Hula 66 is home

cactuskombi · Post by **cactuskombi** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 7:50 am

Before and after pics. Finally got to drive it properly after 1 1/2 years of owning it !Straight axle rear and front beam with dropped spindles and Kruizinwagon adjusters.Have been doing some test riding over the last day or so both on the motorway and round town. It drives beaut, but needs a thicker sway at front. It is a bit too low at teh rear for my liking but I knew this anyway to be a part of a 5-6" straight axle conversion! If it is raised up, then I'll end up with too much +ve camber but as it is fully road legal I will be enjoying it as it is while working on the interior.

Enjoy the pics. Sorry havent posted in a while.

Frogsta · Post by **Frogsta** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 9:12 am

No complaints there, it looks mighty fine to me.
I like checking your threads out on NZvdn, good work.

brad@busnbug · Post by **brad@busnbug** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 9:16 am

Height looks just right. Like to see a side on shot with the current wheels. Must be rapt after an 18mth wait. Congrats.

cactuskombi · Post by **cactuskombi** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 2:49 pm

cheers guys.Just got back from another drive.....told the wifey we needed some milk and bread....looks like we won't be running out of milk and bread in a hurry, coz I went out to get some yesterday and the day b4 as well..

Been testing it around round abouts and corners.I've got a good knack of driving swing axle VW's but this is a learning curve.The rear definately feels more stiffer than the front does.I'll be trying some 185/55 front tyres to see if that makes a difference.I'm just trying to achieve some more confidence with this bus....much like I have with my 67 beetle.

Heres a side on shot with a lowered person(my son Nick).Looks like I've found a place for the stock 1500cc when it comes out....

Volksaddict · Post by **Volksaddict** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 3:04 pm

Lookin good....those swing axles ummmmm

lobus · Post by **lobus** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 8:43 pm

I think you might wanna change your username now. There doesn't seem to be anything cactus about that bus.
As fro ride height, give it a go as it is for a while and you will probably come to terms with it.
David

beerdoc · Post by **beerdoc** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:17 pm

Looks great luv the stance but 185s might even look better

jhp1 · Post by **jhp1** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 11:29 pm

Nah dont change the stance hey Bro (Im assumng your in unzed) only gagging I reckon it looks great dont change the height at all mate it looks the goods to me.

daveo · Post by **daveo** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:16 pm

Love your Bennie and yellow mags Dude!

cactuskombi · Post by **cactuskombi** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 10:17 am

daveo wrote:Love your Bennie and yellow mags Dude!

Thanks daveo ! If only we could reproduce classic VW's as well eh?! Imagine the population explosion. That little fella is a training member of my pit crew. A second little fella joined him on 3rd June 2006, so it looks like I'll have a good team to tackle those other projects that are waiting !

Thanks for your feedback guys.Also,as someone suggested, I have got used to driving the beast(no, not the one with the yellow wheels !) and I,ve just solved 2 other problems with this project:

1. Interior - Just bought a Devon Caravette - needs too much work but the interior is nice so will transfer to Hula 66.
2. IRS - This beasty comes with IRS ready to go in, so guess where thats going in.

So, all that will be left will be the body strip and P&P and the motor,plus the extras....

In the meantime though, it looks like I'll be experimenting with some tyres. I'll keep yas posted.

cheers.

daveo · Post by **daveo** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:47 pm

Congrats on the little fella Mate! Bet They will love cruz'n in the Splitty.

cactuskombi · Post by **cactuskombi** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 6:24 pm

Still waiting for the 175/55's to arrive. Bloody nuisance and I'm not sure how we are going to get the 185's under the rear yet !

Anyway some more pics....

Finally got it inside the house....

yes, I can see some of these been circulated around the websites, but there was not much else to do in Auckland today except work out why the sun was out today, all day. Yes, it did really turn up, the sun did..

The taller person apparently did not realize that cans full of the good 'oil' can aid growth...!

Lost the plot? you betcha!

daveo · Post by **daveo** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 6:42 pm

I love it !
G'dam low Dude.
Nice work ! keep tha pic's com'n.
Davo

lobus · Post by **lobus** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 7:07 pm

G'day Cactus, as for inflating your tyres, I thought laterally. I put them on THEN inflated them. Be sure not to try this at home, as it will be a bugger of a ride down to the servo. As for changing them when & if I have a flat, I have a skinny spare and the one coming off will be flat anyway.
And just for good measure the height and stance look perfect. If it aint broke it don't need fixin.
David

cactuskombi · Post by **cactuskombi** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 6:54 pm

Thanks guys,

Well the tires finally arrived and woohoo !...they are awesome. We managed to squeeze the 195/60's in the back deflated. In hindsight, 205's would have gone in as well.

So, Bridgestone 175/55's front and Dunlops rear. You be the judge..... aaarrrghhhh I hate my steering box !