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Post by easyejl on Dec 23, 2015 17:36:43 GMT -5
 Maybe the first question is "What was I thinking"...  But more seriously, there's light pan rust, not rot or holes, is the POR15 pre-treatment and paint probably my best bet? Where the heck does the battery go in these? I can't remember, last time I had one was 1988. I know where it goes in a bug, is it in the same vague spot? With knowing the wiring harness on the pan is iffy, should I just get a standard VW harness and customize as necessary? What is the weight/strength distribution like on the body? Right now its not even bolted down, steering isn't connected, interior isn't in etc, so for the purpose of rust treating it and doing suspension work I want to build some sort of pulley setup in my garage to lift it. I'm just not so sure with the windshield in where my center point of weight is, or exactly where strength wise is best to connect ropes, hooks, etc to so that it doesn't crack in half as I lift it. That's about it out of initial questions, I have to get over the humps of working brakes and running engine before I worry about niceties. Luckily I have no real questions/concerns about the VW parts, its just the Bradley specific that I can't recall from the last one. That one I had bought basically complete, it just had some engine issues that I worked out, and resold the car about 6 months later as I was moving and not going to have a garage. |
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Post by jspbtown on Dec 23, 2015 17:52:00 GMT -5
Por15 for the light rust is fine. I like to use truck bed liner (Herculiner) for my pans. Since they are really open air cars I use it on the inside and outside. I never used Por15 but usually a wire wheel to remove most of the rust and some spray on rust converter.
If I recall correctly the battery goes right behind one of the seats. I believe they came with a factory fiberglass cover for it.
I would go with a Rebel wiring harness. Its much better quality than the stock VW harness. The wires are labeled and it has modern fuses.
The body can be lifted by two or three men. Its not that heavy. It can be set on a good strong pair of sawhorses or build yourself a small wheeled cart. I would also suggest you consider wiring it when its off the pan. Its so much easier!
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Post by easyejl on Dec 23, 2015 18:08:27 GMT -5
The body can be lifted by two or three men. Its not that heavy. It can be set on a good strong pair of sawhorses or build yourself a small wheeled cart. I would also suggest you consider wiring it when its off the pan. Its so much easier! I was thinking of setting up a pulley system hanging from the garage ceiling to suspend it, figuring that would be easier for me as I don't really have enough space for the floorpan, body, spare parts, etc and still have space to work on it. I wasn't sure if it was best to use some sort of support bar under the front end for instance so it's evenly distributed weight wise. Not really sure how strong the body is when weight is applied to limited contact points like that. DEFINITELY doing the wiring + suspension work with the body off is way easier. I'm actually happy the body isn't connected for that reason |
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Post by jspbtown on Dec 23, 2015 20:06:55 GMT -5
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Post by horen2tas on Dec 24, 2015 0:22:07 GMT -5
I used Brian Bogg's lift design, it worked perfectly no wiggling or wobbling and I found the ease of adjusting the height
was super convenient for all the work on the body and the pan, when I finished I re-purposed the lumber,
"Hats Off" to Brian Boggs for a really great design contribution to this board!
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Post by easyejl on Dec 24, 2015 9:19:57 GMT -5
it is a brilliantly simple idea. Did you use anything at the bottom of the verticals for stability?
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Post by easyejl on Dec 27, 2015 17:17:19 GMT -5
i'm going to put 2'x2' squares of plywood as feet at the bottom of each, plus have both length and width wise 2x4s at the top to make it more like a cage
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Post by horen2tas on Dec 28, 2015 8:50:25 GMT -5
I bolted the verticals directly through the ceiling rafters and nothing at the bottom.
I gave enough space between them to be able to move about along side. if you set it up
with the vertical lengths resting on the ground there's no need for the 2'x2' at the bottom
they might get in the way and you'll be tripping over them. the weight of the body will definitely
hold the verticals stabile.
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Post by easyejl on Dec 28, 2015 11:51:01 GMT -5
I bolted the verticals directly through the ceiling rafters and nothing at the bottom. I gave enough space between them to be able to move about along side. if you set it up with the vertical lengths resting on the ground there's no need for the 2'x2' at the bottom they might get in the way and you'll be tripping over them. the weight of the body will definitely hold the verticals stabile. did you use 2x6's as he did or 2x4s? It seems like 2 2x4s at each wheelwell would be more than strong enough for the little weight of the body |
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Post by horen2tas on Dec 28, 2015 12:06:12 GMT -5
I used 2x4's doubled with spacers top & bottom with holes drilled every foot,
for the moveable cross-members I used 2x6's and that worked perfect.
I had long carriage bolts that slipped in & out easily for the adjusters,
and the tops were bolted to the rafters.
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Post by cocacoladodge on Dec 31, 2015 15:42:31 GMT -5
Good Idea! I used a couple 2x6 decking boards i had laying around and bolted those to the body where it attaches to the frame ot make a more even place to set the body on my saw horses. I had planned on suspending it at one point, but with all the polebarn roofs that caved in near me last winter, mine doesnt need the extra weight on the tresses. rebelwire.com/ - Looks like a good product, only heard a couple people that have used it, but they are more than happy with it. www.ronfrancis.com/ -Bare bones or express kits should be all you need and more. Yes they make some for VW also. now these kits do cost quite a bit more, however the labeling, and customer support makes (call as often as you want during install, or on the road if something happens) a huge difference. Key thing to keep in mind is if you know how to do the wiring, the rebel is for you. If you are one to just look at it and think, ok, now what... Ron francis costs more because they offer the support. There is also www.painlessperformance.com/- They are more mainstream vehicles, and you would have to come up with something you have to do yourself. |
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Post by cocacoladodge on Dec 31, 2015 15:46:44 GMT -5
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Post by cocacoladodge on Dec 31, 2015 15:52:37 GMT -5
Looks like that doesnt work anymore, I'll re do it sometime. I also have it posted on facebook
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Post by easyejl on Dec 31, 2015 17:34:33 GMT -5
Looks like that doesnt work anymore, I'll re do it sometime. I also have it posted on facebook Where Facebook? Pm me if you want |
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Post by jspbtown on Dec 31, 2015 17:35:29 GMT -5
You can get a basic Bradley up and running with 8 circuits or less. There is no need to go to crazy with harnesses. You will end up not using most of what you buy.
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