Hey all,
I'm in the process of rodding up a dub as some of would have seen in this forum.
I'm more of a cut first, ask questions later sort of guy. But I would like to hear from other volksrodders about any issues they had or are having with road or rod reg.
I decided on a 4" chop because it sits well without distorting the awesome shape the vw's already have, plus I've read on hear that a 4" chop would still be legal. In saying that the car was always going to receive a 4" chop, anything less than that, is not even worth the effort.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Regards
Fatty
helbus ·
If you don't start by contacting a VASS engineer as listed on the VicRoads website, you will never get anywhere.
Thanks for the tip helbus. I have already been in contact with Vic roads and spoken to a few VASS engineers. To date I have contacted 3 VASS engineers and they all have given me the same answer " Not to sure, look up the up the vicroads web site and see whats allowed" Not the help I was expecting. The reason I've asked on this forum is in the hope that someone would know a Vass Engineer that has dealt with volksrods.
Once again thanks for your input and the link 👍
Regards
Fatty
essex ·
I contacted a few vass engineers early on when i was starting my chop (5" in a posts)
There was very little interest from any one I spoke to, they were talking progress inspections, torsional twist tests, visibility from the drivers seated position, and at what cost,
There is info on vic roads website , but you need to get an engineer on board
Fat Boy ·
Let's see The heading is clear. 55 views and only 2 replies with this many members on the site, I find it hard to believe that there isn't 1 single road or rod registered bug, or 1 member that has not gone through the process before. Come on guy's sharing caring, help the Fat fella out A 😉.
Regards
Fatty
helbus ·
I have been involved in a 40mm chop on a car, and it was looked at by Frank Fordham VASS. It wasn't a VW, but the simple thing is to look through the NCOP National Code of Practice
VSB 14 will give you plenty of info. If your chop wont fit within some of these parameters, it cannot be done. If you can do everything within this Bulletin, then your VASS will allow it.
VSB14 is what I have used for the dozens of cars I have been involved with VASS.
Fat Boy ·
You da man helbus. I still think it would be great for all, if there was more involvement with these issues.
I have searched High and Low on the site with little info, maybe regs could be posted up with a sticky thingy after all this section is dedicated to Rat's N Rod's.
It would be nice to have a VASS engineer on board save alot of people alot $$$ and time.
My point still stands Only 2 people prepared to help out a fellow dubber.
You are a champion as far as I'm concerned helbus.
Regards
Fatty
helbus ·
I do know of a VW knowledgeable VASS. Try Bill Malkoutzis. He would be known by a few of the VW Forum members.
Fat Boy ·
Once again thanks helbus. VSB14 was the 1st bit of info I down loaded prior to the cut, then a reg from vicroads regarding vision. I read both and decided that the 4" chop will fall well within the criteria. I waited a week to hear back from vicroads only for them to say 4" is way too much chop spoke to 3 vass engineers, one prior to the chop and two after, same answer, at least the 1st one pointed me in the direction of the VSB14 literature.
I've done a little home work and decided to test the drivers vision.
Fat Boy ·
I think the math is right🤪
I then placed a pole out at 11mt worked out seat hight and middle of seat travel, it actually comes close to standard. The laser in the car is set to 760mm above seat hight as per diagram attached. Turned on the laser made a mark on the pole out at 11 mt, clamped extra pole 1.95 mt long up from laser line, went back sat in the car and without bobbing or moving in the car could see both below the pole (ground level) and well above.
Hope this will come in handy for anybody that is thinking twice about a chop.😉
Information is gold boy's, but its not worth shit unless you share it.
Regards
Fatty
ran5 ·
u need to have it passsed by the only engineer in vic allowed to do it, jean-Christophe who is the guy that does all the hotrods in vic, i know of no legally registered volksrod in the country full stop.....im hoping to have the first one.....
ran5 ·
beam extension seems to be the biggest issue......ill let u know more when i do.......also depends on how much u mod suspension...etc....r u just roof chopping...?
theVman ·
ran5 wrote:i know of no legally registered volksrod in the country full stop....
Are you talking full rego? I think these are at least club rego'd....
Im not really sure about THIS one...
