Alyce the Baja

Smiley · 2009-11-14T09:46:33+00:00

Most of you would have seen my thread in General Chat about the Baja I crashed http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=79561&page=1#pid740019 Well not 20 hours after I had crashed my old one I'd already bought a new one to build up as my new daily driver. Named her Alyce and seeing as I'm back home from TAFE now I've kicked the build into top gear and got stuck in today. These first few pictures are the day after I got her back to my place. Yesterday after noon I pulled the engine out and this morning I got stuck in and pulled out the front and rear seats. Last picture shows under the bonnet with the fuel tank removed, steering shaft disconnected and brake line removed. Disconnected rear brake lines, clutch cable, starter motor, shifter linkage and removed handbrake and it's cables. Then undid the gearbox mounts and spring plate bolts and rolled the backend out of the car. Undid the body (luckily all the bolts that go up into the sills weren't there so it only took a few minutes). Got a couple of mates around and conned them into helping lift the body off. That's all I got done today cause I was also helping dad put and new waterpump and radiator in the VG ute he's building. Plus I was a little slack and was taking my time. Definately getting up early tomorrow to do some more though! 🙂 Smiley 🙂

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 16 Jan 2012, 4:36 pm

#881708

That is a good vision 😀

Smiley 🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 24 Jan 2012, 10:43 pm

#883124

One of the guys from Ipswitch bought his buggy up on the weekend, and I proceeded to show him the local offroad areas.
We did some sand and beach driving, paced paced dirt tracks, winding forestry trails, mud holes, hill climbs and rock tracks. So we pretty much covered all types of terrain 😀

Fueling up before we left. I've fitted my flag again 😀 It's a bigger one than last year.

And here's where I ran into an issue on the sand with my tyre pressures not being low enough. Couldn't make it up the hill. I had them at 10psi, when I dropped them to 7psi I had now more issues for the rest of the day.

And here we are up at Stockyard Point at 5-Rocks.

You can see 5-Rocks in the background.

Smiley 🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 24 Jan 2012, 10:46 pm

#883125

Did some more beach cruising.

Smiley 🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 24 Jan 2012, 10:49 pm

#883126

After the beach we heading north until we hit the Army base. Then we found an awesome track that followed the fence line to the east. After following the track for a number of km it abruptly came to a dead end at a steep sided creek. No matter, we got to drive back down the awesome track.

Smiley 🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 24 Jan 2012, 10:52 pm

#883128

After this track we headed back to our campsite at Stoney creek to settle in for the night.
The following day we were doing tracks around Stoney creek and the surrounding area.

We found a nice little mud hole.

Smiley 🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 24 Jan 2012, 10:56 pm

#883130

Followed up with some ruts! Check out the flex man!!

Smiley 🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 24 Jan 2012, 10:57 pm

#883131

And more ruts 😀

Smiley 🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 24 Jan 2012, 11:01 pm

#883134

This is about how clean she was when I got home on Sunday afternoon.

"Wow those airclearners are dirty!"

Good to see that they are doing their job.
Dirty outside.....

.......clean inside 👍

Smiley 🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 24 Jan 2012, 11:07 pm

#883135

And I really need to get in and fit dual batteries soon. I decided to see if my battery could run the new fridge all night on Saturday, the fridge won 🙁
So I needed a little 'jump' to get going that morning 😊

I also need to get my spindles and disc brakes fitted ASAP! I need to spindles for the height and the disc brakes for the ease. My drums got full of sand again and need adjusting....again!

Smiley 🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

grinderman Officially Full-On Dubber

378 posts · joined Apr 2011 · 25 Jan 2012, 8:01 pm

#883295

Good stuff Smiley, there's nothing like some off-road pics to keep me 'motorvated' on my projects. Modifying a daily driver has its advantages like "I must fit this stuff or I cant get to work/school" type urgency. Lovin this thread

nils Fahrvergnugen

971 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 26 Jan 2012, 6:32 am

#883356

Ah................................Coke and eggs for breakfast with your nan ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->
Breakfast of champions

If that flag gets any bigger, you'll be needing a bigger engine just to overcome the drag😂

Quit calling rust patina

beetleboyjeff Custom Title Time!

1,790 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 26 Jan 2012, 10:16 am

#883399

nils wrote:If that flag gets any bigger, you'll be needing a bigger engine just to overcome the drag😂

You might have to put a bag of cement in the front to stop it over balancing. 😂😂😂

From your ole' mate Jeff

bajachris88 The international telephone dialing code for Antarctica is 6

6,661 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 26 Jan 2012, 10:42 am

#883407

Bloody good trip Daniel! Alyce is a monster, but none the less credit goes to you too. All that offroading takes talent to conquer.

its a pita there ain't anything great that i'm aware of like that local in SEQ. Will one day have to cruise north... one day lol.

Those brakes are huge! Have you heard of that competition on a US show in the states where they offer to give people money if they perform a stunt? I cant remember the show, and sorry for the vague description, but one challenge was to stop on a dime. I could see your bug doing that with calipers that big lol. Hmm... good suggestion for a completition for all vw's at valla?

(ô_!_/ô) (ô_!_/ô)
69' baja: kombi box, thing spindles, irs, disc front, type 3 rear drums, 2 inch lift kit, 31x10 rears. 👍
New engine in process: 94mm p&bs, 74mm C/w chomol Crank, 35.5x39 SP heads, turbo. Wierd combo, hopeful torque monsta!

mactaylor Custom Title Time!

1,005 posts · joined Aug 2007 · 26 Jan 2012, 3:02 pm

#883436

bajachris88 wrote:Bloody good trip Daniel! Alyce is a monster, but none the less credit goes to you too. All that offroading takes talent to conquer.

its a pita there ain't anything great that i'm aware of like that local in SEQ. Will one day have to cruise north... one day lol.

Those brakes are huge! Have you heard of that competition on a US show in the states where they offer to give people money if they perform a stunt? I cant remember the show, and sorry for the vague description, but one challenge was to stop on a dime. I could see your bug doing that with calipers that big lol. Hmm... good suggestion for a completition for all vw's at valla?

man head west south west from SEQLD and you have some of the best tracks around no probs i was logging in and around there and it will test you no end!

EVERLAST CONCRETE TANKS
1800 552 123

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 26 Jan 2012, 4:03 pm

#883448

beetleboyjeff wrote:
nils wrote:If that flag gets any bigger, you'll be needing a bigger engine just to overcome the drag😂
You might have to put a bag of cement in the front to stop it over balancing. 😂😂😂

At 100km/h+ the antenna actually lays right back until the flag is nearly touching the ground 😀

But a bigger engine would always be nicer too 🙂

Smiley 🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 26 Jan 2012, 4:10 pm

#883449

bajachris88 wrote:Bloody good trip Daniel! Alyce is a monster, but none the less credit goes to you too. All that offroading takes talent to conquer.

BAH!!! Your car is way more beastly then see is.......for now 🤘

And if you think that my car is good you should have see Tratty's J&S Buggy going off! He drove it up the rock track. I didn't even try because I knew I would never make it and would definitely breack something trying. As Grinderman pointed out above, sometimes I have to try and exercise a great deal of self restraint to stop myself from breaking her. Cause I do need to drive her to work on Monday!

bajachris88 wrote:its a pita there ain't anything great that i'm aware of like that local in SEQ. Will one day have to cruise north... one day lol.

And I also agreed with what Mactaylor has said. I'm sure that there are plenty of tracks down towards Warwick/Killarney way. And even over just over the border and further out west. You've just got to get out and find them!!
I'm fortunate that some of the local offroad spots are very well known. But on the other side of the coin I also find new tracks just about every time I go out. Exploring is half the fun!!!

Smiley 🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

nils Fahrvergnugen

971 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 27 Jan 2012, 4:49 am

#883581

Hey smiley, got any tips on ripping those CB spindles apart?
Going to rebuild mine while i have them off the car. got one apart with abit of heat, but the second one has me beat.

nils

Quit calling rust patina

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 27 Jan 2012, 9:59 am

#883620

nils wrote:Hey smiley, got any tips on ripping those CB spindles apart?
Going to rebuild mine while i have them off the car. got one apart with abit of heat, but the second one has me beat.

nils

PM Your email address. I got a lot of info off a bloke on here that I will forward on to you.
I was fortunate that when I bought mine they were already pulled down.

Smiley 🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 28 Jan 2012, 8:25 pm

#883881

Was back out at Stoney for a play this morning.
Isn't it amazing how much a week and a little rain can change the terrain!!

Here's the track last week. Quite easy to drive up and down.

And here it is today, massively washed away and no way you could drive up it. Not to mention the thigh deep hole that is now in the foreground!!

