Ok, you think you want to get in to Bajas, here’s what you need to know.

There is required reading:




This is a great book with a lot of helpful insight. Parts seem out dated, but VWs haven’t changed over the years.

Also it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with what is going on in the world if VWs today.



The next thing you need to do is figure out what you expect from your Baja.

Will it need to be a daily driver?

Street Baja?

All out racer?

Pretty trailer queen?

Next, be realistic about your budget. If you are talking about A-arm suspensions and big turbo engines, then you are taking about tens of thousands of dollars. I have almost 10k in mine, and it SURE doesn’t look like it!!! (Though, most of my parts have yet to be installed)

Finally, do some research. Look around at different threads or even sites. Website are not equal, congratulations, you found the best one. I encourage you to look at different sites and get ideas, but beware, not all site welcome questions (or Bajas).

I agree its great information.

what would we do without you mykul?.... lol thanks dude, set the tone for all them wuestions...

Those other sites that seem to get their panties in a bunch if your ask about baja's can bite me I'm sure they all sit down to pee. Ok I feel better now.

Another good place to check out some pics of some nice bajas is:
www.thesamba.com

sickbaja68 wrote:

Another good place to check out some pics of some nice bajas is: www.thesamba.com

yes and no.

R0B_Z0MBIE wrote:

Those other sites that seem to get their panties in a bunch if your ask about baja's can bite me I'm sure they all sit down to pee. Ok I feel better now.

Can I get an amen?

Amen!!!

I'm green to Baja's, but not Kermit green. I grew up on the Mojove Desert in Barstow Caif. I was in to 4x4 and dirtbikes at the time, but the Firecraker 250 was always a nice race to watch from the back of a 4x with a chest full of beer.
I'm looking at buying a baja between the years of 1962 and 1970. I am pouring through the only Vw book I have which is a Haynes repair manual, trying to see the diff between all the different years. (I had no idea they had an autotrans, I thought all bugs were manual trans.)
Anyway, Can anyone tell me what I should look out for.
What was poor, What was good, What to avoid. This will be my daily driver. I would like to make it look nice, but not so nice the local car theif is going to fallow me home. Tell me what you can.
Thx

Axen


its all personal preferences.

the hardest bug to baja is a super beetle.

after you find a nice specimen, then you have to decide what you want.

front tortions:
early = king pin

late= ball joint

trans=

early= swing limited travel

late = IRS (ind. rear susp.) more travel

some like to combine early king pin fronts with late irs rears. more travel all around.

others are ok with bj fronts and irs rears.

what engine you want?

how many passengers?

roll cage?

1 piece front / 7 piece baja kit?

AXEN think of your VW in relationship to what you like in women do you like women with
these-----------> (o) (o)
or these ---------->( O ) ( O )
this ---> (___^___)
or this ----> (__________^__________)
its all in the way you want to set it up.

Thanks for the info so far. I'm still diggen in books and catalogs.
I am doing exactly what you are suggesting and that is what do I want to do with it. How many people. Do I want to keep the drums or go to all disc brakes. Which so far seems that I can not trade out the drums for disc's on all years(Not including the super Bettle) Seems like you can only do a full confersion(Front and Back) on 65 and up. Is this true.
Also, are all all the the engines pretty much the same from 62-70.
I know there are certine part, but I mean the engine. I saw two long blocks one was like 65 and earlier and the other was 66 and later. Other than that they looked pretty much the same. Different trans axle would be my first guess as to the diff between the two.
Thank for all the help.

aircooled engine from T-1, T-2, and T-3 fit each other like a new glove.

T-4 is a diff critter from what I have heard.

the trans depends upon the rear tortion.

my 59 had a 1973 T-3 engine with a swing trans.

you can do a full disk convert (for just about any year) if you have the $$$$ for it

Thx, That really helps.
I got three books I am going to purchas this next weekend one of which is suggested above.
Last question......................For now.
I have been looking on Samba.com and Cragslist.com for a Baja For sale.
Where else might I look that is a good sorce for Bajas around Phonix,Az
Thx AGAIN.

check on

www.azbaja.com

www.chircoestore.com/c.../index.php

also look in the cycle trader magazine (they are in back)