Author |
Message |
andrewvwclassic Samba Member
Joined: January 25, 2012 Posts: 920 Location: los angeles
|
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2015 4:01 am Post subject: |
|
|
Wow what a great build. I was gonna do a thread like this when I finished my project and post some pics from start to finish. I think your doing great so far. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
|
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 12:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Just wasn’t satisfied with the positioning of the fog lights. I really like them and the nice brackets, but they just stuck up too high and too far out. There’s no way to modify the brackets because they’re solid metal and I think they are more suited for the ’67 and earlier bumpers since those bumpers have an additional bar that sits on top of the bumper. So what I did to make them less obvious was to turn them in towards each other, putting the fog lights closer to the body and not protruding out past the bumper. Yeah, they still sit to high, but I think moving them makes them look less out of place.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
_________________ Our 1968 Zenith Blue Beetle: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619501
My '74 SB Build On The Samba: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=609943
Our Web Site: http://www.kentuckyhotwheels.com
1968 VW Beetle
2012 Turbo VW Beetle |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Chochobeef Samba Member
Joined: May 01, 2013 Posts: 811 Location: Ft. Worth, Texas
|
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 1:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Not sure that setup will work for you in the long run. How are you going to open the bonnet?
Did you try mounting them so they are on the underside of the bumper like normal driving/fog lights? It may look better and be functional.
I'd be interested in seeing photos of them on the underside of the bumper. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
|
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 1:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Chochobeef wrote: |
Not sure that setup will work for you in the long run. How are you going to open the bonnet?
Did you try mounting them so they are on the underside of the bumper like normal driving/fog lights? It may look better and be functional.
I'd be interested in seeing photos of them on the underside of the bumper. |
Clears the lights by at least an inch or so...I did try to mount them from the bottom...they had about half an inch of clearance from the concrete...lol _________________ Our 1968 Zenith Blue Beetle: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619501
My '74 SB Build On The Samba: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=609943
Our Web Site: http://www.kentuckyhotwheels.com
1968 VW Beetle
2012 Turbo VW Beetle |
|
Back to top |
|
|
sb001 Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2011 Posts: 10399 Location: NW Arkansas
|
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 2:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
That looks GREAT-- much MUCH better. That's something I wonder if I ever would've thought of.
As long as it's not blocking trunk lid access I'd say you're good to go! _________________ I'm the humblest guy on this board.
1969 autostick sedan, family owned since new
1600 SP engine
Solex 30 PICT 3 carburetor
Bosch 113905205AE autostick distributor |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Chochobeef Samba Member
Joined: May 01, 2013 Posts: 811 Location: Ft. Worth, Texas
|
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 3:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
houseofboyd wrote: |
Clears the lights by at least an inch or so...I did try to mount them from the bottom...they had about half an inch of clearance from the concrete...lol |
Sweet. Since they clear the hood, I say it was worth the nice look. Too bad about not being able to mount below. Can't wait to see your next piece(s) for the car. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
|
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 7:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Chochobeef wrote: |
houseofboyd wrote: |
Clears the lights by at least an inch or so...I did try to mount them from the bottom...they had about half an inch of clearance from the concrete...lol |
Sweet. Since they clear the hood, I say it was worth the nice look. Too bad about not being able to mount below. Can't wait to see your next piece(s) for the car. |
Thanks...got a couple of things on the way...next big project is door seals and rubber...really, really dreading this..every thread I've read leads me to believe it's going to be a pain in the arse...but it has to be done....all the other rubber/seals have already been replaced so at least the doors is the only thing left... _________________ Our 1968 Zenith Blue Beetle: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619501
My '74 SB Build On The Samba: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=609943
Our Web Site: http://www.kentuckyhotwheels.com
1968 VW Beetle
2012 Turbo VW Beetle |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Chochobeef Samba Member
Joined: May 01, 2013 Posts: 811 Location: Ft. Worth, Texas
|
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 6:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
Don't fret too much about the door seals. They aren't as bad as people make them out to be. There is a thread out there about refreshing your window track as you will probably want to do that to while you are at it.
It took me a few days to replace my passenger side only because i wanted to paint the window track and refresh its parts. The vent window rubber is probably the hardest part of it. Just take your time and you will be good. One of these days i'll get a build thread going as well.
Good luck and enjoy your beautiful bug.
