SmaK's 1970 Build

SmaK · Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2014 3:01 pm Post subject:

So.... The driver side torsion bar came out and I didn't mark it. So now what!?

SmaK · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2014 4:29 pm Post subject:

My new buy! Door jam says '74, is that correct? Not sure if that's what the 74 means. This body is in a lot better condition than the one that came with it. The old one had dents all over the doors and roof. Paint will have to be redone. This was patted with rattle cans and a pressure washer can take the paint right off pretty easy.

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SmaK · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 9:09 pm Post subject:

Well. My day went good minus a couple hiccups because I wasn't sure on a couple things. But, I got my spring plate bushings replaced and torsion bars bars put back it. The left side torsion bar came out and I didn't mark it. So my game plan was to get both of them set to 20 degrees unloaded. So hopefully I won't have to tear back into that because it wasn't fun. I did make my own tool to help with the instal (same design as the spring plate tool). I also replaced the bushings in the rear control arm and half installed the arms. I just have to put all the bolts to connect the spring plates and trailing arms. Also, I still have to torque everything down.

Inner bushing installed the wrong way after I switched it I was able to get the plate over the lip.

This happened on the other side. Once I got the spring plate covers on I just hammered in the torsion bar.

The tool that was very useful.

Final product.

Bushings replaced and half way installed.

warwgn · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 9:29 pm Post subject:

Looking great, lot of work in it so far, keep it up.

SmaK · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2015 6:30 pm Post subject:

Well I welded in some front beam adjusters and let me tell you....the instructions suck! After much needed help from the forum I was able to get the welded in.

So the front beam is ready for paint and reassemble. I learned a couple things in the last couple of days: pay attention in the orientation of your torsion bars and the upper control arms are the same you just press the ball joints in different. I thought I was losing my mind with the upper control arms and found out that they were the same.

So this weekend I'm going to get rid of my original shell and and start putting the suspension back together. Also, im looking for some 5 wide baja wheels so if you know of any let me know.

johndl58 · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2015 8:58 pm Post subject:

You know that the upper arm in that pic is reversed right?

SmaK · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2015 9:11 pm Post subject:

johndl58 · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 8:40 am Post subject:

Wow. I'm surprised I didn't do that. I didn't even think of that snafu. I was able to keep mine in a left and right scenario because of them being diff colors and pressed them as such. Def dodged a bullet.

SmaK · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2015 6:28 pm Post subject:

Well after two weeks of travel I was able to get back to the bug. I now have a rolling chassis. This was no easy feat either. Wrong brake shoe pads were ordered and the ball joints wanted to spin while I was tightening them.

race-desert · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2015 6:58 pm Post subject:

very nice work!

johndl58 · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2015 5:48 pm Post subject:

Very nice. Looks brand new.

SmaK · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2015 7:08 pm Post subject:

Thank you. It has been an enjoyment. My wife (5'5" 115lbs) and myself flipped the bug up on its side so I could caulk on the seams of the new pans. Just amazes me how light weight it is and I was really surprised and so was she.

My first cheap caulk gun broke so I had to get another one;which was better quality. Let me tell you the difference was amazing. I was able to do both sides of one half of the pan in the same amount of time I did one side on one Half of the pan.

Now the chassis is almost done. Finish up the break lines and adjust the brakes. Also, I need to get a new pushrod for the brake pedal. No idea where that went.

SmaK · Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2015 7:27 pm Post subject:

Well, got the new body on! Glued down a new pan gasket and then sat the 74' body on the 70' pan. It lined right up.

So I was told that the new bracket I got for the transmission was a solid mount meaning no bushings. The front bracket without a bushing has a big gap which leaves me to believe I need a bushing. Do I need a bushing or do have something wrong?

SmaK · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 5:58 pm Post subject:

Any advise or tips on the transmission and mounting? Why is that gap in the front for a solid mount?

LoopyAg02 · Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:36 am Post subject: I maybe a little late with this

Did you consider bracing the Front Suspension in this manner.

LoopyAg02 · Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:38 am Post subject:

BTW: Great job thus far. You have now added POR15 to my list of projects for my Baja Bug build with my son.

Which will commence Monday when I return home with our project!!

SmaK

LoopyAg02 · Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 2:54 pm Post subject:

SmaK,

It appears your pretty adept at welding. Check out this thread for mods to make to your front end. I will be doing these with my '69.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=491123[url]

SmaK · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 8:39 pm Post subject:

Got a little more done.

Had a little issue with the transmission and it not matting up but a fellow member pointed out the slots in the solid mount transmission which allowed me to push it forward.

Then I laid down some stuff I bought at lowes for sound deadening.

Still have more to do. But what you see is with two rolls.

SmaK · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 6:47 pm Post subject:

Not a whole lot done lately. Got used wheels and tires. Adjusted the brakes and put the wheels on. Still need to adjust them more because the e-brake isn't engageing enough when I put the tires on. When I would try and spin it with out the tire it wouldn't but with the tire on I could spin it.

Order some master series paint and painted the roof, inside the doors and around the window seal. I'm not going to be able to paint the car yet but I wanted to treat the winow seals for rust/rust prevention. I figure I can just tape up the windows and stuff when I go to paint.


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