Classic VW Baja Build
#1
Classic VW Baja Build
I did this awhile back, so I'm just sharing it. I still have some work to do but I'm currently turbocharging my B16A EF Civic, so the bug is staying how it currently is.
Still to come:
Roll Cage
Tubular Front Bumper
Rally Bar with 4 HID Lamps
Install switches (Push to start, ect)
New Tires (Wrangler Wheels, 30 inch)
Winch install (looking at 2 Tons or so)
New Dash (6 Gauge custom dash)
I may end up doing a motor swap on this car if I can find a complete 911 motor. How beast would it be with a turbo charged EFI porsche motor? For now, 52 bhp will get me around town and still look like a boss.
So here's the start of the bug and the progress along the way.
Day one taking the deck lid off of the bug
Jacked it up and removed the wheel to get to the engine bolts.
This is an important picture! Remember those wires and where they go.
Took off the fenders
Cut off a portion of the rear end
Rear end REMOVED
Engine is out! Pain in the butt to get to the engine/trans bolts
Shot of the transaxle
New shocks
Crappy old shock looking dirty
Removed the shock
Threw that crap down the drive way
Prepped the new shock
Installed
Looking at the new stance
Sits with an acceptable camber
Good wheel clearance
Removed the pressure plate to replace the clutch
Clutch was GONE, springs had fallen off and were scraping
Then I removed the fan shroud and alternator from the engine
Removed the carb for cleaning
Put on the new headers
And the stinger tip
Back to the clutch, notice the dust that came out
Replaced the pilot/throw out bearing
New pressure plate is on and torqued down
Cut the fender and rolled it out
Better clearance than stock
Plenty of room for some 30's
Good enough to protect the wheel too
Jacking the engine up for reinstall
Moving in for the mount
And it's too wide
You can always hope it fits the first time
But whats this on the porch!?
New bumper
Bumper mounts
Had to clean the bumper prior to paint
Prepped for paint
Sprayed matte black
Holes drilled for my switch panel
An aluminum backing to attach to the dash
Painted that black too
Switches in
Back to the engine install, walls cut back more
Looking good from this angle
And it's in!
Removing the interior garbage
Marking the mounting positions
Drilled holes
Installed the bumper
Wheels put back on
Dash looking like a good fit
Oiled up!
Cleaning corrosion off the battery cables
Battery installed
Trying to remember where these wires go...Aha!
Got my plate!
Installed the sucker
I forgot how dirty this car was
A before and after shot at once
How I hate this rusty bumper
Now it's black
Installed a tail light and ran the wires
Both lights good to go
Cutting the other fender finally
Looks pretty good with those fenders on it.
Here's where the front end started.
Check out my how to make cheap HID offroad lamps thread. I installed mine rally style on the bumper
The HIDs have a much brighter and more usable light to them
I think the front end will look even better with a tubular bumper, cut fenders, and that rally bar installed
Video List:
The Engine Starts!
Testing my Wiring
Tail Lights working
That's where the car stands today. I will be updating this original post whenever there is a change or update to be had.
Still to come:
Roll Cage
Tubular Front Bumper
Rally Bar with 4 HID Lamps
Install switches (Push to start, ect)
New Tires (Wrangler Wheels, 30 inch)
Winch install (looking at 2 Tons or so)
New Dash (6 Gauge custom dash)
I may end up doing a motor swap on this car if I can find a complete 911 motor. How beast would it be with a turbo charged EFI porsche motor? For now, 52 bhp will get me around town and still look like a boss.
So here's the start of the bug and the progress along the way.
Day one taking the deck lid off of the bug
Jacked it up and removed the wheel to get to the engine bolts.
This is an important picture! Remember those wires and where they go.