Smiley 🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

OZ Towdster Keen to finish some projects

1,921 posts · joined Dec 2003 · 28 Jan 2012, 8:35 pm

#883883

Smiley if you recon thats a bad step up then you are in for a big learning curve up the cape next year

Don't let body work get in the way of real suspension travel

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 28 Jan 2012, 8:41 pm

#883885

Also went a had a go at a massive hill climb near a friends place. I've had a go at it before and have never been able to get to the top. It's very loose rocks and dirt. Must be +45° steep.

I spoke to my mate who lives near by and he said heaps of 4WDs have been trying it too but no one has ever gotten to the top.

I thought I'd have another go with my Kombi box and different ratios.
And I made it all the way to the top!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are a few pictures my friend took when I was coming back down. This is as far up as his 4WD Subie could make it.

This gives you a little idea on how steep it was 🤪
The view from up top was amazing.

Looking up.

2WD for the win!!!!!!!!!!!!

Smiley 🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 28 Jan 2012, 8:43 pm

#883886

OZ Towdster wrote:Smiley if you recon thats a bad step up then you are in for a big learning curve up the cape next year

It was like 2 feet!
It never looks as bad in the pictures 😬

Smiley 🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 28 Jan 2012, 8:50 pm

#883889

Great off roading Smiley, thanks for sharing. Your obviously happy with the new combo. 👍👍

Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 28 Jan 2012, 8:53 pm

#883891

matberry wrote:Great off roading Smiley, thanks for sharing. Your obviously happy with the new combo. 👍👍

It's eaten up everything I've thrown at is so far. The car is limited by it's ground clearance and suspension travel now.
But we can work on that 🤘

Smiley 🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

h fractals - an ever changing lifestyle

7,671 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 28 Jan 2012, 8:53 pm

#883892

👍 sweet!

fractal geometry; the inner most limits of mind altering abuse

Fantasy http://seventhchronicle.com

Z = Z2 + C1/r = 1/0 = infinity

Barrels www.barrelman.com.au

VW Workshop - aircooledgarage.com.au
allcooled.com.au

grinderman Officially Full-On Dubber

378 posts · joined Apr 2011 · 28 Jan 2012, 10:15 pm

#883902

Are there any plans for a diff lock in the future Smiley?

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 28 Jan 2012, 10:38 pm

#883907

grinderman wrote:Are there any plans for a diff lock in the future Smiley?

I don't exactly have the funds. I would like one but I think that the money is better spent on other things for the time being.

The car does most of what I want it to do.

The plan at this stage is to fit the Country Buggy spindles, and probably relocate the front bumpstops for more travel, fit the Commodore disc brakes front and rear, make or buy some new rear stub axles so I can fit Kombi outer CVs on the back. Then I can notch the rear spring plates for more travel.
I also plan on fitting a single lever hydraulic turning brake, this should compensate for a locker in a majority of situations as it will allow be to brake the wheel that's spinning and divert power to the one with traction.
I'd also need to fit twin batteries, and have a winch sitting at home which I would like to fit to the car.

Long term I have even further goals for the car 🥷, but at this stage I hope to get the above mods done over the next year or so. But we all know that it's probably going to take longer 😀

Smiley 🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 28 Jan 2012, 10:52 pm

#883920

I fitted the turning brake for the same reason, but I went with the dual handle, gives you the option for each wheel or both wheel action.

Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 29 Jan 2012, 11:09 am

#883990

matberry wrote:I fitted the turning brake for the same reason, but I went with the dual handle, gives you the option for each wheel or both wheel action.

Not a bad idea. What brand is the handle that you're running and where'd you pick it up from???

Smiley 🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

nils Fahrvergnugen

971 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 29 Jan 2012, 7:34 pm

#884092

I quite like the way matt has installed his cutting brake, is very neat and functionable. Not sure if the dual handle would have fit between my seat, remember to keep this in mind.
You get used to the single handle pretty quick, and if you pull the wrong one just laugh it off and try again.

Great day out by the looks again smiley! always amazes me how well the old vw goes up hill. Hope to see you out stockton some time, on the sand hills vw's make the 4wd guys look like chumps😂

Thnaks for that info on the spindles btw smiley, made a rig up today using my highift to pull these spindles apart. Still no luck but will let them soak in WD for awhile longer and cycle them though hot and cold a few more times

Quit calling rust patina