TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Jan 18, 2023 10:08 am

Nice car, love the thread. What tires did you end up running in the end? 195/40R17 front and 205/50/17 rear?

Wed Jan 18, 2023 10:10 am

165/45/17. But I should have ran 195s in the front. Think I am running 205/65/17 in the rear.

Wed Feb 15, 2023 10:17 pm

Have a small update. I emailed someone about upgrading my 68 am/fm stock radio. The fm does not work so I figured I would have it gutted and new stuff put in. $700 was a bit much so started looking for something else and found this on ebay Cleaned and serviced in working order.

I finally had sometime to get it installed. The OG face plate would not fit but I kinda thought it wouldn't. I also had found the OG VW bug bezel for this Radio on ebay also.

I had to trim the foam a little but its in there little tight.

The best part of this Radio...

I have a few 8 tracks I need to service before I can play them. I ordered some fiberglass kick panels for the speakers. I don't know when I will be able to finish installing the radio. I still have extended spring plates to put on. :roll: All for now....

Thu Feb 16, 2023 11:25 am

Suhweeeeeet

Thu Feb 16, 2023 5:42 pm

I believe the word is "groovy" or "boss."

Fri Feb 17, 2023 6:35 am

KTPhil wrote: I believe the word is "groovy" or "boss."
Far out, man.

Fri Feb 17, 2023 5:22 pm

Can't run static forever getting to old for that. 😳

So the plan is to do air shocks in the front and run bags in the back. That might take bit longer as I want to design a bolt on setup. More stuff coming in the mail soon. This might be the year I drive it. 🤞 My 13yr old is dying to be seen in it she says 😂

Sat Feb 18, 2023 1:23 pm

Looked at the ABS speaker kick panels that everyone sells for $60. I'm glad I got theses really solid fiberglass ones from JBugs. They ended up being $37 shipped with a $10 off coupon.
Front looks pretty good.

The back side is little rough but that doesn't really matter.

Garage door spring been broken and getting fixed on Monday. Having that down for two weeks has sucked as I can't really work on anything. 😂

Mon Apr 10, 2023 4:52 pm

Made some adapters for the Monroe 756 air shocks. It tooke several hrs to make sure I had the right tap. 7/16x20.

Also did 1/4 NPT on the other side. Probably going to machine machine the NPT down as I probably don't need that much thread.

Have to see if I need a 90 deg brass fitting or straight. That fitting is for test purposes only 😂. Going to try and hit it hard this spring, more goodies coming!

Wed Apr 12, 2023 4:10 pm

My restored German 205m dizzy and square top pump showed up today from Sparxwerks. I am pretty happy with both and would recommend him if you need anything. The Viair 200psi system is pretty decent too, it's the 20007. Between the 20008 and 20007 fast fill there was only about 1:30 sec fill difference. I have used this dual paddle setup from Air lift on my 69 pile and it worked out well. Their customer support is great too.

I thought I could build a setup but couldn't even come close to matching what I needed. I also have to figure out where to put an air horn down the road.😁 not sure what size but looking at a fire truck air horn.👍

Sat Jul 29, 2023 4:18 pm

So been busy and it's been a while. Got the kick panels for the front speakers installed. Those where a pain in the butt and I would not recommend them. I also got the 6x9 installed a long with a radio in the glove box . Probably have more on that down the road.

I have been machining some stuff at work and wanted to come up with some center caps.
Just need to figure out a way to attach them 😂

Got my beam pulled and painted along with steering rods and dropped spindles.

Still need to drill and tap for a zirk fitting.

Got the notched and extended plates on, so low had to use a jack to get it out of my driveway.🤪 Bit much, these are the after pics.

I ran static for a few miles it's too low.

It's pretty funny what 4" can do after putting it back up and the ride is good. Need to put some shocks in the back, but I feel oil filled ones will be the ticket. I have a set I might cut down a few inches just to try out and I think they are some old GR2s . All for now, probably missing something but will try to keep the post going.

Sat Jul 29, 2023 7:55 pm

Interested in seeing your complete air ride system

Sat Jul 29, 2023 9:08 pm

We were supposed to get a CNC plasma at work but got shot down. I'm still planning on building the rear setup but it going to take some time. As for the airide not going to be anything special. I probably could have gotten away with the 150psi version but going to have an air horn setup eventually.

Sat Nov 25, 2023 2:12 pm

Got my machined caps finally installed and took longer than expected and well worth the time. I had some clearance issues with the rear passenger side.

I had to make washers out of 1/4 plate to make them fit. The clearance was about 1/16 or less.

Bent my prototype 1/4 skid plate. Leaves a lot to be desired but I will make another one. I just wanted to see what I could do with our old pres brake. Going to try fit up hopefully this next week.

All for now will try to post up some more in a few days.

