2013 started off wanting to body lift the baja and fit some bigger tyres.
That all changed last week as the Baja moved on to a new owner



But it was moved on so I can concentrate on some new projects, In the last 6 months we've bought five T3 kombi's one of which (an '84 T3 Kombi Panel) is destined to be an Offroad camper for me and the family to get away in
I picked it up on Friday, today some Syncro rear springs arrived on my door.


I've already got some 15" rims that I've machined to fit and hopefully be running some 225/75's on it.
It'll be a couple of weeks before I can really get stuck into it, but I'll try and keep things updated as I go.

I had 225 70 15s on back of mine with 37 offset rims and they were a great fit, i have 30x9.50 on now with 31 offset rims but they are a bit tall for the 1.9 except for that industrial first gear lol

Good to hear some feedback, Is your bus lifted?

no just standard height...but a lift is in the pipeline, i bought it because a mate wanted the simmons mags off it but couldnt afford whole bus and owner didnt want to split it up, man i love it...i see why people rave about their T3s, for a 1.9 pushing a big van they get along quit nicely, and comfy to boot.

just putting pics on bucket right now, yeah i ended up getting a rolled 2.1 with a partially rebuilt motor (clean as) for 500 so that is sitting waiting...mmmmm caravelle...beetle...bay...excuse for new project ahhh, has anyone used the electronic distributor in beetle?, sorry if im budging in on thread. The first pic is 225 70 15 on back and 195 80 15 on front...which was freelander oe if i remember, they are close in size height wise to the back and steer well in sand even though the michelin syncrons arent that well treaded, and 2nd and 3rd pics are 30x9.50 i think.


and a half assed arty one lol

Cool pics!

I was out at the shed today, working on my Caravelle and thought I had better snap a quick pic of the project......

nice one rhett

Got to love panels, my bay is a panel, have been trying to find a non runner T3 panel to use the gear out of the roll over purchase.
Your bus looks pretty straight!

Panel looks like a good project Mr Phat Bug

and thanks Bevel, for the pics of yours. How was it on the beach? I've had mine on a sand track a was pretty bad compared to what I've had in the past, obviously tyres are a big part to sand performance. The 30x9.50's must have been tight on the rear arms, did you put them on the front also, or are the 215/75x15's the limit for turning clearance?

'Gotta love panels'...x2 Yep, me too, my panel is great, my project T3 is also a panel but has had windows cut into it. Presently the bodywork is being done and unfortunately welding up the windows is just too big a job so I'm thinking blacking out the windows, either body colour or just black....oh decisions decisions.

I only had the 30x9.50s on the back, yes they are tight on the arms i dont think you could go much bigger without mega offset or syncro/ Sth Afican 16" arms maybe?, i cant recall if i tried them on the front but probably not otherwise i would have them on there lol, i just have the 195 80 15 on the front but i think 215 would be a good size. The bus is okay in sand but not as good as a bay so low pressure gets used alot more, my favourite size tyre is 31" but that would be too tall for the poor old girl.
I love how comfy the seats are in the caravelle with the armrests and how the 1.9 winds out...and out....

Thanks again guys, I've got 3 kombi's and a Country Buggy I've recently sold that need to be picked up before I have some space to get this in the shed and get stuck into it. Hopefully in the next 2 weeks or so.

Thats the trouble living in Tas, its a hassle checking out and moving vehicles interstate, been there done that.

I too recently bought my first T3 to use for work as I'm over the ute and wet whether up here on the sunshine coast! No engine problems here as was already running ej22 conversion "giddy up". The more I tinker with it to get ready for reg, the more I like! Oh I have no plans to sell my Baja at this stage though.

Cool, sounds good!

To be honest I hadn't taken the Baja off the tar in well over 12 months. Still drove it a bit just not offroad.

I've had two Kombi's picked up this week, and now finally have a bit of room in the shed. Moved her inside last night, time to get stuck in

callam just got himself one of these, whats the stud pattern rhett?

5x112 same as a bay, I've been busy on my Caravelle too with new shoes and bars.......

Looking great Phat man

We've been busy on my T3 project too....lots to do tho

My old man has an 8 seater aircooler rotting in the backyard as we speak

Got rego last week, and took her for its first decent drive.
Very happy with how it goes.



Then straight into the shed, for some lift......
checked the synchro rear springs out against the stock ones...



Dad's as hooked as I am............



and they're in..........


Hard to tell in the pic but the rear has come up 70mm

nice one rhett

Thanks Chris

New rims and tyres today, 15x6in rims with 235/75r15s....


Very very happy with the new stance!!





Rear has come up 105mm from stock, haven't done the front springs yet.

Looks great

Sweet, that looks heaps better, what offset are those rims?

I couldn't tell you off the top of my head,
They're AU falcon (PCD 114.3), that I've machined to suit Kombi (PCD 112)

We have used both 15" & 16" falcon steel wheels (Machined to suit of course) on Kombi's, they've always had the perfect offset.

A few daylight pics.......






Just for comparison.........

Spent last night making a bed for the van.…



Young bloke is pretty excited for our first camping trip next weekend

Been a while between updates,
Me and Brodie have been camping in her a couple of times and the queen size bed has made it more than comfortable!

I've taken off the roof bars and added an alloy rear step/Towbar and thus far no sign of any dramas with cvs or boots from the lift which is good. Oh and the air intake got sticker bombed.......



Today, I finally got a spare hour and made a start on the camper interior fitout and as it's a panel it's soo noisy inside. pyrotek supply various insulation type materials to us. A few of us enquired about doing a bulk order. Basically this stuff is the same as Dynamat but cost me a fraction of the price.

Started on the roof, will take the shit looking carpet off the walls and do them next.......

Well it looks like she has turned her last wheel in anger





Doesn't look that bad on the surface, but the damage underneath tells a different story

Luckily I have a window van with a relatively good body that I have been using for spares.
So might look at building something else down the track out of both of them.

That tree came out of nowhere?