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strelnik
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Joined: October 01, 2010
Posts: 352
Location: Michigan
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 Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 11:20 am Post subject: A crazy but serious idea |
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I have been looking at the accesses in the Thing rear (engine) compartment and I started to wonder:
Has anyone ever just cut the back off and hinged it on, for easy access? Or cut it off and screwed or pinned it back on?
It seems that if there were quick disconnect lines on the lights, the rest would not be that bad, especially with a little planning.
there was a TR-7 in which the entire front clip hinged forward to service anything on the engine or trans.
Just wondering if that wouldn't be a mod adding to serviceability AND coolness?
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doublecanister
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Joined: September 23, 2008
Posts: 1184
Location: Richmond, Va
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 11:24 am Post subject: Re: A crazy but serious idea |
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| strelnik wrote: |
I have been looking at the accesses in the Thing rear (engine) compartment and I started to wonder:
Has anyone ever just cut the back off and hinged it on, for easy access? Or cut it off and screwed or pinned it back on?
It seems that if there were quick disconnect lines on the lights, the rest would not be that bad, especially with a little planning.
there was a TR-7 in which the entire front clip hinged forward to service anything on the engine or trans.
Just wondering if that wouldn't be a mod adding to serviceability AND coolness? |
and one with a "tilt" open no doubt! LOL
That would be cool!
the only mod I have seen is the one Sam has on his THING where the area
below the engine lid can be removed with the bumper.
draw it up!
T
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Jonny Rock
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Joined: October 18, 2013
Posts: 52
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 12:44 pm Post subject: |
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I think the lower apron "bolt on" mod is a better answer. It makes the removal/installation considerably easier, as the vehicle does not have be raised as high to clear the apron.
I have not performed the apron mod on my Thing, but I performed the mod on my Oval. I believe that it is a common mod on the early Buses too. |
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Turk.380 
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Joined: June 22, 2009
Posts: 320
Location: St. Louis
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 1:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Jonny Rock wrote: |
I have not performed the apron mod on my Thing, but I performed the mod on my Oval. I believe that it is a common mod on the early Buses too. |
early Type II's (and late up to '71 I think?) had bolt-on aprons from the factory.
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St. Louis, MO
'64 SO-33 Hatch Top Westy | '87 Syncro Westy: Subaru EZ30D powered | 2002 VW Winnebago Vista |
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GI Joe
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Joined: April 28, 2005
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Location: Athens, TN
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Jonny Rock
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Joined: October 18, 2013
Posts: 52
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 1:47 pm Post subject: |
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| stl_stadtroller wrote: |
| Jonny Rock wrote: |
I have not performed the apron mod on my Thing, but I performed the mod on my Oval. I believe that it is a common mod on the early Buses too. |
early Type II's (and late up to '71 I think?) had bolt-on aprons from the factory. |
You are probably correct. I have never owned a bus or removed an engine from one, so I do not have any first hand experience. I imagine the change came with the Type IV engine. |
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Jonny Rock
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Joined: October 18, 2013
Posts: 52
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 1:53 pm Post subject: |
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| GI Joe wrote: |
I did the remove able apron, with hidden hardware... Made engine install a breeze, and saved the paint work from getting banged up(on tin And body)..
Check my thread below for pics...  |
Looks like it is pretty straightforward.
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GI Joe
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Location: Athens, TN
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citroen
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Joined: February 28, 2010
Posts: 1578
Location: louisville ky
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 8:53 pm Post subject: |
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this might work
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GI Joe
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Posts: 2012
Location: Athens, TN
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| Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 5:56 am Post subject: |
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That'll work Dennis!!? 
@Strelnik, not having Our Thing close, I can't offer too much specifics, but I think it would be cool....
With the earmuffs on a '74, the seam could be hidden behind them(they stay attached to main tub) and then the portion rear of the firewall gets pulled rearward, or hinged Up... Either way would clear everything Very easily ...
You'd certainly get plenty of attention(good and bad) at the shows... I'd do it, but it'll have to wait till I get to my next redo of Our Thing..... That'll be a while!
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strelnik
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Joined: October 01, 2010
Posts: 352
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 6:07 am Post subject: |
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[quote="citroen"]this might work
[
Dennis, that's a great idea, but wouldn't it require a hydraulic system to lift the body and then suspend it?
I don't thinbk I could use my Bilstein jack to do that!
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GI Joe
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strelnik
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Joined: October 01, 2010
Posts: 352
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 8:31 am Post subject: |
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[quote="GI Joe"]
| strelnik wrote: |
| citroen wrote: |
this might work
[
Dennis, that's a great idea, but wouldn't it require a hydraulic system to lift the body and then suspend it?
I don't thinbk I could use my Bilstein jack to do that! |
Two guys should be able to pivot it up, enough to have someone lock a retention bar that supports it raised.. |
Hi Dennis,
The advantage to that system is great structural integrity. although it would be necessary to reinforce everything.
But how do you work the detaching of the body? The rest of the time, the body wou;ld be loose, or you'd have to have several main attaching points. There still would be a need for some type of up-front hinge. I think. .
The flip side-- my original thought-- was to hinge only the rear portion to provide access to the engine. Kind of a flip-up thing.
You have no idea how anxious I am to retire and start working on these full time!!!
Does anyone have contact info for the gentleman who owns this Thing?
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GI Joe
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Ron Domeck
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Joined: August 05, 2007
Posts: 1466
Location: louisville Ky
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| Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 9:49 am Post subject: |
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| Try John at [email protected] Tell him Ron said Hi. |
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kubelmann
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Joined: April 13, 2003
Posts: 3266
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| Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 10:03 am Post subject: |
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| Herr K may have blown rear seal. If so, I will be doing this type of mod soon. That 1915 goes in n’ out of the Thing about like swapping out a space shuttle launch motor. Without the centre member would come out in one piece. That would be great. |
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strelnik
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Posts: 352
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:04 pm Post subject: |
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| kubelmann wrote: |
| Herr K may have blown rear seal. If so, I will be doing this type of mod soon. That 1915 goes in n’ out of the Thing about like swapping out a space shuttle launch motor. Without the centre member would come out in one piece. That would be great. |
Needless to say, I would be interested.
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strelnik
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Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:05 pm Post subject: |
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will do! tyvm!
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GI Joe
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mr white
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Location: beautiful Oregon & Mohave County, AZ
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| Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 8:40 pm Post subject: |
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| On the topic title not a hi-jack! Roll cage. My thing happens to be in the featured ad for heavy duty repro nato guards for sale. The cage in it is sweet. However I cannot put the hardtop on it as it is. My thoughts are to cut it and use pins so to speak to secure it as it is in that pic and to bring it down and pin it in winter for the hardtop. Any input?? Maybe use sleeves of sorts? |
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