We Take Our 1960 VW Bug On Its First Epic Overland Trip- What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

[@h-j.k.8971]

I´ve allways found it stupid when folks do these kind of trips in huge offroad special duty mega giant gasgusslers, you guys in your bug have brought back the spirit of 50-60´s overlanding.

[@izzyplusplusplus1004]

Does my stock looking 4wd sorento qualify as a giant gas guzzler? It has cooper at3... not telling what else.

[@Sam-ci6sl]

A real outdoors person always plans on getting home without assistance

[@h-j.k.8971]

@@Sam-ci6sl Sry. but I can´t see what that has to do with anything.

[@Sam-ci6sl]

@h-j.k.8971 it's the reason they put capability tests at the start of 4x4 trails

[@kingsoutdoors4379]

I wish my 95 fzj80 could get 25 miles per gallon .... because it's expensive towing inferior rigs off the mountain ..

[@JulioFdez-k8o]

It’s great that the mrs enjoys VWs too. My wife doesn’t get near my 69 bug and 67 bus. Many times I’ve considered a swap… but we’ve been married 22 years and I don’t want to start all over.

[@foolonthrn]

Volkswagen bugs built right are one of the most capable vehicles ever

[@vincesmith764]

Remember. they came from the factory with a tool kit.😢

[@MiloTorres-yx5jw]

Few up grades , reinforcements , distributor cap can be scotch guarded for weather resistants in wet conditions....👍💪☝️✌️🖖

[@MiloTorres-yx5jw]

Their bug looks almost identical to our Pop's 66 Baja bugeye kit red with black fenders and rack , deja Vu it was like a billy goat climbing our hunting area central and northern Nevada desert in south of home in Vegas never a failure except stock lugs came loose one time, studs fixed it easy...🤔✌️🙏☝️💪🇺🇲

[@dr.mikelamphere8324]

Yup. I used my 71 bug to guide rock climbing trips in Southern Illinois in the 90s. Wheeled like a beast.

[@AmbientMusicStudio]

Excellent adventure! Subscribed. Reminded me a bit of camping with my parents in our 71 VW van. We never went on roads like that, but we had some grand times touring the province of BC and camping in the rain. So much rain :D

[@lifehunter6426]

I've always loved the old bugs. My Dad had one in 1969. We loved it. They are TOUGH!!!!!

[@johnlennon8653]

In the mid 70s, dad and I built several VW buggies and I learned to fix anything that went wrong with them. I have an autistic grandson who is a total VW fan, knows the entire history of the air cooled models. Have a 1500 cc engine, transmission and torsion front end, so I’m planning a buggy build for us. I work for a steel company, therefore I’ll get tubing cheap and we will build the chassis together. Be a great experience for the boy.

[@MiloTorres-yx5jw]

We welded a 3/16" plate 3x6 just ahead of trans nose cone on the pan , to eliminate shovel effect on skid plate and extra protection of trans and valve covers from rocks .. good luck on your build... ✌️🙏☝️🇺🇲💪👍

[@shaftermike]

VWs were great---fairly tough, easy to work on. I grew up going on family camping trips in or 50s and 60s microbuses. When I was about 20 I got a 66 Squareback which took me across the country 4 times. Excellent in snow!

[@FunWithVDubs]

Thanks for sharing!

[@VayaconChupacabra]

Man! That sounds really good! Every once in a while you just gotta have your beetle towed home. It's part of the experience....well, mine i guess.

[@knh88]

Good old memories!! I really like your spirit, keep it going.

[@FunWithVDubs]

Thank you! Will do!

[@skipstein744]

Back in the days, I ran '64 convertible with turned front end, '63 bus transaxle with gear reductions. 32 gal gas tank in the back seat area. Battery spare tire and reworked electrics under the fiberglass tilt nose. With -67 VW H block1500 cc single port D heads, Engle 100 cam, Zenth 32NDX carb, blue coil. and sticger exhaust, Pre race use and more general camping off roadadventure. Great adventure. Onward!

[@watchman11000]

That is one cool looking and capable bug, the body kit to the centerline drag wheels make the package epic.

[@jimkennedy9242]

Great adventure I could tell my VW stories for hours.. ❤ Thanks!

