Ok, So I got myself a new project going on and need some help here. I will be converting the front suspension to A-Arms and was just wanting to know If anybody had any geometry specs. and any other info I will need. I will be using all Heim joints, And hopefully when all is said and done this unit that my buddy and me will be fabing up here will somehow function somewhat like a bulkhead and will be able to be welded onto just about anything using Kingpin and balljoint front ends. Taken in consider that you will have to do some cutting on your rig, so this thing will weld up.
So let me know if anybody thinks this could work or not or if anybody has already tried this. Any info would greatly be appreciated. Thanks

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powder coating shop finally up and going in Huntington, WV. Big oven to fit anysize car in pretty much huge blasting booth.

been done by many.

I think I read about a kit that used to be available to bolt on an a-arm suspension to an existing beam clamp type front end. I also remember it being said that it wasn't very good. I believe its a good idea with the proper design. I am not sure that it would ever be great considering the width of chassis' that use beam suspension. Most a-arm and j-arm suspensions are mounted onto a very narrow frame section so the arms are long and allow for a lot of travel. There would be a lot to consider like camber change, scrub angle, equal length or unequal length arms, a-arm or j-arm, and shock mounts. Most people have shock hoops or mounts on the beam that allow the shocks to be near vertical, on an a-arm suspension the shock would typically be mounted on an angle towards the chassis so mounts would also need to be modified. Rack and pinion steering would be a must. Make sure you design the heim mounts with double shear for strength. I say run with it and test it until it breaks.

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"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." -Henry Ford

Thanks for the replies guys, I will keep searching for the right angles, also I know I have to narrow the front quite a bit just how much for a good woodsbuggy thou. How much is to much?

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powder coating shop finally up and going in Huntington, WV. Big oven to fit anysize car in pretty much huge blasting booth.

Larrys speed shop in Tn, makes them. You could contact him to get some info. Ask Wildkids for his number.

865-882-0093 is Larry's number. I have drove his buggy and another one that have the A arms and it is something that I want to have for sure. It is night and day difference to me in the way it handles and drives on the trails. Seen him hit some hills with it and it doesn't hurt that area either.

The Wild Kids

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I refuse to grow up therefore I will never grow old, and I will never die.

Is that yello buggy that yall brought to the camper up at windrock it even had a-arms on the rear end looked real cool!

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Lets Ride!!!

Yeah, that is Larry's buggy. He has a lot of time and engineering into it. It was a pleasure to drive it and I got to have one sometime.

The Wild Kids

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I refuse to grow up therefore I will never grow old, and I will never die.

Is that the new single seater Curt? Can't wait to see if on the trails this summer.

The Wild Kids

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I refuse to grow up therefore I will never grow old, and I will never die.

I've tried it. It was a great learning experience. Originally I wanted to go a-arm because, lets face it... its pretty great looking (versus the beam) and the amount of wheel travel far surpasses the stock set up. Ive spent the time, done all of the math involved, sourced out everything, and tacked up 2 arms. I put the project on hold for the moment. I decided that a-arms really don't suite what i plan to use the buggy for. I go to school up in the U.P of Michigan and plan to take it on weekend trips down the trails with friends; camping along the way. If it was a weekend sand dune vehicle i'd no doubt go ahead as planned with the a-arms, because not much distance would be traveled form the truck if i had problems. The thing is that the stock set up is tried and tested. It works, and it works great. I'm just over-worried that in the woods, ill bend/break a-arm and put myself in serious trouble. Of course I carry gps/cb/cell phone but just don't wanna risk it on a turn taken too quickly or such.

If you are serious about making it.... go for it! Parts cost me a few hundred I think. ~400 for everything?(including spindles/disk brakes) I'm not sure if you are interested or not but I can go further into this with prices of what everything cost and why i picked such over another. I guess just respond if ya want. I'm even thinking of getting rid of the bushings/Heims/tube inserts for after-market beam products if your interested at all.

Alright, gotta go for now... friends are calling me to get the night started.

-Ryan

i got my new hot Hot VW mag in the mail yesterday, and there is a baja bug in it with a bolt on a arm set-up. it looks nice. that might be a good place to get some ideas

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Maybe you should chug on over to mamby pamby land....