A Super will fit on a standard pan....

black_rat_bug · Post by **black_rat_bug** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:19 am

I posted this on the Samba's off-road forum and was asked to post the info here for future reference by david58bug. As you can see I have been a member here for a good while, usually just lurk, though. I also have a rust free stored since 1963 Oval Beetle. Anyway, on to the show.

After discovering the rusty frame horns on my 1971 Super I poked around some more on the chassis and found a rusty frame head and a LOT of rust that had been patched with scraps, screws and tar by the PO. SO, I pulled the body off the pan and rolled a standard pan under it-without the beam. There was a bracket under the frame head that had to be cut out, because it interfered. I have cut out bits of the spare tire well for clearance-and more will have to be cut once the beam is slid into place. So, for those of you with Supers that are solid, but want to go with them as an off-roader, this is an option since you would be cutting out most of this anyway. This was EASY. I saw so many posts that said it would be TOO much trouble, here is some FIRST hand experience. If you are going off-road and you have a Super that you want to use, a standard pan WILL work, with few issues. A one-piece front end will work once you cut out the inner fenders or a Super Baja kit will work also. I have heard rumor that a bug eye kit will work with a chopped stock hood and some modded fenders, but I have not had opportunity to give that a try. Here are some pics to give you an idea.

This is on a VERY mild baja. VERY nice low-mileage 1974 pan/engine. 1971 Super body. Just something for the woods, trails, fields and street.

Would anyone be kind enough to measure the width of a baja nose piece for me? I may try to use a bug eye kit, some chopped fenders and a chopped hood.

Post by **david58** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:29 am

Thanks for posting this info.

Post by **Leatherneck** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:31 am

black_rat_bug, thanks for coming back to the Off-Road forum, is there any chance you can take some pic of it alittle further back? Always trying what others say cannot/should not/ be done.

That is why we drive what we do.

perrib · Post by **perrib** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:19 am

To many people are afraid to work. Now you don't have the wind blowing through every hole in dash. Ever notice how much quieter a curved window Beetle is? Good 9SUPER) job so far. A 'STOCK" Beetle can go about 90% of the places a modified Baja can. The short wheel base can go a couple aof places a long wheel base can't.
I measured the two in my yard one was 28" the other 29". The stock hood works great before you cut it make a pattern of the inside curve. you can transfer the shape to a wooden buck and make a steel frame to spot weld the hood to once you cut it. I used a locking deck lid latch to secure it. You can cut the bottom two inches of the front fenders offso they taper back and reattach them at the top the reattach the sides. With about six old front fenders you can do all four fenders. The pieces line up well and just a skim coat of bondo is needed. If you have not built one before a skid plate, four 235 70 tires and a close ratio transaxle are some good first modifications. A tube welded between the rear upper shock mounts of the pan can be used to mount dual shocks.

turbobaja · Post by **turbobaja** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:23 am

Just in case you have a use for a Super Beetle Baja hood (this one is made for a wide-eyed kit) I have one for cheep. It is brand new and reinforced across the rear edge and where the hood hinges mount. I bought it obout 5 years ago for my '73 standard bug/baja build and didn't realize what they shipped me until years later when I went to fit it. I also have a '74 super so I know that this hood is actually made to fit the contours of the super window and hood opening as well as the hood hinges. I can post pics if you or anyone else are interested in the hood.

$25 plus shipping would take it. I paid $150 for it and they don't make the reinforced version anymore.

I had no idea that a SB body would fit on a standard pan, that is cool.

Karl

black_rat_bug · Post by **black_rat_bug** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:39 am

I will post some more pics this PM. I would love to have that hood, but I am sure the shipping would be killer from WA to Indiana.......A little more on the car. It has a baja kit on the back and the front is just cut fenders and a stock hood. It was a lot of fun and the struts held up just fine. It was the rear frame horns that eventually rusted out. Supers make fine off-roaders you just cannot run them into stumps and expect it to survive. VW Beetle's in Motorsports by Peter Noad and Rally Volkswagens by Laurence Meredith both chronicle the tremendous success of off-road Supers. ANYWAY...The car is in need of a bit of rust repair and I plan on a removeable sunroof and tube doors like my 4-runner has. Not real fancy, cheap and fun...

Post by **david58** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:40 am

go greyhound in shipping

black_rat_bug · Post by **black_rat_bug** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:47 am

Perrib, that is a good idea about the profile of the bottom of the hood. I will use that.

black_rat_bug · Post by **black_rat_bug** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 12:18 pm

perrib-Thanks for the measurements- That should give me an idea if I can make a standard kit fit. GreyHound is pretty cheap. I will see if I need it. Is that hood for a 1971?

black_rat_bug · Post by **black_rat_bug** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 3:48 pm

More pics. Is this the view that was wanted?

black_rat_bug · Post by **black_rat_bug** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 3:53 pm

One more of the whole car.

black_rat_bug · Post by **black_rat_bug** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 4:20 pm

GOOD NEWS. I checked the measurements that were posted earlier and it seems that the nose tapers down to 29" and 28" would work in a pinch, so it seems I will be using my stock hood with some cut fenders and a (hopefully) bugeye nose. Assuming I can find a cheap bugeye nose that has a 28-29 inch span...

rickosuave1987 · Post by **rickosuave1987** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 4:28 pm

Does your car have a flat windsheild? If it does, couldnt you use a 1 piece front end on it??

And just chop the front body off...

rickosuave1987 · Post by **rickosuave1987** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 4:30 pm

Does your car have a flat windsheild? If it does, couldnt you use a 1 piece front end on it??

And just chop the front body off...

black_rat_bug · Post by **black_rat_bug** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 4:52 pm

Rick- I had originally wanted a one-piece front end, but I know I will not like the air and noise associated with that. I also like the idea of having some luggage/storage room. I like the Bug-eye look,anyway...It takes me back to my brothers Baja bug from 1977-78 or so...