Have taken 3 weeks leave to build the Desert Bus. Everyone thinks I'm nuts. Breif specs: '67 MB Originally Factory black, full 1600 Bay IRS conversion using '71 spring plates and angle arms and brackets, '77 Army Kombi 1600 gearbox and hub assemblies and brakes. Using '71 front g/box mount adapted to modified Splitty mounting point and '77 1600 rear engine bar and mounts and no top g/box mount. Fitting Bay gas shockers to new top mounting position, fitting modified '77 bump stop. Up front '69 beam '77 disc brakes and booster and pressure limiter, in fact the whole '77 braking system. Fitted with Gas shocks and Beam tilted forward at bottom 10mm for extra castor and clearance at back of wheel well for 205R16 ATs on 16x6.5 modified BA FORD One tonner rims with 245/70x16 on same rims on the back (no mods to rear gaurds at all).
Started on it Mon 2nd Feb should be back on wheels Friday 6th Feb.
Pics of day 1 & 2, Put hubs and wheels back on to move out of Graveyard then strip out and pressure wash and find RUST!!, Bit more than expected in some areas and not as much in other areas. Roll onto side to make it easier to work on (wish I had time to make a rotisserie) and remove front and rear ends.
Update in a couple of days.
[Edited on 5-3-2004 by Desert Bug]
[Edited on 22-4-2004 by Desert Bug]
helterskelter400 ·
mood = exited
soon will be tired!!
watching with interest...
kroozzn63 ·
looking foward to see how this turns out:thumb
splitbusaustralia ·
of all the 11 window splitbusses growing in Ian's paddock I always sorta thought this one had a lot of potential!
Looks like we're about to see some actualization/realisation!
Go desertsplit!
RobK
57kombi ·
If you manage to do it in 3 weeks ,,,, it will put my last 3 years to shame.
good luck
Dave
wacked1 ·
good one mate:thumb:thumb:thumb
is it back on it's wheels yet?
splitbusaustralia ·
Ian,
Thought about this today after the first quick read and am still not quite on top of your tranny mounting scheme. BUT if you are using the stock splitbus lower tranny mounts you have to clearance the buggery out of the supporting arms if you use 71 (or later) springplates and control arms - to the point its dangerous - esp so if you using this and no upper mount on the 1600 tranny?
You need 68/69 springplates and control arms (or you can use 68/69 springplates and later 70-79 control arms which are shortened and tweaked a little for more bend...). You can use the later hubs and axles with the 68/69 springplates.
regards
RobK
Desert Bug ·
Thanks for the comments and interest Folks, and Rob, I'm sorry I caused you to be thinking about VWs when probably shoulda been working. IRS done! well almost, P/S shocker mount finished today, and hand brake tube from '77 fitted so I can use '77 cables and handbrake lever, bump stop mount to make and fit then install front end then tip it over onto P/Side to complete shocker mount and bumpstop on drivers side.
Rob as you will see in pics I've completely removed original gearbox carrier and support bar and mounting motor and gearbox exactly the same as '68 to '71 (nose mount and rear bar). Hope to be back on wheels Sat 7th Feb.
Pics.
Desert Bug ·
This pic shows 245/70x16 BFG AT sitting in place, note clearance.
Bumpstopbus ·
It looks great desert bug, good to see anthor splity being bought back to life.doesn't like it has to much rust either.Are you planing on goin low.
Good luck and keep the pics comin in.
PHAT BUG ·
He's planning on goin up!!!
(much to my disgust)
Desert Bug ·
Yeah I'm going up as the name Desert Split implies (offroad).
Todays plan of being back on wheels didn't quite make it!! for a couple of reasons, 1. while cutting the hole for drivers side bump stop mount I cut thru the wiring loom, WHOOPS!!!!, and after dwelling on it for a while decided it was only a minor setback, so let's move on, fix it later (probably when I want to start the motor). Also had to go to Bendigo to help Rhettro pick up a set of Semaphores, only problem we had to take the half a Beetle they were attached to, but worth the couple of hours it took.
I did manage to complete the p/side rear and pulled the '69 front end out and clean it ready to go in tomorrow.
