Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Onedude53s '72 Build - "Little Foot"
Forum Index -> HBB Off-Road Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
thatonedude53
Samba Member


Joined: June 21, 2018
Posts: 39
Location: DFW, TX
thatonedude53 is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 8:13 am    Post subject: Onedude53s '72 Build - "Little Foot" Reply with quote

Welcome to my build thread for my baja bug! I decided to make this thread to keep most of my questions, thoughts and progress in one thread. Also to have everything in one source for anybody that's interested in following my progress. This first post is an introduction about me and my car.

I decided on the name Little Foot due to the fact that my wife owns a pretty well build 2016 Jeep and I would like this Bug to be a mini version of it in a way. Also for the fact that my wife and daughter are madly in love with dinosaurs. Little Foot is a dinosaurs name from the Land Before Time movie.

The end result of the car is to be a street legal weekend driver that's more designed for offroad as opposed to street use. The offroad it will be seeing is more along the lines of casual trail driving with technical skill required through trees and by rivers. Not necessarily high speed wide open offroad and not rock climbing.

The car is a 1972 standard Bug that my father and I bought nearly 8 years ago. It came with a freshly rebuilt 1600cc motor and a fiberglass body kit. We started to work on it, getting the body cut and fiberglass mounted. That's when I decided to move half way across the country and the car was neglected for about 7 years.

My wife and I drove half way across the country on August 2nd to pick up the car and visit family. I returned to Texas with the bug needing a lot of love after being neglected. Thankfully the new pans are perfect still, body has some minor rust.

Enough of this essay of an introduction. The next few posts will be the current progress I made on it the past few days. I will be uploading plenty of pictures as time permits. Thank you for following along, and thank you to all the VW geniuses here for the help already given and help to be had!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
thatonedude53
Samba Member


Joined: June 21, 2018
Posts: 39
Location: DFW, TX
thatonedude53 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Aug 17, 2018 4:44 pm    Post subject: Re: Onedude53s '72 Build - "Little Foot" Reply with quote

Just learned how to use this forums photo feature. These photos are when I got the car home and began stripping what was left in/on the car. I've made more progress after these photos were taken.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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

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


This is the wiring kit I decided to go with. It's made by American Autowire. I went with this one because it had everything I wanted in a very convenient package with wonderful instructions in full color and big sheets. A little pricey at $400, but it's okay, it should make my life easier and I got it locally.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I'm kind of doing everything ass backwards lol. Yesterday I spent the day prepping the car for spray on bed liner, today I sprayed it. Great thing about the bed liner is that the prep doesn't need to be perfect.

Not worried about the quality of the finish, as long as it helps protect from future rusting problems. It's obviously not a show car! I will take more photos of what I've done and my progress here in a bit and upload more later.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
thatonedude53
Samba Member


Joined: June 21, 2018
Posts: 39
Location: DFW, TX
thatonedude53 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Aug 17, 2018 8:58 pm    Post subject: Re: Onedude53s '72 Build - "Little Foot" Reply with quote

Went ahead and rattle can bed lined the exterior of the car. If I haven't been clear about it, I do not care about the quality of the job. It needed something to be easier on the eyes. And I expect to be rubbing up on bushes, trees and other things. Figured this would be better than normal paint.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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


Thinking about doing the cage before I bed line the interior and pan. Tomorrow, when I do the type 2 CV/axle, stub axle, drive flange swap, I will spray rubber undercoating where the original is.

I also acquired torsion bars, double springplates with a notch cut in them and spring plate end cover. Is this something I should swap out while in there???
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
cbeck
Samba Member


Joined: January 14, 2014
Posts: 2494
Location: high ridge, mo
cbeck is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 5:05 am    Post subject: Re: Onedude53s '72 Build - "Little Foot" Reply with quote

F you go with notched spring plates, there are some things you should do. Assemble rear end minus torsion bars. Cycle suspension and make sure you do not exceed max cv angles. When near max angles, make sure the axles are not bound in the cv's. The axles should slide in and out of the cv's freely.
_________________
My cut in half and rebuild thread
www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647779
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
thatonedude53
Samba Member


Joined: June 21, 2018
Posts: 39
Location: DFW, TX
thatonedude53 is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 6:04 am    Post subject: Re: Onedude53s '72 Build - "Little Foot" Reply with quote

cbeck wrote:
F you go with notched spring plates, there are some things you should do. Assemble rear end minus torsion bars. Cycle suspension and make sure you do not exceed max cv angles. When near max angles, make sure the axles are not bound in the cv's. The axles should slide in and out of the cv's freely.


