[T3] Narrowed beam conversion

[Jim Adney]

On 28 May 2017 at 17:09, Ray Gifford wrote:

> I am about to narrow a type 1 beam and buy the conversion kit for my
> 65 notch. Add disc brakes. Any comments or suggestion? Things to watch
> out for? 

I have to ask why you think this would be a good thing to do. The Type 3 is a 
more advanced and stronger beam and you'll have to do some serious 
cobbling to get the Type 1 beam to clamp in the Type 3 mounts. Few Type 1 
people realize that the Type 3 front beam has an integral sway bar. Late 
Type 1 beams came with a sway bar clamped on externally, but that goes 
away if you narrow that beam.

Will you also have to cut away inner fender sheet metal to clear the 
narrowed beam when turning?

It seems like a lot of trouble and expense to go to for a downgrade.

OTOH, the disk brakes would be a nice upgrade, but the easy way to do that 
would be to swap in later Type 3 steering knuckles, or just a complete later 
Type 3 beam. I have suitable knuckles and calipers here. And keep in mind 
that Type 3 calipers (42 mm pistons) give you stronger brakes than Type 1 
calipers (40 mm pistons.) That works out to about a 10% difference in 
braking force.

While you're at it, an upgrade to a later Type 3 tandem master cylinder 
would be a good addition. Your '65 master cylinder is not suitable for use 
with disk brakes, unless it's modified. (It has a residual pressure valve which 
will keep the disk brakes from releasing.)

> Also, will rear drums from a 69 T3 fit?

If you bought both the drums AND the hubs they might, but you might also 
have to change the shoes and maybe the backing plates. I'm not sure if the 
spline section of the late hub is the same. Of course you realize that the '65 
came with wide-5 wheels and the '69 is 4-bolt.  

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Jim Adney, jadney at vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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