Took off the fenders
Cut off a portion of the rear end
Rear end REMOVED
Engine is out! Pain in the butt to get to the engine/trans bolts
Shot of the transaxle
New shocks
Crappy old shock looking dirty
Removed the shock
Threw that crap down the drive way
Prepped the new shock
Installed
Looking at the new stance
Sits with an acceptable camber
Good wheel clearance
Removed the pressure plate to replace the clutch
Clutch was GONE, springs had fallen off and were scraping
Then I removed the fan shroud and alternator from the engine
Removed the carb for cleaning
Put on the new headers
And the stinger tip
Back to the clutch, notice the dust that came out
Replaced the pilot/throw out bearing
New pressure plate is on and torqued down
Cut the fender and rolled it out
Better clearance than stock
Plenty of room for some 30's
Good enough to protect the wheel too
Jacking the engine up for reinstall
Moving in for the mount
And it's too wide
You can always hope it fits the first time
But whats this on the porch!?
New bumper
Bumper mounts
Had to clean the bumper prior to paint
Prepped for paint
Sprayed matte black
Holes drilled for my switch panel
An aluminum backing to attach to the dash
Painted that black too
Switches in
Back to the engine install, walls cut back more
Looking good from this angle
And it's in!
Removing the interior garbage
Marking the mounting positions
Drilled holes
Installed the bumper
Wheels put back on
Dash looking like a good fit
Oiled up!
Cleaning corrosion off the battery cables
Battery installed
Trying to remember where these wires go...Aha!
Got my plate!
Installed the sucker
I forgot how dirty this car was
A before and after shot at once
How I hate this rusty bumper
Now it's black
Installed a tail light and ran the wires
Both lights good to go
Cutting the other fender finally
Looks pretty good with those fenders on it.
Here's where the front end started.
Check out my how to make cheap HID offroad lamps thread. I installed mine rally style on the bumper
The HIDs have a much brighter and more usable light to them
I think the front end will look even better with a tubular bumper, cut fenders, and that rally bar installed
Video List:
Testing my Wiring
Tail Lights working
That's where the car stands today. I will be updating this original post whenever there is a change or update to be had.
#2
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Pensacola, FL and every Court House in Louisiana
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Re: Classic VW Baja Build
As a air cooler lover and prior owner of a ghia vert, I am a little saddened by this! It looked like such a mint specimen!!!
#3
Re: Classic VW Baja Build
I do love my beetle though. As my first car, I can never replace it.
#5
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Pensacola, FL and every Court House in Louisiana
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Re: Classic VW Baja Build
I gotcha. I have been looking for a few years for a old vw that is close to rust free. Kinda hard in Florida. I had a 74 karmann ghia convertible that we restored when I was 14. I loved that car.
My wife has no interest in my honda but told me if I got her a classic vw convertible, she would be in the garage working on it with me. She shouldn't have told me that!!!
Got any side shots? It is hard to tell what difference the shocks made!
My wife has no interest in my honda but told me if I got her a classic vw convertible, she would be in the garage working on it with me. She shouldn't have told me that!!!
Got any side shots? It is hard to tell what difference the shocks made!
#6
Re: Classic VW Baja Build
I gotcha. I have been looking for a few years for a old vw that is close to rust free. Kinda hard in Florida. I had a 74 karmann ghia convertible that we restored when I was 14. I loved that car.
My wife has no interest in my honda but told me if I got her a classic vw convertible, she would be in the garage working on it with me. She shouldn't have told me that!!!
Got any side shots? It is hard to tell what difference the shocks made!
My wife has no interest in my honda but told me if I got her a classic vw convertible, she would be in the garage working on it with me. She shouldn't have told me that!!!
Got any side shots? It is hard to tell what difference the shocks made!
The no rust in Florida is hard. Picked this up from a guy who lived on the beach and it's just nothing but rust issues. The guy painted over the rust. So it looks good but it's not
And I hear you on the wife having no interest in the Honda world. I am boosting my car and she could care less. But the second I start up the bug it's, "whatcha doing?" The classic VW are babe magnets
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