'65 VW Bus, PG Titanium 12's, SoundStream and Alpine Speakers, Ground up RestoMod

[VWBobby 10+ year member]

I've never done a build thread before, so here goes.

I have been collecting parts for this build since sometime around 2000. A lot of brick and mortar shops went out of business in the Portland area, and I scooped up deals here and there. What I have leftover, is what I'm putting in this bus.

System:

-Kenwood KDC-HD454U HD Radio/CD/Mp3

-Phoenix Gold Titanium 12 subs (2), 4 ohm SVC

-Home built MDF box, center slot port tuned to 30-31hz at 3.5 cubes net. All internal edges radiused.

-SoundStream XTS65 2-way coax speakers (front, down by feet facing on axis to listener)

-Alpine Type S (SPS-690A) 6x9's, rear pillars

-MB Quart DSC1500.1D sub amp at 2-ohms ~900 watts

-Rockford Fosgate 501x "1500watt" 4-channel amp, rated 65-watts x 4 @ 4 ohms.

The bus close to when I got it and started the resto:

I installed New rear quarter panels, rear corners, sections of the floor, nose, roof and other misc parts of the bus were replaced.

I had the Porsche 944 brakes modified to fit my '65 VW bus.

I designed and built a 2270cc Type 4 engine for the bus. Using a '74 "superbeetle" IRS transmission temporarily.

I sectioned an IRS rear end from a '69 bus into my bus.

It has airbag suspension in the back for now. I need to save money to finish the front.

Here's what it looks like now:

4 Years of cutting, welding, sanding, priming, etc finally paid off. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

To the system...

The box all built:

Testing in my living room at the time until the engine is installed

Building panels and making speaker rings. Just used regular particle board for these ones since I'm laminating them with fiberglass.

I'll post more pics as I upload them...probably on Monday, too much to do for Halloween!//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fro.gif.c695f1f814b01c4ad99fe7f8cccadd29.gif

Let me know what you guys think! Questions? ask away

Click to read more...

 

[thisbuick1982]

Old school bus build......I like.

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

nice resto...but It needs some nicer wheels...does it have the 2.0 in it ?

 

[tylork92 10+ year member]

ive always wanted on old skool VW bus. basically my dream car.

 

[Annnarbor84 5,000+ posts]

Very nice

 

[cablguy184 10+ year member]

Awesome Ride Bro !!! Very Different ... just Awesome !!!

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

ive always wanted on old skool VW bus. basically my dream car.

it would be nice to roll a cross country trip in one....and visit all lower 48.....

 

[stangman67 10+ year member]

That is badass!!!

 

[VWBobby 10+ year member]

Thanks guys! Its been a long time in the making and I'm happy to finally have it almost done. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

I got swamped with work so haven't had a chance to post more pics until now.

nice resto...but It needs some nicer wheels...does it have the 2.0 in it ?

I wish I could put some different wheels on it but the Cookie Cutter (Porsche 944) wheels aren't very common. Having the 5x130 pattern makes it hard for wheel choices and I don't have the money for custom made wheels. It has a 2270cc (96 x 78.4mm) engine I designed and built based on a 1.8L vw bus case (same as 914).

Here as some more pics of the stereo/interior as promised:

Bending the wall/door panels:

It doesn't have any wrinkles in the fabric in person. I think the texture/direction of the velour makes it look like that with flash.

More to come!

 

[VWBobby 10+ year member]

 

[benzmansl65amg 10+ year member]

Subscribed VW alone

 

[bhsdriller 10+ year member]

nice looking bus....I think the wheels look pretty sweet on it

 

[Boldtothemax 10+ year member]

Update, see there havent been any more pics posted since July.

Awesome job by the way, surprised this dont have more views and what not. Paint is killer, wheels look fine IMO and wish to see more pics! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Would love to roll around in one of these. You are a lucky arse dood....

 

[VWBobby 10+ year member]

Thanks for the compliments guys! Glad you like the wheels, I do too. I can't find the charger to my regular camera so I've been using my crappy Blackberry Storm... That's why the last 3-4 pics look crappy quality.

I've been working 55+ hour weeks so I'm trying to get time to work on this and post pics. Fortunately I can get on here at work. I got the other 6x9 installed last night and finished soldering the wires.

I'm in the process of drilling holes to hide the wires going to the amps, routing them from the back. Its kinda sad I spent all this time fixing holes, only to drill about 20 more 1/2"+ holes back into the bulkhead. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[VWBobby 10+ year member]

Update, see there havent been any more pics posted since July.

Some of the box and interior pics started in July. I've been finishing most of the passenger side last month and this month.

Awesome job by the way, surprised this dont have more views and what not. Paint is killer, wheels look fine IMO and wish to see more pics! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Thanks! First time I've done a complete re-paint. Never shot clear before //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif About 20 hours cutting and buffing.

Would love to roll around in one of these. You are a lucky arse dood....

Thanks again. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif Its amazing the amount of hours I have into this thinking back on it. Not too much money but some standards, just 1000's of hours of time.....//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/*******.gif.a649d21efc0d1fd4890a6428166586c1.gif