Well guys, I know it's been a LONG TIME! I'm digging up an old thread, but, I didn't want to start a new one, just fro an up-date.
I did get it home, started striping it, & fixing the bits & pieces to go back one once it's rolling...
Main reason I haven't gotten more work done to it is, I bought a '74 Bug for the Motor & Trans. to go into the Shorty. When I bought it the guy said it was a New Mexican Beetle motor with only 2000 miles on it & the trans was rebuilt at the same time. Unfortunately, my fiancee fell in love with the Bug, it was made teh same year she was born & has always wanted a Bug. So, long story short, I started to do a "fluff & buff" which endd up turning into a full fledged restore.
I didn't want to go this far into the car, but, my fiancee & kidz will be in this car, so, I wanted it to be SAFE. Once I finish the Bug, I'll be right on the Shorty. I'm still doing little things to the Bus as I go though. Some of the same things need to be done to each.
I'm glad a few of you have given me good words on it. I don't get a good reception on some forums.
What I can tell you guys is that My Dad built it long ago, using a '66 Deluxe walk-thru. Obviously he shortened it. He moved teh entire back section forward & butted the 2 outriggers w/jack points right up against eachother. The wheel base is 4' even. Then he cut the back off & moved that forward as well, He had to shorten the height of the hatch, then he made a flatbed floor out of Oak wood flooring. When it was first done, it looked really nice. But, after sitting for 20 some odd years it totaly rotted out.
There has been a snag in the repair of this thing as well... The frame has rotted pretty much beyond repair. I was thinking of using some 2" x 4" square tube I have, but, I might actually drop it on a shortened Beetle Chassis. I have an extra IRS Chassis & I was going to switch to IRS anyway... This should help lower the center of gravity & give a better ride. I figure the Bus had a 1 ton suspension & the Shorty is so much less in weight now, so, a Beetle suspension should help with that. Anyone have any input on that idea? I have pretty much figured out what to do for the steering. I'm going to use a Vanagon steering box & rack, but, I need to figure out where to locate the Rack I'm going to use. I guess I'm going to have to wait till I get the chassis shortened & mock stuff up, I just like to get some stuff figured out before I get into the job. Makes for less snags along the way.
BTW, you guys have some Kick Ass Busses. I kinda wish this was a full length bus, but, this was FREE to me, so I'm working with what I've got!
Steve X.
Here it is as it sits now. YOu can see I took the suround off the bed, & the engine compartment completely out as well. As I said I removed bits & pieces to re-furbish them. I still need to find more parts as some of the ones i had are no longer usable. There's a shortage of Bus parts in my area, & I can't seem to track everything down that I need to complete it. I hope to find some of the parts I need at shows this season.
Here you can see the '74 Bug I'm restoring:
