Hot Wheels 2 - Pine's new Buggy build thread

[Dutch_Diver]

Perfect location....I hate this thread as it makes me want a buggy....!

[Pine]

I hate this thread as it makes me want a buggy....!

http://www.beachbuggyclub.com (UK based) - hope to see you there soon!

[Dutch_Diver]

Not fair Pine!

[DaveW]

Hi Pine.

can you recommend a good book on acvw electrics. I have very little knowledge on this topic and would like to teach myself.

tks

Dave

[Pine]

Hi Dave, I have absolutely no knowledge on VW electrics myself, but if you study the wiring diagrams on TheSamba here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/wiringt2.php you learn a lot!

What is nice is that the colours of the wires are more or less the same across the whole ACVW range. If you print a diagram out on say an A3 paper in colour, it is even easier to follow.

[hitlers revenge]

Pine, where are you getting all your correctly coloured wiring from. A Joe Soap electrical shop or a specific auto electrical place???

[Pine]

I've been collecting pieces of wiring looms from Beetles for a while now. None of the looms are fully complete, but if you cut the sleeving off, the wires inside are brand new, and the colours fresh. I doubt that an auto electric shop will have all the colour combinations you need, but by using the OG Beetle wires - you know that they will be automatically the right gauge and thickness.

The main loom running from the front fuse box to the rear of the buggy (which carries the power from the battery to the front, and wires for the lights, indicators, brake lights, warning lights etc.) is still sealed with all the lugs on - so I won't touch it. That is the most important part of the whole loom, let's call it the 'back bone' of everything.

The challenge will be to fit some of the lugs, after the wires are laid out on the buggy, and to put some protective sleeving (heat shrink?) around it.

[Pine]

The idiot lights for the oil pressure and battery charge have finally arrived from the UK - thanks a lot, Dutch!

These are perfect for application in a buggy, because you really need to actually SEE them when they go on - and with the gauges being in the center of the buggy dash, normal lights in a normal Beetle speedo simply won't do.

[Pine]

I have also made the battery box a bit more shallow, so the IRS trailing arms can move freely. I fibreglassed the battery box again, and repainted it - and it looks pretty much factory spec, so I am happy. Still need to make some kind of cover for the top of the battery, as it sticks out a bit now, but I will most probably make the rear seat in such a way, that it covers the battery.

[Pine]

It is not nice cutting an enormous hole in the bonnet of a brand new buggy bodyshell, but it was needed to fit the centre-mount filler cap - which was on the to-do list, right from the start. The holesaw made light work of it, and the hole is perfect.

[Blitzkrieg]

Absolutely gorgeous!!



So, are we going to be seeing it at the Mint next month??

[hitlers revenge]

My 5c.

The Buggy is looking good!

You gonna have to find a petrol attendant with long arms to fill the tank

The front bumper looks out of place. Is that the best design Volkspares can come up with?

[hitlers revenge]

Did you notice, 1 seat is lower than the other

[Pine]

The buggy won't be finished for the Beetle show next month as the gearbox still needs a major overhaul. Don't think filling the tank will be a problem, a centermount filler cap is a common fixture on many buggies. The bumper is originally from HW1 but wasn't on it at the time of the accident. I was trial-fitting it to HW2 to see if I could mount my winch on it, but have since scrapped the idea. The seats are not fixed to the chassis yet, and was placed inside to put them out of the way. The passenger seat fell over backwards at the time of the pic. (And that is my 10c, I reckon you owe me another 5?)

[VWCrazy]

U got some skills Pine. Buggy looks VERY GOOD