Chuck's Baja Build

[chuckput]

You're right Lee. Before I did this recent suspension adjustment, I had to make sure the door was all the way up or the "ears" of spare mount would strike the door. I have seen a Trophy Truck team with multiple race vehicles use a ratchet strap to collapse the suspension so they can load the vehicles in a stacker trailer where overhead height is very tight. It should work in my case since I only need to drop it about two inches.

[chuckput]

I am having difficulty getting my bug to track straight. Can someone help me out?

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[Skidmark]

Your steering wheel needs adjustment. And lubricate those rotors while you are at it.

[chuckput]

Well, I think I corrected my bug's pigeon toed behavior.

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The project I was working on was replacing the Chinese rack and pinion I had on the car. There was nothing wrong with the rack, but I did not like the 1:1 steering ratio. I installed a SACO rack which required changing the u-joint that attached the steering shaft to the rack from a 24-spline to a 32-spline.

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Leather, after your incident with your steering shaft, I was especially careful with welding the steering shaft.

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[Skidmark]

Nice...

[chuckput]

As promised in my Happy New Year STF post, I am sharing the cool Christmas present my wife bought me for my Bug. It is an awning that attaches to my roof rack. It is made by ARB out of Australia and only weighs 25 pounds. It seems to be well engineered and built. I had to create a way to mount it to the rack. I welded two 3" x 4" steel plate to use as mounting points. The pictures reveal the final outcome though it is not completely set up. Some guy lines and stakes are suggested and the canvas velcroes onto the side rods.

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Awning 1.jpg

[ninelives17]

That is awesome, will be great for camping or just parking somewhere so that you don't have to go home.

[Devastator]

Love the shade!

[Steve Arndt]

I have the 8' ARB on my Syncro camper. It is nice to have for sure.

[Skidmark]

I had heard you were kind of shady...

[bajaherbie]

Just be sure and fold it up before driving off!

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[chuckput]

Just be sure and fold it up before driving off!

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That's why I mounted it on the driver's side!

[Leatherneck]

Chuck you need to add electric power steering, what a great improvement to that rack it will make.

Man you sure added some nice real estate, “moving on up”.

Next step is a V6 from a Honda or Acura

[chuckput]

Chuck you need to add electric power steering, what a great improvement to that rack it will make.

Man you sure added some nice real estate, “moving on up”.

Next step is a V6 from a Honda or Acura

I have all the parts for a Charlyn power steering set-up, putting in the new rack was only the first step. As far as the Honda V-6 upgrade, it is very tempting and I have been thinking about it. Maybe after this COVID-19 mess cools down I can find a part-time job to do in retirement that would help pay for the upgrade.

[baja5]

The engine upgrade is the cheap part. It’s the trans that you need to handle the power that costs the big bucks.