[@FunWithVDubs]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@b-lopez394]

Nice adventure. You guys could have push start it and drove it all the way home. After first gear, you can shift all three gears without using the clutch if you pay attention to your RPM and speed. You ought to put an IRS at the rear and raise it to gain ground clearance and also raise your front end. If you do that, you got more capable overlander. I did it on my 66 off road VW buggy. Thanks for sharing the adventure.

[@nedaCFilms]

I’m primarily a “Muscle Car” channel, but I also have a decent selection of VW Street Bugs and Baja Bugs on the channel, because I’ve always been a VW Bug enthusiast. Really fell in love with Baja Bugs back in the early-mid ‘80s and have many amazingly nostalgic memories from that era ❤

[@DanielSerlenga]

You're both courageous and crazy, but that's what it takes to have an awesome adventure. My first car was a 1967 bug ($75.00) that saw many local trails. It was a go anywhere car with studded snow tires and 3 buddies that could pick it up and move it to get out of trouble. Thanks for reliving some great memories. Your wife is a Saint.

[@SpinningSpur]

I owned one pissed off orange 1957 Baja bug. Mud tires. Bus trans, 1835 duel webbers stinger exhaust. Chop top no roll bar. Was one wild ass ride. Used to skip like a stone over terrain my scout had to crawl over. I once hit a log at 40 miles an hour. It popped a wheelie and then flattened out after the back tires hit the log and I went flying down the trail airborne several feet in the air. My friend had provided the engine from his 1/4 mile bug so I’d let him drive it sometimes. He flipped it down a cliff after jumping it 7 feet in the air on top of a mesa after blasting up the hill. It was toast after that. Luckily the 4 guys in the open top Bug with no seat belts all stayed alive somehow. Oh I miss those days. Baja bugs used to dominate Baja racing for a reason. They can really take a thrashing

[@jrobwebb]

Looked like fun! Until it wasn't, but still, it was an adventure. Enjoyed the video, brought back great memories of blasting around with my brother in his Baja Bug 45 (!) years ago.

[@erice.5844]

Nice relaxed thoughtful travel video. Wish cell phones, and the digital mini cams were out during my of road, camping years, Had a 90 Vanagon I traveled in years ago.. 2wd, slight lift n aggressive tires, n lights., ... loved the space for my move to CA, and camping / sleeping up the North shore, n dessert / BLM in AZ and CA. also had an older Jetta years ago, and road tripped to the desert, n north CA to SF a few times. I REALLY Missed my 73 Toyota FJ, that I bought from WI, rust free, w a plow... sold the plow and did MI and northern MN off-road/ camping as well. Through mud/ deeper snow with old slightly oversized Cooper tires it was fun.... 327 was swapped for the original 6 by previous owner,,, and the heater between the seats was awesome... had windows down during 30 below temps!.. lol. passenger sat on the second 20 gal gas tank!... so a safe ride for 73!... (just so no head on collisions!.. Ha any way love the channel.. look forward to your other trips! Cheers

[@robdavis2]

Love the video. Wish you would have made mention of the name of that restaurant, I don't want to contribute money towards an establishment like that if I ever happened to be there. And it also be good for the management to know their hostess is representing them as such.

[@erice.5844]

PS.... Awesome bug build ... had a college friend w one in Duluth.. and my preference of good travel... camping it, and the good bars along the way.. (for good eats n the locals). Ric, MN

[@tracyhowell4371]

When I was a kid, I drove 2 '67s and a '65 bug. I had clutch problems too, usually at real bad times like a red light or in traffic.. I would turn the car off, put it in 2nd gear, turn the starter until it caught and tried to shift as best I could until I got home..good times

[@robinbare4624]

Oh man does that take me back!!!! My BAja was red too. Same kit. But it was 3 maybe 4 different bugs put together . 57 sunroof body, 63 front end , unknown transaxle later engine. I definatly get the CO thing. A rolling gas chamber. Bur what a hoot!!! More capable than people realize. Thanks for reviving some great memoroes..

[@oldmanoldtruck]

I was up there in September (uploaded a video about it yesterday!), visited a lot of the same places you went to. Very cool stuff. The bug is killing it!

[@stevesmith3556]

68 baja bug was my first car😊 Built it with my dad from the ground up. I drove that thing where many 4x4s wouldn't go😊 What a great car. Wish I still had it sometimes.❤

[@FunWithVDubs]

Very cool!