Yes, I'm aware. I'm also going to clock the CVs to help get the most out of them.

What is a bummer is that I currently have brand new stock length rear shocks. I think I'll research better alternatives and order them. No need to blow these out when I eventually drive the car.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
thatonedude53
Samba Member


Joined: June 21, 2018
Posts: 39
Location: DFW, TX
thatonedude53 is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Aug 25, 2018 4:44 pm    Post subject: Re: Onedude53s '72 Build - "Little Foot" Reply with quote

Finally got around to working on the rear end. Installed conversion stub axles, drive flanges with new circlips, little black seals and final drive seals behind the drive flanges.

Also installed new drive axles with type 2 CVs after clocking them. Indexed the rear torsion bars on the outside by one notch. At full droop, the axles are at 18 degrees. When the trailing arms were disconnected from spring plates, I cycled the suspension with no evidence of binding and the axles float in and out.

Going to leave it as it sits for now and play with it later on down the road. The car is still on stands because I haven't put the drums on. Debating if I want to spend money on a disc brake kit now or just rebuild the drums.

I'm really enjoying working on this car!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
veeweeman
Samba Member


Joined: December 20, 2009
Posts: 940
Location: New Port Richey, FL
veeweeman is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 26, 2018 1:42 am    Post subject: Re: Onedude53s '72 Build - "Little Foot" Reply with quote

Nice project, I'll be following this thread. ..I too am using monsterliner on my project...I'm with you, I wanted it to look nice and take a beating Laughing
_________________
Never be a follower...Do your own thing, make it your own!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
thatonedude53
Samba Member


Joined: June 21, 2018
Posts: 39
Location: DFW, TX
thatonedude53 is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 26, 2018 8:16 am    Post subject: Re: Onedude53s '72 Build - "Little Foot" Reply with quote

veeweeman wrote:
Nice project, I'll be following this thread. ..I too am using monsterliner on my project...I'm with you, I wanted it to look nice and take a beating Laughing


Thank you! I know several people will shy away from the liner as a full car paint, but I actually really like it. I fall in love with it more and more every day.

I do expect it to fade, especially in this Texas sun. I wonder if the faded look will give it it's own character, sort of like a ratrod with primer. Only time will tell.

I'll be ordering a class 11 cage soon enough to use as the foundation. Plan on picking up some 1.5" and 1" DOM tubing tomorrow morning to tie the future class 11 cage in front and back. Also plan on building my front bumper soon. Once the cage is in, I'll coat the inside of the car with the bedliner.

Today, I plan on completing the modifications to a pair of 2006 Subaru seats to use in the car. Welding new mounting tabs on the stock rails. Probably won't attempt to make the brackets until the cage is in.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
thatonedude53
Samba Member


Joined: June 21, 2018
Posts: 39
Location: DFW, TX
thatonedude53 is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 26, 2018 8:20 am    Post subject: Re: Onedude53s '72 Build - "Little Foot" Reply with quote

Speaking of cages, does anybody have an easy way to lift the body a foot or so off the pan? At my dads, I would just use the overhead chain hoist and rig it.

But here in my city house with only a two car garage and very little room to work, it's not easy. Do not have anywhere to store the shell inside or out. So I'm looking to just lift the shell 1-2 feet off the pan so I can get in with my TIG torch and fully weld the cage. And no, my garage rafters are not strong enough to mount a chain hoist to.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
pullstart
Samba Member


Joined: August 23, 2016
Posts: 599
Location: Middleville, MI
pullstart is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 26, 2018 4:28 pm    Post subject: Re: Onedude53s '72 Build - "Little Foot" Reply with quote

Invite a few buddies over? I’ve heard stories of a few guys picking up a vw to get it unstuck, I’m sure the body is lighter yet!
_________________
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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
thatonedude53
Samba Member


Joined: June 21, 2018
Posts: 39
Location: DFW, TX
thatonedude53 is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 26, 2018 6:58 pm    Post subject: Re: Onedude53s '72 Build - "Little Foot" Reply with quote

pullstart wrote:
Invite a few buddies over? I’ve heard stories of a few guys picking up a vw to get it unstuck, I’m sure the body is lighter yet!


