Reader’s Rides & Off Road Vehicles

This 1969 Volkswagen Bus is owned by, 4Wheel & Off-Road reader, bearclaw. The horsepower of this Bus is near or close to stock. Check out some pictures and ratings of this off road truck below, as well as other info about this ride.

1969 Volkswagen Bus - bearclaw

"El Capitan"

Owner:		bearclaw
Year:		1969
Make:		Volkswagen
Model:		Bus
Est.Horsepower:		250
Page Views:		8612
Comments:		9 Comments
Ratings:		0 votes
Overall:		Rating :
Exterior:		Rating :
Interior:		Rating :
Performance:		Rating :

Volkswagen Bus Pics

About my Bus

This was a Christmas present to our boss and he decided to make it a 4x4. I do custom fabrication on the side, I own BearClaw Fabrications in Springfield, MO and will be doing a mojority of the fabrication work on this vehicle. I will be installing a super charged 3.8ltr Buick v6, turbo 700 tranny, and either a Landrover or Landcruiser transfer case. It will stay a rear engine set up, so it will have reverse rotation dana 44's. Custom modified 4 link front and rear. I am stretching the cab five inches and fabing a six point roll cage.
The Company i work for, Garage Graphics and Visuals, does custom signs, fiberglass, vacuum forming, metal work and just about anything else. We will also be vacuum forming custom windows for the side and back with VW logos and our company logo in them.
This is just a concept picture, although it is the actuall bus in the picture. I will send more as it progresses.

Comments On bearclaw's Bus

Add a Comment

stever70 | New User
Posts: 39 | Joined 10/16/10

Posted: 01/12/11 06:05 PM

Well, Isee that it has been quite sometime...Any progress???

stever70 | New User
Posts: 39 | Joined 10/16/10

Posted: 01/12/11 06:04 PM

Ok, I see that it has been awhile...any progress????

RnD-Motorsports | Enthusiast
Posts: 460 | Joined 06/08/09

Posted: 08/26/09 08:03 AM

SWEET!!

lets see it when its done!

Witchdoctor | New User
Posts: 0 | Joined 06/25/08

Posted: 06/25/08 07:12 AM

Awsome transporter! You won't have any problem finding space for gear. If your boss is not in a V dub club check out Harshwintersvw.com. I have plans to build a 4x4 thing.

eman420 | New User
Posts: 23 | Joined 03/16/08

Posted: 04/22/08 07:00 AM

i like the bus. i gotta make my buggy 4x4. was it tough.

bearclaw | New User
Posts: 4 | Joined 02/20/08

Posted: 04/22/08 06:56 AM

I just got the front clip back on. Added a couple sample ics of tires. We're going to go with some 33x12.50's.

bearclaw | New User
Posts: 4 | Joined 02/20/08

Posted: 02/22/08 06:35 AM

Yeh, thats what I meant when I said reverse rotation, that I was going to flip the difs. I'm not going to use full width axles, so while I'm shortening them I will be flipping the diffs. I didn't list everything that was going into it, but i am planning on using either a landcruiser or landrover trans case. But thanks for the reminder

MR Fred Williams | User
Posts: 221 | Joined 12/06/06

Posted: 02/21/08 04:26 PM

cool project!!!

remember that your axles need to be turned up side down since your engine is in the back. reverse rotation axles are not standard rotation axles that are turned up side down. one option would be to use landcruiser or land rover axles and turn the third member upside down so they turn the correct way, however you may need to modify the oiling so that they do not burn up the pinion.

Dodgeman60 | Enthusiast
Posts: 330 | Joined 12/28/07

Posted: 02/20/08 02:48 PM

Sounds like its going to be awsome!!!!