TheSamba.com :: View topic - DesertBob's "Last" Baja (Trail Ready at last!)

Thu Mar 06, 2008 1:42 pm

UncleDirty wrote: What are your plans for the beam? You mentioned a Thing beam. I did a pretty wahzoo beam for my Thing, if you need any help with, it let me know.

I was going to look for a stock complete Thing beam and go with that. I was hoping to get 2-3" of lift withoug having to do the "cut and turn". Anyone got an old one lying around?

Thu Mar 06, 2008 1:55 pm

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=526659

Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:03 pm

I have left messages for this gent and have yet to get a reply. Was hoping to meet him 1/2 way between OC and San Diego but nothing yet.

Thu Mar 06, 2008 3:32 pm

I hope he returns your call, that would be a sweet set up for your project.
The add says he's in Lakewood, not Lakeside, a little closer to ya if all works out. :wink:
Even with the Thing beam I would recomend the hook and pin stops to save the ball joints.

Thu Mar 06, 2008 3:57 pm

:oops: and crap. The ad just got deleted. Could be why I didn't get returned calls.

Fri Mar 07, 2008 2:34 am

Here 'ya go Bob:

He's a little out there, but probably worth it. I wanted it but...

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/pts/591793839.html

Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:54 am

1967 Baja wrote: Here 'ya go Bob:

He's a little out there, but probably worth it. I wanted it but...

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/pts/591793839.html

Thank you. I will call him today and see if I can pick it up tomorrow.

Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:12 am

Alright! Pics!
You were right...soon as you posted pics.... :lol:

Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:45 am

Yahoo! Got me a beam. Picking it up Saturday morning. Complete drum to drum with the steering box, tie rods and everything. Thanks for the info 1967 Baja! Hope the luck continues on Sunday at Pomona.

Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:24 pm

Congrats on the beam score. I'm in Oak Hills, give me a shout when you're up here in the morning. I have a set of seats you might be interested in.

Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:32 pm

DesertBob wrote: Yahoo! Got me a beam. Picking it up Saturday morning. Complete drum to drum with the steering box, tie rods and everything. Thanks for the info 1967 Baja! Hope the luck continues on Sunday at Pomona.

Ditto to UncleD. Congrats!

I saw that ad earlier this week, but $400 is out of my parts budget right now...

You going to do a writeup on that beamswap project for us? You know it's a pretty common question and it's a good time to put your name in the stickies. ;)

Fri Mar 07, 2008 1:39 pm

Spoke with this seller after he pulled the beam out to clean it up some. He called me because he thinks that it is a standard Ball-Joint Beam with Thing Arms, Spindles, Brakes and Drums. This should not be an issue correct? Is the Thing beam stronger than the standard Ball Joint Beam? I was going to weld up the seams regardless.

Fri Mar 07, 2008 2:40 pm

I *think* the only thing that makes the thing beam any different is the arms, spindles, and drums.

Maybe try the thing forum?

Fri Mar 07, 2008 2:48 pm

Great minds think alike - I just did. They are "mostly" the same. The shock towers have some additional bracing. I will weld up my seams and weld in a brace on the back side of the tower. This should be fine for what I am going to be doing.

Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:12 pm

Well since it isnt a "real" thing beam, maybe you can save a few bucks? :wink:

Make sure you post up some more pics!

oh, did you already order the mark V kit? Ive got heavy rear fenders if you need some.

Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:26 pm

rickosuave1987 wrote: Well since it isnt a "real" thing beam, maybe you can save a few bucks? :wink:

I would definitely think so....at least he is honest. :)

Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:52 pm

Actually this may be a blessing. I have been told that the Thing beam braces might have interfered with my tow bar. That would have sucked since I sold my trailer when we sold all of the quads.

Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:58 pm

Good to know....

Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:40 pm

No problem Bob, glad you got it! :P

I had a trick thing beam on my '67 baja, thats the thing I miss most about the car, hehe.

You'll love it!

Nick

Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:17 pm

Got the beam and took it apart on Sunday. Wife had the camera so no pictures. The ball joints were shot on the passenger side so I dropped them off at the shop yesterday to replace all of them. The seller gave me a couple of nice wide 5 rear drums so I am all set. Now I have to find some wheels. The steering box was in really good shape but the tie rods ends are shot. They will make nice spares though. The lower beam was cut and turned but not the top. Never heard of this. What is that all about? Will get pictures taken before I pull the current beam and put the new one on. Gonna do some welding on Sunday to fix the seams, add adjusters and put on hook stops on the front to limit the droop. Thanks UncleDirty for the advice and directions. Hope to meet you soon.