[@buttweldercanuck]

OK kids, I'm in.... My 1990 chevy sprint out there in the driveway is now going to be lifted, waterproofed and ready for the backroads of coastal British Columbia. I know, I know, it's not a bug but it has taken me on some magical road trips over the years. Let's see if it can handle something a little rougher. Thanks for the video guys, you are real sports!

[@wcmwfab935]

One of the best motors out there

[@wcmwfab935]

Heck one of the best vehicles

[@edrod6261]

!! Memories!! I am 69...only take 20 minutes for me and my wife to swich engine from a 64 van to a 66 Baja!! we been married for 49 years...we need to get a Baja!.... TWO VW....ONE BEEFUP eNGINE.....So,, 1 Van + 1 Baja.+ 1 engine + 1 registration/plate insurance...= HAPPY !!!!! Congratulations!!! We will like to do it again!!

[@Grafdesgn]

I had that same looking VW Baja Bug. Loved that car. Very unreliable unfortunalty. Made my day. Thank you.

[@oPAULo711]

High Rock Bay! Our profile pic is from there! Been there many times on dual sport bikes and once in a 2wd van towing a trailer, believe it or not. I'm shocked every time at the vehicles I've seen make it back there. You guys tried to make it over to Rocket Range yeah? That's a lot meaner trail. My first car was a 71 bug and this brought back so many good and bad memories. LOL!! Thanks for sharing and well done!!

[@FunWithVDubs]

We've been to Rocket Range in the 4Runner. We were a little leery to take the Bug there though. LOL

[@vanzelstrestorations998]

New subscriber from Australia here. Enjoyed the video with the bug getting proper dirty. So great to hear your reasons for taking a bug over the 4 runner. Not everyone understands that you can out there on the tracks in an old 2wd VW and you dont need to spend a fortune on the latest truck. Yes, its more of a challenge, but who wants easy? We do a lot of offroading in our 40+ year old VW buses, and they are fantastic as you dont need camping gear as you can sleep in the car. Hope to see more overlanding beetle action soon.

[@FunWithVDubs]

Thanks!

[@bruceaskin9645]

Hi Im from Tassy, drove my baja 3000 kms return to attend Old Bar festival , where you there with your kombi ?kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3LMdGVmmNNqgJosi=ybhuHIiVxO7m5Xpt. I am in the white baja that pulls off the road right at the end

[@SanDiego_VDubLife]

Well my friends I must say what you all did in that old bug is very commendable. That thing needs a lot of work but you didn’t let that stop you from getting out there. Most people including me would never attempt such a long trip in that bug in that condition, but you two went for it! Lots of respect. Get out there and drive your vws! I’ve been trying to drive mine every Sunday. It needs some things to make it safer but now I know what to prioritize.

[@FunWithVDubs]

Thanks!!!

[@worngimimajosplaynholmes6907]

How pretentious. "in that condition" 🤦‍its an off roader. Stay in san Diego..

[@Abelonee1904]

@@worngimimajosplaynholmes6907 jaaa. Being an off roader doesn't mean that it has to be uncomfortable. This is more of an overlander as they describe it. An offroader could be something you have to tow to a location and then off road when you arrive. Since they drive their "baja bug" to the locations they seek to go off the road in it should probably be comfortable to drive long distances and many hours as they did. Basic items like sound deadening, door panels, windshield wipers that work, defroster, etc etc. They can drive what ever they want, however they want, but it may not be fun for very long or for multiple uses. It's all opinions in the end, I think they did an awesome job, for the condition that bug was in. but to each their own. I'm sure you have plenty of VWs and drive them all over the place. I will check out your channel and see what videos you have made about driving VWs and offroading in them or long adventure trips.

[@matthewhoopes4440]

Watching you go down that first trail i was thinking "those guys need to have a small winch". Then when you came to the downed tree, i saw it, your winch. Lol

[@yamatomusashi1412]

you guys are sooo cool! 🤩🥳 im sooo happy to see your video!

[@FunWithVDubs]

Thank you so much!!

