Is There A Market For Custom Built Beams?

[stef205 92 1 Cars]

Just wanted to see peoples opinions on this, ive been asked a few times to build a custom axles, is this something people really go for? i cant imagine original or restored cars wanting this but possibly track cars.

The reason i am asking this as i have a few "sort after" parts arms etc

I will be interested to see what people have to say.

[EdCherry 34 1 Cars]

/How are these beams your thinking of 'Custom'?

[stef205 92 1 Cars]

custom is probably the wrong word but for instance 309 tubes with vts arms and big arb and big torsion bars

[Anthony 1,003]

Certainly I've been asked in the past to build various uprated (but standard configuration) beams, including different trailing arms, uprated torsion and anti-roll bars, and fitting Group A solid mounts, so yes, I would say that there is a market of sorts for them.

 

Indeed, the last three that I've put together have been like this, although they've been for friends / friends of friends.

[stef205 92 1 Cars]

thanks anthony, maybe its not a waste of time after all.

[Anthony 1,003]

The thing is that anything non-standard is very much a personal choice, so there's probably no point building them up in advance to "stock"

[stu8v 68 1 Cars]

Your biggest problem IMHO will be getting folks to pay what there worth, especially once you have included your time.

 

I know what mine cost to build......

 

zx arms

New shafts, bearings and seals

23mm bars

25mm anti roll bars

 

It all adds up to a $hit load and as such a very small market I reckon.

[harryskid 193]

Cost wise, what are we talking £400 - £500?

[chipstick 382 1 Cars]

Cost wise, what are we talking £400 - £500?

 

Going on what Stefan said with regards to offering bigger TBs, ARB and different arms, your not far from the £400 already. That's without labour, rebuild parts and possibly mounts, shocks and 2 new pins etc.

 

Presumably working on a part ex basis, you then have to consider what you're presented with such as tube sleeving costs if required for example.

 

I priced up my 309 beam rebuild with parts alone and was weeping as I was adding it up.

Edited September 30, 2012 by chipstick

[jord294 92]

I have been asked many times to build custom beams.

 

By the time I've quoted for the bars and arms, the prospective buyers have suddenly changed their mind

[stu8v 68 1 Cars]

Cost wise, what are we talking £400 - £500?

 

Thats my guess, plus torsion bars and a/r bar

[stu8v 68 1 Cars]

I have been asked many times to build custom beams.

 

By the time I've quoted for the bars and arms, the prospective buyers have suddenly changed their mind

 

 

I can well imagine, not many bigger budget builds, most seem to be on a shoe string....

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

I think beams without any bars/arbs, just optins for trailing arms might be a better bet, then they can either use their current bars or upgrade as and when they have the cash

[stef205 92 1 Cars]

I have sold a few updated beams with out hubs and shocks as the customer wanted to use his, I tend to try sell all my beams like this as its less Argo. We make all out shafts in house this does keep some of the cost down but as said it soon mounts up.

[Rippthrough 98]

I hope so, even if it's just a couple, or I've spent a lot of money I shouldn't have

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

what might be popular is something like the skip brown neg camber kit. There was a thread a while ago about using clio camber shims and 207(i think) stub axles and rear brakes.

 

a 'bolt on' solution would mean you can build up standard beams then add the camber kit aswell if they need camber and it has some level of adjustability