| [ Total Views: 1137 | Total Replies: 23 | Thread Id: 103069 ] |
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 simohagz
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| posted on August 13th, 2013 at 10:40 AM |
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All terrain 1969 beetle
Guys,
Thinking about upgrading my 1969 road car so it can handle a bit of mixed terrain (dirt road/rough surface). Thinking of adding a sump guard of some
sort. Also interested to know what size/width of tyres I can fit on stock rims with a stock front beam. Having trouble identifying any
“all-terrain” tyres..
Lastly is tow points. I have found a towing bar for the front end, appears to bolt direct to beam and has a towball receptacle attached. Haven’t
found a suitable rear towbar as yet though…Any ideas?
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bajachris88
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| posted on August 13th, 2013 at 10:55 AM |
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Will there be any raising involved?
Sump skid plates usually bolt onto the underside of the rear bull bar frame that wraps around underneith for a buggy/baja. I guess being a stock
sedan, if you can get a rear tow bar kit that goes to the rear torsion arms you can plate the underside, from back and extending all the way to the
gearbox. Just be sure to cut out some holes for easy oil change.
What rims you are running? AT's (all terrains) for 14 inch rims are getting very scarce, 15 inch is easier.
(ô_!_/ô) (ô_!_/ô)
69' baja: kombi box, thing spindles, irs, disc front, type 3 rear drums, 2 inch lift kit, 31x10 rears. 
New engine in process: 94mm p&bs, 74mm C/w chomol Crank, 35.5x39 SP heads, turbo. Wierd combo, hopeful torque monsta! |
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 matberry
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| posted on August 13th, 2013 at 11:52 AM |
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Google class 11 off-road
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE
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ian.mezz
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| posted on August 13th, 2013 at 02:26 PM |
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beetles have about 260cm ground clearance from the sill off the road any way.
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taqV0QM53O4
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AA003
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| posted on August 13th, 2013 at 04:23 PM |
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Just get a genuine VW Australia Hayman Reese towbar to use as a sump guard.
Get some 1950s rear torsion bars and spring plates for more lift.
Get some BF Goodrich all terrain tyres and suitable wheels.
I read it on samba, so it must be correct.
Sometimes Volkswagen dealers sell spare parts. Amazing isn't it!
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simohagz
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| posted on August 13th, 2013 at 04:42 PM |
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Thanks for the reply's guys.
I dont really want to lift the car if it can be avoided. The "off-road" will mostly consist of dirt track, not rock hopping!
It seems really hard to get all terrain style tyres in sizes that will fit into the stock guards at stock height without rubbing.
So far I have turned up Nankang FT-7's in 175/80/R15 which is pretty damn close to orginal spec (165/80/r15)...
With the towbar, its isnt shown on the hayment reese website, I will give them a call!
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AA003
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| posted on August 13th, 2013 at 05:12 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by simohagz
With the towbar, its isnt shown on the hayment reese website, I will give them a call!
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Probably not been available for many years. I just sold one a few weeks ago.
Try getting some 14" wheels.
Where are you?
I read it on samba, so it must be correct.
Sometimes Volkswagen dealers sell spare parts. Amazing isn't it!
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simohagz
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| posted on August 13th, 2013 at 05:21 PM |
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Ah ok...might have to hang out and find a preloved one..
I am northern beaches sydney.
What advantage will the 14" rims give over 15's? Are there more sizes availiable in 14" for all terrain?
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Craig Torrens
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| posted on August 13th, 2013 at 05:47 PM |
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I have a VW towbar that mounts to the bumper, goes under the motor and then bolts to the torsion tube housing thats good for protection. Let me know
if that interests you and I can send you a pic and price.
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waveman1500
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| posted on August 13th, 2013 at 06:10 PM |
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If you're only doing dirt roads and not 4wd tracks, then just leave it alone! Stock Beetles are much better off-road than most cars anyway, as long
as you watch your speed and don't spin it off the road!
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 helbus
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| posted on August 13th, 2013 at 10:43 PM |
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Power would be great to have on dirt roads. Steering with the accelerator so to speak.
How does a Beetle with good power drive on dirt roads compared to say an EH Holden?
The old Holdens have very light rear end easy oversteer on dirt, but easy to steer sideways with countersteering. I learnt to turn left to go right
etc. as a youngin' in an EH Holden. Does a Beetle control as easily with the heavy rear, light front.
