*Off Topic* Project Doppelgänger- Rod/Aircooled meets Watercooled

[WCHLVR]

Tubing adapters came in yesterday-



Got one of the control arms mocked up. Couldn't be more pleased. Works perfectly even lock to lock.

[V8Transporter]

Like the rest of your project, it looks really clean and well thought out. What brand Heim joints are you using?

[WCHLVR]

Thank you!

They are QA1 units from Speedway Motors.

[WCHLVR]

Here is a couple shots at ride height. Almost perfect-




Fully lift should be about 2" above this.

[trikertroy]

Man,,, I hope this works... Now that I see more clealy of what you are trying to do,, Im seeing a potental problem with heim joint (multi angle swivel joint) being so far way from the CV joints... It may wobble around a bit with the extra lenght and leverage..

Of course you know the cure... OUCH

Again,,I hopeing Im wrong and all that nice work really works out like a champ!!

[WCHLVR]

Not sure I understand. All of the joints will be locked in place with a jamb nut when its all sorted.... no wobble there. As for the "dropped balljoint" it is all locked in place with the 3/4" nut on the bottom. The 1" piece of DOM acts as a spacer as well as adding extra strength. The pinch bolt on the spindle keeps the main bolt tight.

Does this answer your concerns? Please let me know. I am always down to hear others perspectives. Some times it just best to have another set off eyes on the project.

[trikertroy]

Not meaning to offend.. Your work is excellent... but Im seeing a problem with the geometry compated to the stock set up...

The stock set up has the ball joint and the A arm pivots as close to the centerline of the driveshaft as practcal... This keep everything on the same plane for smoother pivoting.. By haveing the A arm pivot so low the heim joint has a different arc.. But this isnt an off road machine that needs or will have a lot of travel..

Im thinking that by haveing the extension to the heim joint doesnt give a solid footing for the strut bottom and it may move around... There is one way to find out.. and youre almost there..

Thats the thing when breaking new ground...


Maybe some sort of dog leg welded to the A arm to put the heim joint back up to the stock location under the CV joint..

[WCHLVR]

No offense taken. Always love another view. Just having conversation.

With as low as this truck will be (even at ride height) moving the joint down actually restores much of the stock geometry... within reason. I have already tried the "Z'd" control arm trick. This works good for eliminating binding but the geometry is still all wacked out. Here is a diagram to help explain-



You are correct regarding the axles but there the only way around this is to move the motor up and well... that will likely not be happening. LOL

The fact that I am having to narrow the front end by 5" total kind throws a huge wrench in the machine. Basically I am just trying to restore some of the road manners back into the truck. I will also be dropping the tie rods similarly. This should help keep the steering decently sorted from full lift to laid out.

Your right though... I am moving into uncharted territory. We'll see how it all plays out this spring (fingers crossed).

[V8Transporter]

I believe that this falls into the catagory of "If it were easy, everyone would do it." I'm looking forward to see how she turns out.

[howirolla]

Originally Posted by WCHLVR

We'll see how it all plays out this spring (fingers crossed).

It damn well better be!

[WCHLVR]

All money dependent.

Got the rear control arm mounts all worked up-

[WCHLVR]

Intake Manifold is done. Snap some quick cell phone pics-

[WCHLVR]

Took some nicer "non-camera phone" pics-

[vwboyvw]

dude your a beast cant wait till i get my shifter for my rabbit

[WCHLVR]

Originally Posted by vwboyvw

dude your a beast cant wait till i get my shifter for my rabbit

I just got a call late Friday that your powdercoat was done. ;)

[vwboyvw]

Hell yea great news,I love MK1s as much as my A/C VW , but mine is no where near as bad ass.

[WCHLVR]

Almost completely done with the rear air ride kit. Need some more DOM for the upper links (yes... I cut them too short). Last pieces to sort out are the shocks (hopefully tomorrow).

Right side tank clearance-



Filler and breather hose clearance. The breather hose is actually quite a ways away. The picture creates the illusion that it is much closer-



Here is a shot with axle hanging way down to demonstrate the triangulation it has now-

[WCHLVR]

OK... I think I got the shocks sorted. I wanted something that would fit the bill and was easily accessible-

Chevy S10 shocks. Perfect size and they used the same shock 82-04. Should be no problem finding them anywhere. They should be here tomorrow so I can get them mocked up and see where we sit.

More pics coming soon!

[WCHLVR]

Its been a long time coming but she is back to have more work done-

[vwboyvw]

the rear looks good...and so does the jetta

[WCHLVR]

Finished up Slam Pan and T2 shifter orders-




I was able to break loose a little time to finish welding up my control arms. Super pleased with out they turned out-

[WCHLVR]

While I am waiting for parts I decided to just take some flat stock and make up a pair of rear mounts-





Tacked and mounted-



Also made up some gifs to give everyone a real feel for how the suspension will work. Here is how the control arms will articulate-



Here is how it will steer. Certainly not lock to lock but it will work-



Here is travel from full lay out to ride height. It can/will go two more inches higher-

[alykat]

Nice !

[Number1tileguy]

X-2

[vdubjim]

Cool!
Those mounts thick enough?