[@yamatomusashi1412]

first car was a red 69 bug ($1200); second was a yellow 73 superbeetle ($1500- my fav); third was a gold 74 superbeetle with sunroof ($1400). owned them throughout college years. lots n lots of memories ☺

[@jonathanfreedom1st]

It's like they say, don't go chasing waterfalls. 😂 totally messing. Cool Bug. Fun video, some more of these vids please.

[@FunWithVDubs]

More to come!

[@josseeer]

Super cool trip guys , I love my Vdub .

[@FunWithVDubs]

Thanks!

[@marshallsac646]

Heater box is not overrated.🐱‍👤

[@StealthGTI]

I had a Beetle years ago that "took on water" in a similar fashion. I cleaned out the car, but (in my youth) I neglected to lift the rear seat to inspect and clean out beneath there, including the battery tray. The floor rotted a while later and the battery dropped through to drag on the freeway. OOPS! Check everything when you clean. Have fun!

[@WilliamKiene]

I always wanted a Baja Bug or a Class 11 Bug. Great video. I had a new 1970 Bug, a new 1978 Bus, and a Chuck Beck "Corsair" tube frame street legal dune buggy (1980s).

[@FunWithVDubs]

Very cool!

[@jamesellis5549]

A ell built Baja is really all most people need,they go most places and are very user friendly to fix.Unfortunately they are getting hard to find.

[@peterkunka2694]

Pretty awesome trip! I had a '71 bug, built it with a 2110 race motor and bus trans for drag racing and beat (almost) anything on the road in the late '80's... My 1/4 mile drags were 14 seconds back then at Firebird Raceway in Phoenix. Faster than Japanese imports, Mustangs or Camaros, and right where Corvettes were back then, for reference. The exotics were a different story, a Porsche 911 got into it one time and showed me what they can do. My favorite was my '64 bus. Man, that would have made a great camping rig now. It had a 1600, was so nice to drive around town, but a nicely built single carb 1835 (for torque) would be perfect for easy highway/desert trail/forest road travel and be super reliable. Enjoy your future travels! Cheers! Pete in Arizona - KI7LIL

[@bk3720]

Looks like a fun adventure! I haven't driven a bug yet, but I have a mildly lifted Miata that seems to do well on the trails. The Miata's wheelbase, body width and length are similiar to the old bug.

[@AmusedDaffodils-mz5rw]

This is so cool

[@JohnHensonSr-ls6xh]

I had a bug like yours only not as nice but you could not get it stuck ,I used it for deer hunting and I passed big 4- wheel drives stuck in the mud and I drove past them because I hunted as far back in the swamp as I could.

[@MotSter]

Y'all are nuts!

[@FunWithVDubs]

We've been called worse!

[@gmor3636]

Your video inspired me to start doing more with my Baja ! Enjoyed the video !

[@FunWithVDubs]

Glad to hear it!

[@jackmehoff2961]

I`ve had 3 bugs & a rail, it`s still in my blood . I loved your video, and subscribed . Thank You for sharing your video, and bringing us along .

[@chefgiovanni]

Cool bug. We had one of them once, it was a fully chopped mod Baja bug and we used to run it up and down the beaches and canals along south florida. It is a VW, so it quickly fell apart. Let's get cooking.

[@chriskayakq-ster7264]

Love it! Drove my Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2004 4" lift everywhere too.

[@jjfalarka8837]

You are terrific people I love your video and the experience of going with a VW baja. Congratulations. I think it would of been cheaper to hit a parts store and drop the engine and change out the pressure plate and throw out bearing and clutch. Way cheaper than renting a trailer and pull vehicle. Nevertheless it was an awesome adventure. You should maybe post on the next video what was the issue on the bug so we all may learn from it. Also they do sell a waterproof distributor skin not vey expensive. You guys are the best ever God bless.

[@Randall_F]

Great video ! Currently tow a 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth behind the RV. Thinking about switching to a VW baja for ground clearance.

[@CloudsOnTheSun]

Outstanding folks!!! More please! Had numerous V-dubs, 1 Baja and heck! I’d do something like this for sure. Can’t beat my Jeep JKRU though. It’s always got me through. All the best.

[@FunWithVDubs]

Thanks!

[@bighem1240]

Good thing that Honda Civic did the same trails a day ahead of you! You were able to follow their tracks…

[@CncObsession]

VW's are damn near invincible and a blast to drive. All 40 hp if you are lucky

[@n.b.p.davenport7066]

I forgot where I seen it they make an aftermarket heater blower for the Volkswagen. And it's supposed to work really good.

