I have been kicking around the idea of turning my beam car into an a-arm car. I know there are guys out there that can do this for me, but I was thinking of doing it myself. Does anyone have before and after photos of their transformation? I would like to get some ideas before I start cutting

Thanks for your help!


Edit for spelling

I am in the process of changing my Buggyworks beam frame into a-arm. I will post pics as soon as I get a little more done. Got the spindles from Kustom 1, using 3/4 inch kevlar lined heims and 1.25 DOM for the arms. It will look very similar to this pic that I can't seem to load!!!!!

This should be a good topic! Cant wait to see the replies or pictures from before and after conversion...

Gotgas and KingGlamis both have buggies that were converted to a-arm and you cant tell they were ever beam cars. Very clean conversions. I believe the Wizard did KGs and AG did GGs.

You can try searching for them; I'll look through my pics and see if I cant find some for you.

I've seen GG's too and not only does it look great but I hear it turns great.

Sandwinder did my father inlaws buggy and it turned out better than we could have expected, he also replaced the 3x3 rear with his full on 5x5 full sized rear arms and big 2.5 coilover. I'll see if I can find the pics.....all I can find before and "during" photo's no after. sorry.
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See this topic

http://www.glamisdunes.com/invision/index....l=laidbackduner

See more pics here

http://www.glamisdunes.com/invision/index....howtopic=112979

In retrospect, I should have banked the money, sold the car as is, and started over.

This is a friends car that was a beam car that he did his self at his house.

You didn't specify if it was a rail or a pan type buggy. So I thought I'd throw this out there.
Take a look at my bolt on setup before you start cutting. www.a-arm.com
It's designed to fit to an un-molested linkpin or balljoint VW pan.
I do have in the works a bolt on unit for sandrails and should be prototyped and tested this season.
Check it out at the S.S.S.S. It'll be on display at the Vee Dub Parts Unlimited Booth.... See ya there.

Wow!!! Thanks for all the great responses. I would appreciate the pics if you guys can find them, it will help the ol'mind come up with some ideas.

Ellobo, this will be for a tube chassis. I checked out your website and I'll be stopping by the booth.

Me and Kraut_n_rice did my baja

http://www.glamisdunes.com/invision/index....p;#entry2325755

This is my sons car and is what mine and my nephews car were like,
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This is my nephews car, we ended up not cutting as much of the tubing as my car as you will see.
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This is my car and I cut the frame all the way to the A pillar except for the top tube.
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I could be wrong but I believe this one use to be a beam car. Maybe Richierichaz will see this thread because he helped his buddy convert it.
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Who did your conversion?

What king of $$$ did you have to spend for a conversion like that?

We did it ourselves.

Tom, here's one of your dad-in-law's 'afters' that I snapped...
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Here is one I am doing. Sorry about the crappy pictures. If you like I can take some more detailed ones with a better camera.

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Shiat BajaTex!!! That think looks pretty clean. What kind of travel are you getting wit the car?

Tom... How does your father-in-law like the new set up. Does it ride nice? They did a great job from what I can see.

yea it really kicks a$$ especially after we played with the shocks and got them dialed in. The car is night and day now. He paid about 10k for the car originally then the conversion and tear down and repowdercoat and new radiator etc was about another 10k so for 20k now he has a sweet v6 car. Darren's prices are very reasonable.

If I remember correctly didn't Sand Sports Magazine feature Doug Dixon having his car converted from beam to A-arm a few years back? Lots of pictures too.

we do a retro fit a-arm front clip for our manx's

so how much do you guys think it costs to convert the front to arms and the rear to coilovers? My dad and I have been wanting to do this but never found any pics, after looking at this thread we need to figuresome prices. We will need front/rear shocks, rear conversion heims or whatever to replce the torsions, some metal, and what else???

I think that Mike Mazzone offers a complete kit to do the conversion. Call him at (619)561-3838.

This was quite the project.. My buddy, his dad and I converted this sand limo beam irs vw powered car to this. There isn't much of the origional car left. It took all summer last year but was well worth it. I'll have to look and see if we have any before pics.. This car kicks a$$ now..

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This gives me a great start, thanks for all the replies. If any one has before and after pics of the front suspension, I sure would appreciate it. I've been drawing up different ideas, just would like to see if what else is out there.

THANKS!!!!

Thanks, It will get strapped @ 19" in the front and 18" in the rear.

bajatex