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Ruger59 Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2016 Posts: 54
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Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2016 9:13 pm Post subject: A 1967 Baja Bug Build |
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A couple months back I attempted to take my 36hp 1959 bug off road with street tires equipped. I wanted to go places that the car just wasn't meant to go and maybe the 5" of ground clearance and loose gravel didn't help that either. Since that day I've been searching for a baja bug to take off road. Fast forward a few months and a lady stops my mother who was driving her beetle and tells her about a couple old VW's laying in her front yard. Me and my farther made arrangements later that day to look at these VW's. Driving up we didn't know what to expect, but when we arrived there were a couple baja bodys and one almost complete baja sitting there. We looked them over thanked the woman and left, but that one baja caught my eye. I went back a week later to inspect the baja and made a deal. So I'm now a proud owner of a somewhat red 1967 baja bug. Enough talking how about some photos?
The worst part about this bug is that the roof is caved in. Anyone got ideas to fix it? I was thinking 2x4 and a floor jack.
Now the baja didn't have an engine, but there was a late model pan with a 1500cc attached sitting a couple feet away so a deal was made for that as well.
What are my goals? To build an inexpensive yet fun baja bug!
Comments and suggestions welcomed. _________________ Current Volkswagen's:
*An all original 1959 capri blue beetle nicknamed Ruger
*White 1970's Vert Baja Bug
Last edited by Ruger59 on Mon Aug 01, 2016 11:25 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Dark Earth Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2015 Posts: 1054
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Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2016 5:05 pm Post subject: Re: Project: 67 Baja Bug |
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If the later model pan has the same front suspension as the '67, I'd build the later model pan, fixing any problems with rust, then throw the '67 body on it. _________________ My Build: '69 Baja - Dark Earth Version
~I'm almost done. I just lack finishing up.~ |
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earthquake Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2008 Posts: 3984 Location: SANDY VALLEY, NEVADA
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Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 3:59 pm Post subject: Re: Project: 67 Baja Bug |
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Smack the roof from the inside with the palm of your hand and it may just pop out, that how I got mine out.
Casey _________________ 74 CLASS 11 LOOK-A-LIKE
69 DUNE BUGGY
79 INTERNATIONAL SCOUT II
05 SCION XB SERIES RELEASE 2[#437]
95 Chevy C3500 dually
98 Ford E150
Link to Kelly J. Nolte 3/20/53 - 11/6/08
https://time-zonelabs.blogspot.com/p/about-kelly.html
DEATH TO CHINGERS!
[From a military recruitment poster in the novel "The Stainless Steel Rat" By Harry Harrison] |
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Ruger59 Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2016 Posts: 54
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 2:02 pm Post subject: Re: Project: 67 Baja Bug |
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After waiting nearly two weeks on the seller to clean out the area around the bug and find the titles for it and the IRS pan it was time to pick it up and bring the baja home.
The interior was trashed being open to the elements for who know how long so I decided to strip the entire bug.
Now the dented roof looked pretty bad, but I was able fix that with a floor jack and a 2x4. Looks pretty good now.
This is the only section of fiberglass that is cracked should be an easy fix?
Previous owner added in a transmission strap and what appears to be bilstein shocks wounder if there any good still?
Dark Earth wrote: |
If the later model pan has the same front suspension as the '67, I'd build the later model pan, fixing any problems with rust, then throw the '67 body on it. |
I'm sticking with the 67 swing axle pan for now. The problem with the IRS is I have no front beam for it. So I'd have to swap the beam from the 67 with the wide 5 bolt pattern. That might look a little funky. The 67 pan also has widen wide 5's for the rear. _________________ Current Volkswagen's:
*An all original 1959 capri blue beetle nicknamed Ruger
*White 1970's Vert Baja Bug |
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Dark Earth Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2015 Posts: 1054
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 2:45 pm Post subject: Re: Project: 67 Baja Bug |
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You could run wheel adapters on the rear ...
Sorry, I just like the IRS rear end better. _________________ My Build: '69 Baja - Dark Earth Version
~I'm almost done. I just lack finishing up.~ |
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Dark Earth Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2015 Posts: 1054
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 3:16 pm Post subject: Re: Project: 67 Baja Bug |
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Then there's always VW Thing drums for the rear ...
