Thanks, it is a very solid car. If I ever build another I will not use the VW pan, I would build the entire frame from scratch, it would be easier, lighter and plenty strong.
The advantage of using the original tunnel along with the new perimeter cage, like your hybrid chassis has now is that it can retain its original title and registration. If you built it totally from scratch it would need a new special construction title. That's a real problem here in California.
[QUOTE="CairoManx"]The advantage of using the original tunnel along with the new perimeter cage, like your hybrid chassis has now is that it can retain its original title and registration. If you built it totally from scratch it would need a new special construction title. That's a real problem here in California.[/QUOTE] Same over here too!
If a person had a junk pan with a title I wonder how much of the pan you would need to use. Could you get by with cutting a 6" section from the tunnel with the SN on it and welding it into the new chassis?
[QUOTE="rossdc"]If a person had a junk pan with a title I wonder how much of the pan you would need to use. Could you get by with cutting a 6" section from the tunnel with the SN on it and welding it into the new chassis?[/QUOTE] The law says you can't change the number on a chassis. I think how much of the chassis you use might be a judgement call. I've seen some people just use the top of the tunnel from the parking brake handle back, that have gotten away with it. I think just cutting out a 6 inch strip with the number on it would be seen as changing a number.
I would say that if you incorporate the entire tunnel you would still have the 'original pan' as the floor sections play no part in making the pan rigid. Putting new floors and a lift kit on the outside of the floors did not make my buggy pan new.
Ross, NIce buggy you have. Great idea on the tow bar. What kind of bumper are you mounting it to? Also on your front spindles, did you weld on the outer part of a 914 spindle to a linkpin spindle?
Joseph
Manx Club #1095
Having fun with Buggies since 1970
Worked in VWs in shops since 1970
[font=Verdana]Allen You asked for some pictures of the window hinge area. The Heim joint size is 1/2". Also I posted a couple more pictures on the link below. Joseph The bumpers I built from 1-3/4 x .083wall DOM tubing. For the spindles I cut the axle of the link pin spindle leaving about 1/16" to use as a pilot, I sawed the 914 spindle off the strut and put it in the lathe to face it off and machined a pilot hole to fit over the 1/16" long stub. With the two machined faces clamped together put the new spindle in the exact location as the old one except about 1/2" wider. Then I welded the two pieces together and the gusset all at the same time. I didn't want to drill the spindle for the speedometer cable and weaken it so I used that digital speedometer that runs off the rear CV joint.
Ross, Thanks for the extra photos, those are excellent (pics are worth a 1000 words). I hate to ask for more, however, can you post a couple of the hinge as mounted on the car? Close ups... Side view and another slightly forward showing hinge and how the bottom of the windshield fits relative to the hood (maybe one windshield up and one with it down). I just love the creative nature of buggy builders. Looks to me like you've got "creative" in "heaps" and excellent fabrication skills as well. Very nice stuff!
AllenI took a couple more pictures of the tilt down window that you can view at the My Pictures link below. Thanks for your interest and let me know if you have any question or suggestions.
