all kick panels the same?

[Clara]

[busdaddy]

68 has the largest cutout as it used a wide flat reservoir:

69-70 has a smaller one:

71-72 has no cutout as the reservoir move to behind the seat:

73+ may have a cutout for the fuse box, I can't recall, I'll have a look.

_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

Слава Україні!

[Clara]

Thank you!

[wcfvw69]

[Clara]

Yes I am, and trying to figure out how many patterns I need to sort out. And also what to call the different patterns. Looks like I have the 69-70, and the 71-72 (71-79?)

At some point they dropped the little lever you kick up/ down for heat to defrost or foot vents, so they probably dropped the notch for that too.
I don't think 73 had that.

I'll be checking out buses at the show in Portland this weekend.

[busdaddy]

73 was when the defrost changed from kick to dash control but the lever is still there, just shorter with a cable on the end, I'll look at a 73 next time I'm near one to see if the panel changed.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

Слава Україні!

[wcfvw69]

I've seen some of your beautiful panels in other buses and would be interested in losing the cheap, ABS plastic, POS panels in my 70.

What are you making them out of? What's the final finish? I haven't seen what the originals were like.
_________________
Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc

Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.

**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours**

[RixiesRide]

I can upload a picture of my '73 driver's side to the gallery if you'd like.
_________________
1973 Wild Westerner "Mr. Peabody"
1967 Beetle "Sherman"

http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a269/RixiesRide/WW/

[Clara]

[RixiesRide]

Clara, I added the pics to the gallery but my smartphone isn't cooperating this morning so I'm only getting part of the link to copy.

It looks like your kick panel on the bottom is correct.
_________________
1973 Wild Westerner "Mr. Peabody"
1967 Beetle "Sherman"

http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a269/RixiesRide/WW/

[werksberg]

[skills@eurocarsplus]

^^^I agree

the fiber panels look like shredded wheat on the edges trying to get them in.

good luck getting any vinyl to stick

the werksburg panels are like rubber bands. twist, fold, snap, bang DONE. I love them and have used about 6 sets at this point. no chichi looking flaky ends
_________________

[werksberg]

[Clara]

Haven't kept an eye on this thread, so delayed comment here.
It's not too tricky to install these kick panels. Not sure what is meant by a lower channel... I didn't see a lower channel on a Bay window bus. Maybe that's talking about a split bus? They fit fine there. I didn't have a shredded wheat experience. Maybe if you use them as a walking stick?

If you want to upholster them you might try upholstery glue. I've done upholstered panels in full sets for split microbuses, but haven't done that with the bay buses.
Most people seem to want the more budget friendly version, and upholstered with vinyl would cost more than painted black.

What I learned about installing under dash bay kicks:
1) Put center end by heater tube in first,
2) Attach screw by heater vent but don't snug it down
3) Bend the panel so there is a bulge towards you, and fit the outer edge into the slot near the door.
4) Lift outer edge so screw holes in panel line up with screw holes in bus. A pokey thing and a flashlight helps.
5) Hold lower edge and pop bulge of panel forward.
6) Install last two screws, snug all screws

If screw holes are not pre-drilled, or you don't want to bother with the screws, ignore some of the steps.
It's not like they will fall out if you don't screw them in place.
_________________
The Obsolete Air-Cooled Documentation Project http://oacdp.org/

[Clara]

I my quest to actually make all the versions of the panels rather fewer versions in the one-size-fits-all concept, I am still figuring out details.
Wouldn't mind a little help.
It seems there are *two* versions of kick panels 73-79 with the heater control on the dash. Any idea when the change below was made?


Smaller notch for the heater control:

Larger notch for the heater control:

_________________
The Obsolete Air-Cooled Documentation Project http://oacdp.org/

[Amskeptic]

Here is a factory 1978 kick panel.
It has the deep cut-out at the floor/defrost flap lever.
Colin

_________________
www.itinerant-air-cooled.com

[Hoody]

I have recently restored my original kick panels back to like new condition. Granted I am over the top when it comes to originality. It was a nerve testing experience to say the least. I took care of the original issues of the water absorbent qualities of the press board with modern sealers and the pain staking process of sealing the edges with fiberglass resin. The backs and edges are now bullet proof from moisture. To Clara I would happily trace my original kick panels and send you the patterns. The thickness of the board and its ability to flex is the key. If I was reproducing these I would sell them bare not painted. Those of us that are hard core sticklers would have them covered in the closest available vinyl. Painting them would greatly mess up the adhesion of the vinyl. I can mic the thickness and send you patterns if you like from my 78 Westy. There are a few of us that care about such details. I am not knocking anyone's products. But for me ABS does not cut it. Let me know if I can help.

[Xevin]

Or you take me up on my offer and take my 72 or 76 panels out when I'm in Olympia and make your own patterns. You just have to put them back in
_________________
Keep on Busin'

[Hoody]

Is it me or is it absolutely maddening to see a post about a common question and up pops Howdy Doody plugging his products....which I have seen the samples and are fine for those that don't give a shit about originality. For the majority of the VW crowd the abs panels are the way to go.....trying to be nice here....however is there a need to bust out the my product is better then yours mentality every chance one gets to plug their product? I could be BRUTALLY honest and give my opinion as to why any Bus owner would install highly flamable engine sound deadening panels above their type 4 or type 2 engine which neither sound deaden what so ever and GREATLY increase the god forbid ensuing engine fire making a bad situation worse. Ummmm.....plastic melts and drips and is far more toxic then wood. It doesn't sound deaden anything. Perhaps you should take a class in basic physics. If your going to slam others for pursueing "original" ways of recreating parts that you peddle....it's not good form to tought your products as state of the art when in fact they rank up their with the CIPI 1 mentality that if I can sell it cheap and enough people buy my Mickey Mouse product I am in a win win. Tell me how well your ABS holds up to cold weather? Oops your kid rested his foot on it....brittle and broken. Can you affix vinyl to it....nope but bullshit will sell it. The engine sound deadening panels made out of ABS plastic are a complete fucking joke....but there is a sucker born every day. For those that's want to put speakers in their kick panels which is a terrible place to put them to begin with, and those that want to put speakers in the bottoms of their door panels.....also another terrible place to put a speaker....there are all different levels of restorers and refreshers. And there are those that believe what they read and go on price point alone. My advice to you is to not slam someone who is trying to make some money building a better mouse trap. Sorry to be so up front and harsh....but honestly since we are throwing stones....your product will do just fine for the majority of the VW crowd that just wants to fill the void. For those of us that take it seriously.....um I would rather leave the area empty and wait Til a quality near perfect piece showed up on my door. Seriously now that the gloves are off...your selling flexible textured plastic....period. The next time you
attempt to plug your products after trolling for the opportunity to do so I highly suggest you don't put down someone else who is actually making the product out of original materials....who has been doing this a loooong time before you decided you were the foremost authority on plastic....which VW NEVER used in ANY of your products. So this is a friendly heads up. If you want to stay competitive....you should never have to put down what you perceive to be competition or a threat to your business. You only end up looking like an ass.

[Keith]

☝🏻️THIS!

Also, he dug up a thread that was nearly 2 years old to bash the person, I had considered buying his product for my bus, but after seeing his response to her post, I may change my mind. That's NOT a good way to sell your product and you just come off like an ignorant asshole, whether you are or not, regardless of what your actual intention was.
_________________
Formerly known in the forums as "OVALTEEN"

"I firmly believe that some villagers from Botswana could probably build a better road than PennDot."- Splitty

"If you do anything to your car someone will hate on you for it. People absolutely love to complain and find fault with others. Don't let it bother you. Just live and have fun."- Lind