_________________ My Build: '69 Baja - Dark Earth Version
~I'm almost done. I just lack finishing up.~ |
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Ruger59 Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2016 Posts: 54
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 4:09 pm Post subject: Re: Project: 67 Baja Bug |
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I'm liking the idea of running wide 5 wheel adapters on the IRS. Here's a better look at the IRS chassis. It would need new cv joints and a battery tray replacement. Question if I use this chassis would I title the rest of the baja as a 71? I have titles for both.
_________________ Current Volkswagen's:
*An all original 1959 capri blue beetle nicknamed Ruger
*White 1970's Vert Baja Bug |
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Dark Earth Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2015 Posts: 1054
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 4:24 pm Post subject: Re: Project: 67 Baja Bug |
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Ruger59 wrote: |
I'm liking the idea of running wide 5 wheel adapters on the IRS. Here's a better look at the IRS chassis. It would need new cv joints and a battery tray replacement. Question if I use this chassis would I title the rest of the baja as a 71? I have titles for both. |
Yep, it would be a '71 because the pan dictates the registration. The vin number is on the pan right by the access door to the shifter coupler. I did a battery tray with the body still on. I think it will be much easier for you with the body off. _________________ My Build: '69 Baja - Dark Earth Version
~I'm almost done. I just lack finishing up.~
Last edited by Dark Earth on Sun Jul 24, 2016 4:27 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Dark Earth Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2015 Posts: 1054
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 4:26 pm Post subject: Re: Project: 67 Baja Bug |
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It isn't a super beetle pan, It has a ball joint front end frame head right ? _________________ My Build: '69 Baja - Dark Earth Version
~I'm almost done. I just lack finishing up.~ |
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Ruger59 Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2016 Posts: 54
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 4:34 pm Post subject: Re: Project: 67 Baja Bug |
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yes, it does have a ball joint frame head.
EDIT: Just read the numbers off the IRS transmission says it's a AT 30 04 3 _________________ Current Volkswagen's:
*An all original 1959 capri blue beetle nicknamed Ruger
*White 1970's Vert Baja Bug |
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Dark Earth Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2015 Posts: 1054
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 6:22 pm Post subject: Re: Project: 67 Baja Bug |
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Ruger59 wrote: |
yes, it does have a ball joint frame head.
EDIT: Just read the numbers off the IRS transmission says it's a AT 30 04 3 |
Here's a transmission thread ...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=492880&highlight=virgins
According to the thread it's a single side cover 3.875 ring and pinion out of a '72 super beetle or convertible. That might be too tall of a gear with taller baja bug tires. I think AH is the one you want. It might be better to stick with the swing axle. Somebody with an AT transmission might have more insight. _________________ My Build: '69 Baja - Dark Earth Version
~I'm almost done. I just lack finishing up.~ |
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Ruger59 Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2016 Posts: 54
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 7:03 pm Post subject: Re: Project: 67 Baja Bug |
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I've been reading that thread on transmission and searching The Samba finding info about AT transmission and I'm coming to the same conclusion. The final drive ratio of the AT is 3.60 and AH is 3.67 according to this site.
http://sandlizrd.baja.org/gears.htm
Would .07 help run larger sized tires? Cause I'd like to run a 235/75/r15 tire. _________________ Current Volkswagen's:
*An all original 1959 capri blue beetle nicknamed Ruger
*White 1970's Vert Baja Bug |
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Dark Earth Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2015 Posts: 1054
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 7:24 pm Post subject: Re: Project: 67 Baja Bug |
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I don't know from experience, but the first gear overall ratio of the AT : 14.68 (3.79 x 3.875) vs. the AH : 16.00 (3.88 x 4.125) might make the lower end suffer. I'm not sure if the top end would differ that much. Maybe someone with this setup will chime in. _________________ My Build: '69 Baja - Dark Earth Version
~I'm almost done. I just lack finishing up.~ |
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Ruger59 Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2016 Posts: 54
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Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 11:49 am Post subject: Re: A 1967 Baja Bug Build |
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Over this past weekend myself and a few friends were able to separated the body from the pan. Once that was accomplished I spent the next 45 min degreasing and power washing the pan.
