UK VW Rusto-ROD epic

[BrownBUGUK]

Ahhh, now I get what you mean CM, thanx for the compliment , I enjoyed it although it was hard work at times, so what started out a a quick fix n go turned into a full on proper job - check the resto here: http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=682286

Should be pretty soon.

[BrownBUGUK]

Been a while guys, but here is the bug MOT'd (UK Ministry of Transport vehicle roadworthiness cert), Taxed and driving....jeez I'm pleased with it.









Back home

[BrownBUGUK]

BTW - still got phase 2 to start ove rthe winter:

Drop out engine - check n test everything, clean and dress up with maybe remote filter, large sump, 30hp fan housing, alternator etc. Also sort n tidy the engine bay, HiPacs and stainless liner.
Tidy up rear drive shafts/suspension and modify where I can. Looking to short shaft it so I can stick wider wheels under stock arches.

If anyone out there can advise on how to do this I would appreciate any help

May also upgrade front beam with stainless custom made job?

So I'm enjoying driving it for now, no heater and it's gettin colder.

[Reaper]

Get yourself an Eberspacher, or a Stewart-Warner. You'll have plenty of heat then. Great car all around though, she's a beaut!

[BrownBUGUK]

Thank you reaper, it's on the road and driving after almost exactly 1 year. It's not perfect but it was always meant to be a slam door driver and that's just what it is

Heaters are for girls

[Reaper]

Yup, same here, just a daily driver for my ride. I got 98% of the worst cancer removed, bodyworked, and then painted her. With preventive maintenance, she should be around for my grand kids to enjoy.

[fungus]

Beautiful work! And I like the machine tag on the back bumper. I think they were only overseas, as I've been looking for a tag on this side of the pond for a while...

[BrownBUGUK]

hey everyone looking in........update on the Bug...

Moved into the garage for the winter:



Fitted one of these from VintageSpeed so I don't have to drill holes in my genuine blade.....



Now the plate rides just where I want it (the angle make it looked a bit pissed but it's square)



Oh yeah and me got pinstripes













Hope you all likey ???

[1jarhead2]

Me likey a whole bunch. Very nice VDub

[BrownBUGUK]

Well, has it really been 2 years !!!! A quick update you might be interested in.

After a very good Summer running around in the but a lot, I dropped the engine out to clean it up as it had become very grubby.

Since then, I was reluctant to hang it on a very dirty gearbox and back end. So, after missing out this summer, I thought I'd do it how I wanted it.

Here's the plan:

I wanted to run alloys not very many Vdubbers have in the UK, ie Halibrands on the rear and Rocket Launchers on the front as I like the gasser style but lowered in teh vdub stylee....my hotrod influences coming through me think!

To accommodate the 7x15 rears I need early short shafts with late brakes allowing a 1.25" extra clearance with stock wings. So a re-drilled Ford 4.5"x5 PCD drum, hanging on adjustable springplates and a few shiny bits.
Up front I want 4.5"x15 cast spoke alloys on my drilled discs and dropped spindles and Protech alloy billet shockers as I'm trying to find a good ride quality with a narrowed n lowered beam front end - hopefully I'll achieve what I want.

Here's a few images of what I've been up to:

These are the wheels and tuck I want



Rear wheels



Got these exported to the UK from a stateside dealer.

Couldn't help mocking it all up



Currently getting the disc/hubs redrilled as well as brake drums. Early shortshafts will allow more tuckage for the wider wheels and adjustable to get the ride height spot on. Front beam will ahev to be narrowed 4" to get the front wheels where I want them under the wings (had the wing edges rolled which gained me 11mm each side). Dropped spindles will allow a softer ride.

Beam will be my own brand BEAM!==!TECH custom made with early shock towers and powdered.

The trouble I'm going to just to roll the wheels I want

I'm cleaning and painting everything and sorting the body/chassis so it's clean n tidy. This bug will not be a trailer queen showboat, but a slamdoor driver.

Thanks for looking, hope you like? I'll be on here more often....promise

[V8Transporter]

Usually a 'Gasser' look, wheel wise, but should look clean and different on your ride. Looking forward to more pics.

[BrownBUGUK]

More old skool stuff which I like, such as this firewall



Access panels cut in



Don't see much of Claude's Buggie stuff about anymore...




Shiny stuff



Thanks for looking and commenting......

[65volkswagen]

Wow that was a lot of rust, but the end result is awesome. This makes me feel like a slacker and also gives me motivated to finish mine. Keep up the great work.

[mkparker]

Can't wait to see the new look!! Nice work!

[BrownBUGUK]

Sorry guys, not been on her for a good while. Stuff's been happening on my old bug. Quick update:

Front bulkhead welded, beam stripped and new 4" narrowed being built now. Gearbox out for a good clean, but more importantly fitted early short shafts with late brake backplates. Late drums require modifying and fitting 5x studs (instead of bolts) to accommodate the Halibrands and Rocket wheels.





Gearbox back in now with a few minor mods/dress up items.



Engine now back in as well, fettling take an age, but well worth it.

HiPAC access panels make fitting the carbs a synch...



I hope to attempt a fire up soon. Awaiting the beam back and get the dropped spindles/discs/wheels on, then should be ready for the UK MOT test. Aiming for on the road by end of June'14

Thanks for looking.

[V8Transporter]

'Lots of nice details and, She's Beautiful! Can't wait to see her back on her wheels.

[DrHax]

I really like the idea of access ports.. would make changing the plugs a hell of alot easier..

[BrownBUGUK]

Originally Posted by V8Transporter

'Lots of nice details and, She's Beautiful! Can't wait to see her back on her wheels.

Why thang you V8tranny

Originally Posted by DrHax

I really like the idea of access ports.. would make changing the plugs a hell of alot easier..

I agree Dr, They are so useful especially for twin carb engines. You can make your own or get them here: http://www.hookyspanelshop.com/our-panels/hipacs.html

Cheers

[Chip]

Great job! Nice save!

[BrownBUGUK]

Originally Posted by Chip

Great job! Nice save!

Thank you Chip.....save is about right, it was very bad.

Beam is being built and completed this weekend I hope, I'll have to have it powdercoated before installing it....can't wait. Hope to have it fired up within the next week or so, front end bolted up and drums/discs redrilled for the wheels

[BrownBUGUK]

4" narrowed BEAM!==!TECH beam built today.

Sway-Away adjusters, damper mount, TIG welded CNC plate work and CDS tube. Soon to be powdered.

[Paperweightnate]

nice work

[BrownBUGUK]

Originally Posted by Paperweightnate

nice work

Thank you papernate, Craig my mate does all the skilful work, I cut, fettle n dress the metal.

[BrownBUGUK]

Beam is getting powdery as we speak, engine fire up (attempt) this weekend. Need to sort wheel studs before having drums/discs drilled for Ford 5x4.5"PCD.

List of jobs is getting smaller, thanks for checking in....

[BrownBUGUK]

Originally Posted by BrownBUGUK

4" narrowed BEAM!==!TECH beam built today.

Sway-Away adjusters, damper mount, TIG welded CNC plate work and CDS tube. Soon to be powdered.

This ^^^ now looks like this....



...now the build up can begin

Thanks for checking in people.