a few questions

barel74 · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 12:20 pm Post subject: a few questions

New to the Samba, 1st post. Also new to the buggy/VW world. Bought my 1st buggy last summer and it's been a blast. My only complaint is that it is on the small side and I am not on the small side Wink

About a month ago I came across a Sandtoys mid engine frame and decided I'd start a new project. I'll be getting started in the next few weeks. Been studying up here and figured I better get my foot in the door before I start pelting you guys with questions, lol.

I was swapping tires around, not the greatest pic, but this is my little rail. Very simple, haven't seen another like it.

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

Here's the Sandtoys frame.

Can't find much info on Sandtoys. Are these frames any good?
It'll be getting a fairly pumped up Ford 2.0, probly in the 200HP range. Engine is built, just waiting to get dropped into something.
This frame is setup for a swing axle. How tough is it going to be to change it to IRS?
Anything else I should be thinking of beefing up? Changes? Ideas?

Thanks

vdub411 · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 12:43 pm Post subject:

Nice frame! That thing is set up for anything you want. You may have to modify the arms where the stub axle mounts. Other than that the possibilities are endless. Welcome to the forums!!!
_________________
1975 Baja Bug
1972 Type III Fastback
B&N Rattler Buggy
SandRails Coming Soon!!!

B Ramsey · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 1:25 pm Post subject:

mid engine rails usually are swingaxle.
IRS would be complicated.
I had a midengine rail and hated it.
shift linkage is difficult to get working right.
need expensive shocks, expensive exhaust, where are you gonna put the radiator?
and cant just undo four nuts to remove engine.

barel74 · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 1:30 pm Post subject:

PO had the radiator behind the seat. I'll be moving it to the side of the 'engine compartment', on passenger side.

swing would definitely be easier for me. All the conversion info I can find is on cars that have the rear torsion, and they seem to index from there. Without the torsion bar in the buggie, how would I find out where to mount the trailing arm brackets? I guess I may just be sticking with a swing.

barel74 · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 1:31 pm Post subject:

and thnx for the welcome vdub

vdub411 · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 1:48 pm Post subject:

The rear looks like it has coilovers. You don't need a torsion housing. Are you trying to make it an IRS for some reason? If you are I'm interested in your torsion eliminators and rear arms. Very Happy

You have a much better chance at getting more wheel travel by using your current setup. IRS travel is limited by the torsions, so people go to what you already have. With higher on the frame coilover mounts and longer coilovers you could ride like a caddy across the desert.
_________________
1975 Baja Bug
1972 Type III Fastback
B&N Rattler Buggy
SandRails Coming Soon!!!

barel74 · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 1:55 pm Post subject:

yes, I was thinking of going IRS. And, yes, ATM, its coilover-no torsion.

From what I hear/read, with the added HP, an IRS is better? Also more travel?

vdub411 · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 2:07 pm Post subject:

IRS trans.....yes more travel than swing and better for HP. I thought you were talking about the suspension. The suspension setup you have now will work with an IRS trans. Just need to make some trans/motor mounts and figure out how to mount the rear bearing/axle hubs on the arms.
_________________
1975 Baja Bug
1972 Type III Fastback
B&N Rattler Buggy
SandRails Coming Soon!!!

B Ramsey · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 2:51 pm Post subject:

it will not work with what he has now. nothing to keep the rear arms from moving side-to-side.

barel74 · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 2:58 pm Post subject:

That's exactly what I thought B Ramsey. Without that torsion bar, is there another way to mount the trailing arms? It looks to me, without that torsion bar to meausre/jig from, it would be nearly impossible to find the happy spot to mount the trailing arm mounts.

no1clyde · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 3:53 pm Post subject:

It looks like to me you need to run a tube from each torsion eliminator and then add inner pivots kinda like the stock IRS VW and then add tube from those to the wheel area of you swing arms making them true trailing arms to go IRS.

Ed

barel74 · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 12:25 pm Post subject:

Finally actually got started on this project. Decided I had to stick with the swing axle, no biggie. ATM, I'm trying to get everything mocked up before paint. I'll be adding some more bars for strength. I'll also be adding a heat shield between exhaust and fuel tank.

a few pics of the progress

'empty' 2.0 block and tranny are just for mock up. Neither are what's actually going in.

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I'd like to go with a longer coilover shock in the rear. Any suggestions that won't break the bank?


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