61 Volkswagen V8 Single Cab Street Rod

[Ben Modified]

awesome

The VW light housings are a cool link to the VW past. My bug has the same big glass and it's fun and cool.

Thanks!

Finished the wiring on the headlights today. The first photo is just the LEDs, second dims and third brights with the spindle mounted lights also.

[/url]20161128_172257 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

[/url]20161128_172313 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

[/url]20161128_172327 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

 

[Ben Modified]

I was thrilled to have Build-Threads.com profile my builds!

http://www.build-threads.com/build-threads/builder-spotlight-its-ben-modified-videos/

 

[Ben Modified]

While the transmission is out for a rebuild I am making a few improvements. Adding a second radiator for highway driving in the summer and some duct work to push the radiator heat out thru the hood instead of into the engine compartment.

[/url]20170214_092559_resized_1 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

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Also swapping out the melted motor mounts since I have replaced the headers with a better design

[/url]20170214_092546_resized_1 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

 

[bob w]

With the engine and trans out it's a good time to make revisions. You seem to be in a pretty big building. Is it all your shop space?

 

[Ben Modified]

With the engine and trans out it's a good time to make revisions. You seem to be in a pretty big building. Is it all your shop space?

Yes, I built it about 6 years ago. It took 5 1/2 days to go from concrete slab to dried in and secured. It is made of SIPS. Steel insulated panels. A big styrofoam ice chest wrapped in galvalume. Cat 5 Hurricane rated, no wood and extremely well insulated. It was also very affordable

 

[Ben Modified]

Finished up the hot air deflector today

[/url]20170217_165108_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

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Bent up some aluminized exhaust tubing to route one radiator to the other

[/url]20170217_165225_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

Started wrapping it in heat wrap as the tubing runs along the back wall of the cab

[/url]20170217_170822_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

 

[05snopro440]

Finished up the hot air deflector today

[/url]20170217_165108_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

[/url]20170217_165129_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

Bent up some aluminized exhaust tubing to route one radiator to the other

[/url]20170217_165225_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

Started wrapping it in heat wrap as the tubing runs along the back wall of the cab

[/url]20170217_170822_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

Looking good. I'm really hoping you're not expecting those zip ties to hold that wrap on though... Why not wrap it around the pipe as that stuff is usually used?

 

[Ben Modified]

Looking good. I'm really hoping you're not expecting those zip ties to hold that wrap on though... Why not wrap it around the pipe as that stuff is usually used?

Since I am wrapping a water pipe and not exhaust, I was unsure of how long it would take for header wrap to "burn off" and cure. The pipe runs along the rear of the cab and the rear window opens, so I did not want to have an issue with of off gassing for weeks or months. I have an hvac tape that I am going to use to tape the joint. The zip ties are temporary.

 

[Ben Modified]

Second radiator is in.

[/url]20170221_163131_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

Also drilled holes in the side scoop and sheet metal to allow the heat to escape. There is a block off plate inside the scoop between the air intake (front) and the radiator exhaust area so that cool air goes thru the trans cooler and is then sucked back out as it is pushed thru the radiator

[/url]20170222_141120_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

 

[Ben Modified]

Progress

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http://www.BenModified.com

 

[Mr.Gussett]

I Like the way you think

I just saw this build and only read a couple of the first post .but will have to read it all !I like the way you think ! I love the outside the box weird stuff![dr

 

[Ben Modified]

Warranty Update:

Bit of a long story. I basically built the truck around this transmission so 11 of the 12 months of warranty expired before I ever drove it. The transmission was well out of warranty at the time of failure but had actually only seen 12 months of use before it started acting up and only one more month before total failure. Hughes agreed to send a truck to pick it up and emailed me to say that it would cost me little to nothing for the repairs. After they received the transmission and saw that the output splines were twisted

[/url]splines by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

they asked me for the details of the vehicle. I sent them numerous build photos and specs..weight, horsepower etc. They responded that they felt the truck was too heavy for this dragster transmission (3020 lbs) and that my large rear tires were providing too much traction for their 650 hp rated transmission (my engine 400 hp). They wanted to upgrade the trans in many ways so that it would hold up without issue. I told them that I was not interested in spending more money on it and too please put it in a box and send it back to me. They countered with warrantying the trans rebuild to original specs, if I would pay for shipping both ways, but that they felt that this version of the trans was not suited for my application. I mentioned that I could install it in my V8 Daihatsu HiJet as it weighs 1800 lbs and has skinny tires and agreed to pay shipping. My intention with the VW was to reconfigure the truck for a 4L80e, but after a conversation with FTI Performance in Florida, I was assured that their 1100hp Powerglide would be more than adequate. The FTI trans is in the truck and nearly back on the road. The big three day Caffeine and Octane event is coming up soon on Jekyll Island with Velocity Channel so I am hard at work finishing it up! Hughes did not have to warranty the trans at all and as something is better than nothing, I am not complaining.

[/url]20170301_163512_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

 

[Ben Modified]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-AL-yxoS04

[/url]Part 18 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[bob w]

Nice video. You should form a production company. Make videos for TV.

 

[animal]

I really like this build! Very nice work, and I second the kudos on the video work. [cl

 

[Ben Modified]

I really like this build! Very nice work, and I second the kudos on the video work. [cl

Nice video. You should form a production company. Make videos for TV.

Thanks!
I took the Single Cab to a 3 day Caffeine and Octane car show on Jekyll Island GA. Video link below

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDval6_uaxw&t=25s

 

[maddog1949]

I like this build.

 

[Ben Modified]

Been finishing up the hood for the Single Cab. I have added two heat vents to help push the heat from the engine compartment. With the different mods, in 90 degree heat, it was running between 180 and 185 with a 180 thermostat. Still have a lot of sanding to do, but its getting there. I spayed a light coat of primer to keep it from rusting instantly

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Loving the new transmission and high stall convertor. I was going thru a curve at about 30, stood on the gas and the convertor allowed the engine to get right into the power band. Broke those big rear tires loose and got some much needed side ways action!

http://www.BenModified.com

 

[kenny c]

This thing gets cooler al the time.[cl

 

[BrokenTool]

Instead of going out side this morning and putting in some much time on my Dart I read your entire build, this thing is Stupld Cool, the detailed documentation and videos to boot make this one of my favorite builds to date.
Will definitely be watching