Home > Learn > Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) > What do I need to Air Ride an early Type 2 VW Bus

This article was created to give you, the #AirkewldArmy, the information needed to make a GREAT decision for YOU and YOUR Classic Volkswagen build. Let's get into the details of this question.

I want to Air Ride my Classic Type 2 Volkswagen. What products and or kits do I need to do the job?

BASICS
What year & model of Classic Type 2 Volkswagen do these fit?
1955-1967 Type 2 Bus, Standard Kombi, Single Cab, Double Cab, Panel, Deluxe, all models.

Will this kit fit on narrowed beam?
No, it must be an OEM beam.

Will this kit fit with a stock reduction gear box (RGB) transaxle?

No, the bus will need to be updated to a Type 1 or 3 IRS transaxle along with an IRS Conversion. Airkewld offers both.

Will my stock brakes work on this IRS Conversion?
Maybe. If your Type 2 Bus is equipped with a 36mm axle nut in the rear, then the brakes can be swapped out with a couple modifications. If you want to update your drum brakes to Disc Brakes, we can help. You can find details here.

Will this set up lay the vehicle on the ground?
No. This will allow you to lay the tires in the wheel wells with out any cutting. We want you to keep your investment so we try to alleviate all the cutting to the bus.

How much lift will the give me?
7.5" up front, 6.5 in the rear. No other kit comes close.

Is there welding involved in the fitting of this kit?

Yes. Check out the install PDF's below.

Does this kit have auto leveling?
No. We don't recommend ANY auto-leveling kits for the Volkswagen applications. They are too problematic and we want out clients to Smile, not Frown.

Will I need anything else when doing this kit?
Maybe. To elaborate on this, we need to understand that this is a big undertaking. We are providing the custom parts to install Air Ride on your Type 2 Bus. But we are not providing the parts to restore the bottom half of your bus. So there will be additional investments in small parts, should this include, while you are in there, scenarios.

What size tires should I run after installing this kit?

14" - P185/60r-14's - Link
15" - P185/60r-15's - Link
16" - P195/50r-16's - Link
17" - P205/45r-17's for all the same size tire front and back or staggered P205/40r-17 front, P215/45r-17 in the rear.

What kind of ride quality can I expect after this kit is installed?

Great question. If you use the saying, let's throw it against the wall and lets see what sticks, probably not good. If you follow the install guides, understand the limits, take your time and do the little things (4 wheel alignment, grease your zerks, dot your iii's and cross your ttt's), you will have a smile from ear to ear. The ride will be smooth and enjoyable for the entire family.

Can I run the 17" wheels like the ones you have on your website?
Yes, all of them will fit. Check them out here.

COMPLETE PARTS LIST
INSTALL GUIDES
Front Air Ride Install
- Link
Air Management Install - Link
Rear Air Ride Install - Link
IRS Conversion Install - Link
PRObuilt Drop Spindle Install - Link
Transaxle Disclaimer - Link

DO'S & DON'TS
When deciding on going with air ride, you made a decision that you are building a cruiser. What does that mean you ask?
Basically, the opposite of a high-performance application....and I don't mean a race car. If you have a large cc engine, you are going to want to use it, play with it, E V E R Y O N E wants too! If you go this route, don't AIR RIDE YOUR BUS. You need this instead.

Narrowed Beam - "I love the look and my tires are rubbing when I am low."
Let's start with the narrowed beam on a Type 2 Bus. Take my advice and don't invest in one. Seriously. I did a poll and almost 3/4 of those who were polled who had a narrowed beam, and they disliked the ride. If you decide to install a narrowed beam, you are basically saying that the visual is more important than the enjoyment of the ride quality. If this is the case, you are not thinking clearly. When it comes to the tires rubbing, with air ride you are NOT driving with the vehicle super low. You have the vehicle up to a medium height to allow the alignment to be perfect, the vehicle has the ability to absorb bumps and pot holes and can dodge things in the road easily. You will literally never rub with the vehicle at this height.

Add these products to my Wish List - Link

Our GOAL, is to give you all the tools and equipment to DO THE JOB RIGHT.

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Classic VW Bus Complete Air Ride Kit - 1003 Classic VW Bus Complete Air Ride Kit - 1003

The Best way to Air Ride a Classic Volkswagen Split Type 2 with link pin front suspension and Type 1 or 3 IRS axle rear suspension (1955 through 1967) is with a Complete Air Ride Kit from Airkewld. It converts the ENTIRE VW from torsion-sprung suspension to air-ride suspension.

