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Welcome! You can lower the front by either buying lowered spindles (get forged ones, not the welded) or by adjusting the splines on the lower torsion arms (I did mine using the Haynes manual). I have Gas-A-Just shocks up front (use Type 1 (Bug) shocks, not Type 3 shocks). Lowering the front will change your caster (the cars ability to move forward in a straight line) and, unlike the Bug, is something that can't be fixed at this time. The rear can be adjusted several ways (maybe I should make a FAQ on this): 1. Adjust the splines on the spring plates. 2. Use air adjustable shocks. 3. Install adjustable spring plates. 4. Use a different tire size. I went all the way. I have adjustable spring plates(#3) in a lower setting(#1)(a mistake of the mechanic, but not a big deal to me) and, as soon as I get metal fittings (the kit came with plastic fittings), I will reinstall my air adjustable shocks(#2). I'm also using low profile tires(#4). The rear shocks are currently stock and the air adjustable shocks are stock size. Since my drop is mild there isn't the need for smaller shocks in the rear. Spring plates came from Sway-Away and air shock kit from JC Whitney. I called around for the best price from advertisers in the VW mags. The drop or rise of your vehicle from stock height will affect the way it handles and rides. If you lower the vehicle expect a more firm ride directly proportional to the amount of drop (people who say it'll destroy your kidneys are pansies :). I like a car that handles so I also installed 19mm anti-sway bars at both ends of my baby (again, JC Whitney). Any punk 16 year-old with a drivers permit can outrun me on the straights but on the curves I'm half way up their butt and screaming, "Get outta my way!!!" If you're going through generators so fast I would recommend going over your wiring harness. My first guess is that there's something grounding out or something isn't wired properly (possibly the voltage regulator?). The others on this list are better on this subject than I. Toby Erkson air_cooled_nut@pobox.com '72 VW Squareback 1.6L modified to 2.0L '75 Porsche 914 stock 1.8L ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Hi all! Just a few newbie questions. :) Author: type-3-errors@umich.edu at SMTPGATE Date: 1/17/97 10:00 AM Hi all, names Tom, and I ma now the proud owner of a 1971 Squareback. (It only took me 6 months to find the thing. :) It is in great shape (No rust, body straight, pan perfect etc..) Now onto my newbie questions. :) First, mine seems to eat Generators (At the rate of about 1 a week) It has a new one now, along with a new battery, and wiring harnesses all the way from the dash back (To include relays) any ideas? Also if the generator is ok what would make it stop charging? The guy I bought it from thought it was improper grouning so he grounded the tranny to the same body ground that the Battery is grounded to. How do you lower the front end? I'm going to be adding Toxic or KYB shoks, and I want to lower the front end about 2 inchs and the back about 1. Any ideas? (I do have the haynes manuel) Also I need a dash! :) Can you let me know what a good source of parts is ? Thanks! Tom