31" is only a catagory. Actual size varies greatly from one actual model to another. I always took a tape measure to the tyre shop when I needed new ones. 😉
Henrietta has lights again. Turns out it was just the switch replaced it today and they worked fine, however, they are a bit dull. What do people use to polish the reflectors.
68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car
You mean the high beams?
Pull them apart, throw a bit of metho in there and wipe though with a lint free cloth.
Done and like new
Wait, I just realised you have the round headlights 😊
Quit calling rust patina
Got the final tune done on Henrietta.
Not as good as I hoped for. Engine is definitely a bit tired best we got was 67.8hp at the wheels which is about 84.5hp at the flywheel so she is down on factory specs. Clearly needs a rebuild to improve on that. Still it is a lot better than what I had when I first bought her.
68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car
Went to Canberra for a trip in Henrietta. She ran perfectly. Pictures of her camping.
68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car
Awesome mate, how many k's are on that motor? Did they do a compression test or anything like that?
It will all be OK in the end, if it's not OK it's not the end!
That is a cool looking kombi. Looks good riding high on the wheel/tyre combination.
Good to see her back on the road 👍
"The best trophies are stone chips"
1969 1500 Beetle "Otis"
2008 Golf GTI
Thanks guys. No compression test vduboy. Was told she had some engine work before buying her, but from what I have seen since owning her it may not be true. Debating with myself what to do on the motor next but am thinking about a larger cylinder/ piston set and head work but comes down to time and money. Still have turbo for it as well and do need to get back onto the '68 baja. Haven't done anything to baja since buying Henrietta.
68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car
Looks great Ben.
Just leave the engine how it is and enjoy the camping fun.
Cheers,
Scott
88 Caravelle Syncro Camper
89 Caravelle GL microbus - 5 speed
69 Microbus
05 Mk5 Golf 1.9 TDi DSG
I am enjoying it Scott. It is so cool just parking it up. Love it.
Still got more work to do inside as well. Need to install alarm, finish stereo, instal central locking, more cabinetry and just finishing touches to others, like doors etc.
68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car
Well after going off roading on Sunday have decided I need to make changes to tyres and possibly wheels. Currently needing to run spacers for fronts so they don't rub on the upper control arm. Rears need spacers to stop them rubbing on bottom wishbone but this may not help when I let pressures down off road. They hit a lot on the bumps on the fire trails. Currently they are 30x9.5s so going to try and get some muddies with a rolling diameter of about 28inches.
Also decided I'm not happy with the direction the inside is taking so going to redo it on my holidays. Going to look similar but some changes to be done.
68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car
Ben,
Where is that trail at ?
Bummer about the tyres but spacers should solve you problem (I didn't say that as they are illegal in the nanny state).
Keep enjoying....
Cheers,
Scott
88 Caravelle Syncro Camper
89 Caravelle GL microbus - 5 speed
69 Microbus
05 Mk5 Golf 1.9 TDi DSG
Trail is started near Black Springs/ Oberon. Going to have to go there again to stay overnight. Might be fun with a few other Kombis if your interested Scott.
Yeah I have actually got some of them Scott but am going to go to a smaller diameter for the nanny state. 😉😉
68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car
Well have finally got around to getting new rear tyres. Was driving around for a time with 14" and 215/60s raod tyres on the rear and 15" 205/70 all terains on the front.
Rear now has 15" 205/75 Maxxis Muddies. Plenty of clearance now, but can now see I could have gone 215/75s.
Also have had to drill and tap out the right head for fitting the exhaust. This is due to bloody poor workmanship from a local exhaust shop. Was a nightmare job. Custom exhaust was very difficult to refit. Due to this I had to loosen where the hoses join the water pump in order to get the exhaust off and on. SO now am in the middle of trying to refill coolant system. Anyone got any tips for this process. I have had the radiator and engine compartment bleeders open and not been able to get any air out of the system.
68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car
The Bentley manual mentions jacking the front 500 higher than the rear, reving, filling, capping, sitting, repeat.
Get a Bentley, it helps.
Otherwise, go to the samba and search Libby bong. Many have had great success with that method.
Quit calling rust patina
Ben,
These things are the best for re-filling the cooling system.
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=24081&category_id=79&category_parent_id=
As Nils says it also should be jacked up at the rear.
Cheers,
Skot
88 Caravelle Syncro Camper
89 Caravelle GL microbus - 5 speed
69 Microbus
05 Mk5 Golf 1.9 TDi DSG
Thanks Nils and Scott. I have been trying that but not 500mm above. Have had some success and finally bled out some air just not 100% it is all out yet. Driving her again and keeping a close eye on temps. Trip to Berry Blast from the past should tell me how she is going!
68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car
Well no luck in trying to remove rear brake drums again. Gonna give it to Mike now. Have the feeling they have never been off.
68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car
Did some more work on Henrietta.
Now have driving lights and rear facing roof lights. All LEDs. Just love how bright they are.
68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car
And here are the driving lights. Only 45 watt but so bright.
Still have to run cabling for the Light bars on the roof but am having trouble running the wires where I want them.
68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car
Mmmm nice and bright there Ben
88 Caravelle Syncro Camper
89 Caravelle GL microbus - 5 speed
69 Microbus
05 Mk5 Golf 1.9 TDi DSG
Yeah Scott but still not happy with the standard lights. Have ordered some LED globes for the headlights, hopefully they will be brighter, especially if I finally get round to cleaning the reflectors.
68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car
Finally upgraded headlights. Much better on low beam now, can see ahead of me. LED globe plus a new multifaceted reflector headlight.
Also painted both the upper and lower grills. Unsure whether to refit the chrome strips. Opinions welcome!
68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car
Thought I would throw up a photo of what it is like with the new lights when on low beam.
68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car
Picture 1: Had a go at doing a carbon fibre wrap on centre piece of dash. Results are the balled up wrap on the right.
Picture 2: Painted pieces (centre dash piece and a test piece) black ready to attempt Hydrographic transfer.
Picture 3: Shows the film used for the transfer. This is only a test piece. Just one of many.
68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car
This test pice is my first success (to some degree). It is now clear coated but did need to paint it a different colour than black. Black just didn't show the contrast enough.
68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car
Spent afternoon preparing Henrietta for rego and the steering wheel needs new bearings. No worries I'll just get the wheel from the parts bus, but it has the same loose steering at the same point. Looks like I will be walking to work for the remainder of the week.
Has anyone ever needed to replace the bearing at the top f the steering column?
68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car
Ok, once fitted the steering column from the parts bus is not loose, also have much better feeling in the wheel. Had to change over the pins of the ignition as the new one wasn't working. Ignition is clearly in better condition as well with a nice positive feel to it. Only issue now is the plastic covers don't seem to fit as well so will have to paint the stalks as well as the covers from the parts bus.
68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car
Got passed rego easily but on way home had to get a tow.
Suspect some serious engine issues. Haven't as yet begun looking into it but had a loss of power, horrible noise like an exhaust loose but not quite the same and oil all over the bottom of the engine!
68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car
Bummer, I hope it's not all as bad as it seems to look. Good luck.
"The best trophies are stone chips"
1969 1500 Beetle "Otis"
2008 Golf GTI
