Front end rebuild?

birddog1148 · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 5:34 am Post subject: Front end rebuild?

Ok I have this extra front beam and am thinking of rebuilding it for the bug. I figure I can use 2in square tuming to replace the lower shock towers and bracing/gusseting the uppers and patching the holes. I am also converting to ghia spindles and discs and cutting and turning the beam 1/8 in. Will it work or be a waste of time?

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_________________
'69 Baja, Crusty 62 bug

I Got Your Jeep Thing! Now It Hurts When I pee.

Cigarettes are like squirrels, they are both harmless until you put one in your mouth and light it on fire.

Lotrat · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 5:48 am Post subject: Re: Front end rebuild?

birddog1148 · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:11 am Post subject:

Dunno, thought that 2in tubing could be cut with a hole saw to replace the lowwer parts of shock tower, upper parts arnt THAT bad, have a new bushing kit, and will get new ball joints, so the shock towers are my bigest concern. I would like to get one ready to bolt in cause I am driving the bug every day and dont want it down long so looking for opinions I guess.
_________________
'69 Baja, Crusty 62 bug

I Got Your Jeep Thing! Now It Hurts When I pee.

Cigarettes are like squirrels, they are both harmless until you put one in your mouth and light it on fire.

Lotrat · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:28 am Post subject:

I'd look for a better beam. I see them for $50 bucks all the time. Then again, I'm not in BFE Ohio.

HamburgerBrad · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:52 am Post subject:

before ever beginning a beam rebuild, it's also a very good idea to see if it's actually straight or not.
_________________
OGST | CU05 | OGJHC
1970 baja|1953 oval

Wanted: two beat up, ugly, curb rashed 6" phone dial wheels

birddog1148 · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:14 am Post subject:

Just use a straight edge to check?
_________________
'69 Baja, Crusty 62 bug

I Got Your Jeep Thing! Now It Hurts When I pee.

Cigarettes are like squirrels, they are both harmless until you put one in your mouth and light it on fire.

HamburgerBrad · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:15 am Post subject:

yup. straight edge along the back of a beam tube.
_________________
OGST | CU05 | OGJHC
1970 baja|1953 oval

Wanted: two beat up, ugly, curb rashed 6" phone dial wheels

Odyknuck · Samba Member Joined: December 12, 2004 Posts: 412

I have LP beam in really good shape if your interested. Im in Ohio
Steve
216-695-0733
_________________
He who has worn out all his toys wins.

birddog1148 · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:53 am Post subject:

Thanks Steve, dont want to go that far to convert to LP, This car will see 98% street use not alot of offroad, mainly during hunting season.
_________________
'69 Baja, Crusty 62 bug

I Got Your Jeep Thing! Now It Hurts When I pee.

Cigarettes are like squirrels, they are both harmless until you put one in your mouth and light it on fire.

motorbreath53 · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 10:19 am Post subject:

I wouldn't spend much time at all on that beam friend.... ball joint beams are not so hard to find....

If your spending time fabricating on somthing like that, sticking a Link Pin frame head on your car would make more sense. MAN UP!

You can do all the work on your "go-fast, turn left car"....you can buzz a link pin head on....

(just don't go building any camber into whatever beam you choose......this car has to do more than left turns...)
_________________
Shameless buildthread plug:
..."cut n' turn in progress"...

birddog1148 · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 10:28 am Post subject:

What is involved in puting a Lp on a '69? Will the 74 ghia spildals work on it so I can have disc brakes?
_________________
'69 Baja, Crusty 62 bug

I Got Your Jeep Thing! Now It Hurts When I pee.

Cigarettes are like squirrels, they are both harmless until you put one in your mouth and light it on fire.

HamburgerBrad · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 10:48 am Post subject:

Odyknuck · Samba Member Joined: December 12, 2004 Posts: 412

Birddog I did not realize yours was a Ball joint front end until after I posted. I would not atempt to convert it either. The beam centers are a different dimension and the LP will not bolt up to your frame head.
_________________
He who has worn out all his toys wins.

Dale M. · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 12:34 pm Post subject:

I would throw beams into nearest dumpster..... Other parts "may" be salvageable.....

http://aircooled.net/new-bin/viewproductdetail.php?keyword2=SSB0002&cartid=0617200856260315

Check pricing here..... Stock BJ beams...$155....

Complete Spindle to Spindle about $400 (w/lowering adjusters)..

I mean its the front suspension of your daily driver.....

Dale
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns"
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

birddog1148 · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 1:27 pm Post subject:

Lowered front beam on a Baja? After I reindex the rear torsion, it would look funny. Shocked

Besides I expect a stiffer ride when cut and turned to raise front. Cool

IF I decide to do the pictured beam I dont think what I have in mind is going to be that hard, no worse than the front bumper in my build post. besides it would be a chalenge and I like that. But thanks for all the input so far.
_________________
'69 Baja, Crusty 62 bug

I Got Your Jeep Thing! Now It Hurts When I pee.

Cigarettes are like squirrels, they are both harmless until you put one in your mouth and light it on fire.

HamburgerBrad · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 2:06 pm Post subject:

lowered AND raised. just specify which one.
_________________
OGST | CU05 | OGJHC
1970 baja|1953 oval

Wanted: two beat up, ugly, curb rashed 6" phone dial wheels

birddog1148 · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:08 pm Post subject:

birddog1148 · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 7:06 pm Post subject:

Well I have a challenge being 3/4 german and 1/4 irish I am a stubborn drunk. being that I was drinnkin and in the garage figured there was no harm in starting the teardown of the beam and played with my idea for lower towers, at this poit have no $$$ in so what does it hurt? Beam is striped down and damaged areas cut out pics to follow in am.
_________________
'69 Baja, Crusty 62 bug

I Got Your Jeep Thing! Now It Hurts When I pee.

Cigarettes are like squirrels, they are both harmless until you put one in your mouth and light it on fire.

Dale M. · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 7:19 pm Post subject:

birddog1148 · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 7:41 pm Post subject:

Dale, I appreciate your opinion, unfortonitly I have more creativity and time than money. Please dont feel that I have not taken all contributions into account. Here in Ohio VWs are not often seen, let alone parts being available. I can do alot with nothing, and if I am wrong i am man enough to admit it. I would like to see this thread continue even if I have steped on some toes, maybe, just maybe my ideas may help someone else some time, maybe I dont know what I am talking about. I have taken an old motorhome and built a car hauler from it for under $800 including a new 8000# winch, using old pallet racking. Hear me out, critisize allya like, but I am having fun and thats what it is all about right?
Chris
_________________
'69 Baja, Crusty 62 bug

I Got Your Jeep Thing! Now It Hurts When I pee.

Cigarettes are like squirrels, they are both harmless until you put one in your mouth and light it on fire.


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