Description

1966-79 Ball Joint Beetle / Ghia Complete Cantilever Swing Axle / IRS Air Ride Kit

Classic Aircooled VW Complete Air Ride Kits parts by Limebug

Looking to lower you Aircooled Volkswagen the right way with air suspension. Look no further.

Limebug is the only Aircooled VW specialist offering fully bolt on, true air systems (this means we do not utilise any of the original torsion bar system, and give you the full, maximum travel available).

What is the difference between your Complete and Deluxe Air Systems?

The main difference is you will get a Beam and Track Rods with a Deluxe system, the reason for the two kits is primarily down to a lot of people have already a front axle they want to use. This complete Air Ride is for these people. If you have a totally stock vehicle and want to narrow and put on air ride, the Deluxe kit is for you.

To summarize:

– Deluxe Kit = Full Air Ride System + Everything to Narrow your Front End
– Complete Kit = Full Air Ride System

Key Features:

Control your Ride, everywhere!

Simply using our manual paddle valve or digital systems, the kit allows over 7" of travel meaning no problem with steep driveways, speed bumps, cats eyes, potholes, rutted fields, getting on and off a ferry etc etc.

Limebug 5-Point Brace System

Uniquely designed using the shock towers for lateral loading and using pre-load bars to the gearbox mount along with a cupped mount around the torsion tube housing. This system allows pre-load and left-right and front-back tweaks. This system prevents ""creep"" and chassis movement by adding strength to the existing structure in the same way as a strut brace.

Lay-it-out

No compromise, drop it to the deck design, you may wonder if the design of this kit restricts upper and lower travel, the answer simply is no. This kit will drop the spring plate (if notched or stepped) to bottom out metal-metal on the upper chassis bump stop with the rubber removed. Trust us, that is low.

Save your Fulcrums and Bearings

Commonplace faults with static lowering your vehicle is chewwing up fulcrum plates and wheel bearings from oil starvation, as well as tyre wear from continuous toeing in. Air ride gives you the ability to adjust the ride height to give you the best of both worlds, slam it for the shows, daily drive it in absolute comfort.

Bolt on also means, Bolt Off

So keep hold of your old parts, if you have enough of the car or want a new one, sell the kit on or transfer it, no need to re-buy.

Upgradable by design

our system is designed and configured to work with Manual paddle air systems, solenoids and the Digital Management systems from all leading manufacturers, as long as you are looking to use imperial 1/4" line a Limebug air system will work.

Straight out the Box

All kits come Powder Coated in a thick hard wearing Gloss Black, all hardware required to fit to any stock Beetle or Ghia is included. The only optional extras we offer are notched spring plates which we do recommend but are not essential in order to fit the kit if you intend to drive around at close to stock height normally.

Simple Installation

the kit can be installed in 2 days with no issue and moderate experience, we provide a full online pdf step by step tutorial, an online video guide and are available on the phone 10:00-18:00 weekdays.

Air Management

4-Valve Manual Air Management. Ultising a 4 gallon tank, twin dual needle gauges, air cut off switch. Our kit uses Viair 380c compressor available also as a dual kit. Fit the manual paddle gauges in the dash or glovebox. Comes with Stainless mounting plate. All gauges use 1/4"" line.

Extra Low Swing Axle and IRS Options

We offer extra low options for both rear Cantilever set-ups. This consists of a shorter pull down bar/drop link set-up which allows the rear end to sit lower. This does compromise the lifting capability of the vehicle however. Both also would require some additional work to give the extra clearance too; for the Swing Axle set-up it would be recommended to trim the upper bump stop section. For the IRS version it does require a little more intensive work, we would only recommend this option if you are a competent fabricator/welder or or having the kit fitted by the aforementioned specialist. 

To give you an idea of the work involved for the IRS kit, please see the following guide: https://limebug.com/how-to-get-extra-low-on-the-irs-revolution-cantilever-kit/

Front System Details:

Limebug front air systems use the best air shocks available in the business, our UK built through rods with roller ends and unique locator accompanied by the highest quality air taps and fixings available.

If Ball Joint chassis, we recommend installing long travel ball joints to allow for maximum drop.

Bolt-on Lower Shock Relocators are included for Link Pin kits.

Limebug's British 'Titan Engineering' department have been developing the most functional, innovative and beautiful parts in the scene to date. We have just introduced our Bug & Bus air ride ranges. Each kit is designed by certified and accredited engineers here at Limebug, before being tested by us personally to ensure ease of fitment and function.

