Big Orange Bug

lil'_big_truck · May 11, 2012

Hey all, here is my 1976 Baja Bug with a 68 motor. I'm restoring it mechanically. I picked it up for only $1200! :yahoo:

Its frame and body are solid with only minor rust on the floor and body (considering its age and the fact that its been in Michigan and Ohio its whole life). I need to clean up and fix up the motor, fix the brakes, the interior, speedo, and that's about all that's left. I need to patch the floors a bit, and depending on funding, bodywork and paint. I might also build a speaker box behind the back seat considering it has no speakers.

-replaced generator
-replaced starter
-replaced shocks
-cleaned carburetor
-removed ghetto-rigged stereo
-new 1915cc engine
-new wiring harness
-new brake system
-new floors
-new heater channels
-new paint
-tires
- new interior
- custom gauge cluster
- high performance sway bar
- breather box
- external oil cooler
- new steering column and tire rods
- windshield wipers!
- radio
- temporary seat fix

Next on the list:

- new seat upholstery

replacing shocks

the rears had pneumatic adjustable shocks that looked stock, I don't think I'll replace them as long as they're still working.

Replacing the generator:

You can't see it but, the belt was the original 68 motor's belt. It had huge cracks and it even said "Made in W. Germany". kinda cool / scary
generator

this was a pain to get back in. If you don't do it right, the fan rubs on the metal shroud.

interior:

Next I'll be fixing the brakes and parking brake.

railman · May 11, 2012

I officially Hate You

you would not believe how bad I have always wanted a Baja Bug......

l8r, John

lil'_big_truck · May 12, 2012

haha. you just have to keep your eyes out for them.

so today I replaced the rear shocks, painted the rails, and started work on the front brakes. One caliper was locked shut and the other was on its way out. Now I'm just waiting on new calipers to come in (the closest we in St.Louis Missouri! :bawling:

) After that, I should be able to drive around.

When I was working on the rear I noticed something odd. I knew that the parking brake but I didn't know why yet. Apparently someone deliberately cut the lines! who does that? I just can't wrap my head around it. :icon_confused:

well that's all for today.

A better pic of the adjustable rear shocks from 76. too bad they don't still work (can't hold any air pressure)haha. not like i really expected them to anyway

CheapRanger · May 12, 2012

Looks good. I picked up a 71 Super a little bit back from a friend. Him and his buddy who owned it, were going to fix it up for a fun car, but his friend passed from cancer. It is sitting right now, just due to house projects.

lil'_big_truck · May 13, 2012

cool. I'm sorry about his friend. maybe you guys can pick the project back up soon.

today, all I could do was clean the engine a bit so, here it is:

BEFORE

AFTER

also, here are the pesky calipers that I'm waiting on:

That's gonna be all for a bit. Still waiting on parts.

lil'_big_truck · May 17, 2012

Hey all, So its a pain in the butt to find pads for this thing. I first had to figure out what calipers those were. turns out, they were off a 77 beetle. So I went looking for those, wound up with some off a rabbit that fit right, now I can't find pads :annoyed:

. I've got some guys at KOI looking for me and hopefully I'll have some pads tomorrow. In the downtime, I went ahead and wired a voltage gauge so I'd know the battery strength.

It tortures me to have it like this. I want to drive it so bad. haha

lil'_big_truck · Jun 17, 2012

Hey all, I'm just posting to let you all know that I got the bug running. Its was a wiring problem that led to me screwing up the timing. So there was no power going to the coil until I bypassed the harness, and then, when I replaced the distributor, I caused the timing to be way out of wack. Now I have a very confusing electrical gremlin. I can't get my blinkers or brake lights to work. They'll come on when I use the hazard flashers or running lights but not when I use the lever or the brake pedal. This might take a while to trouble shoot. I also finally found new calipers and pads that worked. It turns out that the calipers were off of a 72 Karman Ghia. anyway, here are some other updates:

all cleaned up and detailed:

New rubber, the old tires had some serious dry rot:

a local cruise in:

an epic '84 ranger at the cruise in:

lil'_big_truck · Jun 24, 2012

hey all, not much has happened but i did get some decals in:

Not sure when I'm gonna get its wiring figured out

lil'_big_truck · Jul 4, 2012

hey all, So I have yet to solve my brake lights and signal lights problem. I'm seriously debating just getting a new harness now. On another note, I had to replace my generator's pulley because it broke its teeth and was starting to damage everything else. So I've put on the new pulley and painted my distributor cap for the heck of it.

lil'_big_truck · Jul 29, 2012

hey all,

Just a quick update. My dad has convinced me to do a frame off restoration. So I will be starting the process at the end of August. I'm gonna miss driving it for a while, but it will be worth it. The build will have plenty of pics.

lil'_big_truck · Aug 23, 2012

Just an update, Got the bug moved to my house and its ready to be torn down.

who says rangers can't do work? haha

my roommate is excited for the build. There will be many pics to come of the teardown

lil'_big_truck · Aug 23, 2012

so after day 1, I have most of the fiberglass panels off and started on the windshield. Unfortunately the windshield started to crack even more as i tried to pry it out. Also, some of the bolts holding on the fenders are just spinning in the rust so I may have to grind them off. anyway, pics:

alwaysFlOoReD · Aug 23, 2012

Cool car. Looking forward to your build pics.

Richard

lil'_big_truck · Aug 24, 2012

hey all, midway into day 2 and I've got the interior coming apart and the windows.

lil'_big_truck · Aug 24, 2012

ok so here are the pics of the beetle mostly torn down. There's a good bit of rust but its not terrible for having been in Ohio and Michigan its whole life.

It looks like I'll be able to send it to a vintage beetle body shop to start getting repaired and repainted in a week or so. I should be pulling the motor tonight to rebuild it. :icon_welder:

Big Orange Bug

Well-Known Member

December 2011 OTOTM Winner

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Forum Staff Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad

TRS Events

Member & Vendor Upgrades

Recently Featured

Ranger Adventure Video

TRS Merchandise

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Sponsors

Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad

Amazon Deals

Sponsored Ad