newbie with ???

[blown luv]

Is it possible to build a buggy with a 73 and up vw bug? How does the strut front end affect it?

[GregR]

The VW's with strut front ends (super beetles) don't work so well. The struts use the body as the top mount and the glass bodies don't have the strength for that. Some options are welding a standard IRS or Link Pin front end to the super's chassis or giving Hawkeye or Bobby a call about a tube chassis and Doug with Custom Buggy Parts for a beam front end using the super for all the other parts.

[Aquabuggy]

Ya can't use the super beetle "strut front end" with a buggy body but you could cut off the frame head and weld on ether a ball joint or link pin frame head.
Or better yet is cut off the torsion housing and have Hawkeye or Texas buggy's build ya a custom tube chassis.

EDIT Looks like Greg beat me to it

[blown luv]

ok looking at using a 73 beetle ,not a super. Does only a super have the struts or did the beetle also get them in a certian year? Thanks guys

[Aquabuggy]

Only the supers have struts. They made supers and standard beetles from 71 to 78 the Mexican beetles were all standards up through the end of production in 03 or 04.

[Don]

Your '73 non-super would be ideal since it has the independent rear suspension (IRS).

You will need to decide if you want to use a long buggy body or short. A long body will fit your chassis as is. If you want a short body, you will have to shorten your chassis or as others have mentioned, have a custom tube chassis built.

[blown luv]

Thanks for all the answers I feel better now.....Ok heres my plan. 73 beetle chassis. Long body buggy. Figured the 73 has the higher gear ratio. Just wanna build a nice driver nothing crazy.Thanks again.

[CoryN]

Sounds like you are on the right track and welcome to the group!

[Texasbuggys]

Hey Blown Luv, I remember talking to ya, ya still have the VW! Cool man, glad to see you going buugy with it. Post up a picture of your truck for all these folks to see that you a true motorhead guy! Thats a cool little truck man! Can't wait to see what you do with a buggy project and welcome to the board!

[Bill K]

INVITATION: There is no better place to be for someone contemplating building a Buggy than the Buggy Blast in Salado next Saturday. You'll really get to see a great cross section of some beautifully built buggies, and gain a great deal of knowledge from some of the greatest folks you'll ever meet.
So, come on over.

[blown luv]

Hey Tx buggy, I built the 70 bug. Lowered ,fuch wheels,painted,1641 drive the wheels off of it. As for the luv truck it's getting a heart transplant right now. Traded the 355 with the 671 blower for a 540ci big block! The buggy is gonna be for the wife. She's enjoys the 70 so much she wants a buggy. Thanks again for all the answers I'm sure I will have more questions.

[Ken]

a 540ci big block!

In a little Chevy Luv? Thats going to take some cutting and welding!

Welcome to the club... Hope to see a new build thread from you? Remember we like pictures...

[blown luv]

yes Ken ALOT of cutting and welding......my brother ,and friend and myself built it from the ground up.Narrowed a ford 9" and frame,built the roll cage,alulinium floor and fire wall.Truck has been 10.008 at 136mph in the 1/4 mile with a sbc.Buildin the headers for the 540 hoping to run it in a couple of weeks.Cant wait to build a buggy,cheaper and street legal!

[blown luv]

Ok I went today and picked the 73 rolling chasis for the wifes buggy. Also picked a 69 bug minus engine.Hoping to get the 69 running and painted soon so I can sell it and buy the buggy.

[blackthree4me]

Just wanna build a nice driver nothing crazy.

where have I heard that before.
see next quote

Narrowed a ford 9" and frame,built the roll cage,alulinium floor and fire wall.Truck has been 10.008 at 136mph in the 1/4 mile

[blown luv]

hahahah black3 ,I promise nothing crazy this time. The luv is a fun toy hope to put it in the 8s this year.I wanna make the buggy fun and reliable.I'm thinking about putting the 1641 outta bug in it ,so I can build a turbo motor for the bug..