My weekend warrior 1970 baja bug build

TDCTDI · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 1:20 pm Post subject:

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So I decided to make some high mount fenders out of the original front fenders.

TDCTDI · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 1:23 pm Post subject:

If you decide to go this route, wear gloves & ear protection! The saw makes lots of vibrations & noise, it will leave you sore/blistered & deaf.

TDCTDI · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 1:29 pm Post subject:

After mapping it out on the car & marking with a sharpie, I drilled the holes & used my favorite fender bolts from a mk2/3 Jetta, they have a large washer attached to them & have a sort of self tapping/tapered thread ( you'll have to drill pilot holes)

TDCTDI · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 1:40 pm Post subject:

Then I taped some paper to that fender, traced the profile, cut the outline, flipped it & taped it to the other fender & cut it to match.

Brian · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 2:54 pm Post subject:

oh boy.

Get some of that door trim stuff from the autoparts store and use it to cover up the cuts on the fenders. My dad did that on his cowl thingy and it looked good. Not sure where he got the stuff for his fenders.

_________________
Wash your hands

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

Only losers litter

TDCTDI · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 3:56 pm Post subject:

Good call, thanks Brian, I have already sanded down the edges to get rid of the ginzu nature of the fresh cut sheet metal.

TDCTDI · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 12:13 pm Post subject:

I recently got a thing front beam complete from seller vwinnovator (thanks!) to put on the beast, I'll be sharing pics of that soon. I'm still waiting for some adjusters & other parts so I can widen the beam & add a hook & rod set up.

Brian · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 2:44 pm Post subject:

Are you planning on getting wider trailing arms? Looks like you don't need to go any wider in the front.
_________________
Wash your hands

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

Only losers litter

TDCTDI · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 5:49 pm Post subject:

Here's the thing beam, I'll have to spend some time cleaning it up, it looks ugly but doesn't seem to be compromised.

TDCTDI · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 6:01 pm Post subject:

Hey Brian, I'm going to add some adjusters without removing the extra material. I'll use two adjusters on each tube which will add 4" to the width of the beam & then I'll cut the spring pack in the center so each torsion arm will have an independant adjuster. Widening the track width to lower the roll center after raising the vehicle.

TDCTDI · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 6:03 pm Post subject:

Here's the beam after about an hour of massaging with a needle scaler.

enjoyther1de · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 10:06 pm Post subject:

Ok disregard my previous statement. I like it as a full fledged baja. Cool

And I like the fact it still has steel fenders.
_________________
HBB took me to BBV.

TDCTDI · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 2:51 am Post subject:

Here's an example of the VW Golf/Jetta/Passat fender bolt that I used for the rear fenders.

TDCTDI · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 3:25 am Post subject:

Thanks Enjoyther1de, I know these less desirable 70s cars are becoming more desirable but I've always loved a whittled down baja bug (I would have loved a bug eye kit but this wide eye kit presented itself first). I'm glad I haven't disappointed but so much.

TDCTDI · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 6:29 am Post subject:

I used an old can to seal out debris & welding slag & welded the shock tower seams (it took a pass or so to dial in the welder)

TDCTDI · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 6:32 am Post subject:

Sorry, wrong pic.

Brian · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 8:37 am Post subject:

Nice good idea. You're probably going to end up taking those beam supports off. I don't think they exactly line up on the bug pans. So I've heard.
_________________
Wash your hands

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

Only losers litter

TDCTDI · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 8:52 am Post subject:

Hey Brian, I'll have to fabricate some beam supports anyway due to my plans to widen the beam, but they're really useful for giving the beam another angle to work with as I roll it around to clean, weld & modify it.

TDCTDI · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 3:56 pm Post subject:

I wanted to see what sort of stance it would have with just the thing spindles & arms so I started to disassemble the front end. Check out that torched inner bearing! It looks as though that corner was submerged for a long time.

TDCTDI · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 4:01 pm Post subject:

& here's the thing spindle & trailing arms on the drivers side with the bug brakes transfered.


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My weekend warrior 1970 baja bug build
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