Volkswagen Owners Club Forum banner
7K views 13 replies 4 participants last post by  briano1234 
#1 · (Edited)
I recently purchase a '84 Cab parts car which has 16" wheels and brand new 205/40/16s on it which I'll be installing on my '86. I have approx. 2.25" of height between the tire and fender lip now. Is anyone running this wheel set up that can tell me how low I can safely go before having rubbing issues? This will just be a daily driver, no racing, sometimes with four passengers. All four of my shocks are shot and need replaced anyway. My gut tells me only go 1" to 1.5"s. So at this time this is where I'm headed.

I saw some rear lowering plates for caddys. Do they make these for the Cabriolets as well? Looks like a nice option and moves the rear wheel out .5" which would look better but may be a step back in the rub department.

http://www.justcaddys.com/rear-axle-drop-plates.html

http://www.mk1dubz.com/forums/showthread.php?t=678



Here are some other ideas I ran across.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VW-Golf-1-M...Parts_Accessories&hash=item2574cbe9fe&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VW-Golf-MK1...Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a79c5f70a&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sport-Suspe...Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c4c1fd8f5&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VW-Scirocco...icles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cbadbe705&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VW-MK1-MK2-...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1e769ac5ea

I'd appreciate any insight or opinions. First time newby at this.
 
See less See more
#5 ·
Prob some racelands on the low end will work; they come in at around 350 a set. Some say racelands ride hard others say it's not as bad. Upper end KW has a really nice setup, and ST is a good middle ground. ST is made by KW the shocks are just galvanized instead of stainless. ST coils will still set you back 800 bucks. I run the STs and love them. but obviously a coilover set on my 3100 lb lump vs yours...there is gonna be a difference. Not sure on the strut caps though.
 
#8 ·
I bolted on the 16" wheels and tires from the parts car I bought. They have a 36 offset. They look like the rear may tuck on hard compression with little or no contact. The front not so much. So I think a person would need to get a greater offset of 40 or so to make the fronts tuck the same as the rears.
 
#10 ·
Stay tuned. Bought and installed rear wheel spacers. Bought the cheap Raceland adjustable coil overs. Replaced rear axle frame bushings with poly. Bought new lower control arms, ball joints, inner and outer sway bar bushings, strut mounts and caps, rubber rear shock mounts, poly control arm bushings, installed used upper newspeed strut brace, and ordered four point lower brace. Once installed and lowered a little, off for an alignment. Will hopefully get back a little faster with pics and review.
 
#11 ·
Will hopefully get back a little faster with pics and review.


Only 2 years?... I just replaced all my struts/shocks, including mounts. I 3m Window Welded the mounts, and the ride didn't suffer, but the stand is up by about 1/2 inch. I just hope that the window weld assists the mounts in lasting more than about 3 years as my old ones did.
 
#13 ·
Yeah two years! One of many projects going on all the time. It gets parked in doors during the Montana Winters. Always have an extra vehicle laying around so when this one isn't feeling good it gets parked and something else is driven until I have the time and money. Good to see you're still on here Brian. Cheers
 
#14 ·
Filling in the bottom of the strut mount with 3m window weld impairs with the way the strut mount compresses, makes it less likely to bump up.

Getting used to it, and I suppose that if I lowered it a bit it would look more normal.... but I do find that if it prevents me from having to replace the things, as the newer ones are "more cost effectively made" I am all for it. But then again I bought the ones from o'reillys and they unlike on-line have a LLW, and that I am always for...So I suppose I will never have to buy them again. :) Just replace.... Kind of like my struts, and shocks... gotta love that LLW.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top