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1965 Beetle Getting Some Air
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Author:  RobertMayton [ Tue Feb 14, 2017 6:54 am ]
Post subject:  1965 Beetle Getting Some Air
I am in the process of installing the Airkewld Air Ride kit on my 1965 Beetle. This past weekend, we (Frank Scott, Wayne Howard, Matt Scheffield, and Steven Malm) pulled the body and placed her on the saw horses. I will update this thread with pictures and videos and details as I work through the install and hopefully it will help those who decide to do air suspension in the future.

Also, a side note...I am NOT restoring this car. I am not painting it, nor doing any additional work that is not 100% necessary. I know this goes against the grain of a lot of folks. Project creep is real but, funds and time are limited! LOL

Here's where we will begin. Body and Chassis have been separated!

Attachments:
dlk2.jpg
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Author:  Redjames [ Tue Feb 14, 2017 1:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1965 Beetle Getting Some Air
Nice!.... :thumbs:
Author:  ConcreteAce [ Tue Feb 14, 2017 8:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1965 Beetle Getting Some Air
Looks like you guys had some fun :dance: keep the pics coming!
Author:  RobertMayton [ Wed Feb 15, 2017 5:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1965 Beetle Getting Some Air
Not a ton of progress last night....but I did manage to build the lower arms and find my first real question. The instructions from Airkewld seem to leave a lot to be desired (IMO) and so I find myself reading the same section over and over and going to the internet for pictures of previous installs hoping to see what I need. That said, here are the lower arms all mocked up and ready. I left the space between the shock and the arm to represent the mount on the car.

Image

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The first question is about the gussets on my car. When I attempt to put the front mount where it goes for the lower arm, the heim joint hits the stock/factory gusset pictured below. Is it normal to have to trim this gusset? It is not mentioned in the instructions that I can see.

Image
Author:  RobertMayton [ Wed Feb 15, 2017 11:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1965 Beetle Getting Some Air
Called Airkewld and it is normal to have to trim or remove that gusset and the brake line bracket on some cars.

We shall make clearance tonight, Clarence. :lol:
Author:  ConcreteAce [ Wed Feb 15, 2017 12:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1965 Beetle Getting Some Air
Funny thing, I was reading your post, and I was going to tell you to give Pete a call, then I got down to your last post and see that you had. He is usually pretty good at following up on customers install questions.
Author:  RobertMayton [ Wed Feb 15, 2017 9:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1965 Beetle Getting Some Air
My wife, Tara, helped me out and got me a fresh bottle of 75/25 for the mig welder, so I can finally begin the scary part! Lol.

Tonight I got the gussets trimmed back using a sawzall and a grinder to clean up the edges. Then, I was able to weld in the brackets that will support the front of the lower control arm. Not the prettiest welds ever, but they are solid. No real issues or surprises with this task.

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Tomorrow I'll pull the torsions and trim the spring plates hopefully.

I'm used to getting home at 3:30 everyday, this 7:00 stuff is for the birds. I got work to do!
Author:  ConcreteAce [ Wed Feb 15, 2017 11:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1965 Beetle Getting Some Air
Shoot that welding looks great in the pictures. So are you using the system that bolts onto the spring plate? I spy a new pan in that picture as well. Got a little more work up your sleeve I see.
Author:  RobertMayton [ Thu Feb 16, 2017 6:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1965 Beetle Getting Some Air
ConcreteAce wrote:
Shoot that welding looks great in the pictures.


Thank you

ConcreteAce wrote:
So are you using the system that bolts onto the spring plate?


No sir, The kit I bought has the upper arm that goes from the frame horns out to the shock towers and is welded in... like https://goo.gl/images/rud7YL

ConcreteAce wrote:
I spy a new pan in that picture as well. Got a little more work up your sleeve I see.


Yes, unfortunately that battery box is roached and the PO did some patching already. Last few rain storms (when the car was my DD) that floorboard would be wet. I am just going to replace the whole pan....Still battling with myself to NOT do both pans and strip the whole chassis and paint and, and, and..... I gotta stay on course. Necessities only! LOL
Author:  Justin83Guthrie [ Thu Feb 16, 2017 12:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1965 Beetle Getting Some Air
It looks great man. I plan on swinging by tonight of I get out of class early enough.
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