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Sat Mar 17, 2012 7:49 pm

as the topic states i require the owners manual for my 1971 thing
found one for 1973 model but not for 1971.
is there any difference b/w them?
if some one can upload it i will be really grateful

Sat Mar 17, 2012 10:24 pm

Probably quite a bit of differences on anything 72 and older. Things like engine specs (dual port v single port), Transaxle (swing axle v IRS), RGBs, there's also a special rear suspension swaybar (for lack of a better term). For older than 72s I don't think the Wiper switch wasn't mounted on the steering column but rather on the dash. So some small electrical differences as well.

Was it a former military vehicle? Things were imported into the US only in 73 and 74 so finding a English version may prove difficult. Spanish maybe.

I find that the owner's manual is more of a novelty than anything else. What you can't find here you can pretty much figure out using common sense.

Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:15 pm

i want to know the genuine design of the 1971 floor pan

the thing is i found th pan and asked him to make one like this
http://www.jbugs.com/product/141701061.html?Category_Code=vw-thing-floor-pans
but he says this pan is not correct.according to him this came with 1973 onward VW THING
1969 to 1971 had floor same as the old beetle but wider
can some please explain wats the truth

Mon Mar 19, 2012 9:19 pm

bravo122 wrote: i want to know the genuine design of the 1971 floor pan

the thing is i found th pan and asked him to make one like this
http://www.jbugs.com/product/141701061.html?Category_Code=vw-thing-floor-pans
but he says this pan is not correct.according to him this came with 1973 onward VW THING
1969 to 1971 had floor same as the old beetle but wider
can some please explain wats the truth

I don't believe an "owner's manual" is going to be detailed enough to give floorpan dimensions.

From my understanding Karmann Ghia floor-pans will fit ALL model years of the 181. The original 181 floor will have a different pattern for the reinforcement ridges however they are dimensionally the same as the Ghias.

These pictures are not exactly to scale but you can see that the top of the pan is shaped differently. Ghia and 181 pans are wider than bug pans.

Tue Mar 20, 2012 7:27 pm

the shape will be that of the VW THING.i am confused about the pattern on the floor

Tue Mar 20, 2012 10:02 pm

The pattern on the floor is simply for strength and rigidity. Keeps the floor from "oil-canning" and "popping". If it were pefectly flat the floor would wobble around and seats would probably tilt. The Thing pan has more ribs and waffling because it's wider than a Bug pan.

There is a dip in the floor where the seat rails attach.

Guess I don't understand your question.

Thu Mar 29, 2012 12:42 am

all cleared now
thanks

but still require owners manual for 1971 thing i am in no mood to pay fo the manual :roll:

Thu Mar 29, 2012 8:47 am

I suppose to make this thread useful, the question of whether a "Owner's Manual" for a 71 181 actually exists. What language(s) would it be in? Were the ones delievered in Mexico delievered with one to the owner?

To the OP. There is an owner's manual available for download in the Technical section of this forum. It's for a 73 though. With some exceptions to some engine, transmission, and suspension differences, it should cover most of what you need.

Wasn't there a NATO field manual on the 181? English version?

Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:40 am

Although I have a 11"x17" full Color detailed wiring diagram Schaltplan VW-Modell 181 / M63 ab August 1971 chapter 1 -11 (from the Military shop manual) (539.610.00 Printed in Germany 2/72) I have not seen a 71 owner's manual (I have seen some early Safari owner's manuals in Spanish but do not remember the date right now) 1971 Bug owner's manuals are available for about $20.

The NATO War Department Technical Manual you referred to is: TM-E9-803 6 June 1944 German Volkswagen (The Kubelwagen not the Thing) This document along with the above mentioned wiring diagram and ton of other stuff is included on the RoMTOC Thing Data CD. It is the best single source of information on the Thing. Check it out at :

http://romtoc.com/romtoc-thing-data-cd.html

Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:05 am

kubelmann wrote: The NATO War Department Technical Manual you referred to is: TM-E9-803 6 June 1944 German Volkswagen (The Kubelwagen not the Thing) This document along with the above mentioned wiring diagram and ton of other stuff is included on the RoMTOC Thing Data CD. It is the best single source of information on the Thing. Check it out at :

http://romtoc.com/romtoc-thing-data-cd.html

I knew about the Kubel manual. Thought there might have been one for the 181 seeing how US (and NATO) had a big presence in Germany during the cold war.

Thu Mar 29, 2012 2:21 pm

I have a NOS 1972 in english. Has gear reduction axles, some pics has bus wheels some has Thing wheels, small grab handle, early silver wipers. What looks like a dual port engine.

Thu Mar 29, 2012 2:26 pm

Ron Domeck wrote: I have a NOS 1972 in english. Has gear reduction axles, some pics has bus wheels some has Thing wheels, small grab handle, early silver wipers. What looks like a dual port engine.

Any idea where the intended delivery location was?

Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:45 pm

This has specs in KM. Printed in Germany and has one comment "Caution In Germany driving on public roads with the doors removed is not permitted for safety reasons"

Mon Apr 02, 2012 10:18 pm

i want a pdf version or scanned copy
@ron
can u scan the manual of 72 and post it please!!

Wed Apr 11, 2012 5:38 am

Sorry, I can't even post a picture so I have no way to copy this.

Sat Apr 14, 2012 7:23 am

Perhaps it would be in the best interest for this thread to move down the index and no further posts be made.

Bravo, you may want to make this request at a later time. Things to consider are whether people have the time, equipment, skills or even inclination to honor your requests. Sincere delivery of questions mean a lot.

I for one have no problem continuing to answer any direct questions you may have or I may have knowledge of. I wish you luck in your restoration and curious exactly on how and what your plans are. Maybe a good idea would be to start a thread detailing exactly what you are doing. That way you are giving to the community. People will feel more obliged to give back.

Having traveled much of the world I've discovered that no race or culture has a monopoly on rudeness or arrogance. We all share both the good and bad sides of humanity. I sense that your eagerness to finish your project, language and some cultural differences may have come across wrong.

Once again, Good luck

Sat Apr 14, 2012 8:58 am

Moderator note:
I did some cleanup of this thread as we were getting off the topic.

If anyone has any owner's manual that is not on the site and can provide scans, I would like to add it to the site. Please email or PM me. Or if you are willing to lend me the manual via the mail, I can scan it myself. I will pay all postage fees.