Jps1145's Little Baja - Build Thread

[jps1145]

By popular demand, I guess I should add a build thread for my little Baja on STF.

1969 VW Beetle

I bought this car as a fun little project back in 2000, man how time flies. I got it from a co-worker that used it as a daily driver. It was stock, but it was beat to hell…
I’ve slowly been working on it and updating it as time and money allow.

So Far:

Engine:
1915 aluminum case 94x69
Stock crank
Stock flywheel
10.5-1 CR
42, 35.5 valve ported heads
Engle 110 cam w/ 1.25-1 rockers
Dual Webber 44 IDF carbs
Sand seal cut into case
Stock ignition including points
1.5” Bobtail exhaust with quiet pack

Transmission:
Stock ’69 Type 1
Type 2 drive flanges
Solid mount

Suspension:

Front:
6” wider beam extended 5.5” forward and tied to cage
1.5” x 3/4” trailing arms
Stock gusseted spindles and carriers
Bilstein 6100 shocks
Roughly 10” of usable travel
Cheap L/P conversion disc brakes with 4 lug rotors

Rear:
3x3 trailing arms by JP Designs in Santee, CA
Type 1 conversion stub axles with Type 2 CV flanges
30mm x 26-9/16 torsions
¼” notched spring plates with custom torsion caps (Thanks Seabee)
Bilstein 6100 series shocks
About 15” of travel, maybe 13 usable because of the stock lower spring plate stops

Cage:
I started with a Class 11 style kit and have added to it:
Seat supports
Front beam tie in
Frame horn supports
Shock mounts
Seat belt mounts for shoulder straps
Corbeau Baja SS seats
RJS 5 point restraint system

Photos:

















Soon to be upgrading…



So... comments, concerns, suggestions are all welcome!!!

[CopperBaja]

Looks great John!

...I'm going to put those arms on one of these days.

[jps1145]

Looks great John!

...I'm going to put those arms on one of these days.

Thanks Jeff!
Why did I have a feeling you would be the first to comment?

[CopperBaja]

You need to get some more use out of that bender.

[ntsqd]

How does it steer? Those U-J's look like they're operating in a really tight angle. I'd expect the steering to have high points as you turn the wheel.

[jps1145]

How does it steer? Those U-J's look like they're operating in a really tight angle. I'd expect the steering to have high points as you turn the wheel.

It's really not bad. I have the joints clocked (now anyway...) The rack has a really quick ratio 1 full turn lock to lock. I can't feel any tightness in the full turn.
The picture make the angle look steeper then it really is. The shaft angle down some too.

[jps1145]

You need to get some more use out of that bender.

so far, I've made the front bumper, added the top bar to the rear bumper, and made the bar behind the seats for the seat belts. I'm sure I can come up with more...

[perrib]

You have spent the time well. Its a very clean build. Don't be afraid to grind away the lower torsion arm stops you can reinforrce them from the bottom. The limit strap should absorb most of the energy.

[jps1145]

You have spent the time well. Its a very clean build. Don't be afraid to grind away the lower torsion arm stops you can reinforrce them from the bottom. The limit strap should absorb most of the energy.

I need to get the limit straps first...

[Leatherneck]

Hey John, yes about time you posted that here. Good to see it, could not look at all the pics,, I am on dial up and the guy generating the power. well his arms are getting tired, haha, not that bad but dial up sucks camel spiders.

[jps1145]

Hey John, yes about time you posted that here. Good to see it, could not look at all the pics,, I am on dial up and the guy generating the power. well his arms are getting tired, haha, not that bad but dial up sucks camel spiders.

Good to hear from you Leather! Keep safe!

[Hedrock]

John... Looking to seeing more progress on this ride. This just may be the last little kick I needed to finish mine, now get busy .

[zancat]

That's a nice Baja.

Zancat

[jps1145]

Thanks Guys.
Just got two tires mounted on the BTR's yesterday. I had to tap all the holes in one of them, they were only tapped about 1/4" into the wheel...
Hed, I just ordered some paint... It will be one color soon I'm sticking with the stock Diamond Blue so I don't have to paint the inside.

[jps1145]

A few updates...
Baught a pair of used doors to use when racing. gutted them except for the handles and locks. I will attach the window nets to them. When not racing, just swap the complete stock doors back in for the street.
Rear bar with seat belt attachment. I cut a 1/2" bolt down and turned the head round and drilled for a spring clip. I welded two tabs on the cross bar. When I need to get to the back I just pull the pin and tilt the passenger seat forward.
I need to come up with a way to attach a spare tire. I was thinking of welding two bars to the rear hoop and bring them straight out of the firewall and connect them to the rear bumper.
Photos, cause everyone likes photos...