Or THIS one....
ran5 ·
yes...but are these actually legally registered....you can stick a number plate on anything and say its got rego......i can get mine done now..but ill be screwed first time i get pulled over.....you know what im saying.........if these above cases are actually regoed id love to know how they got beam through..thats the holy grail part....the rest is do able.....well with money....haha......
theVman ·
yeh, I know what your saying. I think I read here on another thread that the WA registered bug actually extended the origional floor frame head for WA from a beam extension he had in another state to get it passed there.
ah ok...stand corrected...🙂 looks like a few have been....i chatted more about mine today, and all on track..i wont be doing beam extension until next year..and we are remaking it the right way, yep needs xraying, cert welding etc etc.....
old bugger ·
hey ran,VWMA mag issues aug to oct 09, aug to oct 08, and nov 08 to jan 09, have good articles on a couple of the cars above. cheers,pete
old bugger ·
oops, stuffed up, middle one aug to oct 10 not 08, pete
ran5 ·
cheers pete will see if i can find those issues
old bugger ·
if you can't, pm me your address and you can have them. i've read em about 50 times!
Fat Boy ·
ran5 wrote:beam extension seems to be the biggest issue......ill let u know more when i do.......also depends on how much u mod suspension...etc....r u just roof chopping...?
Just looking at the roof chop, maybe some channeling. The bug is going to have full fenders and a bug engine.
Thanks for your input ran5
Regards
Fatty
theVman ·
I followed up "old bugger" advice and contacted VWMA mag on Monday, had the 3 editions in my hands on Tuesday. Excellent service.
old bugger ·
hey ran, posted them on tuesday, should be there soon, pete
ran5 ·
Got mags, thanx so much, will get stuck into reading them....
DubbyFan ·
Would imagine you may have considered this already? How about throwing her on a late model pan putting guards on her and running her as a chopped Beetle. Nice wheels narrowed beam, low down in the weeds, the thing would look way cool just like that!
Would imagine you would get past all the rego hassles a lot
easier that way as well!
Fat Boy ·
Thats pretty much what is going to happen with this bug. I'm looking for a 71 non super pan, the alterations are minor. Thanks for the input.
Regards
Mark
stoppa ·
ran5 wrote:u need to have it passsed by the only engineer in vic allowed to do it, jean-Christophe who is the guy that does all the hotrods in vic, i know of no legally registered volksrod in the country full stop.....im hoping to have the first one.....
stop talkin crap mine is legally registered.🙅
ran5 ·
stoppa wrote:
ran5 wrote:u need to have it passsed by the only engineer in vic allowed to do it, jean-Christophe who is the guy that does all the hotrods in vic, i know of no legally registered volksrod in the country full stop.....im hoping to have the first one.....
stop talkin crap mine is legally registered.🙅
maybe have a read of thread, that has already been established.....
stoppa ·
ran5 wrote:
stoppa wrote:
ran5 wrote:u need to have it passsed by the only engineer in vic allowed to do it, jean-Christophe who is the guy that does all the hotrods in vic, i know of no legally registered volksrod in the country full stop.....im hoping to have the first one.....
stop talkin crap mine is legally registered.🙅
maybe have a read of thread, that has already been established.....
doh .. if you drink and use the computer your a bloody idiot🤪
DubbyFan ·
DubbyFan wrote:Would imagine you may have considered this already? How about throwing her on a late model pan putting guards on her and running her as a chopped Beetle. Nice wheels narrowed beam, low down in the weeds, the thing would look way cool just like that!
Would imagine you would get past all the rego hassles a lot
easier that way as well!
Here you go Fatboy just do this your chopped bug and you have a way cool ride I reckon.........
I have been in touch with Bonneville and everything is going very well.
He would like to see the dub after the grinding is done and before paint. Other than that, as long as I don't do anything too radical then a certificate won't be too much of an issue.
Regards
Fatty
Fat Boy ·
We had our 1st inspection with the engineer. All is good and it looks like we are well on our way to full rego.
Sorry if I always speak as if there are more than one person involved in the chop, but the bug and I have become quite close as you could imagine lol.
The only other person I have spent more time on is the wife lol. I suppose any bloke wouldnt complain about grinding the missus for 2 whole days..........I just cracked myself up.😂
I am looking for a name for the bug, I'm thinking a good strong German female name any help would be appreciated.
P.S the engineer I have used is Jean Bonniville if any one needs this information just ask. It's that simple.
Regards
The Fat One
helbus ·
JC Bonneville did the Helbus VASS. He does like seeing quality work and is reasonable. If you can play within the rules, you can do anything you want.
DubbyFan ·
Have enjoyed this chop/build any chance of some pic's of the completed car, Fatboy,,,,,,,,Please!
Fat Boy ·
It was Ran 5 that pointed me in the direction of Jean.
I havent been on here for a while, I have seen that Ran sold the Helbus? Is this correct?
I have managed to get this far with the help of you guy's. I know I can be a little pushy but I mean well😉.
As for pic's of the finished product, we have alot of hard yards between now and then.
Any progress on the dub will be posted as I go. So stay tuned.