TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Feb 10, 2010 6:03 pm

I've been posting some of the work I've been doing in the "what did you do to your off-road Vw today" thread. for the sake of those searching for rail builds I'll post up in here.

In early Augest I traded my built 89 Fullsize Bronco for the rail, a trailer and some cash. Bronco build here: http://www.virtualford.org/vfforum/showthread.php?t=10313 for those interested.
The rail was in ok shape but needed refreshing. So far, I have rebuilt the linkpin front end, rebuilt the entire brake system, rebuilt the carb, dropped the floor and added rubber to the mounting tabs (to stop the rattles), mounted a bicycle rack, installed crazy bright LED tail/stop lights, and rebuilt the hydro clutch. I'm in the process of building a new dash and rewiring the buggy. As extra cash allows, I will be replacing the bus tranny with a bug tranny. As the song states, I can't drive 55!
Pics soon...

Wed Feb 10, 2010 6:27 pm

I also installed motorcycle headlights (to make it legal), flush mount led turn signals, baby turbo mirrors (SWEET), and a reverse spot light. I also added a speedo.

Fri Feb 12, 2010 3:59 pm

I half wrapped the steering wheel in red and the other side will be wrapped in black. The wheel was too cold in the winter and blazing hot in the summer. Here is my new layout for the gauges. I'll trim it into some sort of presentable shape and cover it in black vinyl. The gauges are a mix until I can affort an oil filled set.

Fri Feb 12, 2010 4:17 pm

Good looking rail. I only see one problem with it, It has a four letter word on it. LOL!

Fri Feb 12, 2010 8:32 pm

Yea, the PO did that. It'll have to stay until it's time for new paint. The paint on it is done really well (for the most part) :lol:

Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:30 pm

thats a cool looking rail.... I think I'm about ready to start a rail myself....

Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:51 pm

She looks like a runner!

Do you have a pic showing how your "bitch bar" is attached to the frame? Similar to you, I have a windshield in my buggy and so the rail type clamp won't work. I'll probably need to spot weld a sleeve in, but I'm curious how yours was set up. Thanks.

Sat Feb 13, 2010 9:35 pm

piezzi wrote: She looks like a runner!

Do you have a pic showing how your "T-bar" is attached to the frame? Similar to you, I have a windshield in my buggy and so the rail type clamp won't work. I'll probably need to spot weld a sleeve in, but I'm curious how yours was set up. Thanks.

Sure, It's bolted through the cross bar (dash). the upper/outside of the clamp is threaded and the lower part (T-bar and clamp) is drilled for the bolts to go through. Sorry the pics are rough, if you need clearer one's I can get a few more.

Sat Feb 13, 2010 9:59 pm

Thanks for the positive feed back guys!

Today I went to a salvage yard! Yes, fun to do all by itself, but today I went hunting a relay box. Poor little Nissan didn't see me coming. Next to the mid 90's sentra's battery was the perfect setup. You will find five relays in a "sealed" box with about a foot of harness ready for harvest. I clipped them out, brought them home, cleaned it up, labled and and terminated the wires. Tomorrow after Church, I'll start the rewire job.

I installed the fuseblock into an ammo box to keep it nice and dry.

Mon Feb 15, 2010 1:09 pm

I decided to go back to the salvage yard and get a larger relay box out of a Nissan 200SX. I now have 11 relays instead of 5. I'll put all switched items on a relay so I can use smaller switches as a ground contact instead of carring a load through them. I figure, If I'm going to take the time to rewire it, I'll do it right the first time. I'll post new pics once I have the new box cleaned up and relays terminated.

Edit** New pic**

Mon Feb 15, 2010 1:36 pm

piezzi wrote: She looks like a runner!

Do you have a pic showing how your "bitch bar" is attached to the frame? Similar to you, I have a windshield in my buggy and so the rail type clamp won't work. I'll probably need to spot weld a sleeve in, but I'm curious how yours was set up. Thanks.

My son's wife refers to those as the "Oh Shit" handle in his rock crawler Jeep.

Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:24 pm

Why are you changing transaxles?

Mon Feb 15, 2010 4:56 pm

ataim wrote: Why are you changing transaxles?
I use this to commute back and forth to work during the late spring, summer and early fall. It's about 100 miles round trip. My top speed is 55ish with the engine turning out of the frame (about 3800 RPM). I would like to be able to go at least 65. I don't know what R&P are in it, but from what I've been finding when I search, even the highest is pretty low. If I'm wrong (I'm still new to VWs) let me know, I'd like to keep the strength of the 3 rib but I really need some top end.

Mon Feb 15, 2010 7:23 pm

If I am reading the book right, a 3 rib would have a 5.37 final ratio.
Only way you are going to get a lower RPM/higher speed is to go with bigger tires.
Then you will need torque to turn them.

Mon Feb 15, 2010 7:37 pm

Thanks Russ,
That's what I was afraid of. I'm running 31X10.50's being pushed by a built 2.0 Pinto engine. I don't want to go any bigger on the tire size so I think I'm stuck with a bug tranny :?

Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:36 pm

Thats a nice buggy!! Is that a 1 lever cutting brake? Hows that work for ya?

Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:58 pm

Thanks! It's actualy a two lever one on the handles was down in that pic. I do love the cutting brakes though, there's noting like a 90 degree turn at 30 mph LOL.

Tue Feb 16, 2010 6:23 am

Nice looking rail. She is well geared with all the good stuffs. Like it. =P~

Wed Feb 17, 2010 9:18 pm

olmer2 wrote: piezzi wrote: She looks like a runner!

Do you have a pic showing how your "T-bar" is attached to the frame? Similar to you, I have a windshield in my buggy and so the rail type clamp won't work. I'll probably need to spot weld a sleeve in, but I'm curious how yours was set up. Thanks.

Sure, It's bolted through the cross bar (dash). the upper/outside of the clamp is threaded and the lower part (T-bar and clamp) is drilled for the bolts to go through. Sorry the pics are rough, if you need clearer one's I can get a few more.

Thanks for posting the pics, Olmer.

Sun Feb 28, 2010 7:52 pm

Early (59) steering box was rebuilt and installed the old one was a type 3 and it was pretty loose.

The dash is trimmed up. I'll build another dash when I have saved up for oil filled gauges. (I just needed some good gauges, I did not care if they matched)

New flooring! I'll cut it to fit over the aluminum floor. It will stop the vibrations and quiet the road noise.

Naked frame,,,

My helper