Haha ain't that the truth. When my father and I started this project almost 8 years ago, we removed the shell from the pan. At the time, his chain hoist wasn't in service. We removed all bolts and necessary plugs then him and I lifted it up and off the pan to two saw horses.

It really wasn't that heavy, and that was before we cut the front and rear off of it. But now than I'm working in a "normal" garage, it changes things. I literally have no place to set the body, being that my garage is a mini machine shop. I hardly have room to work on the car. Which is why I push it out to do work when the wheels are on it.

I'm thinking of building some quick and easy stands that straddle the pan. When me and a. Buddy lift the shell, my wife can put the stands under the lip of the shell. 1 foot off the pan would work, but more like 1.5-2 feet would be ideal. That would allow me to be comfortable while tig welding the cage.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
mkparker
Samba Member


Joined: October 12, 2004
Posts: 332
Location: Sherman, Tx
mkparker is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Aug 27, 2018 3:58 am    Post subject: Re: Onedude53s '72 Build - "Little Foot" Reply with quote

Lifting a body off is super easy with 4 people, doable with 3 and possible with 2.
I've lifted a few off by myself with the use of foorjacks and highlift jack. 4 jack stands with 4x4s or steel tubing across the front and rear to hold it up.

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




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

_________________
Michael


Pit Boy 6163 Spec Trophy Truck
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
thatonedude53
Samba Member


Joined: June 21, 2018
Posts: 39
Location: DFW, TX
thatonedude53 is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Aug 27, 2018 10:32 am    Post subject: Re: Onedude53s '72 Build - "Little Foot" Reply with quote

mkparker wrote:
Lifting a body off is super easy with 4 people, doable with 3 and possible with 2.
I've lifted a few off by myself with the use of foorjacks and highlift jack. 4 jack stands with 4x4s or steel tubing across the front and rear to hold it up.


Here I am trying to over complicate things by making some stands.

I don't have jack stands that big at home, but I can for sure borrow some from work. Thanks for the simple solution!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
thatonedude53
Samba Member


Joined: June 21, 2018
Posts: 39
Location: DFW, TX
thatonedude53 is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Sep 15, 2018 3:40 pm    Post subject: Re: Onedude53s '72 Build - "Little Foot" Reply with quote

Well, things have been taking a change in a direction that I wasn't looking forward to. Plan was to get a cage and build off that. Now, with recent changes in my personal life, all expensive things are on hold.

Since I have pretty much everything to get this car on the road the way it currently sits, I'm going to use what I have for now. Then when the funds allow it, tear it back apart again. When the funds allow it, I will be buying a class 11 cage, 3x3 kit and some coil overs. Then I will be building a 6" over linkpin beam and adapting it to the front end.

So for now, use what I have. Which brought me to installing the Subaru seats I have. I used some steel plate welded to the tunnel and heater channel to spread the load of the seat and the person in it. Then used angle iron welded from heater channel to tunnel on the plates.

This picture shows the driver seat in place. Ignore the incomplete interior as I needed to get the seat brackets finished before spraying the interior. I have aluminum door panels for the doors. Also, ignore the steering wheel as it's just hanging there, looks like it is too close to the seat. When it's mounted properly, it's a perfect fit for me. Already checked.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
thatonedude53
Samba Member


Joined: June 21, 2018
Posts: 39
Location: DFW, TX
thatonedude53 is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Sep 29, 2018 6:34 pm    Post subject: Re: Onedude53s '72 Build - "Little Foot" Reply with quote

So when it comes to an offroad style exhaust with a single carb, what do I do? I have an EMPI exhaust with u bend stinger on hand.

I was getting ready to remove the crappy rust preventative paint from the factory when I realized I should probably have heat risers on the exhaust. You know, because of what I have read about single carbs and no heat risers causing carb icing. I do however have a heat riser block off plate kit sitting on the bench.

What I'm thinking is to drill a big hole on the two block off plates. Then with the exhaust on the car, use the tubes as a reference point to cut two tubes. These two tubes will be notched for the diameter of the exhaust. Holes will be drilled in the header for the risers to pass exhaust through. I'm hoping that they will be effective for heat risers.

I'm assuming the driver side heat riser will have a smaller hole on the exhaust when compared to the passenger side. Is all of this work really necessary to prevent carb icing? Or does anybody have an easier way to do the same thing?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> HBB Off-Road All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.