| bad dog racing |
Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:01 am |
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Here we are 19 days out from one of the most challenging, yet rewarding VW events to be found anywhere in the world. Am I ready?...Is anyone really ever "ready?" Last year myself and my team decided at the last minute to participate in this "most demanding" event that we have always said, "Someday we will do that".
For the 2008 SST...with just 2 weeks time, we found a worthy Bus and transformed it into a "front runner". With all odds against us, we made it happen. In the most demanding conditions ever encountered during the SST, we faired very well in 2008. Luck?...Sure! Preparation?...you Bet! Scared?....You have no idea!
For 2009 we have had the luxury of time. Once again as team leader and Bus builder, I feel a bit overwhelmed with the tasks at hand. My compadres are putting their trust in me to provide another solid and trustworthy mount to carry us to Mt. Shasta City and back safely.
Yes, this time around we have had more time to prepare but even with the best laid plans....life happens and you may fall short of your original goals. Sadly, I have fallen behind in my plans to unleash a phenomenon of a Shasta Bus. What I have built (hopefully) is a Bus that will safely carry us to another fun and rewarding adventure. Gone are the dreams of setting an unofficial "Guinness Book Record" for completing the SST in record time. Yeah it can still happen but it doesn't seem all that important anymore.
My obsession and aggressive take of the SST has rubbed some participents the wrong way and I feel bad about that. I never wanted to offend anyone with my playful banter and smack talk. Oh well, you can never make everyone happy.
So with that said I continue to prep and pack.
The 64 Kombi continues to evolve into a "Shasta Ready" vehicle. The following posts are a part of an ongoing journal of our prep for Shasta.
This thread will continue with a daily log of what is accomplished on our Bus from today until we return from this incredible event. I hope you will follow our adventures and find it inviting enough to join us in this fantastic event....you will not be disappointed. |
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| bad dog racing |
Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:04 am |
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August 10, 2008
Just picked this up for my 2009 Assault of the Shasta Snow Trip. Want to thank my good buddy Brian Watts for making me a screamin' deal on this Beauty! So here are some pics from the very beginning....
As Brian found it:
After a tranny was put into it and wheels mounted, it was dragged out of the sticks and winched onto a trailer.
How it looked when I got it on the trailer:
Had to put this decal on it:
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| bad dog racing |
Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:14 am |
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August 18, 2008
Hunt for ongoing needed parts continues. One of the main goals in this Bus build is to use as many recycled, saved, garage sale, and swap meet pieces as possible. Keeping our pact, as we did with our first Shasta Bus (The Mushroom Bus), we hope to construct another top contender for the race to Shasta City.
Lessons learned form out first assault, we will build a faster, stronger, more comfortable, and lighter vehicle than last year. With the help of fellow VW fanatics (Brian Watts, Rich Duncan, Doug Colley, and most recently Corey), we have a jump start with six months to go. Last year we obtained a Bus and started to outfit and modify it just two weeks before the event. This year we have the luxury of time.
Our goal is to set a new record by smashing the existing record of 10 hours in a convincing fashion. Although it's not really a rally or a race for that matter, our involvement has brought a new competitive feel to the event.
Veterans of this event have almost ten years of experience under their belts. When they heard a team of accomplished VW Drag Racers were in the mix, the smack talk started.
"Those Drag Race guys have no idea what they're in for!". "They are totally out of their comfort zone!", and when we showed up with our tire chains already installed...."Those guys are Pussies!". The teasing, albeit in fun, was relentless. We stared to second guess ourselves about being chained up. Being Newbies at this event, and I for one not much of a fan of cold weather, we started to think maybe we were in over out heads.
Well the tables quickly turned as we raced away from all the ill prepared "experts". In the most demanding conditions ever experienced during this event, we made a name for ourselves beating the next team into Shasta City by over 3 hours. Not bad for three guys that more at home taking a trip a quarter mile at a time.
Our original plan was to purchase a Bus each year, run Shasta and then sell it on ebay. Last years bus went for big bucks when we sold it. Not only did it pay for the trip and all the expenses, but it left us with a decent profit.
The Bus for this year I aquired from Brian Watts. Like last years Bus, this one has a certain Magic to it.....a certain Mojo. I can't really explain it, but if it takes us on another memorable, exciting journey, and safely gets us back home, I will then be able to put it into words. We may have to change our original plan of buy, race, and sell. This one may be a keeper!
I will have more pictures to share as the build continues. |
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| bad dog racing |
Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:16 am |
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August 20, 2008
Overall the Bus is amazingly clean, almost rust free.....almost.