[@cliffhaupt5413]

Back in the 70s when I used to beat around in the rain forests of Washington state in my bug I learned a can of WD 40 was your best friend, spray down the distributor cap wires alternator etc. and good to go some more.

[@NotaRobot_gif]

awesome video! I want to repeat this trip!

[@FunWithVDubs]

Go for it!

[@rozelle122]

I had a 1960 VW in New Zealand in the seventies. Used to get up to ski areas in the South Island. With chains on would go most places.

[@Dvochos]

Liked and shared 👍

[@FunWithVDubs]

Thank you!!!

[@angelsone-five7912]

Looks a lot of fun, good luck from the UK.

[@juliusbishop3629]

Wax or RainX work good at making the water roll off inside and out of the windshield and other windows .Even with heater boxes and defrost all hooked up it’s not enough, but you can burn your ankle up. Probably a lot of air coming through the front at speed. I have put a blanket over my legs while highway driving in the cold🤣

[@SpinningSpur]

A fun mod is to put n a two handle side by side e-brake lever so you can lock up the left and right brakes independently. My friend had a Baja with the double e-brake it was fun for cutting tight corners with reckless abandon

[@bryanbrowning5746]

Good “poor man’s posi”too.

[@charlesnoble6427]

solved electrical issues using silicone spray on all wires and connections, including soaking distributor. stopped all my issues. I also added an extra fuel tank from a VW Pickup it fits behind back seat. Buss reduction gears made it easier to get stuck in worse places. I had my but in Hot VW's and pulled a restored 50's shasta trailer all over the country with a 2180 engine.

[@FunWithVDubs]

Great tip!

[@kentonseydellaolcp4785]

We had a modified 70 Type3 Squareback with the fuel injected 1600 that we took out the back seat and built a platform so we could sleep in the back. Lots more inside and trunk space than a Type 1. 35mpg.

[@HellmuthsHotRods]

I like your roof rack. I am going to build a drag week bug so I am trying to plan if I want a trailer, or roof racks, or what. With all my tools and my racing tires on the roof that becomes pretty aerodynamically terrible.

[@christiangomezsorcia]

Que buena aventura. .

[@chulieho]

fun stuff guys thanks

[@smsjr36]

Love the video! Have you looked into a lifting your bug for more clearance or a diesel heater with a dual battery setup?

[@FunWithVDubs]

We're designing a diesel heater setup now.

[@n.b.p.davenport7066]

It's a Volkswagen 👍I had a 59 when I was a kid, that thing ran forever never had a problem with it.

[@TamathaWhitaker-h6z]

Get a small jar and fill it with those little packs of gel beads that you get out of shoe boxes when you buy new shoes, or certain food items. Those little packets of silica gel beads will draw the humidity out of the air in the cab of your bug solving some of the problems you're having with the windows fogging up

[@stephenabril7084]

They make a rubber sleeve for the distributor cap. It is hard to get on but is worth the trouble

[@nunyabuziness8421]

Take it down to Baja that'll be the real test😂 back in the day they drove a Volkswagen Bug across Antarctica so they can go anywhere

[@DeteccionDeportivaK9]

We have the same issue in our baja, the smog coming inside the cab. 🤷‍♂️ don't forget to make a video if you address the issue. 👍

[@FunWithVDubs]

We will

[@edchenal821]

It sounds like the clutch cross bar probably broke. Your throwout bearing rides on the crossbar. Buy the heavy duty version when you replace it. Regarding exhaust fumes. You may want to block the heater channel outlets near the floor and the defroster vents at the corners of the windshield. on the driver and passenger side. Also check the rear to see if those heater channels have been blocked there. There is a helpful book you can buy. "Baja Bugs and Buggies." You'll find it available on the internet.

[@toddbertrand-q9b]

I remember when I was growing up, my dad was big time into Volkswagens. I learned a lot about THEM One great vehicle. My dad had two campers. When I used to stay with him on the weekend, I would actually sleep in the camper that was in the driveway.

[@ScottSmiley99]

Hey folks.... You probably got too much water and gunk up in the clutch causing the throwout bearing to fail. There are fixes for that. I would advise using expanding foam to seal those leaks starting in the engine area. I would add a higher amp alternator with a serpentine belt. Then, you can add electric heat and fans. Just thoughts. I wish you well.

