Hot Rod Beetle Ute

[nbturbo]

That is awesome and so practical.Should not lhave any trouble hauling a 750kg car around.I would love to build something similar to tow my Drag Can. Looks like it will be a single axle, 3inch dropped stubs trailer and towed by my Hot Rod Ute.

[nbturbo]

Finished the second lot of engine mounts using the Subaru original bolt locations.Had to wait for my new ally sump to arrive.Made a bad mistake with that purchase.I bought 2 sumps(one for a Bus I am fitting a Subaru engine) and mine.Combined they exceeded the $1000 AU limit for imports.They were then subject to another $286 import duty and were held up for another 2 weeks.Next time must have things sent in 2 parcels.Have good ground clearance now.Also finally have the radiator mounts finished.Time to pull the engine and trans and finish all the welding.

[joey1320]

Wow! Great work
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1971 Super - Sold
1984 Puma GTC - Sold
1971 Campmobile

[nbturbo]

Started to skin the tailgate today.Cut the "volkswagen" word from the Rabbit tailgate I purchased at the Pomona swap meet and had sent over.Folded a 15mm lip on all sides and made the lower section with a 20mm lip.Will set the volkswagen panel back 5mm.Cut the holes for the LED retro tail lights and fitted some 4mm rivet nuts.Very happy with it.Will tack weld it into place tommorrow.

[nbturbo]

Made the top skin and put into position.Has worked out very nice.Fitted an LED light for the number plate.This number plate was first issued here in 1921-100 years old now.It has been in my wifes family since 1965 and it has been ours now for 15 years.The plate I am using on the VW is the original from 1921.
Currently on my Ford Ranger,but will transfer it when the Ute is mobile.

[nbturbo]

Bolted the 2 cooling fans onto the radiator and powered them up.Boy do they shift some air.Decided to build another grille up top to help more air out.Will have it powder coated in silver to match the lower one.

[nbturbo]

Sent both grilles and the reverse light surrounds to be powder coated in a metallic silver.He did an awesome job.Started making the ally covers to seal up the engine bay and radiator side panels.Made an ally air scoop under the radiator with a 3inch drop to pick up the air that will be going under the car.Made an ally panel to tidy up the area around the towbar and had it done as well.

[nbturbo]

Was going to weld a filler to the radiator.Decided to make a remote filler tank and run 2 hose fittings.Will get it powder coated after I have it pressure tested.Finished all the ally fill in tray panels and the engine bay side panels.Glued and screwed some MDF to the bottom of the engine cover to keep noise and heat contained.I will seal it with fibreglass resin.Next major job is to build a fibreglass tray cover with front hinges and gas struts.I am trying to buy the same fabric that the sunroof is made from,to glue to the bed cover to make it look like a canvas tonnue cover.Took a pic of the fittings I made to hold the airconditioner male pipe fittings to make tightening simple.

[Retrovan]

Nice progress, keep the info coming.

Herman
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1968 Fastback Type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (Red)
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc. twin 34 ICT's (Azur blue)
1975 Split Bus Type 4 1914cc. twin 34 ICT's (wh/aqua)
1972 Bay Panel-van with type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (white)
2019 Beetle Flatbed Truck called MeFusco
1973 FT Hahn SP - Project 1776cc

[nbturbo]

Thanks Herman,long journey.I bought a new Sanden air con compressor to make air for the air ride system.Had to move the alternator and fab brackets to jockey it onto the Suby air con compressor.Will shift the alt. to where the power steering pump was.I have to cut a slice off the intake manifold and weld a patch on.I made an idler pulley to keep good belt contact on both.I will use the Suby belt adjuster still.Made an ally glove box piece today to hold the 2 air bag pressure gauges and the 4 operating switches.Decided I wanted them hidden.Will have it powder coated when I am happy with it.

[nbturbo]

Made a start on the air system to inflate the bags.I bought 2 Acuuair 4 port air solenoids.Could have got away with one,but would have been a lot of extra plumbing.Couldn't figure out how they worked,so spent some time on Google.Figured it all out.I set one up on the bench with a wiring loom and 2 switches and 2 gauges in the ports going to the bags.Supplied air and a battery.Worked fantastic.Have now done the front one.Fitted it in the area where the original brake fluid reservoir was fitted.Mine is now on the master cylinder.made a stainless air fitting to go where the reservoir was to get a water tight air entry to the solenoid.I will be running a 1/2 inch line from the tank thru the tunnel.Bought 2 1/8th NPT sockets.Drilled and tapped one end 7/16 NF which will screw straight onto the front air shocker.Can now run 8mm air line straight to the shock. I can screw the sender units for the air pressure guages into the solenoid in the spare port.

[nbturbo]

Early last week I decided that the air con unit mounting brackets were not suitable.Pulled it all out and started again.Got it tucked up tighter under the dash.Moved it back about 1/2 an inch and up about 1 inch.Real nice fit now.Made all new flashings to close the box that houses it all.

[Retrovan]

Looking good there, nice work.

Can not wait to see it done.

By the way my MeFusco Beetle Truck is so to say done, here are a few photo's.

you can see the final photo's Here https://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopic.php?p=339176#p339176

Keep up the good work.

Herman

_________________
1968 Fastback Type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (Red)
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc. twin 34 ICT's (Azur blue)
1975 Split Bus Type 4 1914cc. twin 34 ICT's (wh/aqua)
1972 Bay Panel-van with type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (white)
2019 Beetle Flatbed Truck called MeFusco
1973 FT Hahn SP - Project 1776cc

[nbturbo]

Well done Herman.Your walk round video is excellent.An absolute credit to you.Bad news about parasite catching up with you.Keep strong and rest.

[nbturbo]

Body work finally finished on my tray.Going into the paint booth this weekend.Made a simple error with the hole for the sunroof.Didn't think to put a square on the frame before marking the hole.Just a little bit too much out of square.Made 2 pie cut bits of material to weld in to fix it.A bit of luck will have the body in the paint booth the following weekend.The pic with it on the floor is with the air bags fully deflated.Managed to get a good registration plate for it.

[nbturbo]

Tailgate is finally finished as well.Used a 75 Beetle RH door handle,striker and catch.Works really good.Welded the fuel filler opening into the tray in case I change my mind about making a fuel tank to go behind the cabin.Managed to get really good gaps right around the tailgate.

[Retrovan]

Nice work can not wait to see fully painted and going down the road.

Herman
_________________
1968 Fastback Type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (Red)
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc. twin 34 ICT's (Azur blue)
1975 Split Bus Type 4 1914cc. twin 34 ICT's (wh/aqua)
1972 Bay Panel-van with type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (white)
2019 Beetle Flatbed Truck called MeFusco
1973 FT Hahn SP - Project 1776cc

[nbturbo]

Had the first spray out to check the custom colour I had made up.Its a problem in bright sunshine - unable to look at. Way too bright.

[finefettle]

Man, this build rocks
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1979 Bug project

[nbturbo]

Had the pan blasted and done in 2 pac marine paint- Graphite Grey. Start the assembly. Will post some pics tomorrow.