Home > Learn > Suspension Installs > How to lower your VW Beetle/Ghia the right way

So you probably just finished reading our article on "Identifying the condition of your Beetle/Ghia suspension" If not, check it out here. You have determined that you want to lower your Beetle/Ghia. Let's go over some products that we provide to get you lowered correctly. We will need to identify if you are building a cruiser or a performer.

Cruiser - Small engine application, not built for speed, low and slow baby.
Performer - Larger engine application, built for performance, nice and tight, power to the ground.

Front Suspension

  • PRObuilt Adjusters - Drop you any where your shocks and tires will allow for. By themselves, no more than 4" of drop to obtain optimal ride. Welders are needed to install these
  • Lowered Shocks - These shocks do not lower the vehicle, they give you the ride quality you are after. Bolt on.
  • Ultimate Narrowed and Adjustable Axle Beam - Built in adjusters in the beam to give you 7.5" of adjustability. Available in various narrowed widths to allow for larger wheels, disc brakes or any track adders. Bolt on.
  • Drop Spindles - Drop you 2.5" from where you are at currently. Link pin Beetle/Ghia owners will need some special tools to get these installed.
  • PRObuilt Drop Spindles - Fully assembled spindles by the PRO's at Airkewld. All ready for you to bolt on and go.
  • PRObuilt and Assembled Axle Beam - Fully assembled by the PRO's at Airkewld for a turn key solution tailored for your ride comfort and application. Bolt On
Rear Suspension

  • Lowered Shocks - These shocks do not lower the vehicle, they give you the ride quality you are after. Bolt on.
Initial Understanding

If you want to drop your ride 3 inches and narrowed your track a little bit you go with a 2" narrowed/adjustable Ultimate Beam. You install it and it looks great exactly what you want right now. 6 months down the line you want to lower it more. You can adjust the adjuster lower or you can add drop spindles. Drop spindles would be ideal. You install them and find out that they add 3/8" to each side and now you are rubbing on you fenders when you turn. How do we fix that? Well you can;

  • Buy a 4" narrowed beam to compensate for the added track of those drop spindles
  • Buy smaller tires
  • Buy wider fenders
  • Or you could plan ahead and figure out what works best in the long run.

Here is another scenario. Now you have a 3" narrowed beam, drop spindles and smaller tires on your ride and you want to stop better. Disc brakes are great option but depending on the manufacture and the route you are taking with your ride, options could be detrimental into once again buying another beam, tires, or even fenders....again. Some disc brake applications add track width. That is not necessarily a problem but if you do your homework in the beginning, knowing that will help you make better decisions. So you buy disc brake from another manufacture install them and they add 1" of track width. What are your options? Well you can;

  • Buy a 4" narrowed beam to compensate for the added track of those disc brakes
  • Buy wider fenders
  • Buy a different set of disc brakes that do not add track

The same can be said about wheel choice as well. If you know which wheel you want to end up with when the car is done, let us know the wheels and any specs you can get on it. We will help guide you to the best possible route.

You see where we are going with this right? So do your homework and plan ahead.

Soooooooo now you have to know, after all this reading, you are either building a cruiser or a performer.

Cruisers - If you are setting up for a bitchin' cruiser, you need a set of drop spindles, an Ultimate Shockless Beam and some lowered shocks. We even have a kit for you guys here. If you have welding skills and can fabricate, substitute the Shockless Beam for a set of PRObuilt adjusters and narrow up your own beam. Or if you are on a budget and need to purchase these parts individually, check them out here.

Performers - You want to transfer power to the ground and you want to be able to handle the power. We have the products to make that happen. A set of Drop Spindles, an 4" Ultimate Adjustable and Narrowed Beam and Adjustable Shocks. Airkewld gives you the ability to adjust your ride height and your ride quality all in one package and done the right way. Purchasing the parts al a carte, as a kit or PRObuilt assembled, we can set you up right!

Products listed in the article are designed to lower your vehicle the correct way and leave you with a smile after installation.


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

Fits the following vehicles:

  • 1949 through 1965 Type 1 Beetle-Bug-Fusca
  • 1957 through 1965 Karmann Ghia
  • Kit cars with link pin suspensions
No body mods, cutting or notching is necessary with this beam. If the vehicle has been in an accident, it is possible that minimal massaging will be needed to install.

PDF Instructions and Tips:

  • Assembling an Ultimate Beam - Link
The PRO's Recommendations:

More Information

Usually Ships in 1 to 2 Weeks
Airkewld Army Price: $790.72 Each
5 in stock!
(15)
Ultimate Adjustable VW Front Ball Joint Beam - 2100 Ultimate Adjustable VW Front Ball Joint Beam - 2100

Fits the following vehicles:

  • 1966 through 1977 Type 1 Beetle-Bug-Fusca
  • 1966 through 1975 Karmann Ghia
  • Mexican Beetle
  • Fridolin
  • Kit cars with ball joint suspensions
No body mods, cutting or notching is necessary with this beam. If the vehicle has been in an accident, it is possible that minimal massaging will be needed to install.

PDF Instructions and Tips:

  • Assembling an Ball Joint Ultimate Beam - Link
The PRO's Recommendations:

More Information

Usually Ships in 1 to 2 Weeks
Airkewld Army Price: $815.55 Each
6 in stock!
(19)
Stage 1 PRObuilt Adjustable Shockless Ball Joint Beam Complete - 2208 Stage 1 PRObuilt Adjustable Shockless Ball Joint Beam Complete - 2208

Fits the following:

  • 1966 through 1977 Type 1 Beetle-Bug-Fusca
  • 1966 through 1975 Karmann Ghia
  • 1973 and 1974 Type 181 Thing
  • Mexican Beetle
  • Fridolin
  • Kit cars with ball joint suspensions
Contrary to belief, the shockless beam can and does ride amazing when using Airkewld's delrin bushings. One tip though, if the vehicle is adjusted all the way down, the ride will be rough, lift it up and inch and the ride improves. All Shockless PRObuilt Beams are 6 inch narrowed.

PDF Instructions:
  • PRObuilt Beam Install - Link
The PRO's Recommendations:
  • PRObuilt Beam Installation Kit
  • Pick up a #SlickSpanner for easy camber adjustments in tight areas - Link
*Disc Brakes are optional here.
They can be installed by clicking here or clicking the check box below in the accessories section.


More Information

Estimated 8-10 Weeks
Airkewld Army Price: $2,649.90 per Assembly

(2)
Stage 1 PRObuilt Adjustable Ball Joint Beam Complete - 2200 Stage 1 PRObuilt Adjustable Ball Joint Beam Complete - 2200

Fits the following:
  • 1966 through 1977 Type 1 Beetle-Bug-Fusca
  • 1966 through 1975 Karmann Ghia
  • Mexican Beetle
  • Fridolin
  • Kit cars with ball joint suspensions
PDF Instructions:
  • PRObuilt Beam Install - Link
The PRO's Recommendations:
  • PRObuilt Beam Installation Kit
  • 4" narrowed is the most common and allows for the most wheel/stance/disc brake options
  • Adjustable shock option to be able to tune the suspension feel to your liking
*Disc Brakes are optional here.
They can be installed by clicking here or clicking the check box below in the accessories section.
More Information

Estimated 8-10 Weeks
Airkewld Army Price: $2,779.61 per Assembly

(8)
Stage 1 PRObuilt Adjustable Shockless Link Pin Beam Complete - 2209 Stage 1 PRObuilt Adjustable Shockless Link Pin Beam Complete - 2209

Fits the following:

  • 1949 through 1965 Type 1 Beetle-Bug-Fusca
  • 1957 through 1965 Karmann Ghia
  • Kit cars with link pin suspensions
All Shockless PRObuilt Beams come 6 Inch narrowed.

PDF Instructions:
  • PRObuilt Beam Install - Link
The PRO's Recommendations:
  • PRObuilt Beam Installation Kit
*Disc Brakes are optional here.
They can be installed by clicking here or clicking the check box below in the accessories section.


More Information

Estimated 8-10 Weeks
Airkewld Army Price: $2,882.13 per Assembly

(1)
Complete 1969-77 VW Beetle/Ghia PRObuilt Lowering Kit - 2173 Complete 1969-77 VW Beetle/Ghia PRObuilt Lowering Kit - 2173

Fits the following:

  • 1969 through 1977 Type 1 Beetle-Bug-Fusca
  • 1969 through 1975 Karmann Ghia
  • Vehicles with Ball Joint front suspension and IRS Axle rear suspension
PDF Instructions and Tips:
  • Ultimate Beam Install - Link
  • Ball Joint Drop Spindle Install - Link
  • PRObuilt Arm Install - Link
  • Rear Suspension Drop - Link
More Information

Estimated 4 Weeks
Airkewld Army Price: $2,995.73 per Kit
Complete 1966-68 VW Beetle/Ghia PRObuilt Lowering Kit - 2172 Complete 1966-68 VW Beetle/Ghia PRObuilt Lowering Kit - 2172

Fits the following:

  • 1966 through 1968 Type 1 Beetle Bug Fusca Karmann Ghia
  • Vehicles with Ball Joint front suspension and Swing Axle rear suspension
PDF Instructions and Tips:
  • Ultimate Beam Install - Link
  • Ball Joint Drop Spindle Install - Link
  • PRObuilt Arm Install - Link
  • Rear Suspension Drop - Link
More Information

Estimated 4 Weeks
Airkewld Army Price: $3,040.41 per Kit
Stage 1 PRObuilt Adjustable Link Pin Beam Complete - 2201 Stage 1 PRObuilt Adjustable Link Pin Beam Complete - 2201

Fits the following:

  • 1949 through 1965 Type 1 Beetle-Bug-Fusca
  • 1957 through 1965 Karmann Ghia
  • Kit cars with link pin suspensions
No body mods, cutting or notching is necessary with this beam. If the vehicle has been in an accident, it is possible that minimal massaging will be needed to install.

PDF Instructions:
  • PRObuilt Beam Install - Link
The PRO's Recommendations:
  • PRObuilt Beam Installation Kit
  • 4" narrowed is the most common and allows for the most wheel/stance/disc brake options
  • Adjustable shock option to be able to tune the suspension feel to your liking
*Disc Brakes are optional here.
They can be installed by clicking here or clicking the check box below in the accessories section.


More Information

Estimated 8-10 Weeks
Airkewld Army Price: $3,054.41 per Assembly

(10)
Complete 1949-65 VW Beetle/Ghia PRObuilt Lowering Kit - 2170 Complete 1949-65 VW Beetle/Ghia PRObuilt Lowering Kit - 2170

Fits the following:

  • 1949 through 1965 Type 1 Beetle | Bug | Fusca
  • 1957 through 1965 Karmann Ghia
  • Vehicles with a Link-Pin front suspension and Swing-Axle rear suspension
PDF Instructions | Tips
  • Drop Spindle Install - Link
  • Ultimate Beam Install - Link
  • Dropping the Rear - Link

More Information

Estimated 4 Weeks
Airkewld Army Price: $3,217.05 per Kit
Gas Monkey Garage Beetle Package Gas Monkey Garage Beetle Package

Fits the following:

  • 1949-1959 US Spec Type 1 Beetle-Bug-Fusca
  • 1955-1959 US Spec Karmann Ghia
  • 1960-1968 US Spec Karmann Ghia (with optional Transaxle package)
Gas Monkey Garage VW Build - Link

More Information

Estimated 8-10 Weeks
Airkewld Army Price: $9,316.47 per Kit
   
 
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