(5/26/2002) - On my way back to college last week, I noticed my bug was making an odd knocking noise from the engine - it wasn't extremely loud, and it sounded like it was just a loose valve at first...  I readjusted the valves, but that didn't fix it!  Unfortunately I didn't have enough time to try to fix it/figure it out so I had to drive it.  By the time I got TO college, the knock was horrendously LOUD!  Luckily walking to classes is not a very big deal, so I decided I would not drive it until I figured it out.  I tried several things (including listening to the engine with an automotive stethoscope, but still could not pinpoint the noise - sounds like a rod or loose flywheel).  I decided last week "better safe than sorry" so I welded up a tow-bar and towed it home, and took another vehicle to school.  After July 7th I should have enough time to pull the engine and split the case (if needed) to figure it out.  I hope its something easy to fix, but even if it isn't I will still fix it (who knows - if I get some $$$$$ maybe I might even upgrade a little........).  Right now this page just has a few pics of the tow bar I welded up - once I fix the car I will upload the pics & info.

Considering the tools had to be hauled over 220 miles, I guess I was pretty prepared :-)  Working out in the hot sun for a couple days gave me a nice painful sunburn.

For the lights I just used the 4 baja units already on the cage - it was real easy to hook up because they were already plugged into the car with trailer connectors.  I found the easiest way to run the wire was to put it in the drip rail (with a little tension it did fall out on the way home.)

Here's the tow bar in its almost completed state.  Everything except the actual hitch part was bought from home depot (some of the steel I already had).  This unit is way more heavy duty than what you would find at a VW shop - although it probably would have been worth the money to just buy one.

This is what it looks like on the car.  It does hang out kinda' low underneath so I will take it off when its not in use.

The 'normal' tow bar for supers uses 6 bolts, mine only uses 4 - you can see why in the pic.  In case your wondering 4 is PLENTY; I towed the bug home at 75mph (for 3 hours) with NO trouble.

Now I should probably bead-blast and paint the tow bar to keep it just-in-case. 

I will post the info an pics of what I find sometime after July 7th.