[@FunWithVDubs]

Great point!

[@adventurersclub1]

This is my kind of car 🙂

[@jerrybettigrew7719]

There’s an easy diy HEI dizzy swap you need to look into they hold out water a little better I know the parts list to build one if interested

[@OurNotSoSeriousLife]

I had a 69 vdub and off roaded the snot out of it. Great video

[@FunWithVDubs]

Very nice!

[@johnbecay6887]

well that was fun.

[@TrumpWillwin-v7u]

Early in the video I’m wondering if this is a 4x4 build or if you at least have front and rear mounted winches ?

[@chris8949]

Sooo coool!

[@FunWithVDubs]

Thanks!

[@WS102]

I've seen VW Bugs go places that can only be reached with older Land Cruisers and other light vehicles. They're super capable for 2wd vehicles. Their main issue is ground clearance.

[@jimkennedy9242]

I wish you had described the engine, size? mods? It has a beautiful exhaust note.

[@FunWithVDubs]

Here's a video where we go into great detail on what the engine is all about: kzbin.info/www/bejne/paSVomCNl7hlhLcsi=Djm4f0_E2lDUAI87

[@lifehunter6426]

Easiest vehicle to replace clutch, pressure plate, and throw out bearing in. Unhook your carb linkage and unbolt 4 bolts and pull the engine. Don't even need a cherry picker. I had a trike with a 69 vw in it

[@TBGaels32]

I like your bug. I think you should at least put a lift on it. I know they make kits for it, and you could do a body lift as well.

[@kayoss662]

When my son was little he bought me two squeegees for our bug. I said two squeegees? He said , yeah, one for the outside and one for the inside.

[@jameshulka7690]

Thank you

[@FunWithVDubs]

You're welcome

[@kevinblake8447]

Keep a can of wd40 with you to spray out the distributor. It'll displace the moisture

[@stephenabril7084]

Need to shore up that taking on water thing. The rust will eat the car up if you don’t put a stop to it.

[@Bill-xx2yh]

How did you modify the engine?

[@FunWithVDubs]

@sewardspeedshop built it for us

[@jamesreed9106]

Can easily drive without a clutch. Something worth learning how to do.

[@raypeery6317]

Came here to say that.

[@bryanbrowning5746]

Right. I drove my 71’ bus 250 miles home when the clutch cable broke. Just left it in first gear at a stop(with engine off), hit the starter in first gear, and timed my shifts!

[@starfish3108]

You don’t need no stinking clutch, use rpm to shift.

[@toddbertrand-q9b]

I like depart when you went to the ocean. That was awesome.

[@StandAloneAdventures]

If you decide to let the bug go hit me up by all means please, would love to have another.

[@stephenabril7084]

Leave the flapper off and just put a tin can over the exhaust when you park in the rain.

[@doorbash5680]

What did you find wrong with it ?

[@PaulL-v6i]

Great video. My dad and I elk hunt in his Baja bug in oregon every year. The transaxle throw out bearing clips don't hold well. A piece of wire attached as back up is good insurance. When you take it apart you will see what I mean. Happy trails....

[@FunWithVDubs]

One of the "ears" on the throw-out bearing snapped off.

[@doorbash5680]

@@FunWithVDubs I watched all your videos and thought you did an excel job and know it was it was something that got over looked or used piece. Just small bugs to work out HaHa. Please show part which failed in your next video . For your first outing I think it did very well and you should pat yourself on the back. 👍

[@RafaelEspinoza-o3c]

Take you're a bug to sanfelipe bc 😊

[@TheoriginalSpaceboy]

Why Didn't you just carry on driving the bug home floating the gears, reading the road ahead so you never have to come to a dead stop, but in the case you do have to just switch off the engine and restart it in First gear. Did this myself in a 69 for 250 miles but in the UK where the roads are not nearly as empty and free flowing.

[@ArnoId-Schwarzenegger]

what engine is in it?

[@FunWithVDubs]

1915CC

[@theoldmanthebike9429]

❤

[@alejandroluna1725]

I don’t get it Those are indestructible here in Mexico ! they never break.

[@barnyardbrio7597]

😀