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Mon Apr 29, 2013 8:43 pm

Just acquired my new baja project. It is a 64. This should be fun, and I would like to take others input that have experience in baja builds. I will be converting it to IRS, and eventually building a 2085 stroker for it. Not sure on a bunch of the little stuff like seats, wheels, steering wheel, or exact suspension setup yet.

Luckily I have a complete rust free pan to swap everything onto.

I also still need to cut the front, but dont know where exactly to cut. So if anyone has directions on that it would help out a lot.

Mon Apr 29, 2013 10:12 pm

Harwood39 wrote:
I also still need to cut the front, but dont know where exactly to cut. So if anyone has directions on that it would help out a lot.

i put the fiberglass hood and fenders on. the fender bolts don't have to be super tight but mainly to get a ideal where they will sit when the car is done. you will see where the new front end will sit when done but cut it long so there is metal for the front piece to be bolted on. after cutting then you can try the front end piece. trim the metal back further if needed for the look you want. remember it is easier to cut more metal than to add metal if you cut it back to far.

Mon Apr 29, 2013 11:07 pm

looks like a fun project.

Tue Apr 30, 2013 9:35 am

I would like to save as much metal on the valance as possible as I have a club member that needs the good valance. I will bolt the fenders on and see what is gives me.

Also, If running suspension seats, do I need to retain the factory sliders on the pan?

Tue Apr 30, 2013 9:46 am

Harwood39 wrote: I would like to save as much metal on the valance as possible as I have a club member that needs the good valance. .

with the wide eye fiberglass kit, you will be suprized how much metal is left or at least the metal you can't see. i cut out my spare tire well before i realized i could keep most of it. it is not big enough for a spare but the well would have helped block the air from flowing up and into the truck area/cabin while driving.

Tue Apr 30, 2013 12:21 pm

I also noticed once I pulled my 70 into the shop to wash it, this bug sits about 4" higher than my 70. I know the 70 has stock suspension, and Im sure they probably raised the rear, but how did the front get higher since my beam is not cut and turned that I can tell. Its sitting right on the top of the bump stop. I have 10" of clearance at the front frame, and 12" at the tranny mount.

Here are some more pics of what it needs body work wise. She isnt pretty, thats for sure.

Currently coating the new pan in bedliner then all the work can truly begin.

Tue Apr 30, 2013 8:50 pm

Well, the pan is ready for suspension. I know there is a couple holes in the tunnel that the PO cut for access, no idea why. I will just leave them cause I dont care about the cosmetics at this stage. I can always fill them later.

Coated with spray on bedliner.

Wed May 01, 2013 7:50 pm

Heater channels are shot in this, and instead of buying $130 replacements, since I wont be running heat, any ideas on making boxed sections? At this point they will only be used for body mounting.

Thu May 02, 2013 5:24 am

I used some 3x3 angle iron I pie cut and formed to the pan. This covered the heater channels and provided something to bolt my side bars too

Sat May 04, 2013 12:38 pm

Just came home from a swap meet. Picked up my wheels I plan to use. Currently having adapters made fro the back pair. I also picked up these cool hard to find acrylic bubble windows!!

Here are the wheels, 15x8 for the back. and 15x6 for the front. Thinking they will be powdercoated red. And yes, I know they arent matching.