The only area that is affected is the front floor. Unfortunately the previous owner put shag carpet underneath the rubber mat. It got wet and never dried out. The carpet acted like a sponge soaking the the metal till it rusted away.
Easy fix would be to purchase a complete new floor pan or pieces, fit and weld them into place. But, to keep with our promise to go low budget, I just happen to have a donor Bus with an OK floor section. It's a 68 Bay but the floors are similar. I'm going to try to cut the floor out and fab it to fit the 65.
Here's a pic of the donor Bus right after I hacked the front off to get better access to the floor.
Certainly not the best method, but it is a cheap method. It will take some time, but with the current slow down in daily activity, I can get a little bit done each day. |
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| bad dog racing |
Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:17 am |
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August 25, 2008
Previous owner also cut out the bulkhead that goes behind the front seat. I thought about using the walk-thru section out of the donor Bus. The more I think about it, I will probably just leave it open and reinforce the seat area. Maybe I'll just look at it some more. Thoughts and alternatives will come.
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| bad dog racing |
Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:19 am |
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August 28. 2008
Picked up these studded tires today. Thanks to Rich for introducing me to Corey, I got a screamin' deal on these meats.
Hope to improve my 60 foot times! 8)
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| bad dog racing |
Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:22 am |
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September 25, 2008
Finally mounted the 205x75 14inch studded tires.
Bumper courtesy of Richard Duncan Jr |
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| bad dog racing |
Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:23 am |
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October 6, 2008
Progress continues on the 09' SST Bus. Roller transaxle was pulled out. Big Nut Core trans on the deck of the flatbed to be delivered to trans builder.
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| bad dog racing |
Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:25 am |
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October 10, 2008
Shift rod was pulled out to replace worn bushings.
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| bad dog racing |
Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:27 am |
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November 3, 2008
Well we did do some "Tire Kicking".
Here is another set of meats we will carry along with us.
We also decided to go with the same motor from last year's run. Need to just do a quick service on it and stick it in the Bus. |
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| bad dog racing |
Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:28 am |
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November 6, 2008
Today I took advantage of the few days of fair weather we still have.
I was out today doing brakes in the rear and mounting some KYB Shocks in the rear. Nice sunny afternoon. To keep with the whole "old school" theme and to keep this project low budget, shocks and shoes were recycled. I splurged on new axle seal kits, parking brake cables, and new Varga wheel cylinders.
New rubber seals and latches on replacement popout window. Travel decal is a sign! This Bus was meant to be!
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| bad dog racing |
Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:30 am |
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November 10, 2008
Simple enough, but I had a hard time getting my hands on a cargo door handle.
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| bad dog racing |
Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:31 am |
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November 15, 2008
6.70x15 Tractor Tires. Mounted, balanced, and installed.
These will go into the tire rotation along the route depending on terrain and conditions.
Also installed a longer roof rack.
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| bad dog racing |
Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:33 am |
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December 3, 2008
Time to do some more brake work. New hard lines and hoses.
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| bad dog racing |
Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:34 am |
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December 10, 2008
Got the motor in today. We decided to go with the proven powerplant. This is the same motor we used to lead the way to Shasta last year. We were the first to finish and this stock DP 1600 never missed a beat.
We found a clean set of heater boxes that worked great. Good defroster and just enough heat to take the edge off.
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| bad dog racing |
Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:36 am |
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December 11, 2008
Received a few more items for the Bus. New heater cable, accelerator cable, new wiper pivots and grommets, urethane coupler, and more window rubber.
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| bad dog racing |
Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:37 am |
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December 12, 2008
Huge Thank You to my buddy Martin at J&W Lawn and Garden Equipment, Vacaville.
Martin did a complete rebuild on my aging Craftsman 18" Chainsaw.
Runs like new all over again. Cuts Like BUTTA!
Wish I had a working Chainsaw last year.
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| bad dog racing |
Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:38 am |
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December 13, 2008
Secret Weapon! This should get us across the many water crossings effortlessly!
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| bad dog racing |
Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:40 am |
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December 15, 2008
Picked up a front bumper last night at BLTN, Thanks Kurtis.
Mounted Bumper and first set of Off Road Lights
I may use that Euro Plate to cover the rust hole on the lower left side of the nose. What do you think? Just rivet into place, done deal? |
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| bad dog racing |
Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:41 am |
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December 18, 2008
Other items that will be packed for the trip.
Chainsaw, High Lift Jack, and stinger mounted winch.
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