wheels with different offsets onto cars, whereas they wouldn't usually fit. So you should pick out your wheels first, run them by the PRO's to see what axle length makes sense, then choose a Cruiser application (Freeway Flyer) or Performance application (not racing but more aggressive driving). No Core is Needed.

Assembled in the USA | Product updated 6/24/23 by Pete

Typical time to install - 6 Hours | Install PDF Link | Install Video| Tools Needed


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List Price $3,299.99
Airkewld Army Price $2,899.99 Each
Savings: $400.00

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Classic VW PRObuilt Link Pin Drum Drop Spindles - 2441 Classic VW PRObuilt Link Pin Drum Drop Spindles - 2441

The Best option for installing drop spindles on your 1949 through 1965 Classic Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle and Karmann Ghia for the link pin application is this set of PRObuilt DRUM Drop Spindles. It will lower your vehicle 2.5" and add 3/8" of track width to each side. They work with either stock drum brakes or our GEN 1 or GEN 2 BAD Series Brakes. Early model 2 bolt wheel cylinder backing plates will need a small grind on the back of the spindle where it touches the backing plate. These spindles would replace the factory spindles with part numbers 111405301 and 111405302.

Good - Individually purchase these spindles, based on budget and skill set - no tech support
Better - ECObuilt Drop Drum Spindles - Bolt-On - Tech Support Included
Best - PRObuilt Drop Drum Spindles - Bolt-On - Tech Support Included

Assembled in the USA | Product updated 2/8/24 by Pete

Typical time to install - 2 Hours | Install PDF Link | Install Video | Tools Needed

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List Price $949.99
Airkewld Army Price $849.99 Pair

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Complete 1949-65 Stainless Steel Chassis Fastener Kit - 2920 Complete Stainless Steel Classic VW Chassis Fastener Kit - 2920

When rebuilding your 1949 through 1965 Type 1 Classic Volkswagen Chassis, you could use your old Kamax hardware, okay, OR you can replace it with some detail-oriented stainless steel hardware from the PRO's at Airkewld. You have watched the videos and seen the chassis builds, and now, you can use the same hardware and outfit your Classic Volkswagen with some premium hardware.

Assembled in the USA | Product updated 6/16/23 by Pete

Typical time to install - 3 Hours | Install PDF Link | Install Video | Tools Needed

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List Price $479.99
Airkewld Army Price $439.99 per Kit

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IDF Weber Hardline Fuel Line Kit - 8083 IDF Weber Hardline Fuel Line Kit - 8083

The Classic Volkswagen engine bay has a problem with fires. You know it. I know it. But what can we do about it? Eliminate connections, fumes, and weak links in the gas system, and eliminate the worry of an engine fire. Sound good?

You just installed your new/rebuilt VW engine, and it is time to connect your dual Weber IDF's and HPMX's. For years is installing some Gates rubber hose and using hose clamps from Autozone. There has to be a more secure way for this fuel system. Airkewld's Stainless Steel Hardline system is here, and you immediately have faith in your fuel system.

Made in the USA | Product updated 12/25/23 by Pete

Typical time to install - 2 Hours | Install PDF Link | Install Video |
Tools Needed

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List Price $319.99
Airkewld Army Price $279.99 per Kit
Savings: $40.00

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SLG-02 17 Inch Billet Wheel - 9100 SLG-02 17 Inch Billet Wheel - 9100

Fits the following:

  • All VW's*
  • *With bolt patterns in 5x130mm, 5x4.50 and 5x4.75
PDF Instructions:
  • Wheel Options Article - Link
  • Wheels only come in 17x7 configurations
The PRO's Recommendations:
  • Beetle/Ghia's need a 4" Narrowed beam and short axles, (Standard equipment on pre 65 vehicles) or Narrowed IRS arms (69 and later) to run the wheels staggered. (More wheel lip in the rear)
  • 14mm Studs with Acorn seat lug nuts
  • P205r40-17 Tires up front, P215r45-17 Tires in the rear
  • Check out the details tab for more fitment information

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List Price $1,199.99
Airkewld Army Price $999.99 Each
Savings: $200.00
SLG-02 18 Inch Billet Wheel - 9200 SLG-02 18 Inch Billet Wheel - 9200

Fits the following:

  • All VW's*
  • *With bolt patterns in 5x130mm, 5x4.50 and 5x4.75
PDF Instructions:
  • Wheel Options Article - Link
  • Wheels only come in 18x7 configurations
The PRO's Recommendations:
  • Beetle/Ghia's need a 4" Narrowed beam and short axles, (Standard equipment on pre 65 vehicles) or Narrowed IRS arms (69 and later) to run the wheels staggered. (More wheel lip in the rear)
  • 14mm Studs with Acorn seat lug nuts
  • Check out the details tab for more fitment information

More Information
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Register here for the Airkewld Army Price

List Price $1,299.99
Airkewld Army Price $1,099.99 Each
Savings: $200.00
Complete PRObuilt Air Ride Kit - 1050 Complete PRObuilt Air Ride Kit - 1050

The Best way to Air Ride a Classic Volkswagen Type 1 with link pin front suspension and swing axle rear suspension (1949 through 1965) is with a Complete PRObuilt Air Ride Kit from Airkewld. It converts the ENTIRE VW from torsion-sprung suspension to air-ride suspension.

List Price $5,849.99
Airkewld Army Price $5,349.99 Complete Kit
Savings: $500.00
OEM PRObuilt Pedal Assembly Service - 1450 OEM PRObuilt Pedal Assembly Service - 1450

Debuting on November 24th, 2023, the PRO's are proud to introduce the PRObuilt Pedal Assembly Service! This is a service of your existing pedal assembly, meaning it can not be purchased outright, no exceptions. It is built on LHD (Left Hand Drive) only.

Once purchased, the PRO's will email you a prepaid shipping label to pay for the shipping of your pedal assembly. You can then drop it off at your local FedEx DropOff location or a Walgreens location near you.

Once received, the PRO's will disassemble the pedal assembly and Ammonia Dip all the components to see the conditions of all parts received. If replacement parts are needed, these parts will be an additional cost. Pedal bushings, spring, pads and hardware are included in the purchase of this service. The OEM Clutch Lever will be reused if possible. If not, a replacement clutch shaft will be supplied with the purchase.

All steel parts will be powder coated satin black and the pedal base will be smoothed out, bead blasted and oil soaked for a clean, sano, finish. An option will be to install a early style cruiser pedal to replace the terrible factory pedal option. All standard steel parts will be gun blued.

New Cables are optional. Pictures shown are from our Chassis Builds and only include what is listed above.

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List Price $619.99
Airkewld Army Price $499.99 Per Service
Savings: $120.00

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