TheSamba.com :: View topic - BAJA START-OFF PARTS

Fri May 06, 2005 4:06 pm

Hello!
I've finally gutted my 1974 Beetle and am ready to start buying parts.

The bug is completely stock. I've removed everyting from the interior and dealt with the surface rust (RUST BULLET ROCKS!)

The fenders, engine cover, hood, and glass are off/out.

The engine is a 1600SP, stock with the stock bug trans.
The hot engine and trans comes next year.

The Baja will be 75% on road, 25% Off-road.

The question I have are:
What are the best shocks for this use, I'd like to raise it a bit.
Best Tire & wheel size?
Best 7pc Kit?

Thanks!
Dave

Fri May 06, 2005 4:09 pm

get some 30x9.5 tires in the back and 27 or 28 in the front.

shocks: decent bolt on would be bilstein 6100 valved for class 11

body kit: mark v

Fri May 06, 2005 5:53 pm

I second all of the above. However, shocks will not lift the car. You will need to reposition the rear torsion leafs to raise the back for needed clearance. In the front you will need to cut/turn the beam or add lift spindles to raise it up.

If you are adding the typical baja motor goodies, I recommend using a quiet pack muffler of some sort to keep the decibels down. A straight stinger is only fun for about the first 15 minutes, and your neighbors will quickly turn on you. Also, add a sand seal and a decent air filter to keep the dirt out If you do decide to take it offf road.

Have fun,
SHMO

Sat May 07, 2005 3:02 pm

i disagree....i put some coil-over shocks on my baja and it raised it up about an inch and a half...i have 28 inch tires and im am content with them....it all depends on how much you take it of road and what kind of gearing you have....

Sat May 07, 2005 4:18 pm

All those $50 coilovers do is compensate for sacked torsion leaves. Yes they can give a car some lift but thats not going to give you any kind of performance off road and is probably stiff as hell on the road.

Sat May 07, 2005 10:26 pm

I agree with baja 5. I put those piece of crap empi coil over's on my baja and they were stiff as hell. I hated it. and I have repented of my ways. the deal with the lift you get out of coil overs comes from the pre load on the springs. the springs (as they get compressed) have a smaller area to expaned thus creatiing a lifted effect. problem is that you lose the springs full capablity to reboung and abosrob. it now only has 8" instead of 10". cut and turn or go with the lifted spindles. if you do go with the lifted spindels dont be cheap. you will pay in the long run. I went thourgh two sets be for i learned my leason. get the combo spindels. good stuff.
Baja Ben

Sat May 07, 2005 10:33 pm

Yep,

I also agree. "el cheapo" coilover shocks are a joke.

Baja Ben,
what lift spindles have you used and had problems with?

SHMO

Sun May 08, 2005 9:52 am

they werent lifted spindels. just the cheap ones that come with a disk break converson. I had forgoten to greas up the bearing and that casuaed them the seze up and snap. thank goodnes i was only going 5 mph around a corrner. having a wheel fall off in the middle of the night makes for a good time. I learned my lesson and finaly got some good spindels and bearing grease.
Baja Ben

Sun May 08, 2005 11:38 am

Hahaha,

you can only run the "good" spindles without grease? Cheap pieces a chit!

SHMO

Mon May 09, 2005 3:19 pm

Ok, Sounds like I'll go for the Lift Spindles, what are the good brands?

I'll do the torsion bar turn on the back.

Thanks all!

Mon May 09, 2005 4:56 pm

a few people around here have had good reviews about the lift spindles you can get from so cal imports in long beach, ca

Mon May 09, 2005 10:24 pm

Tweeds.

Mon May 09, 2005 10:54 pm

although tweeds only makes the combo lift spindles for link pin front ends

Tue May 10, 2005 1:11 am

I would go with lift spindles if I was in your situation. You will retain a better ride with lift spindles, and the swap is easier to perform than a cut/turn on the beam.

Check out blind chicken racing. They can take your existing spindles and modify them for the amount of lift you need.

Check out their website. http://www.blindchickenracing.com/
They have prices and pictures for you to ponder.

SHMO