1975 Beetle Convertible Resto/Mod Build-Chop,Dash,Suicide,Shave.

[Root_Werks]

Wow! Talk about putting in custom seats the right way. Well done!
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When I set my timing, why do I flush, then take a pee?

[VW_Jimbo]

Both Jellyman!

Two points to that statement. One was in the fact of “looking back” at all that lead you to THIS POINT! The point straight ahead!

The other is in the vantage point of sitting center and a tad bit higher in the car for better vision!

No hidden joke. Just a different perspective to be gained!

For the record. I would never make fun of anyone’s build. They are all works of art. We all strive to do what we see in our minds as the goal, utilizes the resources available and relaying on those skills gained during the trip up the mountain trail! We are all students!

Love your build! Love the journey! I mean no harm in what I type, it all comes from a good place! Keep up the great work! Happy 4th Jellyman!
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[MACJELLY58]

Thanks Root Werks. I'm generally pleased with the progress of the seat. I just hope it all works out in the end. I never know until it's done and so far, nothing is done. I mean I haven't even sat in it yet, Hahaha!

[MACJELLY58]

I got more overtime coming up next weekend, so I tried to make a push the last couple of days. It was "not fun" work, but I still tried to keep on track. Next up was the Trunk area. All the hard to get to stuff that I waited for the Rotisserie to work on. It was still a pain in the ASS! I even welded a Rust Striper wheel to the 1/4" round to get into places better.

While I was there I thought I'd work on the End Cap for the Glovebox. I spent about an hour trying to find the Gove box. Then, I had to rework the End Cap I bit.

I finally cleaned up the under Dash on the interior and spread the POR on everything.

Then as usual, I went off the rails again. The Gauge hole has been bothering me since I cut it. No one will see it. It just looked like a Hack Job. Which, of course, It is! But, I'd rather it didn't look like it as much. More unnecessary work. Anyways, made a template and cut a patch piece.

Then my wife came to check on me and make sure I hydrate. She said that the patch piece looks like a Bad Omen.

I hadn't mentioned it, but I finally got a Volt meter. Last year, I couldn't find one at all.

Next door to those gauges, is the too small Speedo hole. I'm using the '75 Super Speedo in a '61 dash. Who wuddah thunk that they are not the same size? It wasn't a surprise, I had checked a few years ago and it was on the list of things to do. How to do it was the question. I started by making relief cuts to the inner securing ring, in hopes that I could just shimmy that guy in there.

No dice. I mean, I couldda just measured it. But, that would be math. I hate math. I prefer LUCK, like that Marvel character, "Domino". I just don't have that power. So, I ended up just cutting the heck outta the hole to make it fit. Then, I made a new retaining ring and welded that in there.

The Speedo has a rubber ring to help secure and for vibration. It fit pretty snug but, I put some cuts in there and will sinch it down with a suitable clamp, just to be sure.

I put them all in to see what it looks like, and a pic of the bare holes. I would have liked to have them prepped and primered, but I ran time again.

[VW_Jimbo]

Most excellent! Dude, you are crushing it! Keep it going!

I love the extended stripper pole!

I think the gauge cut out looks like the face in the painting, “The Scream”, by Van Gogh.
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[MACJELLY58]

[VW_Jimbo]

[DUNGBTL]

Nice hack on the wire wheel extender! I actually have a couple extender shafts made for this very purpose. Actually I believe they’re drill bit extenders but work well for wire brushes. Can’t remember where I got them…had them for years…but I’m sure they’re available…

And really nice bit of fabrication on the glove box end cap and dash! I think your gauge configuration looks great!

J.

[Buggeee]

Always something going on in this garage. This dude is old-school intense. What's he got in there anyway a chopped and channeled Mercury? Nope, something better....

I love seeing one of our little air-cooleds getting this full-on sled devotion.
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Big Time 1988 Vanagon Westy
Release the Krankenwagen! 1966 Sportsmobile Camper
Dr. Kompressor 72 Super Duper
61 Turkis Pile (adopted out)

[MACJELLY58]

Thanks guys, for the Giggles and tool info. I know I've probably mentioned it before, but I really enjoy watching Ian Roussel's, "Full custom Garage". A lot of those Lead Sled type builds. I really like how he uses stuff that is just laying around his shop. Both for tools and for Parts!!

Of course, he has a life time of knowledge and experience. So, he probably only does repairs ONCE.

I was able to squeeze a little project in before the Overtime kicks in this weekend. Just a "quick" install of the remote Trunk release actuator. I first installed the Trunk Latch. I'm using the Allen head bolts and Lock nuts. I wasn't even sure I could get those in there. But they fit, a little tight to
get the nuts started though.

I had purchased the AutoLoc actuator. It has a rating of 15lbs. pull. I got these before JITBBA, gave me the heads up about the AutoLoc door poppers.