CC |
|
Back to top |
|
|
houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
|
Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2015 2:07 pm Post subject: Not Everybody’s Cup Of Tea |
|
|
So I’ve been thinking for a while about what to do about this. Some time, probably back in the 70’s, somebody had installed a CB radio in the Beetle. I remember when it was cool to have a CB radio installed in your car, way before texting and cell phones. Anyhow, somewhere along the line, the CB was removed, leaving a hole in the hood where they had mounted the antenna. The hole was plugged with a solid rubber grommet. When and if I ever decided to get the Beetle painted, I’ll probably have the hole welded up and forgotten about. Until then I thought it’d be a cool place to mount a tachometer. Not many places on or around the dash for a tach, so I figured why not. Since it’s something that I’m not totally sure I’ll keep, I got a cheapo Bosch tach at Autozone to fill the bill. Easy enough the hook up. One wire to the coil, one hot wire, one to the light dimmer and one ground. The hardest part was getting the wire from the front of the car to the coil. I know this probably isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, but I’m digging it so far, whether or not it’ll be a permanent fixture is to be determined. Not worried about it getting wet...I'll be careful when I was Mabel and she's never out in the rain.... And yes, the hood opens no problem, the tach doesn't even come close to the windshield...
And here's a video...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/boydhouse/16742806227/ _________________ Our 1968 Zenith Blue Beetle: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619501
My '74 SB Build On The Samba: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=609943
Our Web Site: http://www.kentuckyhotwheels.com
1968 VW Beetle
2012 Turbo VW Beetle |
|
Back to top |
|
|
houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
|
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 6:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Had some time this afternoon and concentrated on getting the trunk area cleaned up a bit. No rust, but a lot of dust. Got the spare tire area cleaned up and washer fluid reservoir hooked up. Also installed a new wiring cover on the back side of the dash. The old one had seen better days and was cracked. I plan to make my own trunk liner just to make everything look a little cleaner. Have a couple of ideas floating around, once I commit to the project, I’ll put together a how to. I also dressed up the wiring on the new fog lights, they look a lot cleaner now. And I also moved the fog light indicator in the speedo opposite to the bright light indicator. Now, when the fog lights are on, the left side blue light is on, when the bright lights are, the regular right side blue light is on. Hope my bamboo parcel tray will be here Monday or Tuesday so I can get it installed.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/boydhouse/16340976053/ _________________ Our 1968 Zenith Blue Beetle: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619501
My '74 SB Build On The Samba: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=609943
Our Web Site: http://www.kentuckyhotwheels.com
1968 VW Beetle
2012 Turbo VW Beetle |
|
Back to top |
|
|
houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
|
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 8:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I’ve given a lot of thought about installing a radio in the Beetle. Unfortunately, most of today’s radios will not fit into the metal dash opening in the old Beetles. You can retro radios that will fit, but they’re very, very expensive. So I’ve opted to use my phone as my radio/mp3 player and I bought a EU Boom bluetooth speaker. This is a rechargeable, 360 degree speaker that has excellent sound quality. It’s design will allow me to place the speaker in the parcel tray for easy access. I was leaning towards a Boze bluetooth speaker that was actually a little cheaper, but the sound quality and design of the EU Boom changed my mind, plus it was only 20 dollars more.
_________________ Our 1968 Zenith Blue Beetle: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619501
My '74 SB Build On The Samba: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=609943
Our Web Site: http://www.kentuckyhotwheels.com
1968 VW Beetle
2012 Turbo VW Beetle |
|
Back to top |
|
|
houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
|
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 1:51 pm Post subject: 12 Volt Aux/USB Input |
|
|
One thing the ’68’s lacked was a cigarette lighter. Since I don’t smoke, I have no need for a cigarette lighter, but I do have a need for a 12 volt aux, better yet, a USB connection to charge my phone when needed since I’ll be using it as my radio/mp3 player. I was at our local auto parts store this morning looking for a license plate cover for my wife’s motorcycle and came across this 12 volt aux/usb input. I immediately thought it’d fit perfect underneath the ashtray and it was only 8 bucks, so I figure what the heck. I needed to clean up the nasty ashtray anyhow and since it had the autostick shift pattern decal that needed to come off, I thought it’d be a nice little project this afternoon. I was going to be cleaning up my fresh air box anyhow. The 12 volt aux/usb bracket fit perfectly underneath the ashtray just as I had hoped. I used high durable double sided tape to secure it after I cleaned up the ashtray a bit. Ran the ground wire into the ashtray which made for a perfect ground, one less wire to run. The hot wire runs through an existing hole that used at one time to mount a radio or CB, just made the hole a little bigger, inserted a rubber grommet, worked like a charm. I ran the hot wire to the back of the fuse panel to #2. It’s only hot when the key is on. I was going to have it continuously hot, but the USB unit has a little l.e.d. light that would stay on all of the time. Buttoned everything up, tested it and it’s perfect. Finished with a little cleanup of the fresh air box, then took her out for a drive around town, enjoying this nice spring weather! Waiting on the arrival of my bamboo parcel tray and bluetooth speaker. That’ll be next weekends project!
