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zwartePiets
Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2009
Posts: 65
Location: Austin Texas
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 Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2025 5:33 pm Post subject: 1976 Mexican Thing |
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I am looking at a thing and curious if parts from a 1974 would be the same on the 1976 or is going to be an issue finding parts. I have seen a few people post about having these Mexican things and thought I would ask. I am looking at doing brakes, wiring, some suspension and a few other things.
Also did seats change at all in the Thing? The current owner has had issues installing seat covers from a 74 on the 76 frames. Ever hear of this issues? |
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el_safari
Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2005
Posts: 397
Location: Nouvelle Aquitaine,France
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2025 5:28 am Post subject: Re: 1976 Mexican Thing |
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I own a 1976 mexican made 181 and it is for me like a 1974 except that a have a locking cover for the glove box. 
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La terre n'est qu'un seul pays |
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Semper_Dad
Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2005
Posts: 3535
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2025 2:07 pm Post subject: Re: 1976 Mexican Thing |
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| zwartePiets wrote: |
I am looking at a thing and curious if parts from a 1974 would be the same on the 1976 or is going to be an issue finding parts. I have seen a few people post about having these Mexican things and thought I would ask. I am looking at doing brakes, wiring, some suspension and a few other things.
Also did seats change at all in the Thing? The current owner has had issues installing seat covers from a 74 on the 76 frames. Ever hear of this issues? |
Are you sure the seats to your 76 are original? Could have been swapped out with Beetle seat along the way. I believe the bottom spring assembly was a bit taller on 181s although a whole Beetle seat (71-72) will still fit in the tracks.
Only major change I am aware of for the 181 was the change in the engine bay in anticipation for a fuel injected engine. This required some differet engine tin on the engine to fit the modified rectangular hole in the engine bay Oh, yeh,......glove compartment cover was added.
Question,... What kind of heating system do you have? Separate Gas heater (like 73 and older), Beetle style like 74? Or,.....simply none.
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Walküre Restoration Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737492 |
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zwartePiets
Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2009
Posts: 65
Location: Austin Texas
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2025 4:20 pm Post subject: Re: 1976 Mexican Thing |
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Front what I was told the seat covers where not tall enough to cover the upper seat backs so maybe it was just not fitted correctly. They are low back so possibly late beetle uppers cut down?
It has a gas heater at one point from what I was told but it was gone already. |
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zwartePiets
Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2009
Posts: 65
Location: Austin Texas
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| Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2025 6:55 am Post subject: Re: 1976 Mexican Thing |
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| One last question, it looks like the rear engine tin is different then most years. Saw something it was changed in anticipation for fuel injection. IF that is correct any leads where to fine that tin? It is missing in this car. |
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SilverThing 
Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2004
Posts: 842
Location: Everett
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| Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2025 8:18 pm Post subject: Re: 1976 Mexican Thing |
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The engine compartment on later 181 is the same shape as 75-79 fuel injected beetles (US and Japanese market). In beetle, the head tin is shaped to fit the opening. On the 181, for unknown reasons, the factory used a little triangular shaped tin to fill the gap.
The triangle filler tin wouldn't be hard to make yourself. Use some stiff paper or cardboard to make a template and cut out sheet metal to match. The tin uses the same screws that attach the cylinder tin to the heads. If you want to really replicate it, curve down a little lip for the engine seal to grab.
If you just want to buy something, the easiest will probably be finding fuel injected cylinder tins here in the classifieds.
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"I like how everyone likes talking about Zeke's Thing yet he's the only one that's ever seen it." - Katie
"I've seen pictures..." - Jeremy |
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el_safari
Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2005
Posts: 397
Location: Nouvelle Aquitaine,France
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zwartePiets
Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2009
Posts: 65
Location: Austin Texas
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| Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2025 1:34 pm Post subject: Re: 1976 Mexican Thing |
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| Y'all are awesome thanks for the info. |
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