I have seen alot of great ideas from some very talented people on this site. This is what I have to start with: frame is an unknown, 88" wheel base, kingpin wide 5 front axle, rear is bus torsion, 3 rib tranny and trailing arms, motor was a Subaru 1.6L (locked up, broke), and wheels are a twin 5 lug pattern with welded centers. That is correct, welded centers redrilled for the close 5 lug pattern attached with nuts and washers.

Now for the questions. What other wheels will correctly fit on the close 5 pattern (I believe 112mm)? Can I redrill the drum for a chevy 5 on 5.5 pattern? How would I go about putting disc brakes on the rear? Any inexpensive places to get the front brake stuff to put back on (needed for inspection here in Illinois)? Are there any other master cylinders that will work on the vw/buggy pedal assembly for dual brakes (front and rear)? I found the thread on stretching the frame, just didnt have any conclusions as of yet.

Current plans are to increase the wheel base to 96" or 100", stay w/c with a 2.8 efi gm motor and adapter, straighten out the top frame that just doesnt look right.

Thanks in advance.

Jeff

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Off-roading is NOT a spectator sport

If you can't buy it....Make it

You know, water and electricity dont mix (from a nurse at a hospital)

Two turtles don't make a rabbit

I like the way it fits on that lawn mower trailer! Short might have its ad vantages. I would redo the cage put coil overs on and run it

mad max coolness to it

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i dont always ride my buggy but when i do im glad it has a bad ass bow tie makin the horsepower

Jesus loves me, but everyone else thinks im an asshole.

Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration, don't fail us now!

Pretty cool looking. Sorry can't help with the wheel pattern question. Keep us up to date with pics as you go along. Welcome to Woodsbuggy!!

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Bryan

Hey,,glad to see someone using or has used the ea71,,,I now run suby myself,,,if you decide to get rid of the suby stuff ,let me know,,,,

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If your clutch ain't slippin,, you probably got it adjusted right!!!!!

I agree

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Mike
Got Honda?

Firebug...looks like I will be getting rid of the suby stuff. The 1.6 is locked up and I cant find anyone to get rods, bearings or pistons from. A friend of mine had a 1.8 from a Brat, but unfortunately it wont match up to the adapter that I have. So what I am thinking is to buy an adapter for a more modern engine like a 2.8 gm. That way I can always get parts and pieces plus I can go up to a 3.1, 3.4 or even a 3.8 v6 with some of the same parts. My GF is starting to refer to it as the mad redneck since it has a rebel flag on the roof.

_________________
Off-roading is NOT a spectator sport

If you can't buy it....Make it

You know, water and electricity dont mix (from a nurse at a hospital)

Two turtles don't make a rabbit

Yea the ea71 has a different bolt pattern than the ea81. You may redrill the bolt pattern,,I don't know. But you are right going to more engine. I ran the ea81 for years but the ej22 is much more impressive if you want to stay suby,,,still different adapter and flywheel. ea71 uses the same piston as ea81 but I don't know about bearings. I only ask because my dad has an ea71 that he may put in a beetle,,but he already has 2 beetles with ea81 and one with ea71,,,, good luck

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If your clutch ain't slippin,, you probably got it adjusted right!!!!!

I have some 3x3 rear Chromoly trailing arms for a bus torsion. I also have some bolt on mounts for buick disc brakes.

I have a buddy that has some very nice small 5 pattern wheels with some newer cut tires. He also has a disc brake setup for a standard bus torsion on the rear.

Good luck with your new buggy and email me if you want more info on this stuff @ buggymethis@yahoo.com.

Chris

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Where did you say the weenie trail is?

Buggymethis, Thanks but I think I am going to have to pass. Prices may be fair to others, just seem to be a bit high to me.

Thanks for all the good compliments.

I have now replaced the main hoop with one about 6" taller, the windshield hoop with one about 4" taller, the rear engine side hoops with ones 5" longer ( to fully enclose the 2., and an additional cross tube under the seats. After repeatedly looking at the right rear tire, I had come to the concludion that the rim was bent. However after removing the tire/rim, that wasn't the case. After some carefull measuring, I had found out that when the buggy was made, the right side was cut 5/8" shorter than the left. So then the stretching of the frame comenced. 5 3/8" on the left and 6" on the right. So now the buggy is at a 95" wheelbase and the distance between the torsion housings is less than 1/16" and the frame is square again.

Yesterday, a Scout buddy and I went to the "man mall" yesterday and was going to pick up an extra 3 rib and the front end out of a 76 vw van. However, when we got there, we found out it had been crushed. So on to the next stop. There the yard guy told us he had a 76 vw pickup that he had already sold the tranny and the motor out of. We then switched to jeep and rodeo parts searching. Then we found the 76 vw "truck" he was talking about. It turns out to be a 1970 kombi (van front seats with a fold down rear platform) with the 5 rib tranny hanging there by the shifter linkage with axles and drums, and the entire front end unmolested. SCORE!! So 8 bolts and one shift linkage bolt later, we have wide 5 drum to wide 5 drum rear tranny assembly. 8 more bolts and a steering arm we have the front end as well. This kombi had plates on it that expired in Oct of 2008. Everything spins freely and smooth. When leaving the "man mall" there were 2 radiator assemblies sitting in a cage. 2001 3.2L dodge intrepid radiators with cooling fans. So one of those had to come home with me as well.

Now I have to find some wide 5 rims 9 or 10" wide for the back, may have to go new.

Today's plans are to remove the hobbled up welded mess on the front end and install the other torsion assy.

_________________
Off-roading is NOT a spectator sport

If you can't buy it....Make it

You know, water and electricity dont mix (from a nurse at a hospital)

Two turtles don't make a rabbit