Ultra Low Budget 5 Window VW Pickup Project

[Texasbuggys]

Hey ever rode in a short Bug? Carlton, this look familiar? It has been stripped of all that is good and layed to rest. That thing had some cancer everywhere but served me well for a few parts.

[blackthree4me]

OMG
I cant believe you would do such a thing!
cut up an old rusty beetle, you should be asamed of yourself.
that WAS a clasic loved by millions.
blackthree4me

[Texasbuggys]

Hey gotta get some parts from somewhere, was lookin at chopping a split window up but it had to much interior to pull out. No just kidding! After looking at it on the trailer a short Bug would be a fun wheelie machine! LOL

[Texasbuggys]

This was the main part I was after from each side. These will be the rear window surrond for the 1/4 windows in the 5 window VW pickup project that I work on when I am itching from fiberglass and need to cut and weld a little! Was going to go chopped but have so many parts left over from the big buggy project I am using them on the pickup. Going to go for a 5 window Baja style pickup and of course a Texasbuggys tube chassis under it.
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[Texasbuggys]

Thanks to the folks offering up sheet metal scraps and a few old rusty bugs!

[blackthree4me]

that is going to be awsome
I saw a guy at the good guys show
that streched a 34 ford pickup into an extracab
it was a lincoln rosewood as he called it
mighty fine vehicle

the bajha truck should be awsome great idea
I realy want to do a double cab "my way" one of these days

you building chassies now?
is there anything texas buggys cant do?

[Texasbuggys]

Thanks Steve, re-did this three times, I am going for a long wb truck so a little window did not look good. I also wanted to stay with the rounded window look so followed the roof line to make it look a bit better. Now the fun part, grinding ad smoothing. Going to bed line the whole thing so at least I don't have to make it really smooth or purdy! This one is going to get used! Oh and when the other side is done, the rusty strap brace comes out and the windows go in!!!

[Texasbuggys]

I used the door openings and will attach the sheet metal to form the back wall, it is working out pretty well so far. Added the short rain gutter to keep run off away from the 1/4 windows.In between this mounted up the buggy windsheild and finished up the column.

[Texasbuggys]

Here is one with the Bug in front so you can see a size comparison, I think it will be sized just right with the 33" tires all the way around.

I think I have a set of disc brakes trade in it so far and some sweat.

[Aquabuggy]

Hey Bobby, That looks allot better then the last time I saw it, and you've done that while taking a break from your main projects, Impressive!
So hows the buggy project coming? Your buggy project now that thing is off the hook.

[Texasbuggys]

Thanks Chris, most time was cutting parts from the old car. Got the windsheild mounted and column all figured and and done. I was impressed, I can even see out! Whew-hoooo! Just be happy to put all the spare parts on this truck and get them out of my way!!! I have some ideas on the chassis, I will visit with ya about it to see what ya think. I got in trouble for working on the truck, mama said what, another project, not again!!!!

[Texasbuggys]

hey, you swapped the Bus to Jimmy right? Was the rear glass and surround in good shape or rusty? I want to fit a bus rear window in her! Want to keep the cab as much VW as possible.

[Aquabuggy]

The glass was busted & surround rusted. I know where another one is I check it out and let ya know.

[Bill K]

What a fantastic piece of creativity.
Please keep the progress photos coming. This is going to be one fun project to watch.

[Texasbuggys]

thanks guys, was not sure about posting here but figured someone else may get some build ideas or motivation to work on their buggy! If nobody objects I will update here as I build and if anyone has any suggestion please post them. Not sure on the bed and fenders yet, may use Bug fenders out back and widen them, getting good at it right Chris?
Thanks Chris on the winder search. If not I have another time consuming trick I may try.

[Bill K]

Bobby,
How about a flat-bed stake side? I've always thought stake-sides looked great on a truck. If that wouldn't work, perhaps stake sides on the pickup bed.
Just my 2 cents worth.

[Texasbuggys]

yep was thinking about stake sides, already have ideas for the bed and rear fenders worked out.

[Carlton Dollery]

Toooooo Cooooool


How in the world do you find so much time to do all of your projects?

I can't seem to find time to go for a ride with the wife and kids, which have been complaining to go.

