There are frame horn supports we used to use for building Dune Buggies but they run to the frame horns not to the trans mount. Then put the truss bar across, nody pad mounts about the truss bar to prevent rattling. That should help support everything.
Whatever you decide to do, it’ll be stronger than it is now. Square tubing is stronger than round tubing, I’d use the square as it’s under the package tray and won’t be hardly noticeable and it’s what you have. Just my 2 cents.
I appreciate the advice sir! I will probably go that route and it will save me some cheddar. But I believe round is stronger. Sand rail chassis’ are round. 🤓
Man, that would be a ton of work and a huge can of worms. I purposely did not remove the body from the pan when I built the car as some of the pan bolts were questionable. No doubt it is strong. But I couldn’t help but think I’d have half of them spin in place. Not sure I want to open that can. LOL 😂 The shock towers are removable and that may be where my issue lies. Still on the fence on which way to go. 🫤
Sorry I'm late to the show on this one. I think the stock VW design has vertical reenforcement plates that form a 90 around the shocks to stiffen the mounting points. I've seen that design somewhere, can't remember if it was stock on a bug. It's been a while since I have worked on my bug. I see you have already posted another video on this issue so I will check out what you did to solve the problem.
No worries! I have done a little more fab work on the shock towers but have not yet tested it. Still working on the engine and exhaust with plans to finish those soon!
Thank you for your comment! I just used a 15mm X 30mm bushing and machined it to 15mm x 5mm so that should do the trick to align the belt properly. Won’t be sure until I get the new alternator though.
I'd try some gussets on the flat plate you have the shocks mounted on, going from the top where the shock mounts down to the far side of the rectangle tube. (make sense? not sue I've explained it well?) There's a lot of leverage there for the shock to bend that flat plate. Two triangle gussets on both sides of the shock plate going down to the top of the rectangle tube its attached to could go a long way in stiffing it up. Otherwise, a top of shock tube going through your package try my be required?
Thank you for your comment! I do understand and I do have gussets on that 3/8” plate. I lost a CV axle earlier in the year and it launched the drivers side pretty hard. I have a video on that (March I believe) Didn’t realize it bent the plate until recently. Next video will touch base on the bent plate. Trying to avoid going through the package tray area if possible so going to try something else before having to go through the fender well.
Not sure if you have fixed the fan shroud situation. That is pulling the belt and pulling on top pulley, not allowing belt to sit straight. Causing the issues witb the pulley. Fix that shroud you should be in good shape.
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There are frame horn supports we used to use for building Dune Buggies but they run to the frame horns not to the trans mount. Then put the truss bar across, nody pad mounts about the truss bar to prevent rattling. That should help support everything.
I will research that. Thank you for the info!
Whatever you decide to do, it’ll be stronger than it is now.
Square tubing is stronger than round tubing, I’d use the square as it’s under the package tray and won’t be hardly noticeable and it’s what you have.
Just my 2 cents.
I appreciate the advice sir! I will probably go that route and it will save me some cheddar. But I believe round is stronger. Sand rail chassis’ are round. 🤓
Maybe you can remove the body off the frame pan,to reinforce the rear shock towers. It a lot of work, but it will be easier to do upgrades.
Man, that would be a ton of work and a huge can of worms. I purposely did not remove the body from the pan when I built the car as some of the pan bolts were questionable. No doubt it is strong. But I couldn’t help but think I’d have half of them spin in place. Not sure I want to open that can. LOL 😂
The shock towers are removable and that may be where my issue lies. Still on the fence on which way to go. 🫤
@69bajaoutdoors
Keep doing research on vw Baja forums.
Sorry I'm late to the show on this one. I think the stock VW design has vertical reenforcement plates that form a 90 around the shocks to stiffen the mounting points. I've seen that design somewhere, can't remember if it was stock on a bug. It's been a while since I have worked on my bug. I see you have already posted another video on this issue so I will check out what you did to solve the problem.
No worries! I have done a little more fab work on the shock towers but have not yet tested it. Still working on the engine and exhaust with plans to finish those soon!
We have shims that can help align that pulley for you. Also yes thats why you are destroying pulleys. Very common situation.
Thank you for your comment! I just used a 15mm X 30mm bushing and machined it to 15mm x 5mm so that should do the trick to align the belt properly. Won’t be sure until I get the new alternator though.
I'd try some gussets on the flat plate you have the shocks mounted on, going from the top where the shock mounts down to the far side of the rectangle tube. (make sense? not sue I've explained it well?) There's a lot of leverage there for the shock to bend that flat plate. Two triangle gussets on both sides of the shock plate going down to the top of the rectangle tube its attached to could go a long way in stiffing it up. Otherwise, a top of shock tube going through your package try my be required?
Thank you for your comment! I do understand and I do have gussets on that 3/8” plate. I lost a CV axle earlier in the year and it launched the drivers side pretty hard. I have a video on that (March I believe) Didn’t realize it bent the plate until recently. Next video will touch base on the bent plate. Trying to avoid going through the package tray area if possible so going to try something else before having to go through the fender well.
@@69bajaoutdoors good luck, hope you get it worked out! I'll continue to follow your progress.
@@hotroddevils5031
Greatly appreciated!!!
Can you send me pictures of your shock mounts ? I need to fabricate something similar for coilover mounts on my Baja
Of course! Shoot me an email at 69bajaoutdoors@gmail.com and I’ll be happy to help out!
Not sure if you have fixed the fan shroud situation. That is pulling the belt and pulling on top pulley, not allowing belt to sit straight. Causing the issues witb the pulley. Fix that shroud you should be in good shape.
Yes! I will be working on that as well!
Do you have the Empi 1-5/8” metal exhaust gaskets in stock? I may need to make an appearance. ;)