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Mon Nov 02, 2009 4:30 pm

bakertool13 wrote: what is the big disadvantage of the swing axle? i would prefer not to have to sell my beetle and buy another haha

Less articulation, and more prone to roll from what I understand. They still have many diehard fans however.

Mon Nov 02, 2009 4:54 pm

Actual class 11 race car. There are alot of "tricks" to setting the car up, tricks you can't get from reading the SCORE rulebook, if you do read the rulebook and build a car, your gonna end upp with a class 11 from 1969 vintage, when the rulebook was writen. If your gonna race, your gonna hear this alot. Its all in the interpretation of the rules......Every class 11 racer has some secret he got from someone, and the only info you share is the common knowledge stuff. I drove the 1000 last year from San Felipe to Villa De Trinidade and there is some windy stuff coming back from Mikes Sky ranch. The swing off road is looser in the rear and actually feels better, but you notice alot more sway in the car, at speeds over 55 it gets to sway a bit........Never feel like its going to roll though, but then again there's the set up.

Mon Nov 02, 2009 4:56 pm

so its disadvantage is that it feels jumpy at highway speeds and has less articulation, what are the positives of the swing axle, besides simplicity of course.

Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:56 pm

I'm talking a full race car, so a street/offroad car will be different.....

Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:05 pm

how much articulation difference?

Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:14 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.

Wow, this trail runnin' project has turned into a potential Baja race finisher! :D
It's so easy to get ahead of yourself when planning the build of a car. We've all been there. Initial thoughts are often to keep it simple, low budget, get it drivable and then add as you go - but then when you start shopping for parts, you think to yourself... "Well for a *little* bit more, I can do this instead". Then it just keeps going. In a short time, you have more than you bargained for!
I think the happiest guys are the ones that have the most low-budget, mechanically sound, ugliest piles of crap that they just get in and drive the shit out of.

Really think about what you want, you will probably find that the '66 you already have is just fine. Unless you have changed your mind and do want an all-out race car, just get your car going and build on it.

Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:26 pm

haha jeez man i know, this beetle craze is really addicting. I had a ranger that i built for wheeling, but it didn't grab me like this does. Obviously my wife hates that the beetle went from a 500 dollar ghetto baja cut to what i want now...hell i already sunk over 1k in it in the last month.

Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:29 pm

Swing work just fine. our 68 car has 40 races in 4 years. rolled once. and its still old school ( stock rear schocks ) and it will keep up just fine with new school. the 64 swing thats leading in MORE series is my old car and its still old school. like Robert said its in the set up. yes you can get more travel out of a IRS. just becouse your fast and lead to the first turn dont main your going win. you have to be there in the long run. i am trying to talk my boys into doing some Rally racing next year. again build what you want just build it rite. best of luck Dennis

Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:24 pm

so your racing on stock suspension? how is that working out so well? I was led to believe that the suspension is the most important part to build up

Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:06 pm

The car is stock components, but far from stock. There is no way to get into all the aspects of building a class 11 and some of them are best kept secret. Build your car and enjoy it, or build an 11 and race it. Either way do it right.

Oh and FOX Racing Shox ROCK The Desert!!!!

Tue Nov 03, 2009 7:30 pm

bakertool you should get the book Baja Bugs and Buggies by Jeff Hibbard Its kind dated but It'll give you a heads up on the fun stuff you can do with your bug to prep it

Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:17 pm

thanks, i have the book but it seems completely devoted to bajas and rails. Does all the information hold true for a class 11 type beetle?

Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:20 pm

Sure alot of the stuff is the same, build your car like an 11 but do some of the same things it says. An 11 is a baja with the sheetmetal

Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:38 pm

seems like you would start off with a class 11 then see what you want and then decide if you want to cut it up into a baja

Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:51 pm

What I would do with your 66 is adjust it up 1 outer spline,raised beam and a set of 215/75/15's.Cheep easy and if you dont like it baja it or swap the pan to irs.if its just a woods and fire road car keep it simple and it will last forever.