If I had it to do again I’d go with a 2-inch narrowed beam.

In your case it sounds like maybe the body or fenders aren’t centered just right, which is probably not all that unusual. You might be able to find some adjustment but it’s a whole other project.

Yes, the new beam can be swapped in without removing the fenders—at least it could on my c…[Read more]

Ditto. SOunds like something of a benchmark for TDr values too.

Impressive. 🙂

FUN!

New motto for TDr clubbers: “Why buy something when I can fab it up with a just few days work and for only twice the price?”

Wow! Less than 5,000 miles on that TDr! It’s practically brand new.

And now I know what a “haka” is. This place is a very mentally-stimulating environment.

Additional work with the body filler & etc.

Looking really good.

You’ve got the right idea, relocating the air filter. The kit MFG requires the remote filter. I used some of the silver “heater hose” that mainly goes from the heater boxes, through the tin,* to the fan intakes on either side of the carb. Clamped some on the carb throat and went up and over the shroud on the right, and hung…[Read more]

Hey, David, several of us have had good luck with the Empi 3487. It’s not a performance exhaust; I wouldn’t put it on anything bigger than a 1776. But it doesn’t seem to hurt a 1500 or 1600. It’s also compact, easy to install, sounds good and, as a bonus, puts the exhaust tip exactly where it should be on an MG TD. I ran mine for several years…[Read more]

Hey, David, several of us have had good luck with the Empi 3487. It’s not a performance exhaust; I wouldn’t put it on anything bigger than a 1776. But it doesn’t seem to hurt a 1500 or 1600. It’s also compact, easy to install, sounds good and, as a bonus, puts the exhaust tip exactly where it should be on an MG TD. I ran mine for several years…[Read more]

Hey, David, several of us have had good luck with the Empi 3487. It’s not a performance exhaust; I wouldn’t put it on anything bigger than a 1776. But it doesn’t seem to hurt a 1500 or 1600. It’s also compact, easy to install, sounds good and, as a bonus, puts the exhaust tip exactly where it should be on an MG TD. I ran mine for several years…[Read more]

And I was wrong. Lots of early Bug rims were 4 inches. This thread has an apparent expert on Beetle/Ghia rim widths and offsets.

I still say 165 R 15s (about a .8 aspect ratio) are the right thing for us & will go on the skinny rims nicely.

165/80s will go on a 4 inch rim with no trouble. They will look right on the TD and handle fine. I am not sure your regular Mangels are actually 4 inches though. They might be 4.5 inches. I have thought all the stock 8-slot VW rims were either 4.5 or 5.5. Mine are 4.5. (The new wires are 4.5-inch as well)

185s I’d want the 5.5 inch rim.

Perfectly nice!

More progress on Bridget‘s body work.

I’ve not heard of anyone having a problem with the taillight wiring this way. A split loom taped with electrical tape should be fine. My car just has the tape. The tire is way ahead of it. The tail light has a rubber cup behind it, in the fender well, that the wire passes through. Keeps out the gunk the tire throws up–so far, anyway.