Home > Learn > Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) > How to lower your VW Bus the right way

We all dream of having a type 2 VW bus. Whether it is one with all the windows or a camper the wife and the kids strapped in and cruising down the road. Sounds good right? You would think. I did some asking around and came up with some pretty surprising information. Most people listen to companies and friends on what they think they should do with their bus and fork down the cash to make that happen. After they are done it ends up in the classifieds. Why? Most people look at things as a cosmetic and how cool it looks when you step out of the vehicle and turn to take a peak. Although it looks cool the outcome is not what the owner wanted. The type 2 bus rode terrible and the wife did not want to cruise it anymore. Because of certain products that were installed on the bus, the beers in the ice chest got all shook up on the drive to the beach. You see where this is going right? There are two variations of a lowered bus.
  • Daily Driver Status
  • Slammed
Daily Driver Status (DDS) This is the most common of the variations. 3.5" dropped spindles up front and either a straight axle conversion or an IRS conversion in the rear which drops the rear end about 4". Update your wheels and tires to get better drivability/looks and there you have it. Install some new shocks that are not KYB's and you're done. The ride is like stock because you really did not change anything that had to do with your torsions (in theory). Why is this most common? Performance handling ride quality enjoyable to drive and the drop job does not break the bank.

Slammed This variation looks the coolest but is really is not for everybody even if the salesman tells you it is. Dropped spindles 4" narrowed beam, poly beam bushings, raised steering box, tubbed front fenders, and seats that have been altered to look like stock but with half the amount of springs or foam. KYB shocks on all four corners and a similar treatment to the rear in the (DDS) but the torsions are adjusted down to lower the bus. Although I am somewhat partial to body dropped bus looking sick it really is not practical nor in my opinion does it have any gains mentioned with the DDS.

Let me give you the pros and cons of this kit.
  • Dropped spindles - Pro - You cannot beat these.
  • 4" Narrowed Beam - Con - 4" of the torsions is removed tightening the suspension all to gain 2" on each side to tuck the wheels in or compensate for aftermarket brakes that add track width. The ride is IMHO terrible.
  • Poly Beam Bushings - Pro/Con - Depending on who you talk to will you get different points of view. Poly is at the bottom of the barrel IMHO. Bearings are middle of the road and Delrin is top of the line.
  • Raised Steering Box - Con - You need to cut your bus to gain ground clearance so that your steering box does not smack the ground.
  • Wheel Tubs - Con - Cutting up an old VW bus will devalue it tremendously. Your seats will be modified to fit the tub decreasing the ride quality that the seats actually help with.
  • KYB Shocks - CON CON CON - Putting a high powered gas shock in place of a stock shock when you remove 4" of the torsions which in itself causes the ride to be rougher installing a gas shock in its place makes it even worse. The wider you go the higher powered of a shock you need to compensate for movement. The narrower you go the less you need where as a Cofap/Boge oil shock or Ridetech adjustable shock will give it the best ride.
  • Adjusted torsions - Pro/Con - When installing a straight axle kit or IRS kit the supplied spring plates are notched to give you more travel with a standard installation 4" drop (Pro). When you decide to go lower two things will happen. You will need to notch the spring plates more to get the desired drop you desire (unsafe) or adjust the spring plates up and bottom out on the spring perches (bumpy ride (Con).
We will always instruct our clients to create a menu of what they want out of their bus and the driving style they will be doing with it. If the bus is just to pick up donuts on Saturday morning or trailered to show slammed is king. If you plan on taking a trip to Mt Shasta with the family for camping but still want a cool looking and driving bus the DDS is the right direction to go. Something I have not talked about is Air Ride. Air Ride can give you the best of both worlds. Great ride handling and performance is all achievable without the addition of a narrowed beam steering box raise wheel tubs or KYB shocks. Torsions are not used any more front or rear and you ride completely on air. Momma will be in love again I have seen it. So in conclusion if you are looking for a simple 3"-4" drop the drop spindles and straight axle/IRS axle conversion is perfect. If you want to go lower install some adjusters and some Ridetech or Boge shocks. If you want to go even lower think about air ride. We even make a complete lowering kit to make it easy here. STAY AWAY from
  • Narrowed Beams for Type 2's
  • KYB shocks for all VW's
  • Body mods that will devalue the Bus
We hope this helps guide you and your project in the right direction. We will update this article as we can with new and even more improved information. Enjoy the ride keep it low and keep it kewl!
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Classic VW Bus PRObuilt Drop Spindles | Service | 2444 Classic VW Bus PRObuilt Drop Spindles | Service | 2444

As of 2023, no company has stepped up and built replacement spindles, stock, or dropped for the Classic Volkswagen Split Window Type 2 Bus. That leaves us in a position to ONLY offer a Drop Spindle Service, meaning your spindles are shipped to the PRO's and the PRO's ship them back to you dropped, and not something the PRO's can offer outright.

