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Buggeee
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016
Posts: 4408
Location: Stuck in Ohio
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 Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 11:34 am Post subject: It's a Bug Thing, you wouldn't understand |
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It's a Bug Thing.
No, really, its a Bug and a Thing, all smooshed together into one glorious Baja project to be.
I had absolutely no business, whatsoever, dragging this thing... er, I mean Bug Thing, home this weekend. I already have a slammed super duper I'm having a ball with and there are miles to go on that streeter. I have nowhere, and I do mean nowhere, to off road near me in a major metropolitan area in Northern Ohio. My son and I dragged home a bug for him to work on a month or two ago and that is sitting there waiting for spring and will soak up all my extra (not) time as it is....
Oh, wait... I forgot where I was. I'm on Samba. I'm in a safe place.
Hello... My name is Buggeee... and I'm an Airhead...
(all together now "Hi Buggeee")
So check this out Peeps...
Its a 1970 Bug body, sitting on top of a 1973 Thing chassis that has already had new bug (I hope) pans swapped in and welded up. Some dude bought up a bunch of cars found in an estate liquidation and this in-process project was one of them.
It has a roll cage of some sort... 
The body cannot be from Ohio. It is in insanely clean condition for this part of the world (we use salt on the roads here). Minimal rust to be addressed and the only problem spot I've found so far is the typical lower inner front well. While you are looking, check out the Thing suspension down there with the extra brackets or whatever for the beam.
It has a new early style gas tank. I'll delete the side gas door I guess.
And here's some of the parts that came with it...
I got the whole mess for $1,500. Who could resist? Not me that's for sure. 
_________________
1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764
| SnowDaySyncro wrote: |
| Every setback is an opportunity to learn stuff and to buy new tools. |
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Buggeee
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016
Posts: 4408
Location: Stuck in Ohio
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| Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 11:54 am Post subject: Re: It's a Bug Thing, you wouldn't understand |
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Those were the Craigslist pictures, here's a couple of this weekend's rescue:
Link
So anyway... its going to be some real time before I launch on this. I figured I'd start the thread early so I could start gathering information and planning the work ahead.
The body is not bolted down, its just set on there. It seems that the rolling chassis was just assembled by hand so that the project could be moved. The tie rods are loose, axles just hanging off the hubs, steering shaft not attached, etc. etc.
I don't know anything about the off road scene or bajas, other than they look really cool. I have no idea what I need to be checking out here as I inventory where the project was left off and what is left to be done.
I know one thing for sure, its not going to go together like a Lego set.
The thing mounting points are different than the bug, someone was beginning the work on that kind of stuff. For example here are some shots of the rear shock area...
[/youtube]
_________________
1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764
| SnowDaySyncro wrote: |
| Every setback is an opportunity to learn stuff and to buy new tools. |
Last edited by Buggeee on Mon Jan 15, 2018 12:45 pm; edited 6 times in total |
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tobiism
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2004
Posts: 502
Location: Chandler AZ
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| Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 12:00 pm Post subject: Re: It's a Bug Thing, you wouldn't understand |
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nice! that thing front suspension is worth some money and if it still has thing cvs you can use more rear lift than you can with bug cvs.
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"There has never been a genius without a hint of madness."
-Albert Einstein |
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Buggeee
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016
Posts: 4408
Location: Stuck in Ohio
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| Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 12:03 pm Post subject: Re: It's a Bug Thing, you wouldn't understand |
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If anyone out there has knowledge or links to a bug on thing conversion and is willing to post them here I would be tremendously grateful.
I'd love to start staring at pictures of successful conversions if any are out there.
Here are some pictures of whats under the front end
F'in Road Salt!!! Flash rusting everything!!! It was an hour on slushy salt-spraying mess on the highway coming home. Oh, well. I'll get some phosphoric acid on it all come springtime.
The front spare tire well is an issue... Oh, wait... not on a baja 
_________________
1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764
| SnowDaySyncro wrote: |
| Every setback is an opportunity to learn stuff and to buy new tools. |
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Buggeee
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016
Posts: 4408
Location: Stuck in Ohio
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Buggeee
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016
Posts: 4408
Location: Stuck in Ohio
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Buggeee
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016
Posts: 4408
Location: Stuck in Ohio
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| Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 12:20 pm Post subject: Re: It's a Bug Thing, you wouldn't understand |
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So Sambanistas... Hit me but don't Sh#t me!!!
Links, comments, well wishes, all are welcome here. I've got a welder, and enough blind arrogance to get in where I have no business being!!! It usually works out just fine.
And.... I think there are places in Southern Ohio and in Upper Michigan where people use these things and I intend (one day) to find out where, exactly, those places are. (Hopefully there's some fishing involved).
