1972 Double Cab?

[72vwtype2]

What are the differences between the 1972 Double Cab and the earlier low lights (1968-1971)? Visually (other than the larger tail lights) they appear the same. Are there any significant differences?

Thanks.

[jtauxe]

There are other differences that are also manifested in all 1972 Type 2s.

Notably the engine changed from the Type I upright 1600 to the Type IV pancake engine, 1700 cc. This means that with the redesigned engine bay, you could install any Type IV engine, including the later '70s 2000-cc fuel injected engines, which are great. This was done for my 1978 double cab, and it is a dream. This refit would also require switching out some other parts for their FI versions, including the fuel tank and fuel pump. You will also need to mount the ECU somewhere in the engine bay, but that's easy. On this point alone (Type IV engine bay) the 1972 is superior to the 1971.

There are a lot of other 1972-only parts, like bumpers 'n' stuff, that make owning a '72 a bit of a pain, but others find the uniqueness charming.
_________________
John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD

[alman72]

I think the removable apron on the rear for engine removal is gone?

[alman72]

I think the removable apron on the rear for engine removal is gone?

[jtauxe]

[Alan Brase]

Yes, the engine bay made to accomodate the type 4, even though probably most commercials sold in 1972 had the 1971 spec type 1 engine. (those sold in a few markets might even have had smaller engines. parts book shows them as 44kw!)
So, that means if you find one of these babies with no engine and want to put in a type 1 engine, you have to find that tin and rear engine hanger for the later 72-79 bus. Pretty sure the air cleaner and hose might e different too, from a 1971 version.
_________________
Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home

[sjbartnik]

[72vwtype2]

I am in Canada, so I am referring to the VW trucks imported to North America.

VW trucks up to and including 1971 model were freely imported to North America. So there is a healthy stock of 1968-1971 bay window trucks. In 1972 the "chicken tax" stopped the flow of 1972-1979 trucks. So finding one in this range is difficult (in North America) as there are not many.

Looking at pictures and comparing the 72 model to earlier bays, the most notable differences are: Tail lights, rims (flat hub cap), rear deck lid and lip around front wheel well. Other than that everything else looks the same (vents, gas flap location, etc...).

Maybe there are differences in the interior?

[busdaddy]

The hubcaps and wheels are the same as a 71.
The noticeable differences will be perforated Y members in the front frame corner crash outriggers, the usual 72 cab and cab door differences just like a bus, carb air intake louvers in the RR cab corner outside behind the door, a widened frame aft of the torsion tube and a cross member under the fuel tank to support the transmission, different engine surround metal and apron (as already mentioned), different rear corners and tail lights, different tailgate with windows for the tail lights and different bumper brackets.
_________________
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