[Blob]

I am at the point on my v8 vw bug project where I need a steering column. the car has a manual rack and pinion. What I have right now is a solid 3/4" shaft, quick relase hub, and a couple hiem joints. Using the 3/4" shaft it makes a straight shot to the universal at the rack and pinon with no interference and places the steering wheel in a comfortable spot. I could suport the shaft with a hiem joint off the roll cage dash bar and call it quits, but this car is more of a daily driver not a race car. So I have been looking around for steering columns and now i am really confused. I have tired to see what circle track cars use for columns but found nothing, comp eng. sells a race column that is outragously over priced for a pipe two bushing and a shaft. I have an old gm column out of a 76 camaro that is way to large, I have been looking into the collapsible sections but their expensive also(do i need a collapsible section?) Idealy i would want something like the original vw column that is simple and small, but my vw column would need new bearings. Should I look for some bearings and make my own column? what do race cars use?(circle track, drag, anyting) any help/advice would be great!

[Deuce]

Race cars use the smallest, lightest thing they can find......and as a general rule....no turn signals or horn button.

I would just put bushings/bearings in the VW column...

[VWFan]

Here is a place you can find a VW column complete for cheap...

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifie...teering+column

Or you can always check out the local junk yard... They usually have a few VW's laying around...

I'd like to see your project, sounds like fun. Any pics?

[Blob]

i got a couple pics in my photo album thing, ill post more tonight.

[VWFan]

Well, it's still a Bug kind-of... More like a Bug on steroids! Did you build the frame yourself or is that a production unit? I would be interested in the plans you used.... If you would be willing to share... That thing should really go! Good luck and have fun!

Bug on!!!

[Blob]

I built the frame myself but used blueprints from the glass station, http://www.prostreetbug.com/ I hope the link works, otherwise google prostreetbug. The blueprints where very good and the frame turned out pretty square considering i dont have a jig or flat table. I bought a complete mustang II suspension from hiedts. the front suspension crossmember is a little wider then the front rails, but a little metal here and there and it worked out perfect.

Looking back i should have just bought a rear suspension kit from comp eng or something, but I felt like doing it myself. I have changed the panhard bar since those pictures to go stright across to the other side. The rear suspension took alot of thinking and i still dont know if it will work properly.

The cage i bought from chris altsons chassis works ( i think that the name, probibly spelled it wrong) and it cost more to ship it then the tubes thenselves. I would have bent my own but i dont have a bender

The width from the outsides of the tires is about 64", so th fenders will have to be widened. wheel base is still 95".

I try to post some new pics, like my stainless keg for a fuel tank!