Home Made Mini VW Baja Bug!! - Part 3

In this video we are building a Mini Baja Bug using a Polaris XLT 600 two stroke snowmobile engine and a go kart fiberglass body of a VW bug.
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[@MrCybergladiator]

I think most people would be happy to watch a few eppisodes of you fixing up your shed, take your time and do it to make your life better

[@darylSKYTZOwillis]

I would watch that. RatherBeWelding deserves a better shop. I’ve watched Cars and Cameras, and Grind Hard both build out there shops and they seem much happier since they have. 😀

[@joshblainer2652]

As a man who also works out of his shed I'd enjoy watching a video like that

[@Prestonesfpv]

Why not go with cantilever and maybe mount it high enough so your feet will fit under, it would look pretty cool with the shocks poking thru a nice hole in the hood of the bug too 👍

[@joeyclark789]

Was gonna mention the same thing. Rod up to pivot then to spring, the springs could be up high añd forward

[@dutysuper999]

me too. 😊

[@dutysuper999]

@@USMichigunPrepper holy shit. 👀 DO IT

[@pjl1919]

I was just going to say that

[@Bstep1300]

That's the perfect setup for the space!

[@evanwebber9981]

If Grind Hard Plumbing can do a video series of upgrading their workspace, I think we would ALL enjoy a video series of you upgrading yours. Safety is super important, and not freezing to death is pretty nice!

[@davestevens4263]

Dam that does make a lot of sence . Ghpc doesn't know how to act with there new shop & all that space . They started there shop build over 2 yrs ago . Then got held up .

[@Iamdesignproducts]

So sick. One of the most underrated channels on KZbin 💪

[@davestevens4263]

I agree .

[@ThatOtherGuyThere]

I still believe that you should take the upper rear window support out and move your seat back almost a foot it would allow for more feet room and a more comfortable seating position As for the heating situation id look into radiant heaters there relatively cheap and work really well in smaller places

[@Kickstandsup83]

Absolutely this.

[@davethedog007]

Just replied the same thing. I’m shouting at the screen every episode. I can’t see any downsides to doing this.

[@thegoodson2000]

I'll support the cantilevered shock suggestion. Same travel can be maintained with a smaller coilover. Plus, i don't think you've done this yet, so it would be a nice challenge. As for heat, maybe consider a wood burner outside piping hydronic heat with a radiator inside. For insulation, the DYI sprayfoam kits are amazing for getting about 1" everywhere you want it, with the huge benefit of sealing up small crevices.

[@gamerduck3707]

He did the cantilever shocks on a reverse trike project a long time ago btw :)

[@thegoodson2000]

@@gamerduck3707 Cool, I haven’t seen all of his builds. Surprised this option hasn’t been considered then 👍

[@robertmcfadden7031]

Cantilever front suspension could solve the foot room issue and give more suspension travel while using smaller shocks

[@stefanknauer7180]

I think the main issue with the foot room comes from having too long A-arms. The wheelbase is so wide that he could easily fit the shocks in there but the fact that the mounted the bottom A-arm basically to the center determines where the top A-arms go, which is... Pretty close to the center as well.

[@LT-vl9oo]

Making the decision to "re-do it" is what makes good builds, great builds

[@Ramztothaz]

You know you bout to learn something when that red rolling stool gets thrown down like a boss.

[@junglist1]

Just an 'out of the box' thought. You could opt into actually making the whole shell higher up. So you would be looking through the actual windows as opposed to your head sticking out through the roof. This would give much more room to place the wheels whichever width you would like and more leg room......just a thought. Love all of your builds😊

[@daofdesign13]

Great work as usual! I would cut the top rear cross-member (above the rear "window") and move the seat way back. You could even tilt the seat back this way. There seems to be plenty of room back there since the engine will overhang the rear axle.

