My Cheap Daily Driver Baja Project

GreeneHoosier · Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 6:48 pm Post subject:

Well, the car is still progressing. I have the engine home and on the stand. I ordered the adapter plate, flywheel, clutch and pressure plate. I also welded in two new heater channels. Now comes the difficult question. I am thinking about welding a stock clip back on the front and rear and doing a Class 11 style. I think the engine will fit with the stock aprons, with a little trimming. But, I need to explore that a bit more. I think it will be cool enough with some decklid stand-offs and some liberal holes in the side panels/decklid. I could even cut out portions of the decklid and cover it with expanded metal. Diesels run cool and I think it will be OK, but I need to look into it. The big thing, I think ,is whether the decklid /apron will interfere with the engine. I mean to have the diesel, no matter what. I want to make a fairly nice daily driver out of it and I may never get the Baja front to seal well. I love the look of the class 11 style, and it would be more utilitarian. I can carry a spare, for one. No air/water rushing through the dash would be a MAJOR plus. I do trail riding, no jumps/dunes/rocks etc. So, Class 11 style would be fine- I do not fear for my fenders or front/rear overhang. I plan on putting the 235's on the back and some 215's on the front. What do you guys think? A lot of questions here, I know, so, to summarize:

Can I seal up a Baja front tight enough to keep air from RUSHING in?

Is the loss of a spare a big deal on a driver? I do not seem to get flats anyway, but...

Will the apron/decklid interfere with the stock 1.6 n/a diesel?

Will it cool OK with the aforementioned mods? Remember the radiator will be sideways in the back on the passenger side. This set-up has been proven to work well cooling wise in a Baja.

I would be happy looks-wise with either style, but the utilitarian side has me worried. Air/water/no spare etc...

Thanks for any input on your experiences with sealing out the elements and thoughts on cooling/fit.

Randy

SpenceSuper11 · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 12:02 pm Post subject:

Lotrat · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 4:10 pm Post subject:

jj14u2c2 · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 4:40 pm Post subject: Liner

If you guys are thinking of Herculiner you should look into Grizzly Grip truck bed liner. It comes in about 20 different colors instead of just black, so you can get creative color wise. They have a great aero-space epoxy primer to make it really stick. You can get in a textured finish or some colors come in a smooth non-textured finish. They also have UV protectors and gloss sealer to prevent chalking and fading. If it gets dull you can use Armour All to revitalize it. It's some great stuff, check out this link and look it over.

http://www.grizzlygrip.com/colors.asp

Here's some pics of the pan I did and some suspension and bumper parts too.

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

jj14u2c2 · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:27 pm Post subject: Bumper

GreeneHoosier · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:06 am Post subject:

Here it is with a fresh 1.5 diesel and smaller tires. The computations on 31's, rpms and torque/hp made me go with a smaller tire for now.
I also got the pump dialed in yesterday. I still need to hook up the exhaust, intake, fuel lines, linkage and cooling. At least some progress...

tundrawolf · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:25 am Post subject:

That is very cool! Post the MPG specs on that thing!

Are you going to do anything about the exposed belt?

scoobasteeve · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:39 pm Post subject:

Love the diesel idea. The Bedliner looks good too, how much weight do you think all that added?

GreeneHoosier · Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 5:26 am Post subject:

tundrawolf · Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:19 pm Post subject:

Is that a non interference engine? Because if a little rocks gets caught up in that belt you are going to be *very* sorry. Get creative with the guard, make it look good, but please use it.

leifasaur · Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:01 pm Post subject:

So whats the update? Do you have it driving or any milage figures. I would love to do this with my baja and want to hear about how it is running and driving.

GonzoTx · Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 8:01 pm Post subject:

I can tell you that a thick coat of bedliner will make your fiberglass parts bulletproof !!! I bought my Baja from a guy who ran a Line-X bedliner store and he put an 1/8 inch thick coat on the fenders and one peice front end. Looking at the thickness of the engine cover, this Baja kit was pretty thin. Now I can stand on the rear fenders and bounce (a little !) and I weigh in at 265 (I'm big boned Rolling Eyes

!!!) I know it added 50 or more lbs., but for a street/ trail Baja I think its worth it.

GreeneHoosier · Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:38 am Post subject:

tko · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 2:44 pm Post subject:

any updates< i am looking at the vw diesel as well..
_________________

GreeneHoosier · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 4:07 am Post subject:

I have not had time to work on the Baja lately. I had to teach summer school and I took some college classes, and with the start of the new school year there is never any time...Here is my 'short list' of things to do on the Baja. I really need to get it done so I can start driving it every day. I have sold most of my fuel efficient vehicles and I have a sixty mile commute every day.

To Do List:

Diesel Baja Beetle

Replumb brakes in Cabin (cut the line, oops)
Remount front seats
Install rear seat
Install seat belts
Speedo cable
Adjust brakes/Bleed
install/fabricate throttle cable
install headlights/plastic buckets
truck bedliner for nose
wiper blades
front bumper mounted
front bumper painted/lined
rear bumper mounted
rear bumper painted/lined
shocks
rear lights wired
clean/install intake
clean/install exhaust manifold
fabricate exhaust
buy GM two/one wire alternator
fabricate alternator mount
wire alternator
fabricate radiator mount
install radiator
install radiator fan(s)
install battery
install radio/speakers
install horn
weld in front inner quarters
re-weld door post/heater channels
fix rear x-member rust
install rear mount heater (need to buy rear Vanagon heater?)
wire heater
close off/box in heater/rear firewall
install fenders with welting
nerf bars (need to buy)
new front tires
belt guard for engine (stock or fab)
seal off/fiberglass nose to body on sides and inside front
fuel lines
vacuum pump

yellowsnow · Samba Member Joined: July 19, 2005 Posts: 11

hey buddy, hows the progress coming? Its time to resurrect this old thread Laughing

GreeneHoosier · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 6:07 pm Post subject:

The car is now going through the set-up for the radiator/diesel lines/filters etc. I have a friend doing the engine work- he is a VW diesel guy- right now. I figure he will have it done in a week or so.!
_________________
1974 Super Beetle
40 Years VW enthusiast!

cookrw · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 7:06 pm Post subject:

Any update yet?
_________________
'71 Super 'Vert
'84 Vanagon GL (w/ Sunroof!)
'96 Jeep Cherokee

poomwah · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 3:42 pm Post subject:

that bug is looking great. you've done a LOT of work.
I missed out on that part since mine was pretty decent when I bought it.
I often feel ashamed almost when people compliment me on it, since I haven't really done a whole lot to it.
I've either got to get rid of it and get one that's in worse shape to start with, or I need to modify the buhjeezus out of mine, lol.

back on track though,
could you please post some more pics of your hood pin setup please
_________________
Rocco- my build thread
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=479675

birddog1148 · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 3:52 pm Post subject:

Here is how I did mine

_________________
'69 Baja, Crusty 62 bug

I Got Your Jeep Thing! Now It Hurts When I pee.

Cigarettes are like squirrels, they are both harmless until you put one in your mouth and light it on fire.


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