Pics: 1- completed p/s rear with new bumpstop mount in and shocker mounted.
2- next time check to see if any important bits are behind where I'm making holes.
Desert Bug ·
Sunday 8-2-04. BACK ON WHEELS!!!!
Had a big one today, Disc brake front end in and completed incl fitting brake booster.
Gee I love Kombis, all the bits from different models basicly just bolt together to acheive what you want. '68 beam (shift steering damper bracket to other end so as to make room for brake booster, cut booster braket off later model and fit to '68, fit '77 booster and front conector rod from '71 (shorte than '77) and it fits up to Splitty brake arm.
Pics: 1. disc front end in.
2. Booster in place.
3.+ 4. Back on wheels.
Desert Bug ·
Todays update, sorry no pics today.
Have rolled it onto other side to do drivers side rear shocker mount and bump stop and lots of other bits. Made up adaptor plates to mount '71 front gearbox mount to torsion bar tube. Extended clutch cable tube up over brake booster following accelerator cable tube. Removed all old brake lines (rusty) and started fitting lines of '77. Tomorrow fit steering box and fit '77 hand brake lever and mechanism.
Cheers, Ian.
wibble ·
Too cool! I've been looking for a cheap split to cut up like that for ages😀 going 2L or Jap motor??
kombi_kid ·
so when can i book my kombi in for the 3 week transformation???
looks good dude cant wait to come down to your place and ponder over all your VW stuff!!!
cheers
rhys
twoguns ·
goddam!!! you have blown me away. wham bam thank you maam. i know its not the case, but its like youve just gone out there and gone *ok lets jsut put this here that there and whalla*. mate i would ve loved to have been around to have more of an idea of what went on. but hey i probably woulda set ya back a few days.😀
basically did you jsut graft bay window running gear to your split?
Desert Bug ·
Hi Folks,
Wibble, no Jap motor but am hoping to build a 2lt with upright kit before the big trip in July, but for now a 1600 will do the job.
Rhys, Come on down!!!, welcome anytime, now let's see, I reckon allowing for one major project like this per year, with what we've got planned I could probably fit you in about 2010.
Twoguns, it sorta looks a bit like that, but in reality I built this Kombi on paper over 12 months ago, so it makes it much easier to do it once you start because you allready know what you need.
Todays update,
finished d/side shocker mount and bumpstop and did a fair bit of cleaning up underneath ready for painting with Bitumis chassis black paint when rust repair completed.
Coupla pics of mount adaptor plates:
kombi_kid ·
ok just scribbled that date into my 2010 diary!!!! ahahahah man i might have to do a few years yakka with you to learn all this stuff ur a man of many ideas and its good to see u proving people wrong!!
love ya work!
cheers
rhys
Desert Bug ·
Update!
Couple of days of patchy weather and a couple of mornings in Bendigo (about 30ks from home), a little behind schedule, but still going strong. Moved Kombi into shed now and have started on rust panel replacement (good fun!). Both sides bottom of B pillars, d/s floor approx 200x200mm, p/s floor same plus bottom of A pillar, outer sill under double doors and sections of d/s sill and sections of load area floor, mainly 4 corners.
Not much really considering what Rob (Splitbus Australia) has done on his Twin Cab.
Cheers, Ian.
wibble ·
good luck with it all! looking great,
I had planned a maxfx build within a couple of months but it kinda got out of hand (and budget!) if you pull this off your a bloody legend!:thumb:thumb
nbturbo ·
Does the Kombi have the same stud PCD as a Ford? Makes wheel selection a lot better if so.
kombi_kid ·
NB kombi is 5x112 PCD and ford is 5x114.2 PCD but ian(aka desert bug) has a jig made up the allow ford rims to be modified safely to 5 x 112 PCD and also cut to the 45 (?) degree angle in the wheel nuts so u can use VW ones!!! i currently have a set of steelies 16" rims which are great!
cheers
rhys
nbturbo ·
So you just drill the holes out larger. I was thinking it would be good to be able to fit up different Mag wheels to a Kombi.Couldn't do your mod to them though.
kombi_kid ·
its only 2.3mm differance that u have to make up somewhere but if its not done right then it could cause stress on the wheel studs/rims!
cheers
rhys
Desert Bug ·
Rhys, thanks for replying to the wheel question.
