Going from Baja to Traditional

buckapike · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 12:33 pm Post subject: Going from Baja to Traditional

I am taking a 67 Baja beetle body and using the engine/tranny/interior/goodies from my 69 traditional beetle to make a "regular bug"...
Has anyone done a project like this? Do I need to use a new nose/apron or front clip? what about the rear apron?

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Brian · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 1:33 pm Post subject:

Wait, what?

Why not sell the '67 and just redo the '69 that already has a complete body?
Or just buy new aprons for the '67?
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'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
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buckapike · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 7:26 am Post subject:

The cancer in the 69 is almost stage 4... it's up into the pillars and the area behind back seat is literally GONE from cancer. You put the slightest amount of weight on either heater channel and they flex almost 2 inches. Sad

I just traded for the 67, with the plan of using good stuff from 69. Both aprons, engine/tranny & seats are about only solid things on the 69.

I wanted to make the 69 be "the one" but the work to stabilize it FAR outweighs the work needed to UN-baja the 67.

KTPhil · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 10:41 am Post subject:

Significant changes were made between '67 and '68, and on the aprons in particular. Fenders and bumper mounting were changed as well.

VOLKSWAGNUT · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:51 am Post subject:

It really all depends on your end goal...

Make it look like a 67...or a 69..

Will stuff fit ..yep..
Are they the same.... nope..

..
_________________
aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
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Brian · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 12:53 pm Post subject:

The most interchangeable stuff between them are the beam, fenders and motor.

Transmission is different, aprons are different, hood is different, deck lid, bumpers, dash and etc.
_________________
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'68 Baja Truck
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'68 Camper

Only losers litter

buckapike · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 10:57 pm Post subject:

Basically, I will be making it look like a 69. Using front & rear aprons, fenders, trunk, & hood...all on the 67 body.

Your replies have created questions for me.

I know the aprons are different, however, if I plan, cut, &weld correctly... They should work, right ?

Brian mentioned the tranny is different. Should I use the only motor I have (69) and bolt it to the existing tranny in the 67...OR move both the engine & tranny from 69 to 67, since I know it all works great?

I know this won't be the easiest project ever, yet it will result in me rolling in a bug again, if all goes well! I am not going for a grand masterpiece custom car...I just want a solid Bug that I can tool around town in, and hopefully have it be one of my daughters' first car!!

Thanks to everyone for your input. Smile

Brian · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:27 pm Post subject:

out of context, my ideal bug is this:
67 body, 6 IRS co5 pan,nversion, 002 transmission, full body '67 12v fenders.

You can put the transmission in if you do an IRS conversion. I would do that because then you get IRS and no camber problems. That will be easy for you to do because you have trailing arms already, you just need the jig.

I am unsure about the hood, but decklid and apron can be taken from the 69 and be put into the 67.

Its a ton of work compared to trading them. But you will earn one thing: pride of ownership.
_________________
Wash your hands

'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper

Only losers litter

VOLKSWAGNUT · Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 7:20 am Post subject:

67 = Swing axle
69 = CV axle (IRS)

As Brian mentioned transaxles are not bolt and go interchangeable.
Options.. form easiest to involved.
1 Hope the 67 transaxle is ok.. and simply use it....converting to 4 ug drums.
2 Convert the rear suspension to IRS and CV joint.
3 Convert the 69 transaxle from CV joint to Swing axle..

2 = better brakes, better ride and handling.. plus you know the transaxle is ok and you have all the parts.
Requires confident welding..

Using the 69 (F/R) aprons and the 69 hood and deck will work with the 67 body. Just have to pop the hood to fuel up.

Fenders fit no matter what.
_________________
aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
WANTED: Local Eatin' Joints, Triple D for TheSamba contributions here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=570510
Search "VOLKSWAGNUT" on YouTube since you cant watch a "certain" BELT change video round here
Usually and often edited

buckapike · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 10:56 am Post subject:

Thanks to all for the input. I think the route I am going will be to take the engine out of my 69 and just bolt it up to the tranny(Swing axle) in the 67. It sounds like this will be easiest and the previous owner assured me it was a good tranny.

Here is what they look like after the first weekend of tear-downs.

Mike Fisher · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 11:19 am Post subject:

Some people use a cheap Laser Level to project a vertical cutting line for the front/rear clip swap. Bolt on the fenders/hood etc to check for fit before the finish welding is done.
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buckapike · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 9:10 am Post subject:

Well, the process continues... We have swapped engine over to 67, along with the collapsible steering column and all my good brake parts from 69. Working on wiring now, as we are using the wiring harness from 69. The reasoning for that is we're planning on keeping rear defrost back glass, and other features that weren't available on 67. More pics to come soon.

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buckapike · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 9:44 am Post subject:

Here is what is left of my donor bug, the 69. As you can see, the cancer was extensive. The poor thing is starting to collapse in on itself... Look at the gap on door!

buckapike · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 10:00 am Post subject:

Here are the remaining body parts to go on. Still a LOT of work to do, as we need to weld the rear apron and front apron/half clip on. THEN, we can bolt on the rest!

mark tucker · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 10:01 am Post subject:

I made a glass front apron from a new pannel,bolted early glass fenders to the car,then bolted the new glass pannel between the fenders.the baja nose is behind the new nose. I havent put a oe style hood on it yet,still have the baja hood so it stays sealed up well. it kinda depends on what you have to work with ,what you can do,what you will do and what you want. for me I wanted better aero than the baja. both mpg and not being pushed around by a gust of wind like the baja fenders catching all the air that should be going into the carbs of my nitro gulping 4 sec top fuell vw Rolling Eyes

oops for got this my vw not the race car... Shocked

remember it's a vw,it's your vw,do whatever you want. and when you drive by the purist thats polishing his rusted turd with a pile of empty luggage&coolers on the roof rack just smile and wave.they are happy letting thier stuff rust away.

buckapike · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 10:09 am Post subject:

Mark, I agree 100%!!
Couldn't care less what anyone thinks. I just LOVE driving a bug, and my 69's body was just too far gone. So I found the 67 with a good body & am keeping everything I can, to move over. My 69 had a lot to offer and it was all exactly what the 67 was missing. Cool

buckapike · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 10:14 am Post subject:

Here's the 67 with new fusebox, initial wire layout, and the collapsible steering column from 69. The ONLY rust on the 67 was replaced and repaired, as you can see in the pic. Was passenger side, between seat rails & battery tray.

buckapike · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 10:24 am Post subject:

Forgot to mention that I decided to just use the existing tranny & swing arm rear end.

buckapike · Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2014 12:29 pm Post subject:

Well...I am down to just a few more wires, connect clutch cable to throwout arm linkage and install the battery, and I should be able to start it!

Hopefully I can get some more progress pics uploaded soon!!

buckapike · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 12:02 pm Post subject: She's a runner!

I was able to get her started, brakes fixed and she is now driving. Need to order new glass rubber and then I can put the windows in and make it my daily driver!

Be warned....Frankenbug is on the loose! Twisted Evil


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