der BajaRod

[brucerodz]

Figured I'd start a thread here since this will definitely be LOOOONG Term (are they ever finished ??). In my intro I mentioned some of the plans I had for this build. Military inspired, army green paint (FSC 595 # 34094). Plan to drop the front about 5" with beam adjusters & drop spindles, interior & dash will be kind of spatan in keeping with the military inspiration. Engine-wise, right now the current 1600 will stay put (excepting for replacing front & rear seals) with the addition of dual Kadron carbs and quad pipe exhaust (sorry Glenn, the look I want outweighs the power loss). Right now, I haven't done much. Removed the cammo seat covers, the light bar & dash cover. I'll have to get some pictures of the naked dash and will post them up when I do. Did get a few minutes to try something with my planned paint chioce on my hood. Just a quick rattle can coat to see how it may come out over the whole car.

[Raj]

green looks good.... and I LOVE that garage floor!

[brucerodz]

Thanks Raj. I thought the hood turned out pretty good. Now I hope the rest will come out as well by rattle can. The floor matches the outside and our house. Grey with terracotta trim. The flake stuff was the wife's idea. That worked out well, too.

[brucerodz]

Here's the naked dash,,,,

[brucerodz]

Looks like a PO did some rigging with the fuel tank vent (?). I'm sure that cammo duct tape really stopped any leaks.
Not sure what the clear line that was hooked to the small nipple in the line is for. It ran to nowhere. Something tells me it's useless to my build.

[brucerodz]

Another line I have no idea what it's for. (Gotta get me a book--- ) This ones from the drivers side of the tank & is blocked off completely.

[brucerodz]

PO also had a thing for Great Stuff. Already dug a mess of this junk out of the car already.

[brucerodz]

While this will by no means be a "Pretty" build, there are some things that will have to be taken care of. Removed the rear cover a found a mess of 'extra' screw holes. Those will have to be filled to prvevent any rust forming there. The rear cover also has a couple of spots to be filled. A littile fiber glass repair practice before I get to the tailight & headlight holes which will eventually get filled in.

[brucerodz]

extra mounting holes,,,,,,,,


gotta fix this electrical rats nest,,,,,,,,,,

[Raj]

Looking good! Your going to run Padless on the dash? I didn't that on my Baja going for an older look but wish I would have welded up some more of the holes.

[brucerodz]

Actually, my plans for the dash include welding up the holes & then making holes for gauges, switches & indicator lights.

[brucerodz]

Done ABSOLUTELY nothing on the BajaRod lately. Tho, I've tossed a bunch of ideas around my head. Spent a long time researching exhaust. Most of what I've read has kinda turned me off from my 1st choice (see intro thread). I'm leaning towards a 4 into 1 header but, i still want the dual pipes. Found this @ jBugs:
http://www.jbugs.com/product/2564-11w20 ... ers-system
Any & all input is appreciated. As for carb linkage I've heard nothing but good stuff about the Scat linkage. If I remember reading thru Dan's build thread, that's what he ended up going with to replace the stock Kaddie linkage.
Dan ---- How do you like the Scat linkage???

Till next time ------

[Big_kid]

That's what I have on my buggy. It looks good, sounds good, but it reduces ground clearance. I've not been out on the beach with mine yet, but that is a concern I have. I've been told that the Northern outer banks beaches won't be a problem, but I'd like the extra clearance for the softer sand further South. My buggy sits at stock height.

edit:
Forgot to mention my mufflers are chrome, not black. There's a couple of pics on page 4/5 of my photobucket.
http://s249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... 4QQtppZZ16

[brucerodz]

Hadn't thought about the ground clearance. A couple of questions for you, Charlie. What is the mounted diameter of your rear tires? & How high off the ground is your pipes? Mine is stock height right now. I was thinking of dropping the rear one click but, may rethink that. Or I might think about something similar to this:

[Big_kid]

I LIKE that exhaust- still 4 into 1, still dual, and no clearance loss!

I'll get some measurements after work tomorrow if the wife & kids will let me. I'm at stock ride height, and run 235/60/15 on the rear. Guesstimation from memory on ground clearance is 6" or so. I'll have to measure on the right side, I found the L/R tire flat yesterday. Then again, the R/F tire loses air too. Maybe they balance each other out.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

These extractor systems are very enticing, because they're simple, they're readiy available, eliminate other broken, rotted or hard to find parts and are much less expensive.
I recently replaced the extractor on my bus with a new one.
While your type 1 and my type 4 are obviously different I'd venture to say the exhaust you just pictured and mine come from the same manufacturer (the yellow rings in the exhausted outlet is a giveaway)
In any case, just be forewarned these things don't last. Mine lasted 4 years MAX before it rusted through, I'd say it was no more than 3 years until I had noticeable leaks.
If you buy this system, and don't want to replace it in the near future it's probably worth it to invest the extra dollars and have it ceramic coated. I had done such with my beetle, wish I'd done it just not with the bus...
Glenn will surely chime in and attest to the better finish and improved wear, he just ad his system refinished.

[Big_kid]

I've heard good things about Jet Hot in Phoenix.

[brucerodz]

Done very little the last couple of weeks. Getting back to work after the holidays & wife being sick. Tho, I did get some time to get my f/turn signals sorted out. Started to figure out the rears so I can get rid of those stupid a-- trailer lights back there. Have a set of Watson's SpeedWorks LEDs from another project for the rear. Also have a set of amber LEDs for the front.

In any case, just be forewarned these things don't last. Mine lasted 4 years MAX before it rusted through, I'd say it was no more than 3 years until I had noticeable leaks.
If you buy this system, and don't want to replace it in the near future it's probably worth it to invest the extra dollars and have it ceramic coated. I had done such with my beetle, wish I'd done it just not with the bus...
Glenn will surely chime in and attest to the better finish and improved wear, he just ad his system refinished.

Being in the Deep South rust is not a big concern. No salt air & definitely no salt on the roads in winter. I will put a good coat of VHT High Heat (1200 deg) exhaust coating on anything I use as a precaution. I used this on the Rams Horns on my wife's 47 Chevy Truck & still looks good after 7+ years.

[Big_kid]

Sorry to take so long to get back with measurements. My rear tires are 26" diameter, 235-60-15 bias ply. The bottom of the exhaust tips are 5½" off the ground.

[brucerodz]

No problem on the time. Hadn't been able to get to the shop to work on it much. Those will help me decide which way I want to go.

[brucerodz]

Well, another long weekend & not a lot done. Tho, I did get all my turn signal wiring sorted out. Also started to prepare to install taillights. Once I get placement sorted out, still have a bit of a hole to fill.

[Raj]

nice... lucky they are glass fenders. Lights are a big time improvement

[Big_kid]

I like the lights. Almost anything that is different that works, I like. Nearly every other Baja out there has stock VW lights, it's been done before. Show me something unique. I modded Jaguar/MG marker lights for tail lights, but couldn't get any light through the lenses so I wound up with stock VW lights.

Keep at it, even small steps are steps and they WILL add up to measurable progress.

[brucerodz]

Not done a whole lot with some house remods going on. I have aquired an adjustable beam tho. I do have a question. This beam has Avis adjusters. I'm wondering what position I should set them to get maximum drop.

[Raj]

Not done a whole lot with some house remods going on. I have aquired an adjustable beam tho. I do have a question. This beam has Avis adjusters. I'm wondering what position I should set them to get maximum drop.

Once installed, slide then UP to raise car, DOWN to lower. I guess your lowering this baja? I have once seen this done once.... and loved every second of it.

Chris B.... any pics of the baja that was one of the VW's that started it all for me?