Please
send your buggy/VW related hints & tips to us, we'll add ours when
we get a chance.
If you have questions, send them to us and hopefully our visitors may
be able to help!
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Updated:
24/06/03
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Cables;
If
you have a buggy floorpan manufactured around a changeover year, its
worth trial fitting and measuring cables before shortening, or having
them shortened, as there can be an inch or two difference between cables.
e.g pre '72 and '73 on.
We used "Speedy Cables" and were impressed by the quality,
and the speed of turnaround, (less than a week.)
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Parts
Quality;
We'd
advise using genuine Volkswagen parts where available, or specify best
quality or German parts from your supplier. Unless you ask, they'll
often provide the cheapest option, which, in our experience does not
pay off in the long run.
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Drilling
Fibreglass;
DON'T
drill a pilot hole. The drill will pull through too fast and crack the
gel-coat. Just make sure the drill is sharp, (fibreglass will soon blunt
it) and get stuck in. Thanks to 'GPDude'
for that one.
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Drilling/Grinding
Fibreglass;
Avoid
using drill bits intended for wood or metal as the cut angle is too deep
and can chip the gelcoat finish. This is more noticeable on larger holes,
e.g; headlamp mounting holes etc. Special drill bits are available from
specialist tool shops, or you can regrind your drill bits to a shallow
cu angle. Alternatively, use a conical shape hole cutter which makes a
very neat finish without chipping the gel coat.
Avoid drilling from the underside of a body out towards the gel coat finish,
unless it's a small pilot hole which you intend to enlarge from the gelcoat
side in.
When mounting a buggy bonnet, always drill (with bonnet removed) from
the gel side in along the body tub with a slightly larger drill bit, then
put the bonnet in place, and drill through the existing holes into the
bonnet flange with a smaller drill bit. Using this method, you avoid binding
self tapping screws.
When
grinding fibreglass edges with an angle grinder, always make sure the
disc is spinning from gelcoat towards the laminate. A disc spinning towards
the gelcoat risks chipping. The same applies when filing fibreglass, file
in towards laminate and never put pressure on the file whilst moving towards
the gel edge.
When
cutting using a jigsaw, avoid blades designed for wood. Special blades
are available for laminates. Angle grinders and diamond cutting blades
make a neat job, but are useless at going round tight curves.
Thanks to Mel Hubbard and SDBC .
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FAQs
(Frequently Asked Questions);
There
are loadsa FAQs and answers to them reference Deserter Buggies (originally
based on the Bounty Hunter) on the Deserter Owners Group website. (See
links page)
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Check,
check and check again;
We
can't stress enough the importance of trial fitting, checking and measuring
everything before making any cuts, holes or fixing anything permanently.
This was brought to light again recently after fitting the engine and
finding interference between fanshroud and body.
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Trust
no-one;
As
the old saying goes : "If you want something done properly, do
it yourself". Ok, I know this isn't always practical but if you
are going to trust work on your pride and joy, to someone else, make
sure they are going to do it to the standard or spec you desire. Check
out examples of their work, or get reccomendations first. I admit we
are fussy, but we have been disappointed by other peoples workmanship
and lack of forethought on a couple of occasions. Still, you live and
learn.
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