[blackthree4me]

yup too cool is what I was thinking
kepp posten up
who cares if some folks dont like it
I do and thats all that counts
just kidding

I want to build something like that for up in the country in OK
once you get yours done I wana check it out

[Texasbuggys]

thanks guys, time is the problem for me, ideas and tools are not! I really enjoy building stuff, especially the frankenstein stuff! I thought you may like to see the white Bug Carlton. Heck Steve I don't build'm as nice as you, I do the rough in and leave the fine details to either the wife or the expertm, oh wait they are the same right? I really wished the buggy was done as I really want to work on the truck, metal is what I really like to do the most, itchy relaxing I say!

[MURZ]

How about using a garden tractor trailer for the bed??? One of those 99 buck jobs from Home depot?



10 cu. ft.—Designed for tough hauling jobs - Dump Cart, Maximum Capacity 1000 Pounds, Gauge 18, Axle Diameter 1.0 Inch, Tire Size 15 x 6 1/2 Inches, Inside Length 46 1/2 Inches, Inside Width 30 Inches, Length 49 Inches, Height 12 Inches, Width 32 1/2 Inches, Pneumatic Tire, 10 Cubic Feet. Agri-Fab brand (45-01713).

[blackthree4me]

hydrolic dump bed Know your talking!

[Texasbuggys]

keep'm coming fellas!!!!

[ckolek]

found this on ebay maybee you can model your next project after this one http://cgi.ebay.com/VW-Shortly-BUG-Body ... dZViewItem

[Texasbuggys]

thats cool

[Texasbuggys]

Ok fellas, here is a quick update! Drivers side chopped up and fitted and tacked in place. Only 1/32 difference between drivers and passenger side from door jam to back wall corner. Pretty darn close. Oh how bout that advertising shameless plug!!! LOL

[Texasbuggys]

Here are a few other shots, rear wall and wender is next as we Texans say. Going to pull out a stock Bug front and see what she would look like out back. Hmmm!! Also rolled up the 33" tire wheel combo, actually smiled for a second through all the sweat!


Another just for looks

[Texasbuggys]

This is what was left of the rear B-pillar from the drivers side after some major chopping, cuttin, fittin and weldin. Oh and man it was hot and humid today!!

[blackthree4me]

Going to pull out a stock Bug front and see what she would look like out back.

tell me you are not going to put a front end on the back ?

it looks pretty sweet as is
just chop a rear section up and fit it in to the fenders ect.

[Texasbuggys]

Oh no Steve, not going to throw a front clip out back, I'm going to build a stepside style bed and either fit widened Bug fenders or widened trailer fenders out back. Frame it out of box tubing the skin in Aluminum to keep the weight down a bit. Possibly add stake pockets and some old school picket removable sides.

[ckolek]

here is a project on the samba that i think would look great when finished http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/ ... ?id=453506

[mkparker]

This is a crummy scan of my old Minor with a stake bed just for a visual.

[ckolek]

found this on ebay,chop top and step side bed looks pretty cool.. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Volkswag ... 2125QQrdZ1

[blackthree4me]

boy MK I bet you smoked some stuff in that one LOL
I got beat at a show by a raty Minor last year in the import class.
cool little truck

[Texasbuggys]

Did a little work on the old VW 5 wender pick'm up project today. Started on the chassis base, going to follow with the rest of it and it will be on the different side as always with me! Updated pics coming soon, can't see much right now as its all under the body. In between I am working on some fine folks from up in the Fort Worth areas dune buggy. Getting a new 6 point cage with inside bodyline bars, new floors and Mazda Miata seat mounts built.

[Texasbuggys]

