advise

[gerrygerbil]

hi all just picked up a 1972 square back project . looking for advise on lowering / wheel size its 4 stud . or can you convert to 5 stud . best place for parts . air bags all around/ can you fit early style bumpers on later model . be on asking for more advised thanks g

[Editor]

Welcome Gerry. One of the non-stock guys will advise. I like them kept as they are, but with a bit less rust.

There's lots of info on the forum - try a search, eg on 5-stud. Not sure many have used air-bag suspension, but I've seen the odd one.

[jmarkha1]

5 stud vw conversions are expensive if you want the original 205x5
porsche pattern 130x5 is a cheaper option and porsche wheels tend to have a good offset for the type 3

if you stick with vw 4 stud and want a useable low car rather than a scraper I would look for wheels that have a large offset - standard vw for type 3 is 42mm - lots of aftermarket wheels are 35mm but some early pedrinis and similar wheels are 42mm.

i would go 2 splines on the front and 1 on the back - with 195/70/15 and 145/80/15 tyres...

[gerrygerbil]

Thanks for the info looking to have it lowered slightly but still have good ride will hunt about when ready for bigger offset that's again . Can you still get aftermarket bumpers and trim ok or is it hunt it down job thanks g

[jmarkha1]

Its a hunt down job

rear bumpers from late karmann ghias and type 4 411s foit the rear of your car also.
i think a company called harrigtons do sell polished stainless bumpers for early and late type 3s but they are pricey...

[eagle]

I've got some bumpers. Pm me for pictures.

[gerrygerbil]

first type3 whats the bad points and what should i fully check when i get it sat had a good look around it last week solid floors and body s good

[Chino]

Not sure if anyone does off the shelf type 3 air, but my first call would be to Limebug on that one, they seem to be doing a lot of very nice fabrication on the air ride side of things.

[Editor]

There's a quick guide linked from the technical section on the forum at http://www.vwtype3and4club.org.uk/_docs ... eType3.htm
It was written quite a few years ago, but the basic advice is more or less unaltered. All the rusty areas can be sorted with time and effort, but expect to fabricate quite a few bits.
There's a lot on the project pages, and loads of photos folk have linked. there's a search icon at the top of each topic heading page.

[gerrygerbil]

well stripped right down back to metal found 4 small pin hole at window .2 inch rust door pillar small plate needed couple small holes to sills that s it car has been wax oiled all over , bonus . always think the worst when you start stripping it back to metal

[jmarkha1]

sounds good - that was fast!
lets see some pics otherwise it didn't happen

[gerrygerbil]

Take some tomorrow roof stripped in primer . Sand down drivers side sat . Wings doors tailgate bonnet soda blasted next week .

[gerrygerbil]

Posted some pics on Flickr graham Henderson 2 cheers g

[gerrygerbil]

sounds good - that was fast!
lets see some pics otherwise it didn't happen

Grahamhenderson2 Flickr for pics

[jmarkha1]

looks like a good solid shell - 2 engines?

[gerrygerbil]

yes got a spare engine too was seized bit diesel turned ok stripped it down good for spares also got 2400 dollars parts full interior seat carpets all the seals lots more thank god . now i see prices