What do you replace your heater channel with?

[Silver65]

Hey all! I have a 65 Beetle, it needs floors and I only drive it in the summer so Im not going to bother putting in a new heater channel. From what I understand I can't leave that section empty because its structural. So what do you guys put in there?

Thanks all!

[dustymojave]

Around here in the desert, the heater channels don't rust out.

But that is DEFINITELY an important part of the body. It's what holds the rest of the body to the pan. They have far more purposes than just transmitting heat to the interior. Whether you're going to use heat or not, the heater channels NEED to be there. Replacements are available.

Of course, you could have Crumco build a full tube frame inside your Bug body and the heater channels would be mostly deleted and the remaining material of the channels welded to the tube frame.
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Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet.

[Silver65]

Thanks! I wasn't sure if you guys had a pipe/beam (not sure what word Im looking for here) to replace the channel but keep the structure strong

[sailtexas186548]

2.5” to 3” square tube can be used, but it is the same amount of work as replacing the heater channel with the correct part IMO
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it's more fun loud and dirty

[Silver65]

I can't imagine it would cost the same as the entire channel though? I've seen the channels going for roughly $400.

[ORANGECRUSHer]

Using tube can take more time and has its own challenges but you can give yourself a lift. I've been going back and forth on what to do with mine. My channels are pretty bad. At one point i thought i wanted a lift, but the older i get the less i want to mess around reinventing things.
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Brian H.
I may not know everything,but I will try to help if I can
OrangeCrushER Berrien Warrior 2.4L Quad4
LAZY MARY 1970 Baja 1835cc