Hello

Welcome Cheryle/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif
We always try to help each other here,whether it's about cooking or about cars I'm in.
Well, what's the question?

Thanks, I appreciate that. I'm sure that my questions are rather basic for most of you guys, so here goes...

The front end of my bug is REALLY stiff. It rides ok on the sand, but on dirt or mud, it'll just about shatter your teeth/wwwthreads_images/icons/frown.gif. I had heard before that you can remove the sway bar from the front axle(?). I'm not really sure what sort of mods I could make to get it to ride a little softer -- better (different) shocks, higher shock mounts, I don't really know where to start/wwwthreads_images/icons/frown.gif Any advice or suggestions would be really cool/wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif

I attached a picture so that you can see what it is!

Cheryle

/wwwthreads_images/icons/blush.gifweehaa!

Nice looking Dune Bug/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif
You have to tell us if you have the stock front suspension(link pin or ball joint?). Usually when you take a stock suspension to the limit you will get what it's design for, the street. The travel is limited(it bottoms out)for what you're doing, that's why it's ok on the dunes but when it comes to hard,bumpy ones you'll get your teeth knock out/wwwthreads_images/icons/shocked.gif That's my assumption, and yes you have to take the swaybar out of the picture.
What mods have you done to the front suspension?
On the dunes maybe you can get away with less suspension travel. But if you plan in taking it to the woopsies I suggest to upgrade your suspension- front and rear.
Give us more info, maybe I'm wrong.

I, personally, haven't done any modifications to it. My "mechanic" may have done some stuff to it, but I'm really not sure. He and I have since parted ways so now I'm trying to learn this sh*t on my own. So, at the risk of sounding like a complete ignoramous, how do you tell the difference between a ball joint and a link pin suspension?/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif I think I'm starting from scratch./wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif

I'm really not looking to do anything hardcore -- I just want to be more comfy when I wanna have fun!

Also, can you recommend any books that might help me?

Cheryle

/wwwthreads_images/icons/blush.gifweehaa!

Well, since you mention 1971 then it's a ball joint. The TOP of the ball joint shock absorber towers curves outwards instead of vertical like the link pins(it's my easy way of explaining it to you).
Maybe you should check your shocks and make sure they're still functioning.
I think the stock suspension travel is 8" and that's not very much with that big bump stop few inches away.
When off-roading try deflating your tires a few pounds less.
A good book to start is by Jeff Hibbard Baja Bugs and Buggies how to. Mostly sold at your nearest VW parts store or off-road stores.
You don't have to go to the extreme on your bug, a street bug can still go off-roading/wwwthreads_images/icons/shocked.gif
Keep us informed on any progress.

Hello Mark,
Good to meet you here/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif.
Do you really take the Bus 4Wheeling?

Dan ......... yep sure did

http://www.dem.com/4x4/85/creekx.jpg

Mark ......

Who says you cannot 4 Wheel a Bus ..........

Wow! that was a long lists!
You must be single! (don't get me wrong/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif)
I do have a Class5 Unlimited that I had been working on for years(4 kids)
Happy racing Jorge! Give me your car number maybe I can go to the San Felipe race.
I'm in Poway
DEL