TO Baja a Super ?

[yankeyspeed]

I talked to a buddy of mine, and he has a '72 Super. I have read that they are not the first choice for the Baja because the front suspensions are not great for that. I have seen some spindles that raise the car 3.5 inches up front. Is this a real option for a decent Baja or just pretty.

[blue71]

I didn't see photos of it, but I sold a 72 Super hood to a guy who was working on repairing one that had undergone the baja treatment. He said that it wasn't the best car he'd ever driven and didn't sound terribly impressed with it.

There's a guy in Ypsi who has a shop with a few bodies/parts/rolling bajas for sale for reasonable prices. PM me for his contact info if you guys don't want to do a Super baja.

Not sure if that's of any use or not.

[Ruffuss]

I say just pretty, but it all depends, an offroad Baja(NO, the first hard bump or jump and the frt. suspension will fold up) or street only Baja (then, maybe), You might be better off either leaving the super a super, or rat rod it with an early ford axle front end. If it's in fairly good condition leave it alone and find an already cut older Baja. Just my 2 pennies. Kenn

[rochester73super]

They do not make ANY aftermarket spindles for a Super, so don't wreck the ones you got !! A Super can make a nice STREET Baja, but some diehard VW guys will make fun of it..Scew 'em !!! or you could go for a nice German looker....or you could do what I did and basically.....well....not so basic... ;D

[yankeyspeed]

Thanks, Now the IRS is ok or no, I dont know alot about VWs. I have played mostly with street rods and street cars. This is my first attempt at off road.

[vw1s]

IRS is great for off road! Swingaxle travel is limited due to the length of the axles, but, IRS on the other hand...
You can buy longer trailing arms, longer axles, better CV's, torsion bar eliminators (when swapping to coilovers) and even upgrade to a stronger Bus transmission. All while keeping the tires relatively square to the ground with no danger of them "tucking" on hard turns.

I would stay away from a Super Beetle baja for anything other than street use. A standard Beetle, of any year, is a better starting point if you plan to do ANY off roading. The kingpin front suspension is easily modified with longer arms etc, long arms for ball joint front ends are also available, as well as lifted spindles. Swingaxle rear cars can be converted to IRS with the addition of the weld in trailing arm pivots and the related IRS pieces. Hope this helps.

[yankeyspeed]

Thanks for the information.