EMPI 22-2818-0 VW 2" Narrowed King and Link Pin Front Beam Bare

2" Narrowed King & Link Pin Beam – EMPI 22-2818-0

The EMPI 22-2818-0 is a complete, 2-inch narrowed front beam designed for early air-cooled Volkswagens. This "narrowed" design is the industry standard for owners looking to tuck their front wheels further inside the fenders, which is essential for cars running wider aftermarket wheels or for those seeking a specific "Cal-Look" or "Resto-Cal" stance. By reducing the overall width of the beam by two inches, you gain the necessary clearance to prevent tire-to-fender interference while maintaining full suspension travel.

Constructed from high-quality heavy-duty steel, this beam is a direct bolt-on replacement for the factory unit on King and Link Pin chassis. It features precision-welded torsion adjustment "adjusters" (typically Avis style) already installed, allowing you to fine-tune your ride height from stock down to a significant drop. This beam is engineered to accept standard Link Pin trailing arms and uses the narrowed leaf packs we discussed previously to ensure the suspension cycles smoothly without binding.

Detailed Vehicle Compatibility

Fits King and Link Pin front ends (1954-1965) only.

VW Beetle (Standard):

• 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965

VW Karmann Ghia:

• 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965

Product Highlights & Features

• Pre-Narrowed Design: Factory-jigged to be exactly 2" narrower than a stock VW beam, eliminating the need for difficult DIY cutting and welding.

• Built-in Adjusters: Includes pre-installed torsion adjusters, giving you total control over the front-end height of your vehicle.

• Heavy-Duty Construction: Features thick-wall tubing and reinforced mounting points to handle the stresses of a lowered suspension.

• Bare Metal Finish: Ships in a raw or transit-coated finish, allowing you to paint or powder-coat it to match your car's specific color scheme.

Technical Specifications

• Part Number: 22-2818-0

• Width: 2" Narrowed (Total)

• Suspension Type: King and Link Pin (Pre-1966)

• Features: Includes adjusters; does not include leaves or arms.

Installation & Maintenance Tips

• Component Compatibility: This beam requires 2" narrowed torsion leaves (22-2831-0) and 2" narrowed tie rods (22-2832-0) to function. Standard-width components will not fit.

• Grease Before Use: Before your first drive, ensure the beam's internal bushings or bearings are fully packed with high-quality moly grease via the grease zerks.

• Body Clearance: While the beam is "bolt-on," some minor trimming of the inner body wheel wells may be required depending on how low you set the adjusters.

• Shock Selection: When lowering your car with this beam, you must use short-travel shocks to prevent the shock from "bottoming out" before the suspension does.