Update!
With Sat & Sun being Total Fire Bans here (temp 40 degrees plus and very low humidity) I wasn't able to use the Angle grinder or Welder so the rust repair got put on hold. So I fitted up a dummy motor and the '77 1600 gearbox to set up the rear engine mounts. Also small modification to the shifter connecting tube to cater for the angle of the gearbox. Also did some panelbeating (hammer and dolly) on a few dents and sanded down some panels and applied some primer.
And every few hours went and jumped in the pool to cool down.
Ian.
kombi_kid ·
hey
well that sucks but i agree i couldnt stand working on my kombi in the shed. sanding and hot whether just dont mix!!!!
so i went and jumped in the biggest salt water pool in the world!! (beach)
keep the updates coming ian!
cheers
rhys
Desert Bug ·
G'day all,
Update: I keep forgeting to take pics, tomorrow I will I promise!
I hate rust repair!!! but percivering. D/side nearly done, have been playing with the motor (1600 TP) with help from my Father-in-law Ken (he has just bought his first Beetle, '70 1500).
Pulled dummy motor out and boxing in chassis rails at back where engine mounts fit up. Fitted crush tubes cut from Beetle steering link tube, perfect size. Fitting early Bay bottom panel (modified)across engine bay and Bay engine lid to give more clearance above bumper (approx 45mm). Today also cleaned and painted engine bay and fitted '77 Bay 60lt fuel tank, absolute perfect fit, just had to fit longer straps fron '77 and cut '67 filler neck to suit and fit using rubber sleave from Bay. Also fitted front flexible heater tube from '77 in place of steel tube to cut down transfer of engine noise thru heater tube, fitted perfectly, just cut steel tube out leaving approx 30mm at each end facing each other (at crossmembers) and cut flexi tube to length to suit and fit using hose clamps, then tie up underneath with long zip ties or hose clamps in 3 spots.
Cheers, Ian.
kombi_kid ·
sounds all perfect what day we upto?
cheers
rhys
sikdub ·
Sounds good Ian. I'm a bit scared of what a monster that this bus will turn out to be. Keep us updated. 🙂 Oh yeah, pics too.... :thumb
Steven
Desert Bug ·
Update Friday 20/2/04.
Well! took some pics yesterday but didn't finish working on Splitty till 3.00AM this morning. Had wedding work on today, mow lawns, tidy up, etc., Rhett and Michelles' wedding tomorrow and Sunday and then back to work for a rest on Monday.
Didn't quite get to where I thought I would but very very happy with the way it is coming together. Underneath pretty much completed and cleaned and painted, back on its wheels, motor in place, now to concetrate on body and try and get Rego'd for a camping trip in 3 weeks time.
Pics:
[Edited on 20-2-2004 by Desert Bug]
matttyler ·
Thats Bullshit .
I mowed the lawn !!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers:bounce
Matt
P.s The t3 didn`t start (flat batt) will se you tomorrow.
Desert Bug ·
MattTyler,
Yeah right!!! I mowed the lawn on Friday, You ran over it again Sunday morning to pick up the leaves before the Wedding BBQ.
UPDATE:
Back at work now so putting in 4 to 5 hours after I get home.
Played with motor Monday night, fitted 009 dissy and refitted Holden carby the way I want it. These carbs work well offroad (in My experience), because the bowl is on the side you don't get flooding as much when climbing steep grades (Solex bowl is forward of the throat and when you get to 30-40 degrees it floods into carb).
Tuesday 24/2, more body work, fitted early Bay bottom panel accross engine bay and using bay lid, I can fit bumper 30mm higher now. Removed rear engine mount bar to check length of bolts and refitted bar using longer matching ones, refitted and sealed extractors.
Cheers, Ian.
Desert Bug ·
Update 6-3-04
G'day,
Rust repair, section replacement, panel straightning, seam sealing, hammer and dolly, heat shrinking, little bit of Bog to smooth out, sanding, primer, the list goes on and on. Been out in the shed till midnight every night this week. Very happy with progress to date.
Cheers, Ian.