_________________ Our 1968 Zenith Blue Beetle: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619501
My '74 SB Build On The Samba: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=609943
Our Web Site: http://www.kentuckyhotwheels.com
1968 VW Beetle
2012 Turbo VW Beetle |
|
Back to top |
|
|
houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
|
Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 6:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Put the finishing touches on my 12 volt aux/USB connection for my bluetooth speaker and phone charger. Happy with the way it turned out. Also started making the template for my trunk liner. I decided to try and make my own not only to save costs but it’ll also be more durable than anything I can buy. I’m using corrugated plastic, then I’ll cover it with a heavy duty vinyl. I finished my first template this evening and I’m very pleased with the results. Still some tweaking to do, then I’ll try to cover it. So far, so good. I also got my UE Boom bluetooth speaker in the mail today. Love the sound output, it’ll be perfect for the car. The parcel tray should be here tomorrow, hope to get everything mounted and in place this weekend.
_________________ Our 1968 Zenith Blue Beetle: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619501
My '74 SB Build On The Samba: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=609943
Our Web Site: http://www.kentuckyhotwheels.com
1968 VW Beetle
2012 Turbo VW Beetle |
|
Back to top |
|
|
houseofboyd Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2014 Posts: 613 Location: Flatwoods, Ky
|
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 8:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
Got the new bamboo parcel tray that I ordered from cip1.com. Happy with the quality of the build, came with necessary hardware that I’ll have to figure out. Two screws are pretty self explanatory, but a large black rubber band that I’m not too sure about. Did a quick dry fit before leaving for work, love the look. Anybody know exactly what the rubber band is for? How does this thing install?
_________________ Our 1968 Zenith Blue Beetle: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619501
My '74 SB Build On The Samba: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=609943
Our Web Site: http://www.kentuckyhotwheels.com
1968 VW Beetle
2012 Turbo VW Beetle |
|
Back to top |
|
|
vernonc Samba Member
Joined: April 23, 2012 Posts: 681 Location: Parkersburg, WV..yes, I sold the boat
|
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 9:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
Maybe the rubber band is for 'extra horsepower' to offset the increase in weight.
Just a thought.
mort _________________ "Those who don't read newspapers are un-informed. Those who do read newspapers are mis-informed." Will Rogers
'69 sedan, low mileage, all original.....currently being 'freshened-up' for road trips and daily driving...just not every day
Freshening-up link http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=617386 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
sb001 Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2011 Posts: 10399 Location: NW Arkansas
|
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 11:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
Get a horn ring!!
Your bug looks incomplete with out _________________ I'm the humblest guy on this board.
1969 autostick sedan, family owned since new
1600 SP engine
Solex 30 PICT 3 carburetor
Bosch 113905205AE autostick distributor |
|
Back to top |
|
|
neil68 Samba Member
Joined: March 17, 2007 Posts: 3440 Location: Calgary, Canada
|
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 12:32 pm Post subject: 68 Beetle |
|
|
Fantastic thread, from a fellow '68 Beetle owner!
One small item I noticed. On the washer fluid bottle, some OEM retaining pins would clean up the look...then you wouldn't need to use cotter pins. Makes for quick easy removal of the bottle without tools and reduces vibration. Here's one advert (not mine):
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1599587 _________________ Neil.
Der Kleiner Rennwagens
68 Beetle 2332 cc, 204 WHP
12.5 seconds @ 107 mph
Dynojet Test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9B_H3eklAo |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|