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Sat May 13, 2006 12:54 am

Here is the project I have been working on: A '66 bug that I bought for $200 - first project like this I've done and I'm having a blast so far.

Here is the bug when I first bought it. It has a straight body and very clean top, but the floor pans were rusted and interior was in poor shape. A great project car!

Here is a picture with the body off of the car. It also came with a seized 1300 which has since been removed to make room for a rebuilt stock 1600 single port.

As you can tell, the pans had to go. I used a sawzall to make the initial cuts, and then used a grinder to grind down and smooth out the tunnel flange. I also left the end of the pans on (to the left and right of the tunnel) for added strength.

Since I will be putting in a small nut bus transmission and gear reduction boxes, I had a friend of a friend build these upright adapters to give me a few inches of lift in the rear. These are nice because you don't have to notch the spring plate, although you do have to cut off the end of the spring plate. After that, the adapter bolts right up to the redux box. You also have to extend the lower shock mount out a bit so it may clear the axle tube. I have a picture of what I mean below:

The guy who builds these adapters has run this type for years (30+) and they have worked flawlessly. I also added .25" thick sway-a-way spring plates for added strength and durability.

And here is where I stand now. New pans have been fitted and placed, and will be welded in this weekend.

My plans for the rest of the project:

- Complete Thing front beam (ordered from Metal by Gary G)
- 15x5 wheels in front with 7.00x15 all terrains
- 15x8 wheels in rear with 31x10.5 BFG All Terrains or Mud Terrains
- Custom roll cage and sheetmetal
- Heavy duty trans. straps (rear lower already installed)
- Race-trim suspension seats
- More stuff that I can't remember

I've picked up both 'Keeping Your Volkswagen Alive' and Jeff Hibbards Baja book to get tips and ideas along the way. This will primarily be used offroad while hunting and running around the mountains, and that is why I'm keeping the stock 1600 single port for the low end torque. What do you guys think of my set up and plans for this buggy?

Sat May 13, 2006 5:55 am

Nice work. I'm excited to see more progress. Keep posting.

Sat May 13, 2006 6:14 am

i spy two milkcrates.....

looks like you have a nice bug to start with. we love pictures so post alot!

Sat May 13, 2006 9:56 am

why go through all that work and not change to IRS or king/link? i can see keeping the swing with the reduction boxes so you can do some kill climbing but you should go with king/link while your where you are

Sat May 13, 2006 10:23 am

I'm going to add the Thing ball joint beam to give me another few inches of lift in the front, and it will be plenty strong for what I need it for. I also won't have to change out the frame head as well.

Sat May 13, 2006 7:10 pm

Gregorio wrote: I'm going to add the Thing ball joint beam to give me another few inches of lift in the front, and it will be plenty strong for what I need it for. I also won't have to change out the frame head as well.

you can keep the old frame head, there are about 10 different ways you can adapt for the link beam

Sat May 13, 2006 8:20 pm

Interesting, did not know that. Still keeping the Thing beam though...

Sat May 13, 2006 9:34 pm

nice work. i really like the adapter plates. i'm working on a '66 as well but used a big nut 12v trans, so i got the bugzyla stuff. i'd like to see your project come along.

Sat May 13, 2006 9:45 pm

Panzerfuska -

Thanks for the kind words. Have any pics of your project yet? I'd like to see it.

: Greg

Sun May 14, 2006 8:09 am

nice work so far. seems there are a few people on here going the redux box trail baja route

Sun May 14, 2006 8:25 am

I went that route because a friend of mine had four sets of redux boxes he's been stashing away for some time. Now I'm on the hunt for some alpine gears...

: Greg

Mon May 15, 2006 12:41 pm

Very cool. I'm interested in doing something like this myself. I like the rgb adapter plates.

Mon May 15, 2006 8:12 pm

greg, i'll take some pix. i got the trans mounted and trimming the springplates. i'll post up some asap.

Mon May 15, 2006 10:08 pm

Sounds good.

In other news, went to the fine people at the CA DMV today to apply for a title (car was previously used for parts and did not come with a title). Let's just say that from now on I'm not wasting time on a car w/out a title. Turns out I'll have to pay three years of back registration taxes and fees to the tune of $314 if I want this thing to have a pink slip. I'm seriously thinking now of just finding a rolling chassis with a title and moving all my parts over to that if it is a bit cheaper.

The best part about the whole fiasco is that I called the DMV four different times and got four different answers, which to me seems ridiculous. One said that it should fall of registration after four years, but since someone asked to 'access' the vin it restarts the four year period. The other three had completely different answers. Plus, the two women that were helping me were tons of fun from the start. Oh well, live and learn. I won't make this mistake again...I'll go to the AAA dmv from now on, I think they enjoy life a bit more than the others.

Sat Dec 23, 2006 9:42 pm

Well, the project has been stalled for a while. I ended up selling my last pan due to registration costs, and got a new pan with title (in great shape). Below are some pics of my Yokohama Y742S 7.00x15 front tires, which look like they are going to be awesome (DOT approved and radials):

: Greg

Sat Dec 23, 2006 9:52 pm

nice man, so regarding the pan, you were honest enough not to just steal the VIN off of another car? :P

Sat Dec 23, 2006 9:58 pm

Yeah...dealing with the lovely California DMV is somewhat impossible. I found that it was much easier to sell the pan and get a new one. Turned out to be good though: I got $400 for the initial bug parts and pan (paid $200 for it) and got a much better condition pan in the end.

: Greg

Sat Dec 23, 2006 10:04 pm

Gregorio wrote: Yeah...dealing with the lovely California DMV is somewhat impossible. I found that it was much easier to sell the pan and get a new one. Turned out to be good though: I got $400 for the initial bug parts and pan (paid $200 for it) and got a much better condition pan in the end.

: Greg

so did you keep all the redux parts?

Sat Dec 23, 2006 10:09 pm

Yeah, kept the redux stuff and will be starting back on the project in the next few days.

: Greg

Sat Dec 23, 2006 10:12 pm

I too scraped the first pan due to the vin not matching. (rust also). With the amout of money and time vested it would only take one cop with an attitude to seize your vehicle. I've heard urban legends of those who did a illegal vin swap and paid dearly. I guess VIN confirmation at DMV involves a mirror in the inspection hole and if weld seem on the bottom side your SOL. Not worth the risk given the high likelyhood of running into a asshole.