[Edited on 9-3-2004 by Desert Bug]
sikdub ·
Keep the pics comin' 😀
Steven
Desert Bug ·
Added pics to last update.
Over the w/end finished floor repair at double doors and refitted doors, completed engine bay seal, fitted engine lid and top lift up door. Rear and sides now in Olive primer.
Cheers, Ian.
kombi_kid ·
as steven said keep them coming this transformation is incredible!!! i will have to go desert storming with you in this beast!!!
cheers
rhys
sgetty ·
that is amazing!!! and i gotta get some light for the my shed.
KruizinKombi ·
Come on Ian, the seven days are up. If God could create the world, then this bus should be well and truly finished!! :P:P
Ps. I test-fitted a 235/85-16 yesterday :thumb
Desert Bug ·
Update! Getting close!!!
Pics
Desert Bug ·
Pic
Cruzin in a Golf ·
Be great to see once finished on the "off" road!! he he
KruizinKombi ·
Bugger, what happened to the pics? :o
Desert Bug ·
G'day, yes I'm still "alive and kickin" just been very busy and with the problems with the Forum I haven't tried to post for a few weeks.
I've decided to start a new thread as the old one doesn't seem to work.
It's been approx ten weeks since I started this project on the 1-2-04 with this Splitty in the Graveyard.
Desert Bug ·
Then we had major suspension mods.
Desert Bug ·
And front.
Desert Bug ·
And back on wheels.
Desert Bug ·
And rust repair.
Desert Bug ·
And last Friday 9-4-04.
[Edited on 16-4-2004 by Desert Bug]
Desert Bug ·
'77 soft steering wheel fitted, '77 handbrake system and gear lever fitted and '70 Beetle speedo so I can put Temp gauge in old fuel gauge hole.
Desert Bug ·
Try this for size!! 255/70x16 Dueller HT on 16x7 Merc rim. 6mm clearance to springplate and 8mm to inside of gaurd.
fetid_swamp ·
now this is a machine...
oasis, forget your show monsters, THIS is a bus.
16" wheels & a bit of lift & a lot of work.. its really paying off.
Oasis ·
That's exactly what I was looking for. I love it.
Brad ·
looking good, what size front tyres ?
warb ·
sweet progress..
Desert Bug ·
Hi Brad, the ones on the front currently are 215/70x16 Dueller HTs, but will be running 205/80x16s for the Desert trip because they are so common in the Outback.
Cheers, Ian.
Brad ·
Thanks... it must be great to have that many parts lying around ... don't suppose you have any factory Louvre windows for a bay :kiss
Desert Bug ·
Sorry Brad, no I haven't, they would be '78 up Camper louvres I think.
Ian.
splitbusaustralia ·
Looking good Ian!
Snorkel and roof rack with ladder would look good!
Whats are the plans for the interior?
RobK
Desert Bug ·
G'day Rob,
Interior will have permanent double bed set up over engine up to approx center of dbl doors. Underneath bed will be 130lt fuel tank and 82lt water tank plus a roll out kitchen in line with rearward side door, plus various other storage areas. Behind drivers seat will be a 29lt Engel fridge sitting on top another cupb.
With the 60lt Bay fuel tank I will still carry a 20lt jerrycan to bring total fuel to 210lt for the trip accross the Desert.
At this stage I don't want to put a rack on top, need to keep weight low as possible, but will build a double spare wheel rack across the back above the taillights. As for snorkles, l'm putting an air tube up in the vent area.
With current tyres there is 490mm from ground to under sill, will be putting taller tyres on for the trip, about 20mm extra clearance (not loaded).
Just for interest, cost to date less than $300 using bits from paddock (incl paint), not counting time (hobby time doesn't count).
Cheers, Ian.
Brad ·
you keep paint in your paddock ?? 😎
Desert Bug ·
Coulda worded that slightly different, but I knew what I meant when I wrote it.
Cheers.
Brad ·
hehehe
Cruzin in a Golf ·
beautiful work, when is the desert run?
sikdub ·
Good stuff Ian, I'm lovin it. I was wondering how things were going....