Well it is decided, with the tall cab and planned wheelbase, it had to go up so here is the front early seup, still have some more bracing to do but it is getting there. I have a buddy who is doing a slammed chopped version already so this was the opposite extreme. Did a bit of tube work on the front of the 5 window. Did not look proportionally right at the stock height so here we go! Still have lots to do. Tyin in the front vertical tubes to the front body bumper mounts with some plate to add a little more over all support. Then tubes coming from the bottom beam mount to the same verticle bars out front which will eventually be a front bumper. The area that is open where the stock tie rods used to run through will be sheetmetaled closed up and the injection sump will mount down in this area to clean it up and not look stupid. Still need to cap off the crossmembers and do some finish welding. Picked up a swing torsion for the short torsion bar plates tonight, gotta pull it apart and convert it over to the IRS one going out back dropped down. Hope the 33" tires fit at all 4 corners, thing is pretty tall. Also going to upgrade to some really long shocks and towers, and add a big sway bar and that will about finish up the front. Oh and the steering has been layed out also. Going to be an intresting fun truck. Beat the heck out of sniffing fiberglass all day!! I think I have about $200 in tubing and steel invested so far. Freebies as follows, beam, body, rear torsion parts. Lots of other project parts that were not used, the rebuilt 2.3 Ford Turbo and bus 5 rib that will power this dog under the rear bed. Remember, this is a ultra low buck shop truck made from donated and left over parts. Will never be used off road but wanted it to have the truck look so please be gentle!

Thanks again to all who have donated their old parts for the project.


[img][img]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a60/Texasbuggys/Picture040.jpg[/img][/img]

[ckolek]

looking good Bobby cant wait to see it on all four..

[Texasbuggys]

Hope I can keep it on all fours!! Thanks Chris, how is yours coming along?

[ckolek]

all i can say is SLOOOOWLY hopefully i will finish the wiring this weekend and maybee,just maybee get to smell some exhaust..

[Texasbuggys]

It is confirmed hot outside!!! Ok got the rear torsion welded in and making good progress on that end. Also finished up the tabs that tie in the front end tubes to the front bumper body mounts. Got the proportions pretty good and it is going to have a pretty long wheel base, even compared to a standard Bug to make the bed look right with the cab. Most of the VW trucks the rear tire is almost right up against the back cab wall and then the bedside from the rear tire to tailgate is real long and it kills the bed. So I pushed it all back until it looks right for a truck. Can't wait to start on that bed!! Hopefully more pics tommorrow.

[Texasbuggys]

Tied in the front tube into the front body bumper mount.

[Texasbuggys]

The rear of the frame will be extended 42" more to support the rear of the bed with smaller tubing. The bed will be about 6' in length. Will have a pretty good bit of usable bed space the way it is going together. Waiting to cap of the back wall until most of the frame is completed as it is much easier to crawl into this way.

[Texasbuggys]

Going to install the rear trailing arms and maybe even throw some tires on it today.

[Texasbuggys]

Here it is as of today with the arms. Still need to add a few more pieces of tube. Trimmed up the torsion and cut out the cap need to weld it closed.

Some cross bars added

Threw a 30" tire up front to get an idea of where I am. Now I need to start trying fenders until I get the front look I want.

[ckolek]

Bobby you da man..that thing is going to be killer

[Texasbuggys]

Thanks, it has turned out to be a fun project. Going pretty much the same as when we meet up in Houston and talked about it. Should be a blast to drive. I had an offer on it today!! I hope he don't come back!!! The wife said oh no not again!!! LOL It really is fun to work on. It is moving pretty quickly but it I have to knock ouy a buggy so it is going to slow bit. I will bring it up once finished and we all can meet up and goof off again like last time, heck maybe run over to the car show again, that was sweet, nice hot rods there.

[Duner]

Bobby, that thing is really starting to come around I'm glad you extended the frame in the rear. Those conversions usally look a bit awkard when there on the short wheelbase. Are you going to use modified steel fenders or are you thinking about glassing something up to get the look you want?

[Texasbuggys]

Some updates - Front fender hung to see where it all will end up. Tires are 33"9.5" on Cragers S/S Wheels


Out back 33" x15.5" on 14" wide x 15" Cragers S/S Picked up steel today to extend the rear of the frame to support the bed and engine and bumpers.


Here is a side shot, kind of buried in other VW's at the time! I am really diggin the way it is coming together and the wheelbase. I can't wait to work to work on the bed and close it all up. Next set of tires will be 35" or taller. Also going to build some long front shock towers to go with the off-road theme.

[Texasbuggys]

click the link to view a quick slide show I threw together real quick.

http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a60/Te ... 9c8583.pbw

[ckolek]

looking great Bobby, i was watching your slide show i sure hope you get that fire put out i hate to see all your hard work turn to ashes...LOL