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Wed Jan 22, 2014 10:03 am

Anyone running one ? I'm thinking about it for my '79 Bay.
Any feed back or information would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Woody

Wed Jan 22, 2014 10:17 am

Any link to it?

Wed Jan 22, 2014 11:43 am

makin' boost wrote: Anyone running one ? I'm thinking about it for my '79 Bay.
Any feed back or information would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Woody

Hi Woody - you appear fairly new here. Welcome.

How long have you owned this 1979 bus?

We drive our 1977 sometimes on really winding Sierra roads going into Yosemite and often out-corner the modern SUV's and sports cars. Buses were designed by some of the same folks who were designing Porsche cars. Our suspension is stock other than the shocks are Koni which feel about like older Monroe or Gabriel shocks from the 70's, just slightly stiffer than say other oil-filled, although not gas filled. Is there some reason you are considering a wishbone suspension vs the stock beam? They are so rugged and handle really well on what is essentially a utility truck.

Wed Jan 22, 2014 11:55 am

there is a build in the split forum:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=495874&view=previous
you can PM that thread's author or post a reply in the thread.

please search, buy a bentley and change your fuel lines.
:lol:

Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:07 pm

I've owned this beige / brown sunroof '79 bay for about 10 years. So as the cliché goes, my cost was, "for you senior, today, almost free".
Its in pretty good shape. The usual rust at the battery box area, drivers side step needs to be replaced but beyond that, its solid.
I'm pretty comfortable, now, with getting the sunroof to operate.
I'm 'kinda going in the "race taxi" direction. I'm going to build a hot rod bus that will run 75 mph all day, comfortable and able to pull the Grape Vine, Siskiyou's or Loveland Pass with ease.
I have a 911 motor to put in it. I have a complete Porsche 993 front suspension that I want to rob the brakes and hubs from.
I want big brakes to back up the 911 motor and crisp steering, so the Red 9 front suspension looks pretty cool, almost as good as wall art.
Granted it is an expensive piece, no question and that is why I'm asking for any input of others that have the Red 9 set up.

Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:16 pm

Your question makes a lot more sence now. I guess if you are gonna drop the duckets on a Porsche powered bay build, what's another $3k on a front end.

Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:21 pm

To add to the above;
I've traded emails with Simon, they seem very responsive and knowledgeable.
100% $$ up front and a 6- 8 week lead time is a bit uncomfortable.
Its a big number $$$ and leap of faith.
That's why I'm asking.
Thanks,
Woody

Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:33 pm

richparker wrote: Your question makes a lot more sence now. I guess if you are gonna drop the duckets on a Porsche powered bay build, what's another $3k on a front end.

Today, $3k is something to consider and pay attention to. $3k could cover a lot of other items.

Simon indicated he had other customers in California and Nevada, he just couldn't remember their names .........................

Thu Jan 23, 2014 5:52 am

Have you checked earlybay.com? A few over there have used it. Biggest bitch was if you are way low, the rack will hit the road.

I wanted to buy the coilover deal they had but it seems that they like to blow up....in a bad way

Thu Jan 23, 2014 9:48 am

You can fabricate your own front steering and suspension for a lot less. I saw a baja bus and it had some kind of sandrail front beam with a arms. The people that build long travel sand cars could make a custom a arm front end for a bus, or the folks that build super 7's. Custom is the way to go not store bought imo.

Thu Jan 23, 2014 10:02 am

Damm I want one of those! =D>

Thu Jan 23, 2014 1:00 pm

How do you think you can build one for a lot less? You are kidding, right?

Thu Jan 23, 2014 2:32 pm

My question is how is the steering assembled?

Thu Jan 23, 2014 2:40 pm

skills@eurocarsplus wrote: How do you think you can build one for a lot less? You are kidding, right?

x2 If you could 'build your own cheaper' (for something as subtle and complex as steering and suspension) no one would be running a slop unrebuildable steering box.

M

Thu Jan 23, 2014 2:52 pm

I personally would be cautious of putting a lot of miles on a fairly well engineered and tested replacement front suspension. A one off job you build yourself would be kind of scary.

Thu Jan 23, 2014 6:51 pm

GeorgeO. wrote: Damm I want one of those! =D>

'Ya, they look really nice and I'm fairly confident with the engineering and manufacturing side. There is no way something similar could be replicated for less than $3k (unless you work for free) IMHO.
The real issue that I'm debating at the moment is the 100% $$$ up front and the 6 - 8 week lead time.
I've been to the UK Bay Bus site and read the postings. The "servo" brake booster bracket issue doesn't bother me, I can solve that. The ride height, I can work around that.
It sure would be a lot less complicated if they were manufactured in the US.

Some feed back from existing owners would be a big help also.

At the moment, I'm working on the oil tank set up for the 911 motor.
Starting at the back and headed forward. But always thinking forward.

Thu Jan 23, 2014 7:05 pm

GeorgeO. wrote: My question is how is the steering assembled?

It is a rack and pinion steering box, that, I was told, bolts right up to the existing shaft.

I have also heard that the Bay bus's have a plastic "bearing" top and bottom on/in the steering shaft that can become worn over time.
Anyone with experience on this ??

Thu Jan 23, 2014 8:11 pm

I've got one fitted to my Rhd 72 Westy , after 3 failed steering boxes the last failure happening when on holiday in the south of france - I bit the bullet and called Simon.
I had already been running the e-z rider conversion he did for about 6 years with no problems ,so I was confident that the wishbone beam would be well engineered .
In the UK our buses have to go through an annual MOT test which is checks everything from structure to steering and modifications . I have had my beam fitted for a couple of years now with no major problems apart from as a previous poster had said the connecting rod to the steering rack hangs quite low and due to my bus being slammed I ended up disconnecting it when I hit a hidden pothole in Belgium - I have since raised my bus up slighty and have had no problems since - Simon is a great guy to deal with and is always available on his phone to answer any questions
Here is how bus looks now on the 2nd lowest setting on the beam and about half way on the coil overs

I am no way connected with Red 9 just a happy long term customer[/img]

Thu Jan 23, 2014 8:50 pm

there was some talk of the ez rider causing issues/broken springs/broken bars. has this been resolved?

i know, i should just call...

Thu Jan 23, 2014 9:23 pm

hi I never had any problems with ez rider system , just upgraded to wishbone as it had the steering rack and when I removed my old beam the inner section of shock towers were rusted through - looked ok from outside but the surface that sat against chassis rail was shot on both sides - that confirmed I had made the right choice :)