A 24 year age gap.

thebullfrog · 2011-11-21T11:30:45+00:00

Hello fellow members, Some background info 2011, the final year before my life was to really start. The final year of college. I had no idea what lay ahead or even what some would say to be luck would happen. I started working when I was 14 and 9 months, worked this job for just over 1 and a half years, and secured multiple other jobs during the term breaks including volunteer work and work at festivals . I then brought my first car at the age of 16 years and 2 months, I seen that it was in my best interest to own my own car, pay the running costs and experience what it was like to have this small burden (fuel, rego and insurance). February 28th, they day that changed my life, I had applied for a job at the ATO in an afterhours environment (5-9pm) back in September of 2010,there was over 600 applicants, I managed to get one of 50 odd positions, I managed the perfect balance between school life, social life and my working life. In mid October I had been working three jobs for the past eight months, working approximately 20-30 hours a week (between the three jobs) and had saved a lot of money, I decided I would like to reward myself with something nice. So I test drove a 1994 Nissan 180sx multiple times, it was putting out 220kw on 18psi, but had been running a safer tune on 15psi, it was a very nice car which was clean and well maintained. No finance was needed to purchase the car or for changeover, however it came time to make the insurance quotes before the purchase. It came in at $2200 dollars with a $1300 excess.....this made me really think, did I really want to spend all my money on this car, was it worth it. I built up the stomach to call the owner and stated that it just wasn’t practical for me to paying this sort of money. He fully understood. One month later the 180sx was sold, ironically the new owner had it clamped by the police on the day on which he purchased it. This gave me a good laugh, the car is still seen around, and unfortunately the new owner doesn’t care for it unlike the ex, it has now been impounded a second time.

thebullfrog Seriously Crusin Dubber

163 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 6 Dec 2011, 3:10 pm

#875845

It will go to the track, not every weekend and probably only 4 times a year max and for that limited time, its probably not worth it.....I think its a bit out of skill range to do anyway.

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 6 Dec 2011, 6:53 pm

#875869

BlackBug wrote:I wouldn't worry about an IRS conversion unless you were taking it to the track.
Lowering it alone will make it handle a lot better anyway

Till you get sick of replacing tyres that have 100% tread left on the outside but down to braiding on the inside 😉

thebullfrog Seriously Crusin Dubber

163 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 6 Dec 2011, 7:14 pm

#875872

Will tyres keep doing that when its not being put on the track (everday use sort of thing)....IRS might be something to do down the track...

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 7 Dec 2011, 10:26 am

#875951

I was just shit stirring, swing axle does get alot of camber wear but only once you start going stupidly low (more than 3")

Swing axle can work well out on the track out on the track, you just have to chuck the right parts at it and know how to handle one.
Check out Hellbuggeds ride, Daimo took me for a spin in it and can vouch for it sticking to the road quite well 😉

IRS just gives you a big headstart.
but its a body off job, so atleast get the pivot boxes welded in now while you have the body off.
Would suck to lift it back off in the future just to weld them in.

thebullfrog Seriously Crusin Dubber

163 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 7 Dec 2011, 12:34 pm

#875965

Joel wrote:I was just shit stirring, swing axle does get alot of camber wear but only once you start going stupidly low (more than 3")

Swing axle can work well out on the track out on the track, you just have to chuck the right parts at it and know how to handle one.
Check out Hellbuggeds ride, Daimo took me for a spin in it and can vouch for it sticking to the road quite well 😉

IRS just gives you a big headstart.
but its a body off job, so atleast get the pivot boxes welded in now while you have the body off.
Would suck to lift it back off in the future just to weld them in.

I'm dropping between 2-4 inchces..... Can you provide a link to where the pivot box's can be purchased from and do you know anyone with the device that shows you to put them sorta thing.

By saying chuck the right parts....what do you mean?

thebullfrog Seriously Crusin Dubber

163 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 22 Feb 2012, 9:28 am

#888219

Well, its been a long time between posts, i shall upload a heap of photos and that of where the car is it now. Basically, the pan is stripped and topside is painted. pictures to come

thebullfrog Seriously Crusin Dubber

163 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 17 Dec 2012, 3:11 pm

#935963

here is a teaser of where the car sits atm.

zoofish Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Feb 2010 · 17 Dec 2012, 3:20 pm

#935964

Looking great and I can see you also went with an Airkewld front beam along with the Bad Series Brakes - GREAT!

thebullfrog Seriously Crusin Dubber

163 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 17 Dec 2012, 4:46 pm

#935972

My car has/will have a lot of Airkewld products on it. Beam, airs suspension, tie rods, the list goes on.

zoofish Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Feb 2010 · 17 Dec 2012, 5:38 pm

#935977

Same here. Waiting on Bad Series Brakes and then my whole front end is Airkewld, including air suspension

thebullfrog Seriously Crusin Dubber

163 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 17 Dec 2012, 6:17 pm

#935986

did you buy a pro built beem, you should add me on facebook and you dont have to wait for and build photos haha,

what beetle do you have?

Doug Sweetman Nil Bastardo Carborundum

2,128 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 17 Dec 2012, 6:21 pm

#935988

Love the wheels 🙂

zoofish Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Feb 2010 · 17 Dec 2012, 6:40 pm

#935990

thebullfrog wrote:did you buy a pro built beem, you should add me on facebook and you dont have to wait for and build photos haha,

what beetle do you have?

