Thinking about upgrading my 1969 road car so it can handle a bit of mixed terrain (dirt road/rough surface). Thinking of adding a sump guard of some sort. Also interested to know what size/width of tyres I can fit on stock rims with a stock front beam. Having trouble identifying any “all-terrain” tyres..
Lastly is tow points. I have found a towing bar for the front end, appears to bolt direct to beam and has a towball receptacle attached. Haven’t found a suitable rear towbar as yet though…Any ideas?
Sump skid plates usually bolt onto the underside of the rear bull bar frame that wraps around underneith for a buggy/baja. I guess being a stock sedan, if you can get a rear tow bar kit that goes to the rear torsion arms you can plate the underside, from back and extending all the way to the gearbox. Just be sure to cut out some holes for easy oil change.
What rims you are running? AT's (all terrains) for 14 inch rims are getting very scarce, 15 inch is easier.
I have a VW towbar that mounts to the bumper, goes under the motor and then bolts to the torsion tube housing thats good for protection. Let me know if that interests you and I can send you a pic and price.
If you're only doing dirt roads and not 4wd tracks, then just leave it alone! Stock Beetles are much better off-road than most cars anyway, as long as you watch your speed and don't spin it off the road!
Power would be great to have on dirt roads. Steering with the accelerator so to speak.
How does a Beetle with good power drive on dirt roads compared to say an EH Holden?
The old Holdens have very light rear end easy oversteer on dirt, but easy to steer sideways with countersteering. I learnt to turn left to go right etc. as a youngin' in an EH Holden. Does a Beetle control as easily with the heavy rear, light front.
Look at Bridgestone winter dueller tyres. I don't think you can buy then in aus. Saw them tall and skinny on a trailer and looked like a great off road tyre for a bug. Looked like t was 15" maybe 175 or185
Here are some pictures of my tow bar - it does protect the engine a lot.
Here is the tow bar:
And here it is on the car:
Or for a clearer look at how it mounts:
and this is how you use it off road:
Many years ago, I had a steel skid plate made up that went from the front of the transaxle to the back of the engine, then had the tow bar welded to the back of that, making it all one piece. It worked great, but was as heavy as anything.
helbus wrote:Power would be great to have on dirt roads. Steering with the accelerator so to speak.
How does a Beetle with good power drive on dirt roads compared to say an EH Holden?
The old Holdens have very light rear end easy oversteer on dirt, but easy to steer sideways with countersteering. I learnt to turn left to go right etc. as a youngin' in an EH Holden. Does a Beetle control as easily with the heavy rear, light front.
10x better (and faster) than any front engine rear wheel drive combo....
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE
by plating the bottom of the bar it would give the engine some protection. I should point out that I did 3 months towing a trailer (15,000 km) without once taking the trailer off the car, when I got home I checked the bar with a straight edge and was unable to measure any deflection from when I built it.
I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!
Craig Torrens6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion
