69 Baja Project

[Dustin]

OK so with all this talk about motivation and me having too many projects and too cluttered of a shop to be motivated my family has decided that Christmas gifts will be a couple for each of us and the rest is towards the Baja that we decided was priority 1 to finish. I did not take any pics of the teardown as this was not planned to be a big project at first and it was 3 years ago. When we started working on it I drove it into the Barn and made a driver a non driver! Well anyway its a 69 Bug we bought for $1000 quite a while ago then never did too much with it a few trips down the road and some doughnuts on the corner. The motor was tired and it had huge 31x10.50 tires on the rear causing it too be quite a bear to drive with stock trans and motor. The car is really solid and has all original metal. The pans are solid even in the battery tray! They are just beat up a little ok quite beat from what appears to be many jumps and offroading. The body has some seam splitting between the package tray and the rear quarter panels that needs to be taken care of and a few little spots on the lower rear quarters. We completely disassembled the car and I started sanding down the awful paintjob someone put on it. The color wasn't bad for a Baja but the finish was. So the next step is to remove the body from the pan and start wire wheeling the interior area to get rid of all that nasty glue and insulation. Then the pan can be cleaned up and painted. All new brakes have been ordered and many other parts are on the list to be ordered soon.





Here are the problem areas not too bad at all.




I wanted to paint it the original L633 VW Blue but my mom didn't care for that then I thought 98B Viper Green Metallic would be cool and that one was shot down as well. My mom wanted something really bright but no one could agree on a color so as of right now the color is L412 Diamond Green which isn't a bright color but its different and classy. The interior is as of now going to be Grey with some aftermarket off road seats and no rear seat, Maybe a mild cage, shifter, wheel, etc. The motor will be stock for now but dressed up since its out there for everyone to see.

Here is a pic of Diamond Green for those who don't know it. The color looks different in different lights and at different angles.

[bren]

Welcome to the forum Dustin. Glad to see you jumping right in and posting up your project.
;D
(sorry, had to do it.)

Was this a baja when you bought it? Does not look too bad at all. Have you seen photos of Kenn's old baja? I like that look.

I like this one too:


And this one:

[Ruffuss]

Dustin, I've always loved the look of a baja/baha, it can change from owner to owner and builder to builder there is no right or wrong way to do it. Off road On road or somewhere in between, although mine was more FUN before I chromed it all up and put on the fancy paint and strips. The kids in the neighbor use to stand in line for a ride and some mothers just shook their heads. I still have some parts from mine if your interested and can put them to use.Keep us informed and welcome to the forum. Later Kenn

[ghiastein]

Remember the talk about the Lowered Baja. I wonder if this picture will spark any interest.



I think it looks cool

[dubfreak1]

Now that is SWEET! I think Dustin was talking about doing a lowered Baja for autox............. ;D

[Dustin]

"Welcome to the forum" hahaha everyone.

Yes it was a Baja when we got it and seems like it has been for quite some time. What kind of parts do you have Kenn? This will be a mostly street Baja that will be beefed up over time while driving then maybe an occasional trip to the dunes.

That Black lowered one was the car I was talking about Rudy. It does look sweet and I have always loved the narrow eye kit.

[Ruffuss]

Dustin, I have glass rear fenders and rear scoop, coil over shocks, air shocks and tree bars. Probaly more. We'll talk Sat. evening. Later Kenn

[Dustin]

Sounds good Kenn, I really need to come up with some wheels. I was thinking about snatching these up since its a good price then finding something nicer later.



$258.60 15x5 front and 15x7 rears from Appletree Automotive but we should probably use something a little wider.

[Chris]

Ding Ding, Germanlook Baja

[Dustin]

Dec 3, 2008 21:43:04 GMT -5 Chris said:

Ding Ding, Germanlook Baja

Now that would be different for sure!

[jmallen05]

I know a guy that has a pair of 15x10 with a street tire on them, he would probably let them go for pretty cheap. I believe they are like the ones pictured but not positive, and they would need to be painted.
I could probably bring them on sunday if you interested.

jerry

[Dustin]

Sure Jerry, I am not worried about paint since if I bought new I would strip them and paint them to match the bumpers/sidebars. The car had 31x10.50 on the rear and it was a bear to drive in 3rd and 4th gear so 10" wide may be overkill but you never know. Bring them if you can and its not a hassle.

[Chris]

Im just trying to rub off on everyone.

[Ruffuss]

Dustin, The only wheels I have are wide 5's no 4 bolt, Sorry, besides my son would have snatched any 4's along time ago. Later Kenn

[jmallen05]

I'll get over to his house tomorrow and throw them in the back of my van. Also I'm with Kenn, I think you should throw a set of thing spindles on it. Couldn't you just readjust the spring plates to match the front? Also empi makes a 3'' inch body lift for like 200 buck, I'm not the biggest fan of those though.


jerry