--=BIRTH OF A SAND/DESERT CAR, Throttle Cable and Other Stuff=--

The Throttle Cable Hookup and Other Stuff I estimated the length of the throttle cable from end to end and it was about 10.5 feet. I opted for 11 feet overall. I already had 1/8 in ball joints to connect the ends of the cable to the carb and throttle pedal. Back to Phil at Doghouse.. He had an 11 ft Empi throttle cable in stock. Plus we talked about the brake system. It would be a combination of Metric Bubble Flare for the VW stuff up front and American Double Flare at the rear. To do this, I would need bubble flare to 1/8 pipe brass adapter/fittings and 3/16 flare to 1/8 in pipe adapter/fittings. Plus assorted brass tees, steel hard lines, plus a brake light switch must be installed somewhere, mounting brackets and locks, etc....... Also turning brakes will be added later once the car is up and running. So, I will run to the rear brakes 2 individual steel lines up into the cockpit between the seats. Then I will tee off the the lines forward. All will be hand bent and secured to the frame. The automatic shifter control also needs to go between the seats.. I was looking at B&M Shifters. But I'm still researching.. A VW style parking brake will prob be added on the left side of the drivers seat....

The cable quick mounts are kinda trick. Flip a small lever and the cable can be removed..... I built some brackets and welded them up. Mounting the cable quick connects to the welded mounts.... This is time consuming but must be done. DETAIL!!!!.... But it is very satisfying.....

Below is the main electrical switch. I cut holes in the firewall, installed rubber grommets, then soldered up some battery cables.... The connection on the rear of the firewall feeds the battery voltage to all the electrical systems..... And the battery cutoff main switch is easily accessed from ther drivers seat. Just to the left and rear of the drivers seat. All cables have been cut, soldered from #10 cable. Soldered with silver solder to the cable ends and heat shrink covering has been added..... Circuit breakers will be added later on for safety should any electric system fail..........

The Lower A frame arms needed bracing to prevent flexing. I welded some 1.25 in tubing in place. Its pretty solid now. I can better adjust the alignment of the rear wheels..

I'm getting down to doing the brake plumbing, exhaust headers, shifter & linkage, cooling fan and final wiring. Soon I'll be able to fire this puppy up and test drive. Drive it around for testing to see where the cracks in the frame and other problems occur. Then, I'll disassemble everything for sandblast, cleaning and painting. Then reassemble everything for the finished car. I have plenty of time on my hands since I am recieving my union pension.. No driving to work. No work grind anymore. Every day is a Saturday to me.......But I have limited funds to finish for the project car now..... I think my next build will be a vw sandrail using ALL stock VW components......................................

I welded a bracket onto the crossmember and bolted the original T-Bird flex brake line. Then with an adapter I hooked up another flexline to the frame. I made a bracket to hold the line and bought some C-Clips to hold the line in place. I drilled a 3/4 inch hole in the bracket and welded it to the frame. Then C Clips are put in to hold everything in place. Next, the hard line steel brake lines are installed and hand bent to clear all the other stuff going forward to the cockpit. I'm waiting for the master cylinder to arrive that I ordered from the DOGHOUSE......

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