64 a-arm baja bug build

[MQ Unlimited Media]

Thought I'd share my project. I bought this car 3 yrs ago as a daily commuter, which lasted only one trip to and from work. I got alittle carried away on my way back home, it was night time, I had just installed four, 7" HIDs and wanted to try them out on a "short cut" which was a dirt road. I had driven on the forementioned road before but since I could see A LOT better, I was uber confident which resulted in higher speeds. Somewhere along the drive, I forgot the road went left at 90 degrees and I continue straight which resulted in four blown shocks, an over-revved engine and a hurt ego. I was originally going to just fix the engine and replace the blown shocks but the snowball effect is a persistant bastard.

before...sort of




and it began. This front end I had paid for was actually build incorrectly (long story), so it's currently getting "fixed".



The long story is you can't trust every person you make a deal with...I learned the hard way, I got taken for a 1 1/2 year, $3500 ride of nothing but fustration. I got my car back in worse shape then before I left it and began doing what I had paid someone to do for me with the help of my lovely wife...which happens to know her way around a garage and tools. Began with 5 sticks of chromoly tubing, 1.5"X.095.

[MQ Unlimited Media]

What it should resemble when done.

[MQ Unlimited Media]

Since Im going with a 300hp 3.6L Cadillac V6, I needed to re-do the rear of the car. Plus, it never looked safe to me so we cut it out.





While mocking up "the poor man's jig/fixture, found out my stock frame horns were twisted 3/4"!!! Glad I made the decision to lop them off also.

[MQ Unlimited Media]

[MQ Unlimited Media]

A few more, the engine and I decided to relocate the c-pillars since I felt there wasnt enough support in the rear. Also mounted the fuel cell.

[Boost Creep]

awesome! i've got a bug sitting around waiting for me to do this someday too

[blue dog]

Kick arse. should be able to lift the front wheels off the ground on take off.

Did you build the front bulk head ? With all that front bump travel, looks like the front wheels will hit the fiber clip.

Where are located ?

Keep this thread updated.

[glsmaverick]

I am subscribed! Do you have this build going anywhere else; I have always dug the baja bugs!!

[slowmo5o]

What transmission is that?

[MQ Unlimited Media]

Originally Posted by blue dog

Kick arse. should be able to lift the front wheels off the ground on take off.

Did you build the front bulk head ? With all that front bump travel, looks like the front wheels will hit the fiber clip.

Where are located ?

Keep this thread updated.

I think the wheels will come off the ground with the proper amount of commitment. I did not build the front end...but it has been a royal pain in my ass. the front wheels stick out 10" past the fenders so no worries bout them contacting. Im in the High Desert (victorville)

Originally Posted by slowmo5o

What transmission is that?

Its a VW bus box, 091 with all Weddle gears.

[blue dog]

is that thing going to be 90" wide in the front when your done ? Looks like a fun project you got going on there. Got a few buddies that live in Oak hills out your way.

That thing will be a blast when your done.

[gooned]

lets see where this goes! oh yeah I got a 69 Bahaha

[MQ Unlimited Media]

Originally Posted by blue dog

is that thing going to be 90" wide in the front when your done ? Looks like a fun project you got going on there. Got a few buddies that live in Oak hills out your way.

That thing will be a blast when your done.

Yup, around a 90" track width on 2" hub snouts, 120ish" wheel base. The trailing arms in the rear are 5" wider and 7" longer with 930 Pro-Am microstubs. I like Oak Hills, nice area.

[930dreamer]

Nice work on the Bug.

[PCO6]

Great project! I had a "simple" baja bug about 30 years ago and it was a blast. Yours is NOT simple. Thanks for posting.

[sr71]

.....I like it ....great work ... nice to have a partner that knows how to handle a grinder/cutoff wheel. just a thought from some of my past projects... if it it makes sense for your project....consider making the horizontal transmission support removable so that you can install/remove the tranny from the bottom

[Herb]

Nice to see a VW project on here- this one is a heck of a lot of work! Let me be the first to say it... Your wife is HOT!!!. I think Mrs. E-tek has some major competition here! More pictures please!

[MQ Unlimited Media]

Originally Posted by sr71

.....I like it ....great work ... nice to have a partner that knows how to handle a grinder/cutoff wheel. just a thought from some of my past projects... if it it makes sense for your project....consider making the horizontal transmission support removable so that you can install/remove the tranny from the bottom

Unfortunatly, I can't have a removable support tube back there due to the stresses and punishment the frame will see. I tried to make it to where I wouldnt have to remove the engine if I needed to remove the trans but with all of the structual tubes around it, can't happen.

Originally Posted by Herb

Nice to see a VW project on here- this one is a heck of a lot of work! Let me be the first to say it... Your wife is HOT!!!. I think Mrs. E-tek has some major competition here! More pictures please!

Thx, yeah shes awesome...I think she is one of the only girls I have ever known that was willing to learn how to operate tools, and isnt scared to get dirty. Im going to try and teach how to weld since she knows how to bend tubing, notch and etc. BTW, she will be racing this car for a local powderpuff race (all women drivers) if planeverything goes as planned.

She even built her own chicken coop with little help from her nephew and myself. **picture wont load**

[hunter1151]

Originally Posted by Herb

Nice to see a VW project on here- this one is a heck of a lot of work! Let me be the first to say it... Your wife is HOT!!!. I think Mrs. E-tek has some major competition here! More pictures please!

It just ain't fair....................

[hunter1151]

If my wife came out there looking like that.........that project would never get done. On a safety note, she is covered up everywhere, but..........uh, well, you know there could be some burns in odd places.........I mean you just never know where that hot metal might fly to.................