These air systems come with our online video tutorial for installation and operation, as well as a manual and guide to installation. Our video includes an explanation of upgrades, year differences. Neat tricks to look out for along the way, and other great ways to give you VW the look you've dreamt of without the nightmares.

Rear System Details

The Limebug rear air ride kit is the only air system that is fully bolt on with almost no compromises. You do not need to remove the body from the chassis, nor drill or cut anything, nor swap your axles for late ones if you have an early model (Pre-58). This kit will bolt straight on to any completely stock VW Beetle / Ghia.

Want to know the travel, the rear kit is restricted only by the spring plates (which we offer as an optional extra on here). These dog leg around the chassis stops giving you even more lows and the second thing is the compressed shock length which for the rear kits we provide as standard at 255mm compressed.

Fitting / Installation Video Guide

Optional Extras

 – 2" Dropped Air Plates: These plates will increase the amount of drop you can achieve and resolve toeing in issues at low running heights. They also have recently recieved an update which now means they run a shorter bore tube stopping rubbing on the outer torsion cover and use 2" Inner Diameter bushes making them overall much stiffer and give better feel to the rear end.

 – Year Options: As standard we make the late post 1959 air ride kit, if you require a kit for an early vehicle running short axles (straight shock mounts), select this from the dropdown menu.

 – Skid Plate: Protect your framehead with our made to fit any year/ model and beam skid plate.

 – Management: Pick from 4 valve manual controls, air pressure sensitve digital systems or ride height intelligent systems.

– Adjustable Gearbox / Raise, Stock to 1″: 

A great addition when running our "Revolution" air ride kit. Traditionally raising the transmission is carried out to prevent high camber which causes premature wear of both rear wheel bearings and gearbox fulcrum plates. These high running angles reduce the transmission oil flow to the gearbox side of the axle starving the wheel bearings of lubrication. Typically the fulcrum plates will begin knocking due to continuous movement as the axle rotates.

When lifting or raising the transmission the amount of camber will decrease, this will reduce stress on all the fore mentioned components, an additional benefit of this is reducing tyre wear and increasing tyre-road contact. Find out more information by clicking here

Additional Documents

Air Ride Fitting Guide
Air Ride FAQ's

Important Operational Info: Must Read!!! 

When operating your air ride kit, you must understand that you now have total free range to move the suspension to its mechanical upper and lower limits. The air bags used are strong enough to lift the weight of almost two Beetles per bag. In order to maintain be sure never to exceed the mechanical limits of your vehicle. 

For Link Pin front setups, with no mechanical restriction be aware over pressurisation will cause the shock to foul the front trailing arm. Be sure to inspect the vehicle with the wheels off and run the car through the travel noting the upper limit PSI, be sure also to never try and collapse an air shock with 0PSI, this will force the rubber bag sleeve between the shock body and cause chaffing/ cutting. 

Also consider with Ball Joint models, when you reach the mechanical limit of your Ball Joints you will risk damage by adding more pressure.  

When setting your ride heights do so applying pressure then drive the vehicle around approx 10-20 metres to allow the axles to re-settle then tweak and repeat until satisfied. When Jacking the vehicle up always place the vehicle onto ramps or a jack, then let all the air out of the four corners to avoid an over pressurization situation when lifting the vehicle, then lift the vehicle off the ground afterwards. 

If ever leaving your vehicle with a garage or MOT centre unfamiliar with air suspension, make them aware of the upper limits and inspect before and after picking the vehicle up to check for damage. Always operate between 90-95% of the upper range NEVER 100%. 

As a general guide line rear kits rear their upper limits at approx 90PSI. The front around 130PSI. If you exceed these limits you WILL cause long lasting damage to the air ride kit brackets / trailing arms / shocks / Hardware. 

If you drive the vehicle excessively low you will cause damage to your front axle / beam trailing arms along with the frame head. Always lift the car up to a suitable drive height and maintain air and mechanical joints and unions. 

One final note if you put in a really high pressure and rear the mechanical limits be aware you will be damaging the vehicle even for a very short burst. Be careful and considerate to your air kit and you will enjoy many, many miles of hassle free driving fun. If you are in any doubt and have a kit or considering purchase of a system and need more information, call us on 01782 922047 or email on: vwparts@limebug.com

SKU: 030010058