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Aussie Dubbin
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| posted on August 13th, 2013 at 10:58 PM |
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Look at Bridgestone winter dueller tyres. I don't think you can buy then in aus. Saw them tall and skinny on a trailer and looked like a great off
road tyre for a bug. Looked like t was 15" maybe 175 or185
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beetleboyjeff
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| posted on August 14th, 2013 at 12:03 AM |
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Here are some pictures of my tow bar - it does protect the engine a lot.
Here is the tow bar:
And here it is on the car:
Or for a clearer look at how it mounts:
and this is how you use it off road:
Many years ago, I had a steel skid plate made up that went from the front of the transaxle to the back of the engine, then had the tow bar welded to
the back of that, making it all one piece. It worked great, but was as heavy as anything.
From your ole' mate Jeff
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AA003
A.k.a.: Phill
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| posted on August 14th, 2013 at 06:39 AM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by simohagz
Ah ok...might have to hang out and find a preloved one..
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Ask around some of the VW mechanics. VVDS etc. They often have some laying around.
| Quote: | What advantage will
the 14" rims give over 15's? Are there more sizes availiable in 14" for all terrain?
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Yes, and they will fit under the guards.
Ask around some of the people who used to rally Beetles as they may have some bits left over.
I read it on samba, so it must be correct.
Sometimes Volkswagen dealers sell spare parts. Amazing isn't it!
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simohagz
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| posted on August 14th, 2013 at 07:31 AM |
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Thanks for the responses guys.
Really appreciate it.
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matberry
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| posted on August 14th, 2013 at 08:18 AM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by helbus
Power would be great to have on dirt roads. Steering with the accelerator so to speak.
How does a Beetle with good power drive on dirt roads compared to say an EH Holden?
The old Holdens have very light rear end easy oversteer on dirt, but easy to steer sideways with countersteering. I learnt to turn left to go right
etc. as a youngin' in an EH Holden. Does a Beetle control as easily with the heavy rear, light front.
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10x better (and faster) than any front engine rear wheel drive combo....
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE
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Smiley
A.k.a.: Daniel Stephens
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| posted on August 14th, 2013 at 12:13 PM |
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I would recommend sticking with 15" rims. Tyres for 14"s are just getting too hard to get.
Smiley 
If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.
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AA003
A.k.a.: Phill
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| posted on August 14th, 2013 at 12:51 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by Smiley
I would recommend sticking with 15" rims. Tyres for 14"s are just getting too hard to get.
Smiley
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It is hard to get tyres in 15" that will fit under the guards.
I read it on samba, so it must be correct.
Sometimes Volkswagen dealers sell spare parts. Amazing isn't it!
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Smiley
A.k.a.: Daniel Stephens
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| posted on August 14th, 2013 at 07:51 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by AA003
| Quote: | Originally
posted by Smiley
I would recommend sticking with 15" rims. Tyres for 14"s are just getting too hard to get.
Smiley
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It is hard to get tyres in 15" that will fit under the guards.
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Would probably be easiest if the OP lifted and Baja'ed the car 
Smiley
If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.
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donn
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| posted on August 14th, 2013 at 09:38 PM |
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If your after a tow bar and are prepared to manufacture your own then there is a bit of info that may be of help here,
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=83482&page=2
by plating the bottom of the bar it would give the engine some protection. I should point out that I did 3 months towing a trailer (15,000 km) without
once taking the trailer off the car, when I got home I checked the bar with a straight edge and was unable to measure any deflection from when I built
it.
I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!
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Craig Torrens
A.k.a.: Craig Torrens
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| posted on August 19th, 2013 at 01:51 PM |
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Simohagz, I have a towbar for you....shoot me your email address and I can send pics
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AA003
A.k.a.: Phill
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| posted on August 19th, 2013 at 02:56 PM |
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These are also helpful
I read it on samba, so it must be correct.
Sometimes Volkswagen dealers sell spare parts. Amazing isn't it!
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modnrod
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| posted on August 21st, 2013 at 06:52 AM |
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185R14C LT tyres work well as rally-pattern tyres after the side tread blocks have been opened up a bit, makes a really good gravel tyre.
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vwo60
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| posted on August 21st, 2013 at 09:41 AM |
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the old transaxel straps are great of you want plenty of noise, try one of these
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