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Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:21 am

Hey all, i have a 66 beetle and i want to build a class 11 or a baja. I like the look, feel, and idea of the class 11 more but i don't know that it would be even close to as capable off the pavement as a baja would. Am i correct in thinking this or is it pretty close?

Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:08 am

go to the gallery and search under forum member or what ever and search dirtbug, his off road manx thing was prettty cool.

Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:36 am

i am not interested in those, just class 11 or baja beetle styles. Ty for the post though, that thing is pretty cool.

Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:48 am

true the class 11 style would be a little heavier compared to a baja with fiberglass, the suspension is the business end of any offroad vehicle. if your just wanting the look of a class 11 and not the score approved version than suspension upgrades could be made to your liking and needs. its only limits is how much you have in your pockets to spend.

Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:56 am

well i have wide fiberglass street fenders, i was thinking of cutting them into the shape of the stock metal ones for the class 11. The suspension upgrades your talking about, would i have to cut holes in the body to mount them or is there any good suspension set-ups that will bolt right on to the stock mounts after re-indexing the rear one outer spline?

Sun Oct 25, 2009 12:31 pm

bakertool13 wrote: well i have wide fiberglass street fenders, i was thinking of cutting them into the shape of the stock metal ones for the class 11. The suspension upgrades your talking about, would i have to cut holes in the body to mount them or is there any good suspension set-ups that will bolt right on to the stock mounts after re-indexing the rear one outer spline?

re index the car first, there are shocks (KYBs and Bilstien) that will fit the stock mounts (even stock shocks will work) or you can go further with a wild suspension which would involve holes in the body and shock mounts and a cage (real coil overs). next, get the tires and rims that look and feel good with your setup (engine size). then if needed, cut the fenders. options are endless from mild to wild when it comes to suspension.

my baja and my full body vw hunting truggy have the same 1/2 cut and turn in the front and one outer spline turn in the rear. longer shocks. no problems with fender clearance or body on either. this setup works for me for banging around the yard and wooded trails.

no one can tell you what you want. you will change it a couple of times before you get what you want and then you will change it again to try to make it better.

Sun Oct 25, 2009 3:32 pm

check out class 11 coalition, there a lot of good info in there

http://www.class11coalition.com/

Sun Oct 25, 2009 5:51 pm

so are you saying that a class 11 can be just as capable as a baja? I plan on running trails alot, desert really isn't my thing.

Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:01 pm

bakertool13 wrote: so are you saying that a class 11 can be just as capable as a baja? I plan on running trails alot, desert really isn't my thing.

yes. a class 11 with a simular setup (suspension, tires, and engine) as a baja will perform the same with the exception of the class 11 being a little heavier and the baja having a little more room (fender clearance) for wheel travel.

Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:19 pm

Alright thanks man i appreciate the answers. Would a stock sized shock be good enough or do i need to cut the holes and mount some huge shocks?

Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:33 pm

bakertool13 wrote: Would a stock sized shock be good enough

stock size works on my setup. start there and go from there. but remember shocks dont lift suspension unless your are using coilovers. they just smooth the ride.

Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:42 pm

yeah i am gonna reindex the outer spline 1 spline, will that give me about 2inches?

Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:58 pm

bakertool13 wrote: yeah i am gonna reindex the outer spline 1 spline, will that give me about 2inches?
2-2.5 inches

http://www.glenn-ring.com/temp/splines.jpg

Sun Oct 25, 2009 8:18 pm

bakertool13 wrote: so are you saying that a class 11 can be just as capable as a baja? I plan on running trails alot, desert really isn't my thing.

After having one for years I think the only real disadvantage, and its a significant one, is the exhaust system. If you have an aftermarket exhaust in the standard location its vulnerable even if the rest of the car has good clearance. the stock exhaust is better for clearance but performance lacks .

besides the exhaust i dont think the enter or exit angle is restricted much although i have scraped those location on occasion both the front and back .

I kinda feel the extra weight adds to the stability and comfort of the ride but that totally subjective

oh and the full fenders hold more mud

Sun Oct 25, 2009 8:46 pm

Anything you can do to get the exhaust out of the way?

Sun Oct 25, 2009 8:59 pm

Not much unless you want to start cutting, then you will have a baja

Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:51 pm

saw this exhaust on a class 11 looking bug at a local show a few years ago.

Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:57 pm

bakertool13 wrote: Anything you can do to get the exhaust out of the way?

here is a couple of pictures from the gallery. you could get this type exhaust and add a rear skid plate or go a little crazy and do like the next picture or just add some skid bars kinda like the last picture but just have them coming up to the reinforced stock bumper. just remember, carnage is going to happen when you play rough with your toys.

Mon Oct 26, 2009 7:47 am

bakertool13 wrote: Anything you can do to get the exhaust out of the way?
Been thinking about this for awhile , and those two pics above are a good step. I want to make some custom bumpers for mine and when i do i was going to try to figure out a way to bring the exhaust out the rear and put the muffler higher up in the new bumper area...if it ever happens i will share it here

Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:45 am

Anybody have any pics/videos of class 11 beetles wheeling? baja beetles are all over youtube but class 11 seems pretty rare.