List Price $3,249.99
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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 |
Tools Needed

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List Price $639.99
Airkewld Army Price $599.99 Per Service
Savings: $40.00
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Type 2 Bus IRS Axle Conversion - 2611 Type 2 Bus IRS Axle Conversion - 2611

There are two conversions available to lower the 1955 through 1967 Classic Volkswagen Type 2 Split Bus. The one shown here which is the IRS Axle conversion and the Swing Straight Axle Conversion.

This conversion requires the use of your spring plates, which the PRO's send a pre-paid shipping label via email to retrieve your plates and send them back to us for modification. This conversion will lower the rear end of your bus 3.50" or 89mm. It will require more than what is included in the kit, check out the Complete Details section for more on that.

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

Typical time to install - 12 Hours | Install PDF Link | Install Video |
Tools Needed

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List Price $1,349.99
Airkewld Army Price $1,149.99 Each
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Gen 1 Classic 1955-63 VW Bus Front Disc Brake Conversion Kit - 4300 Gen 1 Classic 1955-63 VW Bus Front Disc Brake Conversion Kit - 4300

Fits Classic Volkswagen Type 2's with drum spindles, stock or flipped, 15"+ Non-Factory Bus Wheels, AND these years/models;

1955 through 1963 Type 2 Bus Kombi Transporter Single Cab Double Cab

List Price $1,699.99
Airkewld Army Price $1,399.99 per Kit
Savings: $300.00
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Gen 1 Classic 1964-67 VW Bus Front Disc Brake Conversion Kit - 4305 Gen 1 Classic 1964-67 VW Bus Front Disc Brake Conversion Kit - 4305

Fits Classic Volkswagen Type 2's with drum spindles, stock or flipped, 15"+ Non-Factory Bus Wheels, AND these years/models;

1964 through 1967 Type 2 Bus Kombi Transporter Single Cab Double Cab
1968 though 1975 Type 2 Brazilian Split Type 2

List Price $1,699.99
Airkewld Army Price $1,399.99 per Kit
Savings: $300.00
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Gen 1 Classic VW Bus Rear Disc Brake Conversion Kit - 4745 Gen 1 Classic VW Bus Rear Disc Brake Conversion Kit - 4745

Fits Classic Volkswagen Type 2's with a Straight Axle (like this) or Type 1 IRS Conversion (like this), 15"+ Non-Factory Bus Wheels, AND these years/models;

1955 through 1967 Type 2 Bus Kombi Transporter Single Cab Double Cab
* Will not work with factory Reduction Gear Box applications
* Will not work with factory Bus wheels
* Will not work with BAY IRS Conversion

List Price $1,599.99
Airkewld Army Price $1,299.99 per Kit
Savings: $300.00
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PRObuilt Transaxle Freeway Flyer - IRS - 2320 PRObuilt Transaxle Freeway Flyer - IRS - 2320

The BEST way to enjoy the shifting experience and low RPM's at higher speeds in a 1969 through 1977 Classic Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle, Karmann Ghia, Super Beetle, Split Type 2 converted, or Type 3 is with a PRObuilt Freeway Flyer IRS Transaxle. *(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 3.88 Ring and Pinion, overdrive 4th, along with new synchros, bearings and seals in a rebuilt IRS platform. 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, a Cruiser application, (Freeway Flyer) or Performance application (not racing but more aggressive driving). No Core is Needed.

Assembled in the USA | Product updated 8/31/24 by Pete

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

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List Price $2,899.99
Airkewld Army Price $2,549.99 Each
Savings: $350.00
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IRS Axle Core Torsion Housing Complete IRS Axle Core Torsion Housing Complete

The PRO's are listening. As we can, we are locating the complete rear end core so that you can do the IRS conversion easily. What you see in the pictures is what you get. Every nut, every bolt, stub axle, IRS control arm, drums in original condition, not restored, but as a core. You will still need CV's and a transaxle. This is a lower 48 states shippable item.

Fits the following:
1955-1967 Type 2 Bus Kombi Transporter Single Cab Double Cab

The PRO's Recommendations: PRObuilt Transaxle

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List Price $1,109.99
Airkewld Army Price $899.99 Each
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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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List Price $1,699.99
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Savings: $300.00
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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
Airkewld Army Price $1,699.99 Per Pair
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