_________________
1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764
| SnowDaySyncro wrote: |
| Every setback is an opportunity to learn stuff and to buy new tools. |
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pullstart
Samba Member
Joined: August 23, 2016
Posts: 599
Location: Middleville, MI
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| Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 1:24 pm Post subject: Re: It's a Bug Thing, you wouldn't understand |
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First order of business, other than nice project! Is get rid of that red poly "rag" joint on the steering box, others will probably comment with pictures of their instant and not-warned fails. They're sold because people buy them, but they shouldn't be allowed to be sold...
_________________
4 seater Appletree buggy, road legal with 002 IRS, 3x3 Appletree kit, 6" over Dan's beam with 10" towers and Fox 2.0 shocks, '00 Subaru EJ25 with KEP stage 3 clutch and KEP adapter plate.
my build page: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=662104&start=0 |
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joey1320
Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2006
Posts: 2325
Location: Cleveland, OH
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| Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 1:35 pm Post subject: Re: It's a Bug Thing, you wouldn't understand |
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Crazy project Buggeee
Glad you didn't use the hitch, not sure how safe that would've been with the suspension/body not attached/secured.
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**1971 Super Project
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0 |
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Dark Earth
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2015
Posts: 1054
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| Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 2:22 pm Post subject: Re: It's a Bug Thing, you wouldn't understand |
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Cool project !! I love the bug thing title
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My Build: '69 Baja - Dark Earth Version
~I'm almost done. I just lack finishing up.~  |
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Mal evolent
Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2009
Posts: 2912
Location: San Antonio, Nuevo Mexico
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| Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 2:23 pm Post subject: Re: It's a Bug Thing, you wouldn't understand |
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you knew that a Thing pan is a Kharman Ghia pan
Do not send the transaxle out for repairs with Thing CV flanges. they tend to migrate to other transaxles while unattended.
If it's an AV transaxle it is thing specific, and it may have 4.375 gears. if you send it out for repairs make sure you get back what you sent out.
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73 Beetle Baja, Ghia front brakes, Type 3 rear brakes, 2220 ( 94 X 80 ), Weber Progressive, Bosch SVDA, '97 Mustang seats
Baja Bugs for Volkswagen Virgins: Index |
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mikewilkinson007
Samba Member
Joined: October 26, 2016
Posts: 554
Location: Nebraska
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| Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 2:54 pm Post subject: Re: It's a Bug Thing, you wouldn't understand |
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Go Buggeee go!
_________________
72 Super - Marina Blue
1641 AH Dual Port
Dual Weber ICT 34's
Bosch 034
Long Gone: 70 Vert, 66, 68, 73SB, 70, 72, 61 Rag and a 64 with a cinder block in the spare tire well. |
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Buggeee
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016
Posts: 4408
Location: Stuck in Ohio
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Buggeee
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016
Posts: 4408
Location: Stuck in Ohio
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| Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 3:36 pm Post subject: Re: It's a Bug Thing, you wouldn't understand |
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| Mal evolent wrote: |
| you knew that a Thing pan is a Kharman Ghia pan |
I've read that yes. The history, what little is available, is that it got "new floors". I'm thinking its "bug floors” cause it's sitting on there. More investigating will reveal...
| Mal evolent wrote: |
Do not send the transaxle out for repairs with Thing CV flanges. they tend to migrate to other transaxles while unattended.
If it's an AV transaxle it is thing specific, and it may have 4.375 gears. if you send it out for repairs make sure you get back what you sent out. |
Very good information right there. Exciting possiblity on the gearing. I've got my fingers crossed and will check the trans in detail and more pics up close when next I'm with the bug. The trans is in the front seat and the bug is on the trailer at my buddies house while I work on a solution for storage.
Anyone got pics of an AV trans and thing CV flanges to compare? Dunno if the shot of the trans in the pile of parts above reveals anything.
_________________
1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764
| SnowDaySyncro wrote: |
| Every setback is an opportunity to learn stuff and to buy new tools. |
Last edited by Buggeee on Mon Jan 15, 2018 3:45 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Buggeee
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016
Posts: 4408
Location: Stuck in Ohio
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Buggeee
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016
Posts: 4408
Location: Stuck in Ohio
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heywebonya
Samba Member
Joined: July 08, 2010
Posts: 823
Location: Portage, MI
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| Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 3:45 pm Post subject: Re: It's a Bug Thing, you wouldn't understand |
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Good score! Welcome to the club
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If I knew what I was doing; I wouldn't be building a buggy! |
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Bock
Samba Member
Joined: September 18, 2004
Posts: 158
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 3:51 pm Post subject: Re: It's a Bug Thing, you wouldn't understand |
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Looks cool, and definitely has the unique factor going for it.
The Baja Bugs and Buggies book might be a good source of offroad VW education for you. I watched your video, the thing... I mean bug err bug thing didn't want to budge.  |
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Buggeee
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016
Posts: 4408
Location: Stuck in Ohio
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Buggeee
Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016
Posts: 4408
Location: Stuck in Ohio
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It's a sickness for sure