Project CAR (Coupe Air Ride) is under way!!!

[lynchdgti]

splendid eye torture ! Looks proper.

[leo26gar]

Nice work man, I really would like to have the time and the money to do it with my project, congrats and keep it on the way.

[WCHLVR]

Dug back into the Jetta today.

Cliff Notes Version- Front mounting arrangements are now complete. Planning for another mock up on the Jetta tomorrow.

Now I bring you my latest art work!

Everything measured up and come out to: "42". Here is the airbag upper mount tacked together.

As it sits in relation to the MK4 Strut bearing mount/bushing. When assembled there will be a provided "gap" for the bushing.

Here is the upper strut cap tacked and resting in place.

Completely mocked together one more time before final weld.

Here they are! They look like little chrome stove pipe hats!

Upper Bag Mount in place!

All resting in place.

Looks like I should have everything complete dialed. At "Lock" and under hard camber the strut pitches 5 degrees. This equates to just under 3/8" of spacing need to clear the bag mount and the upper mount... all factored into the mount. It is also designed to allow for adjustablity should it need a little more or less!

Enjoy!


Modified by WCHLVR at 1:19 AM 1-20-2010

[KDI_CUSTOMS]

Sweet!!! Your fab work looks so nice. Cant wait to bag my cabby now!

[audiphile]

Still watching!!

[d.clique]

jessssuuuuussss

[GTrabbIt]

So pretty! Keep up the great work!

[Digital K.]

click

[Peter_M5]

nice work - like the top hats for the airbags. I guess you can't make them any smaller or else the bag rubs. What is your aversion to to modifying the strut towers?

[JLF]

Looks great!

Im looking forward to seeing this car in person!

[WCHLVR]

Thanks for the props folks. They came out better than expected.

Quote, originally posted by Peter_M5 »

nice work - like the top hats for the airbags. I guess you can't make them any smaller or else the bag rubs. What is your aversion to to modifying the strut towers?

Peter, there are two reasons for the "tallness"-

1- The MK4 bearing are quite tall compared to MK1's.
2- This allows the strut to drop past the top of the airbag allowing for more low.

The reason I dont want to do a tower raise is that I am trying to develop an affordable BOLT-ON air ride setup for MK1's. We are trying to keep the mods to a minimum. Allowing folks to lay their car out without the need for a welder. And if they decide to go another route, they just un-bolt it and replace it with coils or OE pieces. This kit is actually being centered around inexpensive coilovers to keep the cost down for the end user. And because it is on coilover strut, unlike other setups you can adjust it for different wheel and tire combos!

[syracusegli]

[DesRosiers]

I've had similar ideas in the past for something like this. But you seem to have the skill and creativity to make it work (unlike me).

I'll be watching and saving my penny's for this kit.
Good god darned work.

[MK2NIS]

Like always I dont know what to say.......
You continue to impress my friend......glad to see that we have to in the PACNW!!!!

cant wait for the nice weather!!!

[stemiched89]

[quote=WCHLVR

The reason I dont want to do a tower raise is that I am trying to develop an affordable BOLT-ON air ride setup for MK1's. We are trying to keep the mods to a minimum. Allowing folks to lay their car out without the need for a welder. And if they decide to go another route, they just un-bolt it and replace it with coils or OE pieces. This kit is actually being centered around inexpensive coilovers to keep the cost down for the end user. And because it is on coilover strut, unlike other setups you can adjust it for different wheel and tire combos!

[/quote]
i like the sounds of all of this!!
any idea of what a rough price may be for this when said and done?
i assume your only working on bags, struts and strut caps right?
tanks, compressors and lines are self supplied and would be expected to be separate, at least i would think

[MC68]

looks sweet.....

[WCHLVR]

Quote, originally posted by stemiched89 »

i like the sounds of all of this!! any idea of what a rough price may be for this when said and done? i assume your only working on bags, struts and strut caps right? tanks, compressors and lines are self supplied and would be expected to be separate, at least i would think

No price yet. The front will be finalized this week (hopefully) then I need to sit down and run the numbers.

And yes, I will not be vending any of the air management pieces. Plenty of folks handling that these days.

I will offer-

Bags
Bag Mounts
Strut Mounts
Strut Bushings/Bearings

I will work with everyone to mix and match these pieces to fit your needs and modding abilities.

Got the mounts painted last night!

