US Dollars
OGbuilt Beams
Entry Tier
OGbuilt Assembled Beams
Complete, assembled front beams built from quality-controlled and audited Original German Volkswagen components — on a brand-new beam platform, in raw steel, at the working-class price point. Same process as every ECObuilt and PRObuilt beam we ship.
Fits: Link Pin (1949–1965) & Ball Joint (1966–1977) Type 1 Beetle & Karmann Ghia front ends · Platform: New beam · 7.5" adjustable, narrows up to 4" · Delrin bushings · Ships: Freight · assembled · torqued & greased
★★★★★Process — Not Parts — Determines Performance.
What Is OGbuilt?
Original German Guts. Raw Steel Skin.
Every OGbuilt beam starts as an ECObuilt platform — a new-construction beam with 7.5" adjusters and Delrin bushings, built perfectly. The difference is the finish: OGbuilt ships in raw steel, unsanded and not deburred. We skip the cosmetic hours and hand the savings to you.
Inside, every component is Original German Volkswagen, quality controlled and audited — the exact same QC and audit as ECObuilt, without the smoothing and removal of years of use. If a part is questionable anywhere that matters, it doesn't go in the beam. The dings and dents stay — they're cosmetic only.
The geometry is right. The engagement is right. It just hasn't been to the spa.
Platform
ECObuilt ConstructionNew beam · 7.5" adjusters · Delrin bushingsFinish
Raw SteelUnsanded · not deburred · built perfectlyHardware
German · Broken InBall joints or king pins/link pins — same as ECO / PROShocks
Same as ECO / PRONo downgrade, anywhereThe OGbuilt Process
Same QC as ECObuilt. Minus the Beauty Treatment.
- Trailing arms — OEM German arms that pass every QC test. Some may show bearing grooves from their first life — and it doesn't matter. On ball joint front ends, the Delrin bushings index the entire arm, not just the narrow band where the OEM bearings used to ride. If an arm's ONLY failure for ECObuilt/PRObuilt duty is its bearing surface, it serves here without compromise. New life for old arms — no questionable parts anywhere else.
- Ball joints, king pins & link pins — original German hardware, pressed or fit and broken in, exactly as is standard on ECObuilt and PRObuilt. Years of dings and dents stay — cosmetic only.
- Torsion leaves — OEM German, cleaned and re-dimpled for perfect engagement.
- Shocks — the same shocks we use on ECObuilt and PRObuilt assemblies.
- Hardware — all new. Grease zerks installed, torqued correctly, and greased.
! Fitment Check · Read this before you buy
OGbuilt Front Beams · 1949 and Newer
✓ Fits
- 1949–1977 Beetle — link pin (1949–1965) or ball joint (1966–1977) front, matched to your chassis year
- 1949–1975 Karmann Ghia — link pin or ball joint front, matched to your chassis year
- Air-ride ready — pairs with the matching Airkewld Front Air Ride Kit
✗ Does NOT Fit
- Type 2 Bus / Type 3 — different front architecture
- Super Beetle (1302/1303) — strut front, no beam
Optional · Available Per Beam
Add the OGbuilt Steering System
Every OGbuilt beam ships without steering components. The complete OGbuilt Steering System is available as an add-on option on the product page for the beam you choose:
- Premium tie rod ends & steering damper — same as ECObuilt and PRObuilt beams
- QC'd OEM steering box bracket & pitman arm — surface pitting from years of use stays; it's cosmetic
- OGbuilt Steering Box — original audited components, new bearings, seals & gaskets, set up with ZERO play
- Complete tie rod assemblies — included
The Trade-Off, Straight Up
Flat spots may be present inside an OGbuilt box — but play will be non-existent. ECObuilt and PRObuilt give you perfect feel with no play; OGbuilt gives you a textured feel with no play. Better than a TRW or Chinese box. Not as good as ECObuilt or PRObuilt. We'd rather tell you than have you find out.
★ Worth Knowing
If zero-compromise steering feel matters more to you than price, ECObuilt ships with a complete steering system already set up with zero play — no trade-off to make. See ECObuilt Beams →
Shipping
Freight. Wrapped. Ready.
Ships freight, fully assembled, torqued, and greased. No boxed cover — the assembly is stretch-wrapped to keep dirt and debris out in transit. It arrives ready to bolt under the car.
FAQ
The Questions We Expect
Is this a "seconds" or reject-parts beam?
No. Every component passes the same QC tests and audit as ECObuilt and PRObuilt. The only difference is cosmetic — raw steel, old dings, honest character.
Why don't bearing grooves in the arms matter?
On ball joint front ends, the Delrin bushings index the entire arm, not just the narrow band where the OEM needle bearings used to ride. An arm whose only ECObuilt/PRObuilt failure is its bearing surface serves in an OGbuilt beam without compromise.
Are the ball joints or king pins used?
No. Original German hardware — pressed or fit and broken in — the identical process used on ECObuilt and PRObuilt assemblies.
Can I paint or powdercoat the beam myself?
Yes — that's the point. It arrives built perfectly in raw steel, unsanded and not deburred. Finish it your way, or run it raw.
Will it work with your air ride kit?
Yes. Each platform is the same new-construction beam our air-ride kits were engineered around — match your beam to the correct kit (Link Pin or Ball Joint front). See the Ball Joint Air Ride Install guide.
Does it include steering?
No — the complete OGbuilt Steering System is available as an add-on option on the product page.
How does it ship?
Freight, stretch-wrapped, no boxed cover — assembled, torqued, and greased.
What's your warranty?
If any component ever fails from a manufacturing defect, we replace it. Period. Email help@airkewld.com with a photo and your order number.
Stuck Deciding? We Answer.
Real Humans. Real Phones. Real VW People.
Not sure if OGbuilt, ECObuilt, or PRObuilt is right for your build — or which fitment matches your chassis? Call before you buy — we'd rather put you in the right beam than the expensive one.
Call / Text 1-623-518-3537 · Email help@airkewld.com
Browse the OGbuilt beams available below.