To Baja or not...

64 Bug Learner Dubber

10 posts · joined May 2003 · 3 Jul 2003, 9:20 pm

#62783

I have a '64 Beetle that I've been driving for years now, but it's badly in need of some tlc. My original intention was to restore it as it still is original on the outside. The guards are all stuffed and rusted and full of bog (thanx previous owner), painted in enamel (thanx previous owner), but body itself is in ok nick. I am considering converting it to Baja, but want to know whats involved. Are there kits, is it DIY, whats involved in it. And most of all... how does the Qld rego office and the cops here react to them ??? , its rego'd at the moment, I guess it's only a prob if I let it run out. Comments ??

64 Bug Learner Dubber

10 posts · joined May 2003 · 7 Jul 2003, 9:36 pm

#63734

........ as the tumbleweeds roll by....
am I in the right forum, or is it just that no-one visits this one ?? 🙁

duncombemu Seriously Crusin Dubber

199 posts · joined Jan 2003 · 8 Jul 2003, 12:55 am

#63780

Welcome to the forum, 64 Bug.
People probably looked at your questions and thought, the answers are obvious. So with a little 'homework' you could find out the answers to your questions, easy.
First, do some searching on the web. If you're wanting infomation on anything, put some 'key words' into a Search Engine, like http:///www.ninemsn.com.au/. So you're interest is Baja's. Type that word into a subject line and you'll find no end of info on the subject.
Yes, Baja.s come in kit form and you can buy kits. See http://www.fibrefab.com.au/
It all depends on your mechanical skills, if you can fit one to your bug.
Make a phone call to the Transport Dept. in your state, to see what they think is OK.
See, all these questions could of been pretty well sussed out before you asked these very broard questions to the Forum. Now armed with some information and knowledge you've gleened off 'The Web', you can narrow down your questions to specifics.
Do some homework and see how you go.
Regards,
Mark
:thumb

Don't ever let anyone tell you, "It can't be done."

Boozer Demented But Determined

1,999 posts · joined Dec 2002 · 16 Jul 2003, 11:09 am

#65970

Baja it! There's not enough of them around.😀

THe MC Bat Commander's motto: "Never do now, what you could do for 24 hours straight, all night, the night before."

Bugged Again Wolfsburg Wizard

507 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 16 Jul 2003, 12:46 pm

#65989

64 bug
theres a guy on the forum "wibble" who has a new baja kit and i think he lives in Cairns

try and track him down

wibble Freakinbuggied

404 posts · joined Jan 2003 · 16 Jul 2003, 6:38 pm

#66088

Hey,did I here my name mentioned?
Hi 64 bug, I am from Cairns but in Brissy at the moment. Will be bring the baja kit home with me in a month or so if you are interested. the kit is in brand new condition, it has been fitted but the holes for the head lights haven't even been cut in. new prices are between $800 and $1000 I'm chasing $400 firm for mine, if I don't sell it I'll just build another one!!!
oh yeah welcome to the forum!!:beer:beer

http://www.waycoolbuggies.com

64 Bug Learner Dubber

10 posts · joined May 2003 · 16 Jul 2003, 9:06 pm

#66140

Thanx guys.
Yeah wibble I'll have a look at the kit when you get back up here, will u2u my Email address. Have definitely decided on the Baja now after looking at all your cars. Gotta now have a look around for some nice wheels, lift kit and some engine goodies. Got a motorbike to sell at the moment to help finance the project. Did you know a local guy has started manufacturing fibreglass Bug bits ? Thanks again.:beer

helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body

7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 16 Jul 2003, 9:13 pm

#66145

Go the Baja :thumb

EJ22 into Bay Microbus - Finished project build thread- click on this spot here for info

64 Bug Learner Dubber

10 posts · joined May 2003 · 16 Jul 2003, 9:20 pm

#66152

Boozer, how big are those wheels and tires mate ?

Boozer Demented But Determined

1,999 posts · joined Dec 2002 · 16 Jul 2003, 9:56 pm

#66172

well....on the front-14inch 205 65
rear-15inch 275 60, The rear's are good and fat on sand and decent offroad you just gotta watch for sharp rocks as they're only 2 ply so they bulge a bit when the pressure is let down on sand. In case you wanna know my baja is a '62 with a 1500 SP engine, nothin fancy, turned rear torsion bars, air horn😀 and big whip aerial I'm trying to find a pirate flag for, arrrr! You'll be glad you chose to go baja I get tons of comment, especially form kids (i think it's because of my paint job), they're loads of fun and I'm only just a new comer. As for QLD rego I didn't have any major problems and I haven't had any problems from the cops so far, I've had a few wave to me! Go for it!😀😎

THe MC Bat Commander's motto: "Never do now, what you could do for 24 hours straight, all night, the night before."

64 Bug Learner Dubber

10 posts · joined May 2003 · 17 Jul 2003, 9:33 pm

#66464

Yes.. love the paint !. Did you have any drama's resetting the rear torsion bar ?. It looks pretty straightforward in the manual, however it looks like one of those jobs that could turn into an epic !!. I take it yours is still swingaxle rear end, so do the tires wear funny with the increase in caster?. I just picked up a new tie rod end and gearshift shaft bush, so tomorrow will be spent under the front end with dirt raining down into my eyes !! what fun !!:P
Catcha. Glenn

Bugged Again Wolfsburg Wizard

507 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 18 Jul 2003, 8:33 am

#66571

probably as stupid observation but
why don't you hose the front of the car down :P

64 Bug Learner Dubber

10 posts · joined May 2003 · 18 Jul 2003, 8:43 pm

#66753

A hose won't remove the under-car crud that accumulates up in there, I'm not talking about mud !

Boozer Demented But Determined

1,999 posts · joined Dec 2002 · 19 Jul 2003, 7:49 pm

#66986

Why didn't i hose the front of my car down? well, I hit a really big purple bug and the splatter looked cool so I left it.:P Yes my bug still has swingaxle and it took me and my Dad one and a half days to turn the torsion bars, get them back on the ledge/slots and then get the axles on. Turning them was easy the hard part was putting it back together. To do it we used the jack, straps to pull torsion bar up, and cause we also took the engine out my not inconsiderable weight hanging on the back of the bug on the gearbox to do it. However it was a first time and i'm certain that next time will be much easier considering we had none of the right equipment or tools. Yeah the paint was a home job by my Dad and Uncle who are VW fanatics and hadn't ever sprayed anything bigger than a motorbike tank. But it turned out pretty good cept for a few spots on the drivers fron guard.

THe MC Bat Commander's motto: "Never do now, what you could do for 24 hours straight, all night, the night before."

11CAB If ya got it....Baja it

4,674 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 26 Aug 2003, 7:59 pm

#78837

Raised swingaxle cars have positive "Camber" not castor......

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