[16v_HOR]

Well done sir, you have me pondering something I thought I'd never do.....bag my Rabbit! You are truly an asset to all us first gen owners, and I look forward to seeing what crazy idea you come up with next.

[monoaural]

Very interested. A bolt in front setup would be sweet for the right price.

[WCHLVR]

Thanks again folks. Remember I am always open for ideas and suggestions.

Quote, originally posted by 16v_HOR »

... I look forward to seeing what crazy idea you come up with next.

Oh this is already in planning -

[MK3GTiVR6]

Great build can't wait to see the bolt in front kit. What are you planning for the rear?

[simon_C]

what kinda coilovers are you basing them off of? rokkors/racelands? vmaxx? i might actually look into one of these kits in the future when i get back into a MK1.

EDIT: Nevermind... re-read the thread. Racelands FTW!


Modified by simon_C at 11:23 AM 1-22-2010

[WCHLVR]

Quote, originally posted by MK3GTiVR6 »

...What are you planning for the rear?

We will be going with Champmans. I will be offering a thread on shock end as part of the kit that will allow you to just bolt them right in the car!

[d.clique]

I know you are basing them off of racelands, but is there any reason they wouldn't be totally swappable with a lot of other makes of coilover? Just dependent on the OD of the strut body?

[WCHLVR]

Quote, originally posted by d.clique »

I know you are basing them off of racelands, but is there any reason they wouldn't be totally swappable with a lot of other makes of coilover? Just dependent on the OD of the strut body?

This could very easily mount on other coilovers. I would just need some specs to pull it off.

[WCHLVR]

So I have some good news and some bad news.

The Good News-

Everything bolted up perfectly and works great!

The Bad News-

The UA bags are only able to compress to 4". There simply isn't not enough room for a 165/45 (20.8" diameter) tire (on a wheel with an ET35) to layout without raising the towers. The closest it will come is 3/4" (with the pinch weld cut off). Any tire with a smaller diameter or even a lower offset will make a huge difference in laying out.

Here is where we sit currently.

Did get the pinch welds in the strut tower pounded flat to help clear the bag. Do note- This setup will require a C-Notch and a Hood Notch.

Feeling a little disappointed that I couldn't get it closer. Please chime in with your thoughts!

Enjoy!

[JLF]

As for the good news... BRAVO!!!

Now the bad news...

Well, I may not be thinking forth dimentionally, but uh... when you say raising the strut towers. You mean ala 'The Bucket'? Mini truck style? Basically removing the inner fenders et all?

[lhcVdub]

Im Deffff buying terry! My new rabbit WILL have this air setup..
Sucks that You couldnt get it lower.. my rabbit is about the same height static w/ the spacers Of course I have to deal with damm road reflectors and not going places because of bad streets... Soo im buying a set

[WCHLVR]

Quote, originally posted by lhcVdub »

Im Deffff buying terry! My new rabbit WILL have this air setup.. Sucks that You couldnt get it lower.. my rabbit is about the same height static w/ the spacers Of course I have to deal with damm road reflectors and not going places because of bad streets... Soo im buying a set

Thats one of the perks of coilovers- They coils can slide behind the tire. The Jetta still has full fender lips. Once those are taken car of and we add a spacer to the wheel, I feel certain I should be able to get even more out of it!

[WCHLVR]

Quote, originally posted by JLF »

... Well, I may not be thinking forth dimentionally, but uh... when you say raising the strut towers. You mean ala 'The Bucket'? Mini truck style? Basically removing the inner fenders et all?

I mean remove the top of the tower and weld it back on but 2 inches higher... like "The Bucket"

[lhcVdub]

I know you wont stop until you see that thing tucked! count me in for a set for my upcoming project

keep it up bro!! I wanted to see this pics for a while and it was worth the wait

terry any pics all the way up??

[vdubspeed]

sick

[WCHLVR]

Quote, originally posted by lhcVdub »

I know you wont stop until you see that thing tucked! count me in for a set for my upcoming project keep it up bro!! I wanted to see this pics for a while and it was worth the wait terry any pics all the way up??

Thanks brotha! Working up the pricing for the fronts now. I think everyone will be pleased!

Lifted- Not yet. I need to grab some fittings, hose and Schrader Valves so I can air it up. The lift will be limited by the struts. They only have 4 inches of travel total. I estimate it will have about 3-3.5 inches of lift from where it sits currently. Perfect for ripping around town.

[lhcVdub]

sounds good!

[Road Boss]

It looks pretty low to me.