JBugs - Father & Son - 1972 Baja Bug - One Piece Front End Installation

The face of any car is usually considered to be the front hood, fenders, grill, or more plainly put, the front end and to this point, since the tear down, Nathan's Baja Bug has been "face-less". Nathan and Sam had been searching since for a one piece since the moment this Baja Bug build was first thought of, as they aren't easy to find used, and expensive when new because of shipping costs. Fortunately, a one piece front end, attached to a 1958-1960 body shell, sitting on top of a full tube chassis popped up on OfferUp, with the price of "best offer". So Sam and Nathan made an offer, amazingly enough the seller accepted it, so here we are.
While we don't have any immediate plans for the body shell and tube chassis, who knows what the future holds. In the meantime though, back to the Baja! Nate and Sam spend a couple of days mocking up the hood, measuring and trimming the original sheet metal body, then trimming the one piece front end so that it fits as well as it can. Then they bolt on an EMPI Double Tube Front Bumper to finish off the mock up of the front end, for now anyway! Follow along as Sam and Nathan use some simple and not so simple methods to get this Bug looking more like a Baja Bug!
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Parts we used that are available online at JBugs.com:
www.jbugs.com/product/empi-fo... - EMPI - Foam 3 Spoke Steering Wheel - 14.5" Diameter - 4" Dish
www.jbugs.com/product/79-4115... - EMPI VW Steering Wheel Adapter - 1960-1974.5 Beetle - Ghia - 1971-1974.5 Super Beetle
Other parts used -
Fiberglass Baja Bug One Piece Front End
EMPI 3078 Double Tube Front Bumper
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Videos are intended for entertainment purposes. Factory specifications should be followed when performing any task on your vehicle.

[@davidgiesfeldt6650]

Great to see the skills of the team, Nate is lucky to have a master under which he can apprentice!

[@Sam_Mebane]

Thanks David, we're both blessed, for certain!

[@hded06]

Thats Right Father & Son Build! Father Of The Year goes to you!! 🎉

[@Sam_Mebane]

Thanks, IDK about Father of the Year, but I'm trying!

[@davidryan573]

Excellent work fitting the front end, most of the fiberglass fits at 20 feet, it’s going to be a first class Baja, thanks Guys

[@Sam_Mebane]

Thanks David, I'm trying to walk the line of first car/baja bug/my standard and I have to learn to hold back my standard!

[@eduardorodriguez3262]

Won't be long before Nate is hitting the trails around North Valley👍🇩🇪

[@Sam_Mebane]

You've got that right Eddie! I hope to have him learning to drive it by this time next year at the latest!

[@eduardorodriguez3262]

@@Sam_Mebane for sure are yah gonna patina it

[@Sam_Mebane]

@@eduardorodriguez3262 it's gonna get some paint, of some sort. Might be MY first auto paint job, we'll see!

[@TrixedOut]

What fun! Great job guys!

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

CA is the place to be, if you're a vw gearhead. Up here in New England a running and driving Baja is a rich man toy.

[@Sam_Mebane]

CA used to be the place to be.... I left to AZ a few years ago and I ain't ever moving back if I can help it!

[@gatormcclusky1]

Love it!!! BTW, where did ya buy the front cap? Thanks

[@Sam_Mebane]

@@gatormcclusky1 front cap? If you mean where did we get the front end, you missed the first few seconds of the video.....we got it, and an old body and a tube chassis used, on OfferUp.

[@OliverPassemard]

You mentioned you wanted to keep as much of the trunk as possible but you're mounting the front end solid. Why not have it swing if you're keeping the trunk?

[@Sam_Mebane]

We aren't really concerned about easy access but as a Beetle isn't that large and secure storage is at a premium, having the trunk somewhat sealed is a perfect place for spare parts and tools that won't always be needed but will be nice to have when you DO need them!

[@chriscraft77022]

OMG.. you might of just changed the plans of my second beetle project.. is that a production piece they currently sale? or is that a custom front end yall just got lucky and found? does that piece have a name? I THINK I WANT THAT FRONT PIECE LIKE YoU HAVE .. it looks so good.... that piece you need to fill is easy dont worry.. nice job on the initial fit

[@Sam_Mebane]

Thanks Chris, we appreciate your videos! This is a "One Piece Baja" Front end. Chances are even in Houston you'll find Baja Bug pieces for sale in the usual places, FB Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist, etc. There are 4 piece fronts as well, that maintain a hood and still offer a similar look though. Good luck with all your projects!

[@justinpatriarca7349]

Im new to vw beetles. My father and uncle had bajas. Unfortunately they arent much help unless its motors. I currently have a 63 beetle with a havens baja kit already done. My next project part is the front end and im lost. Im wanting to lift it but have absolutely 0 knowledge no matter how many videos i watch. Everyone does it differently. Im just looking for the right set up needed to lift my bug 3 to 4 inches. Cutting and turning isnt an option as im still learning how to weld properly. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. Also, love every one of your videos. Theyve helped me alot with interior

[@Sam_Mebane]

Lifting a link pin front suspension will require adjusters, a cut and turned beam, or very costly lift spindles (and all the other parts that have to be upgraded along with the spindles). Your best bet is finding a local welder to cut and turn or weld in adjusters into your beam, or learning how to weld, and doing it yourself.

[@justinpatriarca7349]

@Sam_Mebane yeah,still learning to weld. I've been looking at just buying a new adjustable 2 inch narrowed beam, but I have no idea the shock tower height i need. Lift spindles are in the works already.

[@justinpatriarca7349]

@@Sam_Mebane also, thank you

[@Sam_Mebane]

@@justinpatriarca7349 a narrowed beam does two things counter to what we normally want to do in off road cars. It narrows the track width, usually off road a wider stance is preferred. The adjusters are in a lower position and only go lower still when off road a higher ride height is typically preferred. Get some scrap steel and spend some time learning how to weld. That will be your best bet.

[@hampuslundin4432]

Is that a Mark V fiberglass front?

[@Sam_Mebane]

I've got no idea, it is a used front end. It could be from any number of different fiberglass suppliers.