[@kmnevergivin_in2326]

And add a roll hoop

[@justicelavery-angst1587]

Seccond this

[@jonrohm]

Is it really going to hurt the looks of it if you moved the front wheels forward 5 inches? By extending the frame and move it forward. Might give a cool look to it and maybe your feet will get enough room. 😃 awesome work, love this build! 😎👌👌👌

[@darylSKYTZOwillis]

No it would not. An almost cartoonish exaggeration is used on many full sized Baja Bugs. 👍🏼

[@garywoodard5759]

i dont know why - im liking this project more than others maybe because i used to have (full size) baja bugs and im just remembering the good times rock on dude

[@rbmcstore2497]

I used to work outside (window cleaning and garden centre) the trick is to wear 3 layers, a thick thermal layer, a fleece layer and your normal layer (e.g. jacket, pants) one thick pair of socks and good boots. A lot of heat escapes out your hands, feet and head so get a good wooly bob hat on and gloves 👌 As for heating the shop get insulation where you can and i saw a guy who had a wood burner made from 2 barrels, one barrel with the fire going to a tube (for gases) to a second barrel that dissipates heat then another tube going through the roof. Worked well for him.

[@sebastianhunt1849]

Have you thought about doing I-beam suspension? That might help your foot room and possibly give you more travel. Grind hards Barbie Jeep has hella front travel and it’s smaller than the bug.

[@donavinmoller2432]

To do I beam he would have to rebuild the suspension so inboard would still use what he has built now

[@eeveerowland841]

yeah but that Barbie jeep really likes to lift front wheel and lean way back The older Traxxas rustler‘s tilted the a arms farther forward so they swung back not only up it let you jump the thing and land super nose heavy without bending the frame too much

[@Sealsjarred]

I’ve watched a lot of your builds in the past and have always enjoyed your content. But let me tell you I’ve been checking your channel everyday for an update on this bug. This thing is freakin sweet!

[@jameshorrocks2939]

Love your stuff. Be safe. I see head, neck, and leg injuries in this build.

[@johnblaze5553]

agreed. removing the top and leaving the windshield intact would go a long way towards safety and open up a considerable amount of space.

[@jameshorrocks2939]

@@johnblaze5553 I think maybe sacking some of the suspension travel by moving the struts out for leg room would be a possible idea. Definitely some sort of roll over protection for the driver needs added. That thing goes over and I struggle to see how a broken neck isn't a result.

[@JP-qq2kn]

The next build should be a woodstove or Rocket stove heater for the shop. Could be wood burning or oil burning, whichever is more readily available to you. Im sure u have tons of old oil that could be used to heat the shop.

[@thawhiterabbit01]

Propane heater heads from harbor freight! A buddy and I used to use multiple to keep his shop warm in the winter. For many hours at a time with no ill effects!

[@ditchdiver7531]

I don’t know much about suspensions but the farther away the shock is from the tire the less damping you have. The shock bottoms out. All I’m saying is don’t forget the leverage factor of the a-arm and tire. All the travel in the world isn’t nothing if shock bottoms out over mild ground. There is a reason why the shock is mounted close to the tire. Look at every off road vehicle as a reference. I’m not telling you how to build. Your builds are the best badass builds I have seen. All I’m saying is do the research for the best placement. Besides the top shock mount can be moved to where ever it needs to be to get the travel you’re looking for.

[@Squirrity]

I watch your channel to stay inspired, I’m currently working on a project in my bedroom, a car this size that runs without any burning or external energy like fuels or electric motors, completely clean

[@Squirrity]

Days like this which are slow due to no financial supports, being idle and all really tends to distract my attention but your videos are recent and motivating

[@shadowstal3er082]

I don't usually give suggestions, since im not a builder like this, but i would agree woth others ive swen suggesting extending the frame 5-6 inches. It would still look amazing, you'd have less to cut on the body, and you end up with way more leg room. No matter what, its coming alog awesome. Keep it up!

