looking for a thing but..

[ferry]

:?: hi folks ! ive just sold my old baywindow to buy me a thing ..can you guys tell me the bad rusty places to look out for ..
what are the real expensive parts ..,and whats a real problem on this car..
so i have a little background information when i am going to shop for one thank you !! from the netherlands
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alias wob61
1972 type2 ,1961 bug ,type3 squareback`1973
military vw 181 thing 1978 , 1958 panelvan T1

[bucko]

Floorpans, like other air cooled VW's can be a rust issue on Things, but since the Things share the same pan as Karmann Gia's, they can be purchased and replaced. Fenders are another issue. Since you live over the "other side of the big blue pond", you'll be most likely buying a Military Thing, and if you plan to keep it to military standards, then those fenders had 3 metal clip like units welded around the outer diameter of the headlight (to hold a cover). Fenders rusting are very common on the things.

The battery area is also a place to look, and back around the engine area can have some rot.

[suntour]

Common rust spots I have seen are;

1. Lower windshield frame
2. Sides of the front torsion beam (between the trailing arms)
3. Rockers panels especially where they touch the fenders
4. Floor pans,
5. above rear fenders.

Expensive parts are the Thing only stuff that seems to wear out pretty commonly.

1. wiper motor
2. BN4 heater
3. side curtains
4. top frame (the fabric top however isn’t so expensive in my opinion)
5. front ball joints

Other common problems are the crappy brakes and the rear drums are Thing only. Everything else is just your average Bug problems.

Overall any body damage is expensive since they don’t make any after market sheet metal parts for Things. However doors seem to be pretty cheap though.
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Order of the Voodoo Spoon

[ferry]

thank for the quick reply ! it seems that the thing has almost the same rusty areas as a type 2 ..
and yes indeed it will be a german military thing ,as they are in pretty good shape ..civilian things are really ,really hard to find here !! ..
i do know that www.csp-shop.de from germany has some sheetmetal for the thing but nothing like a bonnet or doors .
i saw some second hand doors overhere for 15 euro (about ten dollar ?)
thanks again and ill post some pictures ,when the project is in my garage.. :D
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alias wob61
1972 type2 ,1961 bug ,type3 squareback`1973
military vw 181 thing 1978 , 1958 panelvan T1