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glideking Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2013 Posts: 990 Location: California
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Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 12:27 pm Post subject: 1959 Single Cab Restoration Thread "Funky Truck" |
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This is my first post ever on Samba. I hope it will be a long thread. My name is Kurt I am 50 years old and live near San Francisco. My four year old son named him "Funky Truck" I have driven "Funky Truck" 200,000 miles for over 20 years. Who knows how many miles it has gone before I got him. I paid $600 for him back in the eighties. He only went in reverse so that is how I drove him home. It has had two engines in rotation, a used Berg 1776cc and the stock 1600 that he came with. At some point early on I changed to a '67 trans with 388 ring and pinion and front disk brakes from a '79 bus. That made the daily 40 mile commute all those years easy. Being a late '59 it has a tunnel type trans mount that made the swap easy. He has served me well in my carpentry work and it is time to restore his rusty old body to serve another fifty years.
I plan on detailing how I will do a dual treasure chest conversion.
This will be the first before picture.
This has been my construction office. Time to upgrade!
I will be building a rotisserie Based on photos on this forum. The tubing is 2 inch square 1/8 thick. It cost $200 to have three 20 foot pieces bent to a 100 inch outside diameter. The third piece will be used to complete two circles as 20 foot was not long enough. The bender left straight sections at each end to be cut off.
Here is the machine used to roll the tubing.
Overhead crane to get them on my truck roof.
I am using a heat gun and carpenter chisel to remove many layers of Bondo
Bondo was 3" thick here.
Last edited by glideking on Sun Feb 17, 2013 8:54 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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glideking Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2013 Posts: 990 Location: California
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Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 12:54 pm Post subject: How I play football with my single cab |
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I will start by using a football to inflate the caved in nose skin.
Link
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cru62 Samba Member
Joined: December 31, 2002 Posts: 4117 Location: Margaritaville.....24/7
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Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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That is pretty damn cool! It is kind of spooky when the nose starts to bulge outward. Thanks for sharing. _________________ "My biggest worry is that when I die, my wife will sell all my parts for what I told her I paid for them"-Jon
Jokes about German sausage are the wurst.
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69829 Location: Phoenix Metro
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Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 4:30 pm Post subject: Re: 1959 Single Cab Restoration Thread "Funky Truck&quo |
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glideking wrote: |
He only went in reverse so that is how I drove him home. |
Ha, nice!
Thanks for filming and posting that football trick video, I don't think anyone has done a video of the process. I'll add that to the Bus FAQ. _________________ How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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ttullo1 Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2005 Posts: 120 Location: Russellville, Arkansas
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Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 5:17 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for sharing! Keep it up! |
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glideking Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2013 Posts: 990 Location: California
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:17 am Post subject: '59 or '60 |
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According to http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...highlight= Samba post my truck is a '60 model year. Should I change the title of my thread?
Some references give June '59. VIN #492610 Here is my dilemma. My brake and shifter are to the rear on the floor but steering column is a small hole not a slot. I need to know what replacement floor to order.
This is my floor.
This is a '59 or early replacement floor with slot and rearward shifter. I hope it is ok to link to others photos. I am still new here.
This is a replacement floor for '60 and later with small steering hole but forward shifter.
I am thrilled that we have such a choice in available replacement parts. If my truck is an odd in between year thing I would like to keep it that way. I could weld up the large slot or find a rare? steering hole plate. Will Klassic Fab supply an early floor with a small steering hole? |
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Gerson Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2004 Posts: 1828 Location: Jupiter Fl
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:51 am Post subject: |
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yes we will.. _________________ that's not patina, that's fucking rust man!!!!
we (klassicfab) make the funky green panels........... |
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TinCanFab Samba Member
Joined: April 04, 2006 Posts: 2743 Location: Waterford, California
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:54 am Post subject: |
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It's pretty cool when some of you guys own a bus over 30 years and still have the passion to fix it up. As far as the model year thing, if it was my truck, I'd call it a '59. Vw was supposed to be making model year designations around August, so the chart on your link seems that they contradicted themselves?? Either way, I guess personal preference-call it either one. As far as your floor, call Gerson at Klassicfab and tell him what you need, or send him a pic. (561)747-4800. He's cool, he'll get you the right one, even if it takes a while and has to have it made. _________________ Check out my truck brought back from the dead... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=420762&highlight=sprayed+blood
They're never really ever finished 58 rag build...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=658092 |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69829 Location: Phoenix Metro
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glideking Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2013 Posts: 990 Location: California
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:08 pm Post subject: progress today |
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Thank you all for the quick answers. I am happy to have a '60 model year truck as long as it is older than I am. I am impressed that Klassic Fab answered my question even before I asked! I will be placing an order when I complete my shopping list.
You know that feeling when you are taking your transporter apart this much? Will it ever go back together? Will I spend the time? The money? Is "Funky" worried that he is being scrapped? Dismantled for parts? Maybe he will feel better after he sees some "Funky Green" welded on. He has done so much work for me for so many years I feel I owe it to him.
My older son is learning to weld. He welded this brake drum puller for Funky. One drum came off but this one was stuck on with hardened grease all the way off. Splines are in good shape with some cleaning.
Yes that is a broom handle.
Not beautiful but it was low cost and works perfectly. It will go in the tool chest with honors!
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durfeec Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2010 Posts: 1279 Location: Mio, MI
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:37 pm Post subject: |
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At the end of this you'll have an entire tool box dedicated to "homemade" tools that aren't pretty but work great.
I wanna see this one finished all the way out just because of the story and how long you owned it. _________________ 1960 Bus Panel/Camper |
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werksberg Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2005 Posts: 2151 Location: Prescott Valley, AZ
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:57 pm Post subject: |
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Very cool thread.
It is great to see a father and son project that gets the kid thinking outside of the box like that drum puller.... _________________ Werksberg Products....Products that work!
Follow my new products on my Facebook Werks Berg
Click the below ADs link for products & feedback.
Search "werksberg" on Photobucket for products photos & Please remember to buy "American made products!" |
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Cuņado Wear Samba Member
Joined: December 10, 2006 Posts: 1145 Location: The "O"
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 7:18 am Post subject: Re: 1959 Single Cab Restoration Thread "Funky Truck& |
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EverettB wrote: |
Thanks for filming and posting that football trick video, I don't think anyone has done a video of the process. I'll add that to the Bus FAQ. |
Yes thank you for doing this.
Glad you have the passion to fix funky. _________________
Bulli Klinik wrote: |
I may be a little late to the party, but what the hell is Cunado Wear? |
Looking for front kick panels for late 63' Deluxe Basalt Gray
60' Double Cab
63' 15 Window Deluxe |
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73sports Samba Member
Joined: September 26, 2004 Posts: 2107 Location: Warrington, PA
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:14 am Post subject: |
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The Trailbash 2010 panel is an early '59, and was the same way, rearward shifter, but small hole around the column. The red bus pictured above is that panel, I just used the earlier replacement floor. _________________ I will never lie, but sometimes the truth changes.
Central Jersey VW Society |
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glideking Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2013 Posts: 990 Location: California
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 5:55 pm Post subject: Welding Funky Circles |
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Thank you everyone who has contributed. Thank you for sharing your ideas, photos, encouragement, and enthusiasm. I hope I can contribute my little part to the easy to build rotisserie saga. Without this great community I would not be having so much fun.
Astro inspecting my invisible helper wearing only gloves.
I was taught to grind a little grove to be sure the weld goes all the way through.
Not too bad.
Give them a spin to see how they work.
Test fit. I think Funky feels special now.
Soon I will make a plate to bolt to the torsion housing to mount the ring.
Does everyone have this much fun doing this? Nobody talks about how much fun this is! |
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DubStyle SBS Hit Squad
Joined: July 26, 2003 Posts: 6250 Location: SBS headquarters: Missery
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:09 pm Post subject: Re: Welding Funky Circles |
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glideking wrote: |
Does everyone have this much fun doing this? Nobody talks about how much fun this is! |
Cool pics and thanks for sharing. I can tell you it's FUN, but in a demented kind of way. LOL _________________ Anthony
SBS #1
SBS #1 on FB
"The original & best lowered Split Bus website/club" |
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werksberg Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2005 Posts: 2151 Location: Prescott Valley, AZ
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:10 pm Post subject: |
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Looks like it is going thru a space tele portation station with those rings....
What was that space TV show series that would tele port people as they walk thru rings? _________________ Werksberg Products....Products that work!
Follow my new products on my Facebook Werks Berg
Click the below ADs link for products & feedback.
Search "werksberg" on Photobucket for products photos & Please remember to buy "American made products!" |
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bugcollections Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2007 Posts: 795 Location: Texas
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:44 pm Post subject: SC |
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Love the thread. Hard work on old busses is a passion. I have a 60 panel about 5 months newer than your SC. Keep up the good work and don't get discouraged. |
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volksaddict Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2003 Posts: 1724
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 7:24 pm Post subject: |
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That drum puller is brilliant You should see the one I hacked together |
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jeffreyned Samba Member
Joined: June 23, 2012 Posts: 207 Location: Eugene, OR
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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Wow, I had heard something about a "football trick", but not until after I had already attacked the nose of my bus and did surgery. I wish so fervently I had known that trick! Great work! And the rotisserie? I have seen pictures of many different kinds, but not the complete circle spinning deal you have going on.
I'm bookmarking your thread and will follow with much interest. I'm still working away on my 67 single cab. _________________ '69 Bay Window Deluxe
'67 Single Cab Dual Chester |
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