The body and the rest of the parts we took off.
A goodie I found while digging in the transmission tunnel. Just cleaned up a little bit.
This is the worst spot of rust on this car and should be a easy fix.
I've noticed quite a bit of orange silicon around the axle tubes and I want make sure none of that has gotten inside the transmission which is why I'll be replacing all the gasket's with ones from WW.
_________________ Current Volkswagen's:
*An all original 1959 capri blue beetle nicknamed Ruger
*White 1970's Vert Baja Bug |
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Dark Earth Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2015 Posts: 1054
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Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 1:20 pm Post subject: Re: A 1967 Baja Bug Build |
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Looks like everything is in pretty good shape. One thing I thought I'd mention:
There are different pressure plate/throwout bearing combinations depending on the year you have.
This thread I was reading recently made me think of it ...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=658634
It's possible that you have a late model pressure plate on the engine and an early model throwout bearing on the transmission. _________________ My Build: '69 Baja - Dark Earth Version
~I'm almost done. I just lack finishing up.~ |
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Ruger59 Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2016 Posts: 54
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Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 2:41 pm Post subject: Re: A 1967 Baja Bug Build |
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Dark Earth wrote: |
Looks like everything is in pretty good shape. One thing I thought I'd mention:
There are different pressure plate/throwout bearing combinations depending on the year you have.
This thread I was reading recently made me think of it ...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=658634
It's possible that you have a late model pressure plate on the engine and an early model throwout bearing on the transmission. |
Thanks, You know I never thought about that. When I go to pull the engine I'll look at the throwout bearing. _________________ Current Volkswagen's:
*An all original 1959 capri blue beetle nicknamed Ruger
*White 1970's Vert Baja Bug |
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Dr OnHolliday Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2012 Posts: 1215 Location: was Escondido now San Berdoo
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Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 3:03 pm Post subject: Re: A 1967 Baja Bug Build |
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The worst indignity imposed on that poor red Baja are the stupid headlight gizmos.
And wheel adapters suck - all wheel adapters everywhere, that ever existed, suck... _________________ 1965 Type 1 sunroof Baja / about 70k miles on self-rebuilt '74 1600 and counting / SP heads and aftermarket valve keepers / non-doghouse shroud with external cooler and filter / 1.5 qt extended sump / Weber 32/36 DFAV progressive carb / 009 dist with Pertronix / 1.25 ratio rockers and ball adjusters / 1.5" stainless steel J-pipes and carbon steel baja exhaust |
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Ruger59 Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2016 Posts: 54
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Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2016 2:17 pm Post subject: Re: A 1967 Baja Bug Build |
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Today I began sand blasting the entire pan and once that's finished I'll move onto addressing the battery tray and filling in all the small holes.
The rear brakes have been cleaned, painted and rebuilt.
_________________ Current Volkswagen's:
*An all original 1959 capri blue beetle nicknamed Ruger
*White 1970's Vert Baja Bug |
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Ruger59 Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2016 Posts: 54
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Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 10:34 am Post subject: Re: A 1967 Baja Bug Build |
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So I'm putting together the axles and I noticed I have two different style axle bearing covers and I'm wondering which one's correct? I believe it's the 311 on the left. It's a 67 long axle transmission btw.
_________________ Current Volkswagen's:
*An all original 1959 capri blue beetle nicknamed Ruger
*White 1970's Vert Baja Bug |
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Ruger59 Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2016 Posts: 54
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Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2016 1:50 pm Post subject: Re: A 1967 Baja Bug Build |
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A lot has happened with the baja project since my last post. The pan is finished and is ready for assembly.
Testing fitting the pan replacement metal I bought from Wolfsburge.
Seat rail welded into place.
I'm using Master Series silver as the base.
Two coats of Master series chassis gloss back.
Ready for assembly!
_________________ Current Volkswagen's:
*An all original 1959 capri blue beetle nicknamed Ruger
*White 1970's Vert Baja Bug |
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