[@marcayres8567]

I still think you're wasting your time having that fibre glass body but I'm hooked & can't wait to see the final product & a test drive 💚🇬🇧🌱 Great work👍

[@dbdors]

Your fabrication skills are simply awesome!!

[@drewstotts7087]

One solution to consider is to just say screw it and go full Rat Fink on it... mount the seat up about 6"-8" higher to allow for more leg space and then build a crazy, bendy shifter coming out the top and mount the steering up there too! haha

[@brianrhubbard]

At northern tool, they have these little cube heaters that are 220v that mount to wall or ceiling but have to be hard wired. They are usually around $100 each. I made a fixture using a boat seat swivel to mount them to the ceiling on each end. My building is a 16x30 and they do a great job as long as they are running since I don't have insulation. Here in NC we were in the low 20's a few times this month and they maintained my building around 60 degrees.

[@Aircooledbugger]

Maybe a bit complicated but you could change the front to an inboard suspension system, and either have your legs situated under the shocks or straddling them if you put them side by side in the center. Looking good!

[@ftruiemdmbkjg0typepscklg2]

Upgrade your shop! Put in a little woodburner. Love to watch shop builds!

[@kiffing]

My crazy thought was to add two parallel tubes on either side of the bottom two center tubes from the front bumper to the lower frame where it bends in the middle of the cab frame. Redo the a-arms to that way the bottom and top a-arm are the same length. Also that will provide a legit leg box without having the lower a-arm going into the bottom of you legs on compression. Plus you can reinforce the leg box to provide good leg protection.

[@camoking5059]

The build looks great so far

[@BUILDNIGHT]

Chris…. Best heating solution us a WOOD PELLET STOVE. They are FANTASTIC!

[@turbochardged]

Get two of those Vevor 12v all-in-one diesel heaters. They have exhust pipes, and you can burn waste oil as well.

[@badwelds4743]

Yeah I have one of those in a insulated shed with a boat hull exhaust for a through hole and work like a champ. It’s cool that it has a remote with a thermostat and all.

[@fergusonhr]

I agree with what others said about rethinking the seat position...try to move it back more...looks awesome brother.

[@thebigcacacarill]

I've noticed your progress and your vids are getting better. I think this series is my fav. Love Baja's

[@darylSKYTZOwillis]

Don’t worry about 2 steering foot brakes. Old dune buggies used 2 emergency brake handles and newer buggies use a single push (L), pull (R) lever in addition to 4 wheel pedal brakes and e-brake steering.

[@retr0soul]

Find a used large RV/camper furnace plumb the intake and exhaust outside the shed. Mount the thermostat in a central location. Use a large propane tank.

[@TheSonofruss]

The option for the steering shaft is to cut a hole centered on the two tubes and welding in a tube at an angle connecting the two tubes together and allowing a space to sit

[@cthulhu8977]

Time to spend some of that scarce TY cash on a shop. Concrete floor, insulation, doesn't bounce all yer stuff when walking... Plus we had a great time watching Grind Hard build their shop.

[@alexthomas3790]

I feel your pain with the heating. Been thru the same problems. I ended up insulating just the roof, along with plastic vapor barrier. Sealed it up as good as I could then I was able to get by with a 5000w electric heater.

[@ryandalm]

Cant wait till its actually done! Love the music you use in the videos too. Keep it up Chris

[@kyles5513]

For your heater, see if you can make a tube from outside to the back of your heater so it's eating oxygen from air outside and not inside, then you won't die, haha.

[@dabbgk]

Homemade madness made a really small differential for one of his go kart projects. He has a whole video on it. You should check it out

[@jlucasound]

In the 1960's (and before and after) the Germans made a really cool thing. It is a vehicle that was called "the Bug". You can sit in it with three of your friends. Has glass windows and keeps you dry in the rain. AND, there is plenty of room for your feet. You should check it out! "Volkswagen Bug". You will be amazed! 🤣😂🙃😉 Only ❤. Thanks for playing.