Steven
Desert Bug ·
Hi,
Desert trip is mid July to mid August across The Great Victoria Desert west of Coober Pedy to Vokes Hill Corner then south to the Eyre Hwy at Nalabor Roadhouse, back to Ceduna then north on Googs Track to the railway line then out to the Stuart Hwy. Will be away from home about 3 weeks.
Cheers, Ian.
Cruzin in a Golf ·
wish i could do that mate, but wont have 3 weeks spare nor the car to do it with. Is it a solo thing or you got a group going?
Desert Bug ·
There's 5 Kombies being built for the trip, 2 Bays, 3 Splitties.
4 couples from Volksclub Bendigo plus a bloke who is flying out from Canada just to do the trip.
splittychick ·
The splittys looking great & the trip sounds awesome.Look forward to the updates.:thumb
kombi_kid ·
u wont to sell me the splitty when ya done?
cheers
rhys
Desert Bug ·
This pic didn't load up on 1st page (there now), taken Easter Friday.
kombi_kid ·
mate that looks bloody awesome!!!!
cheers
rhys
Desert Bug ·
Thanks Rhys,
I'm happy with the way it's coming together. You'll probably notice a few custom changes, like early Type 3 bullet indicators, 1418 Mercedes truck headlight rings, Number plate recess in bumper etc. Seeing how I can't claim this as a restoration because of all the other changes I've done, I decided to incorporate all the little custom things I've always wanted to do to a Splitty.
It is not being built as a show car, but a purpose built Offroad Kombi that will take us most places that we want to go and have people scatching their heads wondering how we got there.
Most people who know me think I'm nuts anyway so this will probably prove them right!!!
Cheers, Ian.
kombi_kid ·
ian
if you can do this to any splitty i will pay the $$$$ to get it done its come out awesome (plus i want an offroad splitty) i will supply the splitty!!
cheers
rhys
matttyler ·
Good to see the pics come up !!!!!! Looks fantasic.
P.S
Sorry Rhys you will have to join the line to buy it !!!! (remember Ian I asked first) Then I suppose its a bidding war:vader
Matt😉
kombi_kid ·
you have family priority!!!
it would put funny looks on those people's faces out in the desert!!! imagine seeing 5 kombi's coming at you!!! all jacked up and loaded to the brim!
cheers
rhys
splittychick ·
That splitty is looking AWESOME.Its so cool seeing before & after shots as it helps me realise,I WILL FINALLY GET MINE THERE!!🙂
Desert Bug ·
Hi all,
Splittychick, stick with it, it's a lot of hard work but worth it when done. In the nine weeks up to Easter I hadn't gone to bed before midnight except for 3 nights.
Rhys, mate! I'm about KOMBIED OUT!!! Once I get this one Rego'd I have to start the internal fitout. Next project was to be a radical Beetle based roadster that I've been thinking about for years. Rhett also wants to finish another one of my project ideas that I've had two goes at.
Cheers, Ian.
KruizinKombi ·
Looking great Ian, I look forward to seeing it. I may have to give you a call next time I'm over in Tarnagulla... 🙂
matara ·
Hey Ian,
Can you tell me how you got the splitty over on its side. I see from the previous pic that you have an axle stand on the jacking point. How did you secure the roof bit, and how did you get it over without it resting on the bodywork? Any more pics you have would be appreciated.
Great looking kombi by the way, and I think you've been a real inspiration to all those people with $2000 fixer uppers who thought it would be 15 years before they'd see anything like a registerable split!
Cheers
Steve
Desert Bug ·
G'day Steve,
I sent you a u2u about it. Basicly you throw a 50mm strap (old seat belts are good) over the roof hook it on and PULL!!! Good idea to have an observor to check as it tips and just before the point of no return I positioned some old tyres so that the rain gutter area would take most of the load. At the same stage I put some old Kombi front drums in place to meet the dust cover on the front wheel and the axle nut on the back wheel then give a little push and over it goes. I've used this method many times with very little damge, maybe a small bend in the gutter which is very easy to straighten. I then use a Beetle jack with a bit of pipe over it long enough to fit into the top chassis rail and jack it up and put axle stands under the jacking points, this makes it quite stable to work on. To get it back onto its' wheels is pretty much reverse of above. Makes underneath work easy.
