Further fabrication and welding for the bus gearbox today.
Framehorns clearanced to make room for the output shafts (it’s a big boy!)
Rear mounts welded to the framehorns.
Plate fabricated and front mount welded to it so I can use the original mounting bolts to attach it to the chassis (plate made from 3mm steel which is hard work bending!)
Made a good start on getting the bus gearbox to fit the bug chassis today. Frame horns clearanced to make room for it, and throttle/clutch cable guide tubes moved outwards.
IRS trailing arm mounts welded in today.
Jig aligned and seam welded in short sections to avoid putting too much heat into the metal.
Tomorrow’s job is to get the bus gearbox adapter fitted then hopefully get the chassis off to the shot blaster at the end of the week!
IRS conversion in progress. Chassis clearanced for the first bracket. Now just to repeat this on the other side and get them welded in.
Finished stripping the chassis down so fabricated a pair of adapters for my rollover jig to fit the front and rear of the bug.
All rolled over and ready for IRS conversion and bus gearbox adapter next week.
Had a bit of a rearrange so I can start tearing down the chassis.
Spent a few hours today trial fitting the rear engine cage. It’s a monster! Love the look (I’ve yet to cut off the rear valance).
Then spent a fair bit of time having one more final fit of the doors to make sure I’m happy with the gaps before I split the pan and shell.
What’s everyone’s opinion on the bus wing mirrors? I think they might look quite good on the Baja
One pair of seat sub frames to fit the MX5 seats to the bug. I ended up attaching them to the central hump at the front and to the floor pans in the rear. These seats are super comfy compared to the stock seats.
Really enjoyed making these and got the welder dialled in just right.
Next welding job is to make up some sub frames to mount the MX5 seats. The plan is to bolt the frames to the stock beetle runners on the floor pans so I can always revert to standard beetle seats if I want to.
Front tube bumper trial fitted and mounts tack welded to the front beam. I’ll weld them properly when I tear down the chassis next week.
Getting excited starting to see the baja elements on this build coming together.
