New Beetle Expedition style

[Barbecuebird]

Have anyone make a new beetle into a expedition vehicles been thinking about doing one ..any feed back

 

[Martinjmpr]

Would be interesting to see a "baja bug" conversion done on a new beetle...

 

[Jrally]

There are a few examples out there, on the web. Rally suspension and small BFG all-terrains, a skid plate under the engine and tranny, you'll be good to go.

-Jon

 

[Desert Dan]

I wish the bug was offered with a 5 -speed and AWD.

 

[Eaglefreek]

 

[WagoneerSX4]

For rally cars, a popular swap is the syncro rear-end, tranny and suspension from a passat, and then for the front suspension you can swap in various other big brother VW suspensions. None of them are direct bolt-ins, but completely doable.

But as an actual expedition rig, it would be sort of useless. Tiny trunk, tiny backseat, is there even a hitch available for them? The only good part would be the TDI engine that would get you over 40mpg with a good range. But I doubt the syncro tranny could be mated to the TDI engine, so you'd probably be stuck with the gas options. It would sort of be a 'just because' build. Not really any logic to it.

 

[Jrally]

It would be sinful, but the VW Golf R32 could be interesting, awd, plenty of power, decent hatch back storage space...

-Jon

 

[Barbecuebird]

My Idea was using the metalnerd 2 inch lift ....right now Iam living in Peru I will be back in the start in a few month so this will be a winter project ......just like having ideas thrown at me ...I know the back area is small but this is why not project

 

[G0to60]

You can build something like the concept Dune Bug that VW built back in the early 2000's.

Or you can build an R32 Beetle like this guy. The 4Motion trans can be bolted up to a TDI engine with an adapter ring as Passat TDI people have done this in the past.

 

[Barbecuebird]

Would love to go awd but its a little too much for me skills and money wise ......going to keep it 2 wheels .but I do like the Dune sunroof .....but thinking a roofrack will be more useful

 

[Clutch]

But as an actual expedition rig, it would be sort of useless. Tiny trunk, tiny backseat, is there even a hitch available for them?.

Why? Could carry more than a motorcycle...I camp off my enduro bike no problem, even then I tend to take too much stuff.
Yes, there is a hitch available, Class 1 IIRC.

A modern VW Bug wouldn't be my first choice....though a mid travel Manx with a Suby engine would be hard to pass up.

This one is already built up, it was in the Race Dezert classifieds for $18K IIRC.

 

[ttravis5446]

I bought a GTI new in '08 and I have to admit I had some daydreams about making it into some kind of rally inspired car. Even stock that car drove on way to much dirt way too fast for what it was. I have massive respect for the platform after the abuse that car took from me in the year I had it and the 45k miles I put on it in that time. I'm not sure a new beetle would do it for me personally but there is definitely potential there.

 

[tortoise]

They also made a golf "country" edition, just not in the states.

 

[Barbecuebird]

Does anybody know is you can get parts for the Country Golf in the US would love to see if I can fit the spare tire gate on a new Beetle

 

[Barbecuebird]

if anyone knows of a cheap TDI Beetle in black please let me know