Here's my 60 Bug build thread: http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=94391&page=1

thebullfrog Seriously Crusin Dubber

163 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 18 Dec 2012, 9:05 pm

#936158

Doug Sweetman wrote:Love the wheels 🙂

Thanks Doug,
I also love my wheels, they seem to suite the car well at this stage. I need to order some wider ones for the rear shortly.

thebullfrog Seriously Crusin Dubber

163 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 20 Dec 2012, 11:57 am

#936378

This stage has been a long time coming

SebastienPeek Custom Title Time!

1,657 posts · joined May 2011 · 20 Dec 2012, 1:25 pm

#936388

IRS baby!

The sold one, '73 VW 1303 - Zelda
The project, '74 VW 1303 - Gretl

zoofish Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Feb 2010 · 20 Dec 2012, 10:10 pm

#936463

thebullfrog wrote:
This stage has been a long time coming

If there was one regret I have from my entire build, it would be not having converted to or built on an IRS Pan, with Mendeola suspension. Completely excited that You're heading down this path.

Doug Sweetman Nil Bastardo Carborundum

2,128 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 20 Dec 2012, 10:32 pm

#936467

Good move 🙂

thebullfrog Seriously Crusin Dubber

163 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 21 Dec 2012, 9:59 am

#936506

Eat your heart out, IRS made easy, and accurate.

thebullfrog Seriously Crusin Dubber

163 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 31 Dec 2012, 10:08 am

#937591

A picture of the completed IRS conversion, Im extremly happy with it. With many people that have looked at it asking how/where it was done.

I had some mail just before christmas, my axles arrived finally.

A view from underneath.

The jig that got the job done.

thebullfrog Seriously Crusin Dubber

163 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 16 Apr 2013, 3:58 pm

#951690

Its been a long time between updates, but you will all be glad to know that the car is still progressing slowly. Afterall, slow progress is better then no progress.

A link to my photobucket account is: http://s1179.photobucket.com/

Since the last update (rear IRS welded in) not a great deal has happened. Lots of pictures have been taken and numerous plans have been made>

Progress wise:

6.5" wide BRMS.

One 5 speed subaru gearbox

Nearly complete front end.

Axles and CV's onto the gearbox.

Transporting it around.

Rear bag supports welded in.

Close up of lower bag mount.

Repainted the underneath with a UV coat.

thebullfrog Seriously Crusin Dubber

163 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 16 Apr 2013, 4:08 pm

#951691

Enjoying how easy it all unbolts.

Bottom done.

A before and after-looking at this, I have come a long way.

Mount.

Rears on.

Gearbox is too high in comparison to the top mount bar.

Parts collection.

Rear Brakes.

Camber-can anyone guess how mucht that would be?

First time on all 4's by herself in 1 and 3/4 years.....it was a good moment. Rears look huge in this photo.

How she lays, rear aired out, front still up.

The starts of a clutch.

The shelf in my room.

josh702 Learner Dubber

14 posts · joined Mar 2011 · 16 Apr 2013, 9:56 pm

#951743

Wow you have some cool gear on this, what's your engine plans, turbo or na?

thebullfrog Seriously Crusin Dubber

163 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 17 Apr 2013, 5:16 am

#951761

josh702 wrote:Wow you have some cool gear on this, what's your engine plans, turbo or na?

Thanks man, I've definitely worked hard to get it!! Ej22 is the plan at this current stage. Maybe eventually a low compression turbo setup on the 22. All depends how happy I am once the 22 is complete and running.

thebullfrog Seriously Crusin Dubber

163 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 17 Apr 2013, 5:17 am

#951762

josh702 wrote:Wow you have some cool gear on this, what's your engine plans, turbo or na?

Thanks man, I've definitely worked hard to get it!! Ej22 is the plan at this current stage. Maybe eventually a low compression turbo setup on the 22. All depends how happy I am once the 22 is complete and running.

thebullfrog Seriously Crusin Dubber

163 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 24 Jun 2013, 7:39 pm

#960917

The car has progressed well since the last update. Just about ready to put a body back on the car. I'm just sourcing some final parts before I do so.

thebullfrog Seriously Crusin Dubber

163 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 1 Jun 2014, 1:16 pm

#992089

Well , for the guys and gals that don't have me on Facebook, Instagram or anything like that. Here's an update.

Body is currently back on the car, EJ22 engine is in, wiring has been run through the car.
Doors are now suiciding and will also have shaved handles.

Uploading a thousand odd photos in photobucket so that I can post the pictures in this thread.

thebullfrog Seriously Crusin Dubber

163 posts · joined Sep 2011 · 1 Jun 2014, 4:49 pm

#992109

The hoop that was made to go over the gearbox so that it would work in conjunction with the air suspension.

The EJ22 in the stand-this is the good motor, the running one.

The body back on.

Fenders bolted on. This was to all see what it would look like sorta thing.

Myself with a smile on my face.

Little bit of camber happening 😉

Some cutting required due to too much custom...

"Insert radiator here"

Doors suicided.

Luggage area fixed...body can now bolt properly down to chassis.

Engineer and Transport Tasmania decided that I needed more front tyre contacting the surface...

Shortened sump-good running engine in now:

All shut up and hiding: