thinking about buying a bug for DD/offroad.
Neren
02-10-2006, 09:45 PM
i want to buy a fun car that i can use as a daily driver but still be able to upgrade it to go offroad. dunes/mudding/etc. what exactly should i be looking for? is there a certain year/model that has a shorter wheelbase and easier to modify for my purposes?
BoatCop
02-11-2006, 09:33 AM
i want to buy a fun car that i can use as a daily driver but still be able to upgrade it to go offroad. dunes/mudding/etc. what exactly should i be looking for? is there a certain year/model that has a shorter wheelbase and easier to modify for my purposes?
Wheel base is pretty much the same for all years.
For the best durability for off-road, I'd look for a 1965 or earlier. The link-pin front end is sturdier and can stand up to the abuses of off-road better than the ball joint front. Stay away from Super Beetles and the McPhearson front end. The suspension on those will self destruct after a few outings in the dunes.
I wouldn't mess with wheelbase on these. They are short enough as it is, and shortening will make it more prone to roll-over. Although most bugs that were made into the Manx style dune buggies were shortened, they all had lighter fiberglass bodies, with a lower center of gravity.
You could probably find a turn-key Baja, or something that just needs a little work on The Samba (www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds (http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds))
If you do get a '65 or earlier, make sure it's been converted to 12 volt, or plan on converting it yourself. That'll make it more dependable for the daily driving.
Wheel base is pretty much the same for all years.
For the best durability for off-road, I'd look for a 1965 or earlier. The link-pin front end is sturdier and can stand up to the abuses of off-road better than the ball joint front. Stay away from Super Beetles and the McPhearson front end. The suspension on those will self destruct after a few outings in the dunes.
I wouldn't mess with wheelbase on these. They are short enough as it is, and shortening will make it more prone to roll-over. Although most bugs that were made into the Manx style dune buggies were shortened, they all had lighter fiberglass bodies, with a lower center of gravity.
You could probably find a turn-key Baja, or something that just needs a little work on The Samba (www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds (http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds))
If you do get a '65 or earlier, make sure it's been converted to 12 volt, or plan on converting it yourself. That'll make it more dependable for the daily driving.
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