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1988 Cabriolet Truck?
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Cabriolet Truck Good Idea or Bad?
Good
20%
 20%  [ 1 ]
Bad
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 80%  [ 4 ]
Total Votes : 5

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baja1776
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 4:16 pm    Post subject: 1988 Cabriolet Truck? Reply with quote

Hello my fellow Vdubbers,
I have a 88' Cabriolet with no top frame at all, no back seat, no back door panels or anything else having to do with the rear interior. I also have a 2008 XR650L dual sport bike. I was wondering if anybody here can tell me how much weight the rear can handle. Im thinking of making it haul my bike like its a tiny truck with a removable cab top. The bike weighs 346lbs. So if you minus the weights of all the stuff Im missing, do you think it can handle the weight? What about those "heavy duty" springs from parts place inc? I see that I have a GVWR of 3031lbs Front 1730lbs Rear 1389lbs. I have seen a few people say that these cars weigh around 2274lbs? Im confused a little but hoping its possible. What do you guys think? I would post a picture I modified but dont know how to convert it to jpg. Thanks for any info!!! [/img]
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baja1776
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 10:06 am    Post subject: Anybody? Reply with quote

ANY Info would be great!!!!
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zuhaelter_82
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 10:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Buy a Rabbit Truck (Caddy) if that is what you want. If you do decide to hack your Cabby up, it will hold the weight of your bike just fine. I used to use my Rabbit to haul motors around in the back or it.
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baja1776
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 8:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would'nt be hacking it up it would involve removing brace above trunk then adding some supports to the side walls. Also make a nice smooth bed blended nicely to the sides to cover any odd shapes. What engines where you hauling and did it bottom out? How did it handle like that? Thanks for the reply!!
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zuhaelter_82
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 8:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

At one point I had a VR6 and an 8V in the back of it. That is a lot of weight and it did just fine... It didn't bottom out or anything.
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baja1776
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 6:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If somebody votes bad idea it would be cool to say why you think its bad.
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Letterman7
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 6:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Would the bike even fit? Sounds to me that the front wheel would be right up between the seats... at least it would seem in my Cabby. Instead of hacking a car up, why not either sell it or part it and buy a cheap Ranger or S-10 that is meant to do the job? A Caddy would be nice if yu could find one to keep it in the VW family.
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baja1776
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 10:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It would fit. The front wheel would go right in ahead of the large bump that goes from wheel well to wheel well. So it would fit snug and no chance of rolling around. The tip of the tire would sit at the rearward portion of the roll bar that being the cab cut off point. The ramp to get it up there would lift up and stick out about 1 1/2 ft out the back with the bike on it. It actually seems to be about the same distance sticking out the back as in my ranger with tailgate down. I don't like to use my Rangers (2) to haul my bike cause they are so high to get it up there it just feels dangerous. Also the Rangers don't get good MPG at all. As for the Caddy, I've only seen 2 in person my whole life and in terrible condition. Don't want yet another toy I already have alot. I already have this car, its paid off, it works fine, no rust to speak of and its fun to drive! Also I've only seen one other Cabriolet done like this but it was in Germany or something. I have a pic of it on my other computer but I dont know how to convert png to jpg. Thanks for the replies!
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baja1776
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 10:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is what Im saying
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
[/img]
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baja1776
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 10:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Its like a short box Rabbit truck with removable top!
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zuhaelter_82
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 11:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The only thing I can think of is adding more support to the sides and the floor to prevent it from crumpling like a tin can with body roll. You should convert the hatch into a tail gate that you can fold down instead of lifting up. That way it would look stock(ish) and have a function.
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baja1776
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 3:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yep thats in the plans. If you follow the taillight up you see that its boxed in with hidden supports inside for a cleaner look. The fold down hatch is also in plans but was left off the picture to show the inside box a little. Also above the drivers side taillight but hidden underneath the tailgate, I want to make a cubby to slide the ramp into to be hidden. Anybody have experience with Parts Place Heavy Duty springs? Thanks for the input!
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 3:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I honestly think that stock springs will be just fine... If you need to, get some adjustable coilovers with a higher spring rate in the rear.
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 3:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah that would be ideal, but when I think of coilovers I think of $$$. Would you recomend any that are decent price? Thanks!
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zuhaelter_82
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 4:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

To be honest, you get what you pay for... If you get a cheap pair, you may not be happy. If you can find a used pair of Koni/H&R/Bilstiens you would see better results. If you aren't interested in height adjustment, get yourself a cup kit. They are cheaper but you will be riding 4X4 style.
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baja1776
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 6:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

What do you mean by a cup kit? Thanks!
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zuhaelter_82
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.eurosportacc.com/hr_cupkit_cup_kit_suspension_shocks_springs.htm
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 11:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pretty cool thanks!
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Matt C.
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 11:38 am    Post subject: Volvo station wagon parts car Reply with quote

I have pictures of my build for a friend, we are installing a volvo rear and top. Sorry no pictures, I cannot get them to load, to big or something.....anyone want me to send them by e-mail? or tell me how to downsize the file?
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dasdachshund
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 11, 2011 10:19 pm    Post subject: Re: Volvo station wagon parts car Reply with quote

Matt C. wrote:
......... or tell me how to downsize the file?


If you have any Windows operating system, you have a Paint program.
Open the pic up in Paint then resize it and save again....

You can also convert to a jpeg in Paint, too. Just open it up and do a save as .jpeg instead of what it is now.

-dasdachshund
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