[@Thorgon-Cross]

A little insulation goes a long ways. Simple bubble wrap or heck even just ground cover plastic sheet stapled to the rafters and wall studs stops air from moving and would cut heating needs nearly in half. Also White plastic helps with lighting but can't beat bubble wrap for the insulation per dollar. All insulation is based on stopping air flow, stopping hot air from rising will help the most.

[@danf4616]

I think that buggy looks pretty good without the body on it! Thanks for the videos! 👍👍

[@Silverlyx]

What about a couple of the heaters they use in trucks. They output a good heat, it’s blown so you can direct it and they are fairly efficient. You might have to find a blank bit of wall to fit them to but you’ll have no fumes in the shop 👍

[@acurarl9929]

Stretch chassis 5-7 inch. Will look mint

[@johnlund2100]

When I was welding in my trailers during the winter I bought an electric radiator heater. Worked well enough to heat the space near me even with the doors open. I've bought two more since then.

[@nao_tomori]

running a yoke style steering wheel with a short ratio steering rack is an option, plus you could run brake levers on the yoke, right wheel on the right side, left on the left side. running a thumb lever for the gas would be an idea as well, like a snowmobile or atv has, or have traditional foot controls for the gas and brake

[@camoking5059]

If wanted to look into it, you could try to use something like a Ford TTB setup, a lot of prerunners use suspension setups like that, they are simple, strong, and fewer moving parts, and gives you a little more leg room because you don’t need upper control arms

[@NaturalBBler]

Use a diesel cannon to heat your shet. Place it outside because of the exhaust and blow the air in the building with a opening in the wall. You need a canon with seperate exhaust and heat

[@hemidart7]

I hope you're gonna put on some big bug-eye headlights Lookin' sweet!

[@redneckracing674.5]

Put your feet through the bottom like a little tikes cozy coupe. Wear boots so you don’t get wet feet and if you get stuck you can help it along.

[@KenjiDev]

Up to heating... Get this out of room, install there water tank which heater will heating. Inside install car radiator with fan and meaby some pump to this system. You will have plenty of heating power and totally clear air inside. Cheers!

[@jasonseymour6306]

I would run the heater you have on low and place it under yur metal table. The table will absorb and radiate the heat without having to use so many btu's. Also a CO detector. Im running a "lil buddy" ice hut heater to heat a noninsulated 2 car garage under my heavy metal table. It doesnt make it shorts and t shirt warm, but its enough to keep me from being miserable. GOOD LUCK!!

[@badwelds4743]

Heat wise the diesel heater does work well if you run the exhaust through the wall with a boat hull exhaust , it has a buffer so your shed doesn’t start on fire. My diesel heater has remote with a thermostat. My heater was only like $125 I highly recommend looking back into that but you still may want to insulate your shed. At -20f my shed only got to 50f uninsulated but when I had the shed insulated it gets to whatever temp you want. Otherwise a propane garage heater is the only other good option in my opinion.

[@HarryRenner-h9q]

That bump stop might be that way for a reason. I would check that shock absorber with the bump stop and the spring off. to see where the piston bottom's out in the shock absorber. to make sure the piston doesn't bottom out and damage it. once you know where the tires piston bottoms in shock then I you would how much of the bump stop you can cut off.

[@DougGleich]

Your coolest project yet

[@K_Shea]

The propane wall type vent-less heaters work very well, however you'll need a larger supply unless you want to fill it frequently, they also come with a built in Carbon monoxide detector/shutoff. I've found the The porcelain honeycomb style is best for un-insulated over open flame. These heat up items in room and not the air, if your shop (can't tell really) is insulated then open flame may be best.

[@skyfreakwi]

I actually installed some of these direct vent heaters in our old print shop. They ran on natural gas and were basically a row of flames in a metal box with a small fan that was open to the room. They worked relatively well.

[@Jeremytf2]

Can't wait to see a shop build???🙏

[@lordbunny2416]

U could do what they do in the Corvette, I think it was called a "transverse leaf spring"!? And u could use those shocks in the rear!!

[@mikemccann6319]

I run the Mr Heater Big Buddy duel burner propane heater in my houseboat all the time. I also have a potbelly pellet stove heater that I run when I run out of propane and can't get to the gas station to get it refilled my walls are about 1 inch thick with foam board insulation it keeps my boat at about 73 to 75 degrees. The propane heater has a built in low oxygen sensor plus I have a carbon monoxide alarm and a smoke alarm. I live in the San Joaquin Delta area of California so these are all required by code here

[@mxwizzard]

Build a little wood stove for your heat. I have a 12x 16 shed I built and I made a small wood stove to heat it up and it does a great job

[@dwainmowatt1087]

Need a video of you building a wood stove. Or an oil burning stove. 🔥

[@RatsnRods]

Ttbs could help solve that issue pretty well and they'd look sweet on that lil thing.

[@DM-yh6ok]

Ceiling or wall mounted electric radiant heater. They are directional and heat surfaces rather than the air. Also a heated vest and socks can add comfort.

[@lynnsmith7159]

Like the build.think I would consider a hoop for head protection .if some a arm or steering component breaks and it flips that would not be good with frame level at your neck.

[@chuckd9007]

Buy a used 60k btu gas or propane furnace. Could mount it up in the rafters. Will have a filter to keep the air less dusty. Could put ducting on it so you have a nice even heat to the whole shed.

[@fred-san]

Perfect Combination Of 4 Stroke & 2 Stroke Engine | D-Cycle Engine (UHD 4K) Ft-share International

[@1one3_Racing]

With that frame style I wouldn't dual wishbone. I'd run a single a-arm then a radius arm to hold the top of the knuckle. You'll gain castor as the wheel travels up, but not a huge deal.

[@krudlumpstv7854]

You could build some kind of suspension linkage for the front shocks and mount them somewhere els to possibly make more foot room

[@darthgbc363]

Maybe make a ball diff. They work great in RC Cars. 1st developed for F1. Get a heater with a fresh air intake & chimney. There is a few that mount to wall with only one hole through wall.

[@blueboy-gd3qo]

You could cut the bar,body behind your back so you could mount the seat further back giving you more room and it would still look good

[@roadboogalabuilds5318]

this one is sure going to be a space challenge 😮 looking for to seeing what you figure out

[@kingp00]

Regarding differentials. I've noticed that the EV conversion kits for ATVs mount the electric motor parallel to drive axle. this configuration should be compatible with chain drive or depending on dimensions you could mount the CVT driven pulley directly. I'm not sure if they have a differential or a spool though, would need further research... Dimensions would need to be confirmed too, but they're meant to be fitted to small Chinese ATVs so I'm thinking they're going to be close to your requirements...

[@sherxiong957]

To get more room for your feet. Build a counter leveler suspension

[@kbakeritsallaboutnobody.5761]

At first I was thinking you was only installing rear brakes. With front brakes and steering with the rear brakes you'll need 3 brake levers. I suggest a steering wheel like grave ninja with the 2 rear brake levers on each side of the steering wheel and the front brake lever and gas pedal at your feet. Is it possible to do a cantilever suspension on the front? Awesome video! 👍🏼

[@mlindsay527]

Woodstoves are great for heating shops. Just mind your clearances and keep your chimney clean. If only you had a source of wood…;)

[@EdwardMurray06]

Grab a Vevor diesel heater. They have external exhausts they don’t vent indoors. Just exhaust it through the wall and run a cold air intake and you’ll be safe. I run one in my garage and it’s the best heater I’ve ever used. You just have to exhaust them outdoors or you will poison yourself.

