New Project - Diesel Automatic - Updated June 1, 2009

modelac · Last edited by modelac on Mon Jun 01, 2009 6:10 pm; edited 4 times in total

Since this is my 2nd buggy build, I wanted to do something different. I obtained a new chassis from Neil Decker at Hawkeye Buggies. Since he had build automatic buggies before, I had him build one set-up for a 1975 type II automatic. I bolted on a Rabbit 1.6 diesel with a Kennedy adapter. The Dasher radiator will be mounted beside the engine. I know that this will be no speed demon, but it should get good fuel mileage. I will be receiving a Red Berrien Nostalgia body with the bubble pods in a couple of weeks. I will post more photos as I progress through this build.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

I just finished adding the rear "hump" to the chassis to fill in the area behind the seat. I also added brackets to mount a Autostick pedal set. These are Berrien brackets welded to tabs. Their brackets are really nice.

Since I am mounting the handbrake lever forward and to the right of the automatic shift lever, I modified the handbrake lever to stand uprright. By moving it forward, I plan to use stock length cables.

I am using a rear bench seat from a Geo Trakker for the front seat. Since I am going to reupholster this seat, I am going to add hoops for headrest support. This seat will be mounted on custom brackets with slider seat adjusters.

I also modified an intake to clear the rear fiberglass.

The radiator is mounted to the engine so it can be removed without disconecting the radiator. This is a Dasher radiator.

Yellermanx · Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 6:18 pm Post subject:

Hey Steve, Looks like a cool project. Guess you won't be needing a Megasquirt this time. Wink

Every time I see the little three cylinder 35 hp diesel in my tractor I think how neat it would be in an old beetle. The tractor seems to run for hours on a gallon of fuel. I did say seems to. I'm not familiar with the VW auto trans. Does it require vacuum for shifting (modulator)? Keep posting updates.

You know Murzi is going to be jealous about that red Berrien. Laughing

vw (o\!/o) nut · Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 7:00 pm Post subject:

This is cool. I love the "try something different" approach.
Do you have any pix of the bare frame, as I'm not seeing any center supports.
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"Curiosity killed the cat, but for a while I was a prime suspect."

didget69 · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 3:56 pm Post subject:

A guy here locally in our VW club is building a 914 with a VW 1.9TD motor - It will be interesting to see how it turns out... Very Happy

bnc
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I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door.

sturgeongeneral · Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 11:31 pm Post subject:

I always liked the "different" angle. Sounds like a fun project! My next one will be another trike and am thinking of an automatic tranny so this one will be "different".
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MURZI · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 5:54 am Post subject:

aquamanx · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 7:36 pm Post subject:

Sweet, Ive got Hawk building an auto trans for me as well.
It will be going in my wife's new long body buggy she is the one wanting an auto, girls Rolling Eyes

actually I think it will be nice to have an auto for the parades. sucks to push the clutch let it out just to push it again over and over again Sad

A pic of her new long buggy body hanging from the rafters.

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BuggyFaron · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:15 pm Post subject:

I have every intention of putting a 5.0 Ford in the back of my Buggy. I think that it will be really cool to pull up to a light next to a guy in a sports car. Look over at him while he looks down his nose at my little Buggy! Then run the RPMs up a little and see what he does then.... Twisted Evil

HPjunkie · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 6:46 pm Post subject:

Hey steve that looks great. I need to stop by and see it in real life. Wheres the turbo gonna go? : ) Actually a hitch to tow the hot rod turbo buggy would be cool. Greg

HPjunkie · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 6:46 pm Post subject:

More pictures !

jsimp1960 · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 2:15 pm Post subject: diesel automatic

Anything new everybody wants to know. You got my attention. Thanks Jim

Yellermanx · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 3:08 pm Post subject:

modelac · Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:36 pm Post subject:

I thought I could put a snow blower on the front and drive it off the rear PTO. Very Happy

HPjunkie · Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2008 3:45 am Post subject:

Great progress! I love the hand brake mod. Are you doing all of the welding yourself?

yankee1919 · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 9:23 pm Post subject:

Just some info-
Why did you not use a manual trans? I was thinking of doing a similiar set, I got the idea from the guy who one the "Auto X Prize". He used a Kubota diesel and made his own adapter. But the price for the vw diesel vs Kubota the vw diesel is way cheaper.
I think the site was under kineticvehicles.com.
Great pics
tony
los angeles

modelac · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:35 am Post subject:

It would have been much easier to install a 4 speed trans rather than an automatic. I had an automatic available and wanted to do something different. Since this project wasn't built for speed, I wanted to just sit back and cruise.

modelac · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 5:57 pm Post subject:

I just wanted to update with a couple of photos.

The engine does not hang out as much as the photo indicates.

This is a photo of the 1986 Ford F250-350 Vacuum Regulator Valve that I installed to regulate the vacuum from the vacuum pump to the transmission modulator. This mimics the vacuum from a carbureted engine.

MURZI · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 7:26 pm Post subject:

beautiful work.....looks OEM!!!! Great job!!!!
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HPjunkie · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 10:16 pm Post subject: Awesome!

I like the intake Vs. the old one. What about that seat? Any pictures of that? The valve setup sure worked out great. It looks factory like murzi says. you better slow down or you wil be done before the snow melts! Ill be over.

HPjunkie · Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:35 pm Post subject:

Great project TTT


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