Cool...Didnt realize how lught those shocks are.


Cant wait to hear about how this thring drives when it gets to that point!!

Bob's health is better again, so he's on it. I hope to have the laser cut files over to the machine shop this week.

Jason

any idea of the weight this system could support? I have a split bus with all the suspension bits stripped off it. I was thinking I may try building a locost type suspension for it.
Your setup looks cool and definatly might be an option, but I'd like to do a matching IRS as well.

But ideas are only any good if you make them real.

Hey Shadow,

I really don't know what it will handle weight-wise. I'll have to ask. It was designed for Type 1, so Type II and Type IV variants will be for another rainy day. I suspect it would be stronger than the locost option, as that is an ultra-light weight kind of a car as far as I know.

BTW, your link is no longer working on your signature. Any new pics?

Jason

My site hasn't been updated in some time but I fixed the link.
I'll have to build a section on the bus sometime, but I guess I'll have to make some progress on it first.

The design is with the laser cutter now. They said 8-30 days, whatever that means! So when that is done, it will get over to Walt's again for final welding. I just got the copy of Hot VWs with Bruce's version on the convertable. Looks pretty cool, I wonder how it drives.

Jason

I've just read this whole thread.
Wow. :eek:
That is seriously impressive.

Price?
 

Hey Volkdent,
Progress is looking great so far for you. I'm still deciding on whether i should try to adapt the macpherson front setup from the 993, so i'm looking around at other options as well. I am still planning on the multi-link rear setup from the 993, i've seen it fab'd into cages on kit cars so i don't think it'll be to much of a problem (that's what i think now).

I realize that this won't be done for a while, but can you give me a "ball park" figure on what you think the setup will cost.

Thanks again and i'm watching your progress with great interest.

Russ

I think going with the 993 rear end is a great idea, you'll just be cutting out a lot of material, that's all. It was my first thought as I started my whole process. And your rear end will be amazingly wide. Just check on the track of a stock 993 and then see how wide they make fenders for a bug, because it is an amazing amount wider. It might end up looking really wierd to have a bug with the back end that wide.

I really don't know how much mine will be, if ever it goes on sale. I would imagine around $3500 complete bolt on with shocks, steering rack, and the machine work to the stock steering shaft to connect to the rack. But that price is really based on fabrication and the amount of time and money that went into development. It might be less when I just sit down and look at how much it would cost to make with all the info I know now. Keep in mind that my kit is designed to hang on to as much stock stuff as possible, but if you went with non-stock stuff, it could be had for cheaper. For example, if you just bolted on a steering wheel and shaft setup from a Mk II golf, you could have an adjustable steering wheel as well, but it would look sort of odd in the bugs interior. My decisions were to make the bug look almost stock, but really, REALLY not be!

Jason

OK, apparently they are actually working on my shock towers now, maybe they will be done this week, but unfortunately Mon. is usually the day I pick stuff up, and its a holiday, so it'll bee next Mon. before I can pick them up. Then hopefully a couple more weeks and the suspension is complete. I'm going to get the front end rolling and temporize the rear suspension so I can get the car down to Walt's and have him fab up the rear suspension strut mounts. They are going to be a little more complicated than I wan't to tackle, being they are going to be removable from the superstructure. He's got all the equipment and the know how to do the job right the first time.
Then I can roll it home and start on the different systems!!!

Jason

That 993 setup would have to be narrowed or some crazy offset rear wheels used. Either way sounds COOL! If you're fabbing it into a chassis, you just ditch the factory crossmembers and get shorter axles. I think some of those wild offset wheels would be even cooler though, I like a little lip but the flat face is just as appealing, especially because it would disguise all that rubber tucked under the fenders....

Walt has the front end now. Just those new shock towers cost $330. I really couldn't believe it. Anyway, he should have it welded up in a couple of weeks.

Jason

Picked up the whole works from Walt today. Nice welding! The new shock towers are too tall it seems, and I'm just completely done with the idea of more mods for now, so I may just be getting some new QA1's that are longer and are double adjustable. I gave everything a painjob with hammertone silver. I didn't spend much time on prep, as this whole thing will be sandblasted and powder coated, but at least it will look good and keep the rusting down. I gave the area around the frame head a spray of undercoating. Tomorrow I'll bolt things up and maybe snap some pics.

Jason

Quit teasing us and drive the damned thing! This is worse than going to one of 'those bars'! Yes, I'm worked up about it :D

Got her bolted on today. The paint stayed on OK except for a couple spots to touch up. The same can not be said of the undercoating I sprayed on as well. It must be some cheap stuff, because the stuff I've used before has been pretty heavy duty. Getting this thing on and off of a car is like doing one of those wire puzzles from the 80's. So don't get to worked up, as a "for sale" version would need to be modified enough to make it easier to get on and off. Anyway, I'll be ordering up the new shocks tomorrow. Oh, I bolted up one of the wheels. I can't remember the offset, but the tire is 205/40/17. I had to modify the edge of the 2" wider fenders to clear it, so that gives you an idea of how much wider of a track I built into this suspension, again, something that most people probably would want near stock. I'll hopefully get the rear end temporarily bolted up tomorrow to get the car over to Walts.

Jason