[@jordanfr13]

100% agree, plenty of heat and zero fumes. Just nice dry heat. I used a bit of 4” flex dryer vent tubing and attached a furnace filter to keep the internals free from shop dust

[@EdwardMurray06]

@@jordanfr13 great idea with the filter. I’ll be stealing that idea from you lol

[@EdwardMurray06]

Forgot to mention that those Vevor diesel heaters are only $99-$129 depending on where/when you buy them.

[@davidowen888]

Cut top of back window out it will allow for more legroom 🦵oh and time to build a warmer shop 😊☮️

[@deanmoberg445]

Love most of your builds. This isn't one. Kinda silly clown car. Kudos to you for working your way through design problems. Think I will wait for your next build to view.

[@travis8334]

I think you could move the seat back a little more if you cut the body out to make a sweeping bend in the back roll bar then extend the front around two inches would still look fine I think!

[@proautojapan6152]

Regarding your shed. Time for a new shed build ☺️👍 i will watch that, more floor space, proper insulation- ducts- heating etc. Your fans would love too watch this im guessing. Do a day to day build over a 2 week project- should be easy 😱👍 haah

[@kenjohnson5498]

Use polystyrene board for insulation on your shed much better than spray insulation with a higher r value than foam and way more cost effective and once you get it insulated a electric space heater will do the job.

[@reallyswift]

You could look at cutting out the fiberglass and frame rail behind your neck, and moving the seat back a bit

[@Farmer1277]

Put the upper shock mounts through the body so you can stand them up straighter.

[@josealmeida8731]

I hope your health get better, cheer up

[@duncanwagner6116]

I support the cantilever front suspension and some shed upgrade videos too. What about a wood stove for heat until then.

[@MinecraftLudwigLP]

you could use a pushrod system to relocate the shocks. also you could bend the bars for the upper control arms outward in the front, so its only narrow at the shocks and both feet have room, but need to be moved individual. I dont know how much that would affect the heimjoint position for the upper arm tho

[@caferacer2828]

Use a bell crank style and you could place the shocks even horizontally or any configuration you choose.

[@tinkerne-round4079]

With bell cranks you could lay the shocks over your feet, or parallel to your feet.

[@delandbrooks3291]

Even just a sheet of plastic stapled to the rafters will help some with the heat. Or do it in 1/4 ply and lay batt insulation above. Since heat rises that's where the greatest loss is.

[@trevormiller1366]

Maybe an infra-red electric heater although that might interfere with the limited power supply? Probably best to do some insulation and put in a chimney. Your health and well-being should be priority! Battery electric heated jacket, maybe a sponsor could help?

[@Anonymous-vx9tl]

Just warning you, having a different width wheelbase for you front and rear can cause some issues when you're in loose terrain. It doesn't really mean anything when you're on packed dirt, but if you're on loose dirt and/or sand, you are more likely to get stuck.

[@LincolnMaxnCo]

I'll suggest getting a carbon monoxide detector What size of tubing (diameter and thickness) are you using to make the control arms?

[@ryanwalker388]

Look into a wall mounted small gas furnace. I use them in cabins in the sierras where it gets very cold. The design you need is one that has a vent for the gases to leave the building. This will heat the space without the other issues. These are normally sold in kits that have a through the wall installation. You can run them off a bbq style propane tank with a regulator.

[@badwelds4743]

Problem with em is they will get ruined by grinder dust.

[@Fantaman900]

Diesel heater can run forever if you route the exhaust outside. Also consider a slipper style clutch for your spool.

[@dadsfriendlyrobotcompany]

Get a rear diff for a riding mower. I got one for my power wheels build and it's quite overkill. But my differential braking works amazingly

[@skyfreakwi]

I'm with the cantilever guys but I think you should just flip your mounts upside down and run a linkage to compress them horizontal under the frame. You'd still be able to see them so it would look trick as hell! They'd look like steering dampeners until you bounced in it or jumped it r whatever...

[@matthewanderson7766]

I have a Chinese diesel heater in my 1.5 car garage it works amazing you dont get any fumes from it because you run the exhaust out side one of the walls