Just another kid with a project!

Spaceman7Spiff · Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 7:35 pm Post subject: Just another kid with a project!

Hey everyone! I've been a lurker for a while now and just thought I'd introduce myself and my project.

First of all I grew up around buggies, quads, motorcycles and sand dunes. My dad has owned a sandrail since before I was born (I'm 24) which is currently running a 2332, 3 rib trans link pin beam (longer arms under construction) and totally custom rear suspension. Here's the best pic I have of it:

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

I used to drive a lifted 85 Toyota 4wd Pickup which was pretty fun to thrash around in. Then I started making pretty decent money last summer and was finally able to sell the Toyota and buy an 07 GMC Sierra which is waaay too nice to have much fun in. So my craving for automotive hooliganism was not satisfied. Without much thought or warning I dragged home this gem:

Running and driving 69 Baja with full roll cage, stock 1500 and a few extra goodies for 800 bones. Not bad right? Wrong! Every square inch of this poor little car had been molested (ie: entire front of car sawed off and poorly fabricated roll cage addition installed and then front of car welded back on....) It was all very confusing and sickening... But F**k it, I only wanted a thrasher. So my dad had a few spare parts to make a decent start on an 1835 build so out came the motor:

While some machine work was/is being done on the engine I began looking for other parts for my project and scored a bus trans which I later learned was a 091 Cool

.

While browsing craigslist for parts I stumbled on another project baja and totally fell in love. It was another 69 and the polar opposite of the pile I had currently. So I brought home another one Rolling Eyes

and of course one with the girlfriend...

The new car has been totally stripped down, body and pan repaired and is now primered and ready for paint (I'm thinking grey right now but who knows what i'll think in an hour)

So that's pretty much where I am. Also picked up front and rear bumpers and a good used CNC dual handle turning brake is on its way. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little overwhelmed... any thoughts, questions or criticisms are encouraged and appreciated!

Vanapplebomb · Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 7:51 pm Post subject:

Hey dude, welcome to the samba!

That rail is pretty sick dude. I like it. Nice air filter covers, hahaha Laughing

That baja looks like a good project. Lots of potential for a good trasher. The grey steel wheels are actually pretty sweet lookin.

Feeling overwhelmed? Yeah, we all have that. Post any questions you may have on the forums, chances are someone will be able to give you a straight answer.
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1800 Type 4 Berrien 295

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=487021

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kbwakesk8 · Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 10:09 am Post subject:

I see his and hers ...

At least that's how My GF would see it

Spaceman7Spiff · Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 7:49 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the comments! The sandrail is currently undergoing some serious (and long overdue) changes so I will post some pics when its done.

So I have a couple (post-search) questions for you guys:

1) Could someone point me in the direction of a good 091 trans install walkthrough? I need to know exactly what parts are required for the swap and I have yet to see any definitive answers on this.

2) The main roll cage in the ugly bug is actually built pretty well and I was tinkering with the idea of trying to remove and install it in the pretty bug. Is this a bad idea? Has anyone tried to do this before? The main reason for this would be to facilitate installing longer shocks later on. I suppose I could always build/buy a cage later but with the bug totally stripped down right now, I wouldn't have to worry about damaging any paint or seats etc.

Thanks!

qwerty8669 · Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 7:03 am Post subject:

looks like you have a nice area to work on both bajas in ...... if you do a body off on them swapping the cage would be very easy and allow for you to do a much cleaner install.

there is also prefabbed cages that go in in sections, you can get and add on to to fit your needs

and just leave the other one in the hack job...... all depends on how much time you have.

it's a real pain to take it all out later once you have everything in the car than it is to do right now
_________________
68 swing axle baja ( making 4x4s look stupid )
67 F100 Big Block ( loud gas eater )
97 civic hatch ( grocery getter )
90 t-top 300zx 5speed ( ticket monster )
looking for swap meets and places to ride in ky and tn

my build ( gonna be slow ) can anyone tell me what my seats came out of....???
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=495087&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

car's facebook page ... like it !!

http://www.facebook.com/68bajabug?ref=hl

JiI · Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 10:59 pm Post subject:

bajamike560 · Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 1:33 am Post subject:

Hey neighbor welcome to the forum.
If you think you need a cage in the car start from scratch.
You do not know what they used for material in the other car.
1.5, .095 DOM is a good starting point for cage work.

As far as trans mount, do you want it solid or urethane mounted?

Mike
_________________
Jackpot motorsports

Spaceman7Spiff · Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2013 1:10 pm Post subject:

I've been doing some more research and I think I have reluctantly decided to go with the 10* mount setup. If my dad and I had more time, Im sure we could come up with something cheaper but I'm trying to get this car ready for our annual oregon dunes trip in July and I'm working at least 6 days a week right now so Its already a tall order.

bajamike560 · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 1:22 pm Post subject:

That is what I have in my car, works well.

Mike
_________________
Jackpot motorsports

kirkallen143 · Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 2:27 pm Post subject:

Just curious, what size are the front/rear tires on the 2nd bug? They give it a very nice stance. Any indexing/lifting on the rear torsions or the front beam that you know of can see? I just like the stance of that bug! Thanks, and looking forward to see what you and your dad do with them.

Have a good one,

Kirk

Spaceman7Spiff · Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 9:17 am Post subject:

The rears are 31s and im not certain what the fronts are. Ill have to check when I get home. And yes the beam has been cut and turned. Also just to be clear. The old pos bug is going byebye as soon as I salvage the good parts off of it. I totally agree on the stance it looks deserty

Another update: I have decided to remove and reuse the rollcage because I realized it is actually a slightly modified class 11.