I gave them a quick test and they are nice and quiet. Hopefully, it has the Uhmmph !! I tried a bunch of different locations for the unit. I didn't want to run the cable too far and wanted to have a nice flat area for the mounting. I ended up settling for the area just next to the latch. It sticks out a bit, but I think I can live with that.

[MACJELLY58]

I was wrong, the O.T. keeps coming! Thank goodness I never finish anything. That gives me the opportunity to have small things to work on when there is little time. I hooked up the Trunk Actuator linkage. I used the solid bar and the connector that it came with. I trimmed the bar and welded a little piece to the Latch lever to use the connector "clamp". The original cable is still there and I will make a manual back-up pull. Not gonna post that.

I also installed a new spring.

Connected my little Battery Jumper box and gave it a try. It worked nice. Next was to make a little lever to release the "Safety hook". When I was younger, I could slip my finger in there and lift it up pretty easy. I think my fingers may be too chunky now.

I got out the Hood and tried to install the trunk pin? thingy. But, I forgot that the button release for the hook protruded out of the housing. So, I grinded that down and bolted it to the hood to check the length and angle of the lever release I made. It looked good, however, I didn't feel like installing the hood to find out for sure today.

I still had a little time so, I went to finish the End Cap for the Glove Box. I drilled the mounting holes and bolted it on. It holds the Glove Box in there but, I wanted to secure the Glove Box to it with a bolt. I got a smooth head Carriage bolt for the inside of the Glove Box. But, the End Cap did not come far enough out to make the bolt install easy. So, I welded an extension piece onto the End Cap.

Drilled the hole for the Carriage bolt and it slipped in nice and easy. Just enough time to clean it up and put it in primer. And wouldn't you know, just as I put everything away, the call came in for more Overtime!!

[VW_Jimbo]

Just seeing what has been going on. Looks quiet here. How about making some more sparks Jellyman!
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[Buggeee]

Brilliant

[MACJELLY58]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for checking in on me. The Overtime is still coming at me hard. Exhausted all the time. I'm not complaining though, who can't use a a few extra Bucks. Right!!

Of course, I could turn it down but can't bring myself to say no. I hope everyone else is doing fine and getting stuff done. I haven't had time to check in on any of my favorite builds and member threads. I'm sure everyone is out enjoying the Summer weather in their V-Dubs. I can't wait to join the crowd and start cruising around and checking out the Chicks at the beach.

Hopefully, I can get back to it soon. I'm so close paint and to putting everything back together. At the moment, I just sit and stare at this sad sight.

Alojahs!!

[MACJELLY58]

Well Hello there!

It's been 5 months since I was able to do any work on the project. The Overtime lasted a lot longer than I had anticipated. It's finally slowing down a bit and I'm getting more days off. Sadly, I had to burn a couple of days just cleaning up and organizing in order to get to the Bug. The garage becomes a "dumping" ground when there's no activity. It's been difficult to get back into the swing of things. I'm still real tired and lacking motivation.

I still had to finish off the instrument panel area I was working on before. I had thought I'd get back to it sooner rather than much later! So, there was a little flash rust and I had to put in a few more welds.

Then, pretty it up a little bit with some filler and paint. I was shaking my head again as I was sanding, because no one will ever see it or care.
Oh well, it makes me happy to know it is there. Hopefully, I can keep on track and make more substantial progress. Until next time, take care.

[VW_Jimbo]

NICE UPDATE Jellyman! We are all way too busy right now. I am barely getting any solid time in on anything. It is what it is. No reason to be a Salmon. Just go with the flow and have faith the positive vibes keep flowing to you! That’s all one can ask for!

Keep making sparks!
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[Buggeee]

It's worth it brother. It's totally worth it.
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Big Time 1988 Vanagon Westy
Release the Krankenwagen! 1966 Sportsmobile Camper
Dr. Kompressor 72 Super Duper
61 Turkis Pile (adopted out)

[MACJELLY58]

You are so right, Bruddah JIMBO. Just gotta take it as it comes and be grateful.

I absolutely love TDCTDI'S quote that you have :


TDCTDI wrote:
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look.

I can definitely relate. It perfectly falls in line with your thoughts, BUGGEEE, It's really worth the extra work for my peace of mind. At least that's how I feel after it's done ! Not so much when my back is hurting bending over sanding. But, I'll forget the pain eventually. I hope to get more done this weekend.

[vamram]

[MACJELLY58]

Thanks VAMRAM, It's nice to hear some validating words for my insecurities! I really don't have a choice, gotta listen to my inner voice. Speaking of which, the voice told me to continue with some more lesser seen work to the bottom of the Dash. This at least, will be able to be seen. Granted, you'll have to get on your knees and twist your head upwards...but, still

Bummer is I didn't finish. I just put some Primer on there so it won't rust.

Merry Christmas all !!