Its First Time Overlanding / Baja Bug VW Beetle Overland Build

[chrisjanes]

Refreshingly different from other overland builds 👌👌

[commonsense]

I am glad you got a Baja Bug and are having fun. There is something special about the light weight, the handling, and the heart beat of that engine moving you along. With the rear weight balance and traction it will go more places than you expect. Just don't load too much weight on it.
FYI. I was overlanding in a Baja Bug before people invented the term "overlanding". We just called it camping or off-roading. I started with Baja Bugs in 1979. In 1986 I built a Baja Bug that I off-roaded until 2016. It went everywhere in the deserts and mountains of California, Nevada, Arizona, and in Baja California. It went all the way down Baja to Cabo following the Baja 2000 race. I travelled and camped with Bruce Meyers in my dune buggy.
Here are some lessons learned. When you convert from 6V to 12V you need to get a different wiper motor. Or, use Rainex on the glass. If you are not racing you do not need a roll-cage. The stock hard top is pretty strong in normal rollovers and I have seen a few due to poor driving choices. The roll-cage just gets in the way. For shoulder belts just weld in threaded inserts in the B pillar like the '67 and later body cars and add stock type seat belts with retractors. 17mm or 18mm rear torsion bars are the right spring rate for a Baja Bug, but you need shocks with stiffer damping to match. Weld the seams on the frame horns that hold the engine. From the facory they are just spot welded and they will flex and crack. When your 94mm pistons start losing compression or burning oil you will find out that the cylinder walls on the 92 and 94mm cylinders are too thin and warp from heat over time. The most durable cylinders are the 90.5mm (with stock crank that makes a 1776cc engine). 90.5mm cylinders have thicker walls than the stock cylinders and are very long lasting. They are best when fitted with a moderate stroker crank as it produces even more torque for the full body car. The best carburetor setup for reliable moderate HP engines are the 40 mm dual Solex Kadrons. They were designed by VW for the air cooled engine and work on engines from 1600 on up. Aftermarket carbs are repurposed from water cooled cars and don't have the right fuel mixtures through the range to keep the VW engine cool. Get more good information for recreational Baja Bugs from the the old Gene Berg technical bulletins, and HP Books "Baja Bugs and Dune Buggies" by Jeff Hibbard.

[chipandrews]

I absolutely love your Baja VW Bug! I forgot how small they are until my neighbor bought a 1970 VW Bug up here in Alaska (and no, she doesn't drive it in the winter). I really enjoy your channel as I have a 2008 Toyota FJ and enjoyed all your videos on the stuff you have done to yours. Keep it up! Cheers

[mtnduck]

Whatever style of adventure you call it, it's great to see people with varied backgrounds giving bajas a chance. You two kept an open mind about the vehicle and the overnight accommodations. You'll share many good times with the baja that way!

[undeaniabletruths]

Great video, looked like a fun trip. Love how you all just roll with the punches. Look forward to seeing more of the bug.

[OrangeBoxxfab]

As always watching you guys on the adventures is wonderful. The Baja bug brings back so many memories! Love it. Keep it coming guys all of us here at Orange Boxx Fab gets time off at work to watch all of your vids every week.

[equestrianalways]

Awesome adventure guy's. Watching from New Zealand

[overland]

You two are hilarious, and adorable. Thanks for the update. Happy travels.

[johnportilla]

Thanks for sharing guys. I just recently retired and was thinking of doing the same thing, Just my dog and me. I have a 71 bus living out in Cali to many hills you can go from sea level to 10, 000 ft. in less than a couple hundred miles. Happy travels! 👍

[alpacapete]

Excellent video guys! I got to meet you both (and the bug) a month or so ago at a car show. I have that black 1969 baja bug and we also had issues with the rear fenders rubbing when fully loaded with camping gear. Hope to see more adventures!

[SigmaWolfOutdoors]

Lot of high school memories workin on those old v dubs ... vivia class 11

[GrizzlyPath]

Looks like y’all had fun on shakedown. I’ll have to check out the Trans-Wisconsin Adventure Trail (TWAT) if I’m ever in the area.

[patar]

Re adjust your spring plates. So cool taking it out on trips. I have a 69 Baja.

[Gearhead]

It’s great to see some miles and adventure with the Baja! You might consider monitoring cylinder head temps if you’re concerned about cooling at high engine loads.

[andrewstocker]

love me a baja bug... looks like you need more ground clearance & a higher stance which unfortunately means spending a good bit more money.

[chado_outdoors]

You guys need my vintage teardrop to pull with that baja! 😂

[cal_n_hob]

Cool looking bug, been watching more of the class 11 Baja Bug videos. I'm surprised you were able to legally drive w/o mud flaps. I would've been pissed behind you.

[tetra]

Sometimes in my Baja Bug I will stealth camp. Find a secluded area and set up after dark. Wake up pre dawn and pack up. If Rangers come by they will think you are early birds on a run.

[-old-Forthischet]

It actually looks cool without the rear fenders. What does Johnny Law think?

[KAIVR]

Are you bringing the Bug to the RMTR next month?