I hope to do as much of this project on my own. Its kind of a curse having a talented machinist/mechanic for a dad because my tendency is to let him take over when things get tricky.

Spaceman7Spiff · Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 10:06 pm Post subject:

Made some progress today. Got the cage cut out in three pieces and removed most of the good parts from the ugly bug. The pretty bug is in the garage but Hopefully tomorrow night I can finish up and swap it into the shop. Also ordered a brake overhaul kit, steel brake line kit, pedal refurbish kit, and window rubber.

As for the rest of the build, here's the plan:

-Car will be dark grey and black with the possibility of some blue sprinkled in.

-Running the tires from the pretty bug on the aluminum wheels from the ugly bug.

-Tentatively running KYB shocks. possibly bilsteins (keep it cheap for now)

-considering deleting the parking brake and installing a line-lock in conjunction with the turning brake.

-091 Trans with 10* mount kit

-1835cc engine with mahle pistons and jugs, dual port heads, counter weighted crank, bigger cam (unsure what it is) full flow oil with filter mounted on a high-capacity pump, deep oil sump, high rev valve springs, haven't decided oil cooler setup.

Spaceman7Spiff · Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 8:14 pm Post subject:

Well i guess 9 months is long enough to make an update

I was able to meet my goal of getting the car drivable for the annual Oregon Dunes trip... barely... I'll let the pics tell the story:

Made my first big order of parts

Installed the 091 with the 10 degree kit

Cut the roll cage out of the old ugly bug as well as any other useful parts and she went bye bye...

Began setting up the interior

Ashley trying out the seatbelt ( I know that's not the best way to mount the belts but its only temporary)

Front bumper ready for powdercoating

Then I spent many many hours wiring the bug from scratch, time consuming, but satisfying IMO (no pics though sorry Sad

)

and finally it was time to build the motor Very Happy

To make a long story short, I ended up with a 1915cc dual port with counterweighted crank, mild cam, mahle pistons and jugs, high rev valve springs, ported heads, doghouse cooling, weber progressive, 009 distributor, tri-mil headers and an Autozone fart can. (Also, don't say anything about the distributor or carb, trust me. I KNOW)

Here's what I began with (tired-out 1500 SP, almost nothing was re-used)

6 months later almost back together on the engine stand at dad's house

Ready to install

Just after the first fire, I was grinning from ear to ear Very Happy

A week later on the trailer heading to the coast

Coast pics and various adventures:

MAKE SURE YOUR TRAILING ARM BOLTS ARE TIGHT Very Happy

Next up on the agenda, more suspension travel, roll cage install and of course, PAINT!!

Spaceman7Spiff · Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 8:23 pm Post subject:

Also, as promised, a few pics of my dad's rail. He had planned on a full revamp but was only able to find time to re-do the front suspension. He fabricated his own extended trailing arms and installed fox coilovers to match the rear end. I never did get to even ride in it Crying or Very sad

but he says the results were good but he's now having trouble with bump steer, I think due to the honda civic steering rack. It worked well for his previous setup but its a little overextended for the current arrangement.

Sorry I don't have more pics, I was too busy working on my own project...

Island Bumpkin · Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 6:40 pm Post subject:

Sweet rail and sweet car!

Too bad you're on the wrong side of the hills Wink

Can't wait to see more.

-Jameson
_________________
Vehicles:
1971 Baja Bug, 1600dp, summer/winter/summer project
Follow my progress!
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=556996
1988 F250 SC/LB 7.3 IDI/ZF5/Dana 50 front, Sterling 10.25 rear. 4" lift -Daily-
1976 F250 Reg cab/LB Stock 300/NP435/NP205 -Long Term Project-

dustymojave · Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 10:15 pm Post subject:

Looks here like you're in a bunch of trouble!

Vanapplebomb · Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 6:06 am Post subject:

I noticed the same thing, but I didn't have to balls to be the first to say it Wink

_________________
1800 Type 4 Berrien 295

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=487021

Spaceman7Spiff · Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 6:36 pm Post subject:

Haha yeah, she likes it. I grew up around this kind of thing whereas she grew up as your stereotypical city kid so it's kind of a brave new world for her I think. I've been teaching her to ride my YFZ450 and it's been a steep learning curve but she's getting the hang of it. We have a good time...

Spaceman7Spiff · Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 8:13 pm Post subject:

Okay got some great news and some disappointing news. I scored a great deal on a complete front and rear suspension setup from a local guy parting out a sandrail. The front is the Dan's Performance parts kit 1SR with the 6in wider beam, longer arms, rack and pinion, and 8in fox emulsions.

The rear setup is a pair of 3x3s with 930 stub axles, disc brakes, and fox coilovers that I was lead to believe were 12in travel and just measured and found out were only 10in travel Confused

Also I got an aluminum fuel tank. All this was 1900 bucks.

Here's a pic of the parts I got:

So a few questions for you guys: do you guys think I should attempt to run the shocks I have or try to sell them and get what I really need? I'm afraid that I won't get enough for my shocks and I will wind up paying out the ass for brand new coilovers.

My next question is, he gave me 19-1/4inch axles to run (but no CVs) but he said that they were plunging hard enough that he could hear them banging. That's not normal is it? Is that the correct length axle?


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