The Beetle jack with various lengths of pipe and various shape blocks of wood makes a very useful tool when trying to straighten out bodywork, you use it like a Porta Power only much easier and very much cheaper.
Another very useful bit of equipment I have is a discarded invalid aid hydraulic jib I picked up at our local recycle yard for $10, all nice and chrome and just needed some hydraulic oil and it very handy when lifting motors onto engine stands and I use it when taking beetle motors out and in (without removing engine lid.
Well this got a bit long winded.
Cheers, Ian.
Desert Bug ·
Desert Splitty Registered Today 22/4/04!!!!!! YAHHOO!!!!!
Will take some pics tomorrow, was dark when I got home.
Total build time 11.5 weeks from shell in The Graveyard to Rego.
I'm now VERY EXCITED!!!!
Cheers, Ian.
Anthiron ·
congrats mate! have a :beer
KruizinKombi ·
Congratulations Ian, that must be one of the fastest resurrections in history!!! 😀😀😀
splittychick ·
WELL DONE,that is one inspirational resto job.:bounce
Cruzin in a Golf ·
yeah be great to see it getting around now!!!
pod ·
well done. Cant wait for the pics
kombi_kid ·
BLOODY AWESOME!!!!
Desert Bug ·
Why is it that some post don't show or add on. There was one from "Pod" and one from "Kombikid" that aren't there.
Ian.
splittychick ·
Every time on click on the last post in this thread that says it was posted on the 28th,it takes me to the last thread as the 23rd.So i'm posting this to see where it takes me in the hope i can read the latest updates.:thumb
PHAT BUG ·
I took it for a spin on friday!
Man its awesome, didn't get a chance to go bush tho,
But that will happen soon enough!
KruizinKombi ·
Testing.....
Da Wiz ·
I want to see this kombi !!! Obviously the pics have 'expired' is there anyway you can post them on a website and link it ... so they don't expire 😀
Desert Bug ·
G'day All,
Been Registered a couple of weeks now and continuing to work on it, started fitting out the interior.
Here's a couple of pics of Dessert Splitty with my Wife's '71 Bug and Desert Splitty doing "The Dam Bank".
Both cars painted Avardo Green and Polar White (early one). Empi 8 spokes on the Bug and 16x7.5 Auscar Shadow Spokes on the Splitty.
Cheers, Ian.
[Edited on 3-5-2004 by Desert Bug]
Desert Bug ·
Pic2
Desert Bug ·
Pic3 "The Dam Bank"
KruizinKombi ·
Very nice, and I love the wheels. Are you planning to sell some of those too? They look similar to the ones 11CAB is running on his bus.
I'm not sure about the missing posts. The forum seems to do some funny things sometimes when the moderators functions are used, but I suspect in this case it was because I merged the wrong posts and had to split them again. They could even be in Rob's thread about Leo....
I guess I probably should have left the posts alone, but it's a shame for people to miss the early posts and pics of the restoration because they've slowly slid down the list. It seemed like a good idea at the time to have them all in the one thread.
Desert Bug ·
G'day Col,
Thanks for trying to sort the thread out, it gets a bit frustrating when its like that.
Thanks for the compliments, I'm pretty rapt with the way it all came together, and can't wait to get "out there".
I have sold those wheels as I felt they were too good to go Bushbashing with and will stick with the Ford rims for Offroad use.
Cheers, Ian.
Desert Bug ·
G'day All,
Well as most of you know I'm moving to the top of the Great Sandy Desert in north/east WA to take up a new job.
The Desert Splitty will be taking us there with trailer in tow (approx 4,100ks), at the moment I'm still fitting out the interior and this w'end doing a run down the Border Fence track on the edge of The Big Desert in North/West Victoria with the other three Desert Kombis that my mates have built ('67 Panel, '62 Dual cab and '74 Bay). These people are still going on the trip across the Great Victoria Desert west of Coober Pedy in July.
Cheers, Ian.
matttyler ·
Some photos of Ian's Splitty and trailer as they head off to desert in WA. They have so far made it to Alice Springs (left Wednesday morning). Not doing too bad, considering the heavy load and crappy weather!!!