This service is only available in the USA. If you are outside the USA, consider the logistical (shipping) cost to get them to us, insured, and return shipping once the PRO's completes the service.

This service will drop your 1955 through 1967 Split Window Type 2 Bus, 3.50" or 90mm.

These spindles would replace the factory stock height spindles with part numbers 211405301A, 211405302A, (1955-1963) and 211405311C, 211405312C, (1964-1967).

Assembled in the USA | Product updated 6/18/23 by Pete

Typical time to install - 2 Hours | Install PDF Link | Install Video |
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Complete 1955-67 Type 2 VW Split Bus PRObuilt Lowering Kit - 2175 Complete 1955-67 Type 2 VW Split Bus PRObuilt Lowering Kit - 2175

The Best way to lower 1955 through 1967 Classic Volkswagen Split Type 2 Bus is with a Complete PRObuilt Lowering Kit from Airkewld. It lowers the bus 3.50" or 89mm up front and 4" or 101mm in the rear from *stock.

Stock is a relative term. Even though you have not changed anything over time, you are assessing the vehicle's overall height as it currently sits. But it has relaxed over time, gradually starting to sag. This is what a stock bus at stock height looks like off the showroom floor, over a 5" gap between the top of the tire and the upper fender arch. Even the rear wheels have some positive camber.

The products supplied in this kit will lift the vehicle back up to stock height, then lower it by 3.5" and 4".

Assembled in the USA | Product updated 8/12/23 by Pete

Typical time to install - 24 Hours* | Install PDF Link | Install Video |
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PRObuilt Transaxle Straight Axle Type 2 - Long Axle - 2316 PRObuilt Transaxle Straight Axle Type 2 - Long Axle - 2316

The BEST way to enjoy the shifting experience, low RPM's at higher speeds, and drop the rear end 4 inches or 101mm in a Classic Volkswagen Type 2 Split Bus is with a PRObuilt Straight Axle Transaxle set up.

This transaxle is Perfect for the Cruiser application. Key features of this transaxle are 3.88 Ring and Pinion, overdrive 4th, along with new synchros, bearings and seals. All transaxles that come 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 normally.

The PRO's offer a few different transaxle's with choise's, a Cruiser application, (Freeway Flyer) or Performance application (not racing but more aggressive driving)(This will require you to send in your spring plates for this transaxle to fit.)

Assembled in the USA | Product updated 1/18/24 by Pete

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


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Brazilian VW Bus PRObuilt Drop Spindles | Service | 2444B Classic VW Brazilian Bus PRObuilt Drop Spindles | Service | 2444B

As of 2024, no company has stepped up and built replacement spindles, stock, or dropped for the Brazilian Classic Volkswagen Split Window Type 2 Bus. That leaves us in a position to ONLY offer a Drop Spindle Service, meaning your spindles are shipped to the PRO's and the PRO's ship them back to you dropped, and not something the PRO's can offer outright.

This service is only available in the USA. If you are outside the USA, consider the logistical (shipping) cost to get them to us, insured, and return shipping once the PRO's completes the service.

This service will drop your 1968 through 1975 Brazilian Split Window Type 2 Bus, 3.50" or 90mm.

Assembled in the USA | Product updated 8/12/23 by Pete

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

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Classic VW Bus PRObuilt Drop Spindles | Outright | 2444O Classic VW Bus PRObuilt Drop Spindles | Outright | 2444O

This is for a set of 64-67 Type 2 German Bus and 68-75 Brazilian Bus spindles that have been flipped and are being sold outright. They have a powder coated finish that will last a lifetime. Link pins have been gun blued and bearing cages have been cleaned and inspected. No shims are included.

These spindle will drop your 1955 through 1967 Split Window Type 2 Bus along with Brazilian Buses, 3.50" or 90mm.

These spindles would replace the factory stock height spindles with part numbers 211405301A, 211405302A, (1955-1963) and 211405311C, 211405312C, (1964-1967).


Assembled in the USA | Product updated 5/11/24 by Pete

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

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List Price $2,199.99
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