Chuck's Baja Build

[Leatherneck]

The engine upgrade is the cheap part. It’s the trans that you need to handle the power that costs the big bucks.

Or drive around like a little ol lady like me.

[Piledriver]

A vanagon automatic doesn't cost much, not hard to rebuild, and with a K of mods will handle 500++hp all day long..
(it doesnt really need that for a Honda v6)

Its also geared right out of the box. You can get a locking diff or an lsd or a torsen diff for it as well as taller final drive ($)

It also happens to fit and will probably work with the same engine adapter you have.
(you will need a flexplate)

[chuckput]

I already have a 091 box and 930 CVs. Are you thinking I would need more than that? And my driving style is more like David's (without the running into trees ).

[baja5]

A stock 091 can last if you baby it with a Honda. Mine has Weddle internals and does ok.

[Leatherneck]

I already have a 091 box and 930 CVs. Are you thinking I would need more than that? And my driving style is more like David's (without the running into trees ).

HEY!!

[CentralWAbaja]

I already have a 091 box and 930 CVs. Are you thinking I would need more than that? And my driving style is more like David's (without the running into trees ).

George, George, Gorge of the jungle.....

[jt1967]

I already have a 091 box and 930 CVs. Are you thinking I would need more than that? And my driving style is more like David's (without the running into trees ).

George, George, Gorge of the jungle.....

Another Tree......

[chuckput]

Ramp Mount 2.jpg

Ramp Mount 1.jpg

A while back I purchased some cheap ebay extraction mats (or whatever you want to call them) and I have been mulling over numerous mounting ideas in my head. Today I finally put one of those ideas in to use and built this. Part of it is a bit of a Catch 22. I am a terrible welder so I need to practice. This project was welding practice so my welds look like crap. I am very pleased with the overall design and execution. It is easily removable if I should ever need to access the engine.

Sharp eyed Shoptalkers may notice that I have returned to a single carb setup. While dual carbs look cool and provide a punch of power, I had multiple issues with them and I just decided it was not worth it. I will hang on to the dual carb setup for now and it may make a return in the future. What I would really like to do is try fuel injection.

This weekend is the Yuma, Arizona all VW show (Volkswagens at the River). I plan to attend. It is a 60 mile freeway dash for me, and the outcome of that trip will help me decide if my bug is healthy enough to make Mark Girdner's Death Valley Trip and possibly the Mojave Road. Fingers crossed.

[mgirdner]

...the Yuma, Arizona all VW show (Volkswagens at the River). I plan to attend. It is a 60 mile freeway dash for me, and the outcome of that trip will help me decide if my bug is healthy enough to make Mark Girdner's Death Valley Trip and possibly the Mojave Road. Fingers crossed.

Well, I hope it goes well for you then! It would be great if you could make either or both of our upcoming SoCal Bajas' "overlanding" trips.

[dheard86]

I am having difficulty getting my bug to track straight. Can someone help me out?

20201219_110739.jpg

The problem could be caused by a loose steering wheel. And you also need to check the wear of the tires. As far as I can tell, you're using a BFG KO2, which is definitely a great off-road tire.

[chuckput]

I am having difficulty getting my bug to track straight. Can someone help me out?

20201219_110739.jpg

The problem could be caused by a loose steering wheel. And you also need to check the wear of the tires. As far as I can tell, you're using a BFG KO2, which is definitely a great off-road tire.

dheard86, I appreciate your insight, but my post was tongue in cheek. I was replacing my steering rack and because the tie rods were disconnected and I thought my bug looked funny with it's front wheels so far toed out that I took the picture.

[chuckput]

[

[chuckput]

...the Yuma, Arizona all VW show (Volkswagens at the River). I plan to attend. It is a 60 mile freeway dash for me, and the outcome of that trip will help me decide if my bug is healthy enough to make Mark Girdner's Death Valley Trip and possibly the Mojave Road. Fingers crossed.

Well, I hope it goes well for you then! It would be great if you could make either or both of our upcoming SoCal Bajas' "overlanding" trips.

Mark, the obvious question after today is how did my trip to Yuma go? In a word - Nada! It seems like whenever there is some event or run I really want to go on my Bug says, "No way, Jose!" Yesterday, I took it out for a spin to make sure all systems were OK for a freeway dash to Yuma the next day. There were a couple initial hiccups, but everything seemed OK. I was having a little issue with starting that I had initially thought was related to the starter itself, but changing the starter only proved that the issue lay in the flywheel starter ring gear. Well, my Bug decided to make this flywheel problem more of a major problem because after returning home from my test drive and checking the oil, it would not strat. Even pushing the car in fourth gear to try and find a new spot on the flywheel was unsuccessful. That means I will pulling the engine this week. Luckily, I have another flywheel so we will see. I really, really want to go on your Death Valley adventure.

[Ol'fogasaurus]

I am having difficulty getting my bug to track straight. Can someone help me out?

20201219_110739.jpg

The problem could be caused by a loose steering wheel. And you also need to check the wear of the tires. As far as I can tell, you're using a BFG KO2, which is definitely a great off-road tire.

dheard86, I appreciate your insight, but my post was tongue in cheek. I was replacing my steering rack and because the tie rods were disconnected and I thought my bug looked funny with it's front wheels so far toed out that I took the picture.
[/quote]

20201219_110739 copy.jpg

This was interesting. Someone had used the term "Pigeon toed" a while back which is the toes pointed in not out. After reading Chuckputs post I got interested and looked it up and the medical term for it is "out-toed". I have seen people what were "out-toed" before but never this bad.

The really bad thing about this is if you were riding in the trails or the land "out west" area your spurs might lock together and there you are, stuck with no safe way to move.

Lee

[Piledriver]

Dual carbs or ITBs have one major issue...
The linkage is everything for keeping them sync'd.
The really beefy looking one everyone buys beats itself to death in a few thousand miles, adjusting it will not fix it, its a basic design issue.

A synclink is expensive, but worth it.
You can also roll your own split cable pull variation relatively easy.
This is made easier with motorcycle carbs or ITBs as a lot of carbs and ~all of the FI rigs use pulleys...

IDF webers like to funnel all debris that gets by the filters directly into the idle jets, it works so well, almost looks intentional .
Jet doctors fix that but apparently cause other issues, I just greased the filters rubber seals up with suspension bushing grease, and went to washable synthetic dry filters vs the fine silica passing gauze filters.