Sat Mar 30, 2024 9:53 pm

Well I have had a rough go. Went to go get gas for the first time went to go check the oil. It was full of gas go figure. :cry: So there are two things that could have happened. I did not have a breather tube open and I just put a new cap on the tank. So the tank could have pressurized and flooded fuel into my motor. The other possible reason is my fuel pump leaking. So ran a hose from the tee to the hole on the other side of the tank. I don't know why I did not catch it. I remember tossing a bunch of hose that had mold on it. LOL
Put the screen filter inside the tank While I still had a few gallons left. I would not advise it because I prob lost few cups of fuel. I unscrewed it slapped the screen filter on and tightened it back up. Good thing it was a sunny day rolled the dub out and washed down the trunk with soap and water and blew dry it.

So I figured hey I have a restored Square top in a box, lets put that on since I never got around to doing it. So first thing Pump Stand is stuck and I mean really stuck.

Tried about everything to get that thing out. Used a hammer on the vise grips trying to tap it out. Ended up using a big pry bar and block of wood on the case.

I don't think is was ever taken out. The results were not good even though I tried to be very careful.

I changed my oil in my Volvo and used that to flush out the case. I filled it up ran it till it got heated up and drained it. Put fresh oil in and new seals and gaskets on the drain tray. I can tell you this there was a lot of crap down there. Sludge and bits of stuff. I prob ran the motor with fuel in it for a bit. I did not drive it if at all. So I am assuming it really cleaned the block. LOL The good news is it does not smoke so I did not fry my rings. So always check your oil before you head out, it only takes a min or so.

Finally got that all figured out and installed my restored 205M dizzy set it a 10 deg. Tuned the carb, it idles around 800 to 850rpm.

Took the dub out for quick drive and speedo started to scream. Back to the garage oil the speedo cable fixed for wee bit. Take it out again up to 65 and starts up again. I pull the speedo and take it apart and triflow oil it and clean everything up put it all back together. Wires got mixed up messed around got that all working.
Finally took my kids for a 45min drive on the back roads did not break down took it up few very steep grades and did fine. My brakes are still settling in but other wise its been good day. :)
Few things to get done next on my hit list:
1.Hazzard lights- no wires going to it so don't know what is going on with that.
2.Dash night lights don't work. Checked light switch dimming nob still not working.
3. Door switch on drivers side is missing. I got some new ones but again wires are missing and I want to get the dome light working.

Good news is I can drive it during the day anyways and I pretty sure I will be able to make it to Woodburn Bug show this year finally. If you have been following this thread, I started it 2016! :)

Happy Easter everyone!

Wed Apr 03, 2024 12:29 pm

I've had fuel in the oil from carb floats that stick/leak. Keep checking. Love your builds.

Wed Apr 03, 2024 4:16 pm

Thanks its been a long haul for sure. The carb is brand new from Volksbitz. I have been checking every time I go out and it seems to be okeydokey. On a sad note I think I will prob have raise it up a notch. Its not handling very well and seems to bounce and bottom out. So I have oil shocks in the back and they are working well but there is not enough spring plate tension. My other option is dropped plates but I will prob just stick with these for now. Like before I will prob be putting bags in the back anyways, but that is a lot more work down the road.

Thu Apr 04, 2024 9:33 pm

Got the dimmer switch for the speedometer. I sprayed some MAF cleaner ant it pretty much cleaned everything. I regreased the bottom through the back since you can't take this one apart. Bulbs should be here tomorrow so I can see my Speedo at night a early morning.
My hazard lights are being a royal pain and spent about 4 hours on them. Need to do some more digging there just not much. I had a lot of wires missing not sure where two or three wires go. Anyone have a good thread to read post it up.

All for now

Sat Aug 31, 2024 3:39 pm

Just been driving the crap out of the dub and been a blast. Took it to local show Dub ns Vibes Vancouver lake WA .

I picked up a roof rack off CL. It's an early steel rack for a ragtop car. I thought it was for sunroof model an a guy at the show confirmed it. I have been looking for a rear IRS clip for a long time. Finally found it on Facebook marketplace. Super stoked to start on this one.

So there is going to be a turning point where I'm going to be commit to keeping this ride and I'm going to cut it up. I feel like the IRS is the first step since I have to cut and weld in the brackets. Second thing is pie cut on the pan head. The second would be air bags in the back. The last thing is cutting a hole in my roof for a aftermarket ragtop. On the last one I feel like if I did install one I wouldn't probably ever sell it. I had a 61 ragtop before I got married and always wanted another one. This would probably satisfy that urge because if I'm realistic I am probably never going to afford a 61 or down bug that is probably going to need a ton of work and money. Just a heads up so you guys don't freak out about the next phase of this project.😁

Sat Sep 07, 2024 9:16 pm

Got most of it tore apart.
The original backing plates were pretty shot.

I had my original ones that I pulled from the four lug setup. They should clean up pretty good

I opened up side plug on the trans put my finger in there and no oil. Hopefully it's not going to be bad news. We won't find out till it's in but going to prep everything for the installation.

Going to flip the swing arms and shock mounts unless there is another option that I come up with.

Made these bag mounts about 15 yrs ago. I made 3 sets I still have two sets left. You never know when you're going to need them.

Will try and keep this going but probably going to be long haul.
All for now.