Front trans strap install... any advice/tips?

[bugnut68]

I'm just looking to save myself any headaches by seeking out some pre-part installation advice.  Bought a Bugpack padded front trans strap for my '70 Bug at the advice of VW Paradise's Scott Lauffer.  Just wanted to know if there's any advice I should keep in mind when I go to install it, anything to make the job a little easier?  Trying to plan ahead for next weekend's or perhaps sometime this week in the evening's driveway endeavors on the car. 

[bugnut68]

Pretty please?

[stealth67vw]

Use safety glasses to keep crap from falling in your eyes.

A lot of people say they don't work, but I had less wheel hop with a Bugpack strap and traction bar than my Berg mid mount and traction bar.

[Jim Ratto]

front straps work John. Remember the night I raced Marks Thunderbird SC @ Raymond? Aftet that I switched over to Bus travel stops.

[bugnut68]

I thought I read somewhere that the straps are kind of a pain to install, just trying to avoid any more frustration than necessary with some foresight.

[stealth67vw]

front straps work John. Remember the night I raced Marks Thunderbird SC @ Raymond? Aftet that I switched over to Bus travel stops.

Remember when I broke my 1st gear at Sears Point? I had just switched to the Berg mount the Friday before we drove up there. Mike Collins told me "This fucker isn't gonna stop the hop unless you solid mount it, you shoulda left the strap on", and then Monday morning I had to hear it from him again as he fixed my trans. 

[Jim Ratto]

front straps work John. Remember the night I raced Marks Thunderbird SC @ Raymond? Aftet that I switched over to Bus travel stops.

Remember when I broke my 1st gear at Sears Point? I had just switched to the Berg mount the Friday before we drove up there. Mike Collins told me "This fucker isn't gonna stop the hop unless you solid mount it, you shoulda left the strap on", and then Monday morning I had to hear it from him again as he fixed my trans. 

of course I remember. We all had high hopes your little demon was going to rip off a mid 13. Thing sounded like a fricking bike motor that morning. I was bummed to not get to see it cook the V8's that day.
Darrell's boss' car had bad wheel hop with Berg intermediate mount when it was rubber blocked. They put solid sleeves in and no more hop. I have the intermediate mount in my car, and no hop, but it's the solid mount one that welds to horns. No hop... it just vibrates your manifolds to dust.

[Donny B.]

I think the problem with the Berg intermediate mount is that the proper rubber mounts are no longer available.  Steve Hollingsworth gave me some rubber mounts that were for a bay window bus.  I don't know if they are transmission mounts or engine mounts, but the rubber is very hard.  They are almost impossible to find anymore, but they work well.  They have VW part numbers on them.  Jim you should be able to figure them out.  They are the perfect size for the Berg mount.  I bet if everyone was running the there would be no complaints.  Of course I also run the engine support bar that some folks try to get away without. 

[Jim Ratto]

probably 211 599 431 upper trans mounts for 72-79 Bus.

[bugnut68]

I thought I read somewhere that the straps are kind of a pain to install, just trying to avoid any more frustration than necessary with some foresight.

To reiterate...lol... are there any tips I should keep in mind when trying to install the nosecone/front trans strap kit?  It's a Bugpack kit, and I'm just looking to save myself any undue frustration.

[Jim Ratto]

I've put them in half a dozen cars, I don't rememebr wanting to kill myself after the install. It's not that bad.

[bugnut68]

I've put them in half a dozen cars, I don't rememebr wanting to kill myself after the install. It's not that bad.

That's reassurring...   I'd just heard rumors that they can be a bit of a bear, so I figured I'd inquire.

[Jim Ratto]

I've put them in half a dozen cars, I don't rememebr wanting to kill myself after the install. It's not that bad.

That's reassurring...   I'd just heard rumors that they can be a bit of a bear, so I figured I'd inquire.

maybe working in 29 Palms, CA in July with car parked over a mud puddle in the dark when it's 104F out and rabid dogs are loose on your street during a sandstorm.

[bugnut68]

I've put them in half a dozen cars, I don't rememebr wanting to kill myself after the install. It's not that bad.

That's reassurring...   I'd just heard rumors that they can be a bit of a bear, so I figured I'd inquire.

maybe working in 29 Palms, CA in July with car parked over a mud puddle in the dark when it's 104F out and rabid dogs are loose on your street during a sandstorm.

Sweet,  I feel a lot better about it already.  Lol.  Locals are recommending I just run solid mounts, but I'm not so much a fan on a street car. Lol.

[Jim Ratto]

"WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!"

[bugnut68]

"WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!"

'Zachery!   Oh, wait, hold on, something bolted to the car just fell off, gotta go pick it up and the bolts that rattled loose.

[stealth67vw]

I've put them in half a dozen cars, I don't rememebr wanting to kill myself after the install. It's not that bad.

That's reassurring...   I'd just heard rumors that they can be a bit of a bear, so I figured I'd inquire.

maybe working in 29 Palms, CA in July with car parked over a mud puddle in the dark when it's 104F out and rabid dogs are loose on your street during a sandstorm.

....and your almost out of beer and your wife/girlfriend is bitching at you for spending more time with your VW than her.

They bolt up fairly easy.