Early Bay Chassis Differences - Help Needed

Wyntand

Hi all,

I am busy with a huge rebuild of a 1969 Double Cab. The previous owner removed the chassis from just behind the front seats. His idea was to install a Subaru engine and probably thought that he needed to "upgrade" the chassis.

I initially bought this as a body only in order to cut to pieces and use the parts on my 1970 single cab. I decided to safe the 1969 Double Cab and bought a 1971 kombi "bottom half" only for its chassis, floor plates and single seat panels that I am building into the Double Cab.

There are obvious differences for example the front axle beam connection. I have the front suspension of the 1969 Double Cab and the back of the 1971 kombi, so the two different chassis will have to be merged at a point behind the front seats.

I am still preparing the 1971 kombi and removing what I don't need on the 1969 Double Cab (which is not much).

Now my questions....
(1) Is merging the two chassis possible?
(2) Would I be able to drop the 1969 Double Cab body and chassis from behind the front seats onto a 1971 kombi chassis less the front chassis. This includes the engine compartment of course?
(3) Is there anything that I need to know now as I am very careful with measuring and only see the differences as I go along?
_________________
Wynand
1970 SC
1969 DC
1964 Beetle

Djoul · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 1:54 pm Post subject:

this is the chassis for 68-69

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

in 70, I think the chassis was similar (but we have a smaller splash pan)

sorry, no pict...

in 71 the front of the chassis was reinforced by the adduction of a "Y" metal section.

hope it will help you...

Wink

_________________
"please, excuse my bad English...."

69 CLIPPER-L
74 WESTY
68 BUG
73 THING

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE A BUS!

Esher127 · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 1:58 pm Post subject:

Mine is a 70 and it has the 'Y' members up front.
_________________
1970 Westfalia Pop-Top

busdaddy · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 2:48 pm Post subject:

As long as the 71 Kombi has a production date earlier than August I don't see why you can't do what you are proposing. Clearly you are into some advanced metalwork so a little difference in a bracket or something here and there isn't going to be a big deal. You've already discovered the early beam mounting pattern and as mentioned the Y members under the cab floor, from the front beam back there's no difference so any 68-71 will work, truck or bus.

How about some pics?, this project sounds ambitious!
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Wyntand · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 9:01 pm Post subject:

Thank you for the info thus far. This is most certainly not a small project I am busy with and have never done this in my life (always wanted to own a DC though). I am learning as I go along and do not have deadlines as I see this as a hobby but try to be in the garage after work between 17:00 and 18:00 only.
Search the name " Mr Bambiboo " on Facebook. I am trying to update the page daily so the progress of 1 hours' work don't seem like much, but this is my own motivation.
_________________
Wynand
1970 SC
1969 DC
1964 Beetle

Tcash · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 9:08 pm Post subject:

To bad don't do face book.

oorwullie · Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 6:32 am Post subject:

if you didn't facebook you would MAYBE have a lot more time to work on that truck............. Wink

jakokombi · Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 8:03 am Post subject:

Im curious to know if you're considered removing the rest of the 69 chassis, and going all 71'?
I have no idea of the difference in work involved, but you could have disc brakes and matching wheels (front to back).
_________________
70 Sunroof Kombi
85 Motherfukinvanagon
73 Thing
72 Baja

Wyntand · Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 8:06 am Post subject:

I am purely looking for good advise from fellow Air Cooled Fanatics with the same passion I have.....
Any advise will be sincerely be appreciated Idea

Thank you for the good advise thus far.
_________________
Wynand
1970 SC
1969 DC
1964 Beetle

Wyntand · Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 8:18 am Post subject:


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