This thread is for the general discussion of the Item Patina Baja Buggy. Please add to the discussion here.
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
Patina Baja Buggy
- Thread starter kennyw
- Start date
Last fall while visiting a friend's shop, I kicked off a plan to surprise my wife for her birthday (December) with a VW baja beetle build. My fiend had a good candidate with crispy patina and no drivetrain. I ended up trading the 4x4 parts van for this car.
Fast forward to this spring, he is ready to start work on it so we start rounding up parts. He sourced a 3 rib bus transmission from a friend for me. Then, I ended up buying a parts car with a good dual port 1600 cc motor and another 3 rib bus transmission plus a few old school accessories. A few weeks later, a used vintage suspension package popped up for sale for a good deal and included another 3 rib bus transmission...
This past weekend, I took a trip over to drop off parts and help bolt on enough suspension to make the car a roller for a state patrol inspection. Once that hurdle is over, I'll turn Joel loose to build the suspension.
Fast forward to this spring, he is ready to start work on it so we start rounding up parts. He sourced a 3 rib bus transmission from a friend for me. Then, I ended up buying a parts car with a good dual port 1600 cc motor and another 3 rib bus transmission plus a few old school accessories. A few weeks later, a used vintage suspension package popped up for sale for a good deal and included another 3 rib bus transmission...
This past weekend, I took a trip over to drop off parts and help bolt on enough suspension to make the car a roller for a state patrol inspection. Once that hurdle is over, I'll turn Joel loose to build the suspension.
Nice, I've thought about building another one, mine was a mix of 69-72 parts with a Porsche 911 motor. Even with a baffle i could load it up and shoot a 3 foot fire ball lol.
Way cool, I've been wanting to build another for a long time
Sold my '69 Baja, should have kept it, lot of fun. Still have a '65 Manx clone. Picked up a complete '68 at auction last year. Thinking about a class 11 style off roader. I have a love hate relationship with these little cars. Love the way they look, so I buy another and start working on it. Then I am reminded how old and light duty all the parts are.
I remember when you used to see VW bugs all over the place. Now you hardly see them anymore.
Fun build!
One near me that has been stitting for years. Hmm.
One near me that has been stitting for years. Hmm.
I'm going to resell the parts car as a roller without a motor but with the bus transmission. I just want the motor, shifter, gas tank, and cutting brake setup. It also has a title and only one rust spot under the battery.
33 x 10.5 x 15 rear tires for the rear. The new wheels won't be ready until July so I may need to hunt for a used set until then.
33 with the 3 rib should work out well. I have a 3 rib and 31's am tach'ing 3200-3400 at 65 mph 5.38 ring and pinion in those. You want to pass on the 68 and older 3 rib.
Did you get any 1x1 swing arms in all the parts cars you collected ? I might be interested if you did.
cause off road air cooled is cool
Did you get any 1x1 swing arms in all the parts cars you collected ? I might be interested if you did.
cause off road air cooled is cool
? Are those similar to the boxed 930 arms or 3x3/4x4 arms?
yes same as 3x3 but shorter. Not sure about 930 arms I haven't done any research on 930 stuff other than cv's and axle shafts. I decided to use type 2 cv"s.
With 3x3 you would probably benefit from the 930 cv's greater angles.
With 3x3 you would probably benefit from the 930 cv's greater angles.
I'm not sure what exactly is on the blue car yet, I pulled stock arms off the white car that I do not need.
They claim you can run stock CV on 3x3 arms. We would wear them out in 1 season. Went to 930s and never had an issue.
I have stock arms, am only interested in good quality 1x1 for an up grade. My 31" tires rub on the torsion bar caps. 1x1 will let me run 32" tires, or 30 paddles. If I went 3x3 it won't fit on one of my trailers, at least not w/o having to put skinny tires on it.
Also looking for 2.5" x 1 longer front king pin arms, maybe even a wider beam, but I think 6" will be to wide with long trialing arms.
Also looking for 2.5" x 1 longer front king pin arms, maybe even a wider beam, but I think 6" will be to wide with long trialing arms.
That is going to be sweet. Im jealous!
Nice build
I have owned more VW's then years I have been alive
I have owned more VW's then years I have been alive
Excavators are handy tools.
60+ is a lot!
the type 2 joints are an easy upgrade and worth while if you have stock parts to use... have 2 friends that have been abusing some nice German ones for many years now. i assume the drive flanges on the trans are already type 2??
