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> 914 For Towing, What would it take?
McMark
post Aug 20 2003, 11:51 PM
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Recently I've been pondering my need for a vehicle to tow my projects around and I got to wondering what it would take to make a 914 into a tow vehicle. All I could come up with was a big torquey engine and a hitch which would probably have to be attached at the firewall since there's not much back at the end of the cars. Stiffer springs? Regeared transmission? Hopefully some of you with some tow capability experience can lend me some knowledge. Let's play with the idea. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
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EdwardBlume
post Aug 20 2003, 11:56 PM
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What and how much weight are you towing? I've seen a couple of AX trailers towed by a 914 - one by a custom bolt on hitch (where the rear bumper was), or by attaching a hitch to four points underneath the car.
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McMark
post Aug 21 2003, 12:01 AM
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I was thinking a full trailer for putting a car up on as well as the car itself (of course). But could you make a seriously heavy duty tow vehicle out of a 914? VW busses are supposed to be able to tow large loads.
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VegasRacer
post Aug 21 2003, 12:13 AM
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All you need to tow with a 914 is to relocate the mirrors to the front fender.


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EdwardBlume
post Aug 21 2003, 12:37 AM
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I'm sure it can be done, but you're going for a swim in untested waters. Would it be worth blowing a motor, twisting a frame, or the prep needed to make it work?

IMO.Nice idea. Buy an old chevy.
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seanery
post Aug 21 2003, 06:46 AM
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look at the passenger front tire.

It's almost lifting!
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Curvie Roadlover
post Aug 21 2003, 06:51 AM
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QUOTE(seanery @ Aug 21 2003, 04:46 AM)
look at the passenger front tire.

It's almost lifting!

Better put some sang bags in the front trunk if you want to be able to steer while going down the highway (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
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seanery
post Aug 21 2003, 06:54 AM
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waiting to rebuild whitey!
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I hauled an Olds 455 engine in the back of my 1980 VW Truck once.
It was hilarious, every expansion joint on the freeway caused the front (drive) wheels to lift!

To be young and stupid again!
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JWest
post Aug 21 2003, 06:55 AM
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I'm not too experienced at towing stuff, but aren't there some guidelines about the weight of the tow vehicle vs. what is being towed?
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Curvie Roadlover
post Aug 21 2003, 07:59 AM
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QUOTE(James Adams @ Aug 21 2003, 04:55 AM)
I'm not too experienced at towing stuff, but aren't there some guidelines about the weight of the tow vehicle vs. what is being towed?

If so, what would URY914's car be able to tow (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
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ArtechnikA
post Aug 21 2003, 08:06 AM
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QUOTE(Curvie Roadlover @ Aug 21 2003, 05:59 AM)
QUOTE(James Adams @ Aug 21 2003, 04:55 AM)
I'm not too experienced at towing stuff, but aren't there some guidelines about the weight of the tow vehicle vs. what is being towed?

If so, what would URY914's car be able to tow (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

helium balloons - and just a few ...
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cha914
post Aug 21 2003, 08:46 AM
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I don't think there is any way you are towing a car with a 914...sure you could do it, but you would end up with a 914 that looked like a truck, sounded like a truck, and drove like a truck. Cause you would need a v8, a heavy duty tranny (maybe a vw Bus tranny would work?) and a lift with stiff springs, and then you would have to add huge tires, wheels, brakes, and reinforce the whole rear of the car.

It could be a fun project, but I would suggest starting with a basket case, or one that has been hit in the rear, cause you are going to have to redo that whole end anyway.

It would be much easier to start with some american iron, or maybe a big merc (if you wanna stick with a german car) for a tow vehicle...

good luck,

Tony
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boxstr
post Aug 21 2003, 08:59 AM
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By removing the rear bumper on a 75-76 914 you are looking at a built in tow assembly. Just bolt on a tow bar and take a test drive to make sure those bumper shocks don't pop out and there you go.
CCLINUHAULTOWN


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McMark
post Aug 21 2003, 09:01 AM
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It would just be too funny to have a meaty tow sports car. If I did it someday I'd make a tow only 914 and do all the crazy stuff to it. It'd be a fun project and the results would be hilarious. I'd love to see a 914 that's been lifted with big knobby tires. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol2.gif) But I think I could get away with a stock engine and stock transmission (different gears). You'd never look at a 914 the same way after seeing the 914 tow truck.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap56.gif)
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Curvie Roadlover
post Aug 21 2003, 09:04 AM
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I'm not so sure that's a good idea, CC. Those 5 mph shocks are designed to take a "push" not a "pull" load. Seems like asking for trouble to attach anything but the rear bumper to those.
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boxstr
post Aug 21 2003, 09:05 AM
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This is a 914 for towing, or is that for towing 914.
CCLINTOWDOLLYTOWN


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Curvie Roadlover
post Aug 21 2003, 09:07 AM
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So are you suggesting that to tow a jeep you should attach it to your front tires and tow it in reverse?
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boxstr
post Aug 21 2003, 09:09 AM
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You may be correct on the "push pull" thing. There was a post on the list sometime back and a 914 owner was going to install the 75-76 shocks on the front so he could pull his car. Like I wrote, road test first and see if it works?? If not secure the shocks so they stay in placemeaning no "push pull". Seems like a pretty beefy area to secure to.
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boxstr
post Aug 21 2003, 09:10 AM
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Better gear ratio and torque from the 914.
CCLINSPEEDSTOWING
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Lawrence
post Aug 21 2003, 10:13 AM
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Mike Z had a tow hitch fabbed into the Rocket, once upon a time. Maybe he'll chime in.
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