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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2013 7:00 pm Post subject: My 1968 Bug Build |
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Hey guys....I've been in the Bay forums for a few years, but just picked up a 68 Bug. It's pretty solid and the price was fair, so I convinced myself to start another project It has been lowered the ghetto way, as it's missing the front lower torsion rods, and the shocks have been removed all the way around. This thing must have bounced down the road pretty bad.
My plan is to replace the rusted out pans, improve the suspension situation, fix the brakes, and install an engine. I'll post progress, but I'll tell you now this will probably be a slow project.
_________________ 1970 Westfalia http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=379526&highlight=1970+westy
1968 Beetle http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=579992&highlight=
1987 Westfalia https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762500
notchboy wrote: |
You were drinking last night, weren't you |
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Joel Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2006 Posts: 11099 Location: NSW Australia
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Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2013 7:34 pm Post subject: Re: My 1968 Bug Refresh |
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Are you gonna leave the body as is or paint it?
Bradgt74 wrote: |
It has been lowered the ghetto way, as it's missing the front lower torsion rods, and the shocks have been removed all the way around. This thing must have bounced down the road pretty bad. |
You gotta wonder WTF is going on in peoples heads when they do that sort of thing.
Hey man I can't drive my car anywhere but it looks cool just sitting in my back yard..... _________________ Quick little bug, you got a Porsche motor in that?
1974 Germanlook 1303 2.5 Suba-Beetle |
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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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sb001 Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2011 Posts: 10399 Location: NW Arkansas
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Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2013 8:33 pm Post subject: Re: My 1968 Bug Refresh |
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Bradgt74 wrote: |
It has been lowered the ghetto way |
So you picked it up from someone off E. Lake Street?
J.K. - I love Minneapolis!! _________________ I'm the humblest guy on this board.
1969 autostick sedan, family owned since new
1600 SP engine
Solex 30 PICT 3 carburetor
Bosch 113905205AE autostick distributor |
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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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SB001- Hit me up next time you're in town.
I started the teardown on the front beam. I confirmed there were no torsion bars in the lower beam, and the upper beam only had 4 Here you can see the stupid threaded rod that was keeping the lower control arms in place.
The lower left control arm's needle bearings were shot, which scored the cylinder pretty bad. I could smooth out the scoring, remove the bad bearing, and use a bushing at this corner, but then I think I better just source a used control arm and new bearing. Agree?
My lower arms have these holes to deal with. Should I just weld a cap on the ends? Do the inside of the control arms ever seem to wear out? I'm a bit concerned from having just 4 torsion bars in the upper beam may have caused some excessive wear or "bow tieing".
Time to track down some parts for the beam including new ball joints and shocks. Any suggestions are welcome. _________________ 1970 Westfalia http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=379526&highlight=1970+westy
1968 Beetle http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=579992&highlight=
1987 Westfalia https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762500
notchboy wrote: |
You were drinking last night, weren't you |
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jzjames Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2007 Posts: 1921 Location: Windy Point, WA
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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2014 2:13 pm Post subject: |
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It has been a cold and busy winter, which is bad news for project progress. I have been collecting parts, studying my books, and finishing my "honey do" list so I can get some garage time started!
I found a front trailing arm on Samba classifieds to replace my worn out one. I pressed out my old balljoints and pressed new ones in. I'd never done this before, but let me tell you...it took most of what my 10 ton hydraulic press could do. I took the boots off when I pressed the joints in to prevent damage to the boots, and used large sockets to mate up with the arm and joints. The pics without the boots show the importance of matching the notches in the arm and joint. The joint only has full movement in one direction. I installed balljoints with added movement capabilities since the bug will be lowered via adjustable beam.
I have a solid long block available, but I still needed to source cooling tins, carb, intake, etc so I found a complete engine on craigslist. Come to find out it was owned by the same guy who sold me the bug. I'll be swapping all these items over to my engine.
_________________ 1970 Westfalia http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=379526&highlight=1970+westy
1968 Beetle http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=579992&highlight=
1987 Westfalia https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762500
notchboy wrote: |
You were drinking last night, weren't you |
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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 7:33 pm Post subject: |
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I was originally going to install Avis style beam adjusters. I proceeded to grind the two recesses that captures the center torsion bar retainer.
Once these were removed, my next step was to grind a slot for the Avis adjuster bolt to rotate through. (where the center torsion bar set screw is) I was also going to have to weld patch peices where the two recesses once were. At this point, I'm thinking this style adjuster seems to be more work than the weld in style, so I ended up ordering the weld in adjusters.
After marking a 3" horizontal line through the center set screw hole, I cut a two inch section from the middle of the beam.
In this picture, you can see the weld in adjuster on the right, the Avis style in the middle, and the part I sectioned out on the left.
You obviously want to weld one in at a time to retain a straight beam. I'll be installing the top adjuster tomorrow, then it will be time to reassemble the beam! _________________ 1970 Westfalia http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=379526&highlight=1970+westy
1968 Beetle http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=579992&highlight=
1987 Westfalia https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762500
notchboy wrote: |
You were drinking last night, weren't you |
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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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dubjeep Samba Member
Joined: December 24, 2011 Posts: 354 Location: Rhode Island
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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 3:04 pm Post subject: |
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I thought this over for quite some time, and decided to purchase another bug body to use on my build. I was growing attached to the green 68, but when I removed the floor pans, I discovered the heater channels to be in pretty bad shape on the bottom. My luggage shelf needed to be replaced, and my door sag was also something I would have to fix.
I found a really solid 73 body. The heater channels are great and the door close nicely. The only welding I will need to do is by the back window due to death foam.
I'm bummed out that the body and pan won't both be 68s, but I suppose I can use the green deck lid and rear fenders and tail lights which will give it the older look.
So to sum up my build thus far, I started with a green 68, which is turning into my parts car. I am now using a different 68 pan and 73 body. I am a strong advocate for having a parts vehicle when working on a project, I just ended up purchasing in a different order.
Who knows how this project will end up!! _________________ 1970 Westfalia http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=379526&highlight=1970+westy
1968 Beetle http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=579992&highlight=
1987 Westfalia https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762500
notchboy wrote: |
You were drinking last night, weren't you |
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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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I applied two coats of Masterseries chassis black via brush. It took alot longer than spraying, but it was easier to do in my crowded garage.
Next, I'll be bolting up the front beam, transmission, running brake lines, cables, etc. Assembly is definitely the most enjoyable part of a project. At this point, I have parts everywhere, and it is a good feeling seeing stuff come together _________________ 1970 Westfalia http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=379526&highlight=1970+westy
1968 Beetle http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=579992&highlight=
1987 Westfalia https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762500
notchboy wrote: |
You were drinking last night, weren't you |
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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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scrivyscriv Samba Electrician
Joined: October 04, 2011 Posts: 2918 Location: Memphis
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IFVandal Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2014 Posts: 140 Location: Meridian, ID
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2014 8:11 am Post subject: |
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very nice. |
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