Removing dash pad - questions

mclumber1 · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 1:47 pm Post subject: Removing dash pad - questions

I'm in the process of removing the dash pad from my 69, and I have a few questions. I've noticed that the stock fresh air control knobs stick out quite a ways - is there any way I can shorten them, or perhaps get aftermarket shorter ones? Also, I want to retain a grab bar, but obviously the stock one wont work since I'm removing the dash pad. Cip1 has grab handles for pre-67 models, and I'm wondering if the bolt holes would be the same distance apart as my 69?

The previous owner hacked up the dash putting in a no-name tape player, and I just bought a nice Sapphire XIV that I plan to put in (as soon as I figure out the spaghetti mess of wiring in the trunk!) I'll probably have to fabricate some sort of plate with the correct size hole to put the sapphire into the enlarged hole that is now there. All of the metal is still on the dash, except it has been cut and bent back so a normal DIN radio can fit. I don't trust myself to be able to fix this, so I'll probably go the route of creating a plate to cover up the mistakes of the past.

I have 3 gauges on the left hand side of the speedo in the old speaker enclosure - a tach, a clock, and a head temp gage. I'm not going to be using the car for anything other than cruising, so I question if I actually need to retain these gages. What's your opinion?

Thanks guys.
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1968 Beetle

owdlvr · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 1:59 pm Post subject:

I'll be following you in on '69 dash removal this weekend...though I'm putting a new German pad in on mine.

As far as the gauges are concerned, it's all what you want. I don't think a Tach is necessary if your engine is stock and you keep within the recommended shift points (15, 25, 40). The head temp gauge is nice to have, though no bug in our family has ever had nor needed one. The clock, well it's all about convenience.

I guess it really boils down to what you want. With removing the pad you're obviously not worried about being factory stock...so keep what you want, toss what you don't!

-Dave
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Instagram: @DaveHord
1971 1302s - Salzburg Tribute the #RallyBug
1958 Beetle
1975 Beetle
1973 Super Beetle
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Baja Champ SE · Samba Member Joined: June 09, 2007 Posts: 442

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=140869&highlight=dash+pad+removal

Dash pad removal/modifications has been gone over in pretty good detail in the above thread. Lots of pictures and variations.

I think this deserves to be a sticky.
_________________
-1972 Baja Champion SE Super Beetle "Frank the Freak"

SOLD
-1969 Deluxe Bus "Warhaul" aka "Project Whitestock"

Air Speed VW Club of So Cal
Member Since July 2007

gcan · Samba Member Joined: May 28, 2008 Posts: 246 Location: Al

has anybody done this with a SB with curved windshield? My dash looks like crap and I like the unpadded clean look.

Got pics?
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73 vert

Baja Champ SE · Samba Member Joined: June 09, 2007 Posts: 442

the curved windshield dash pads are a whole different thing. you have to put in a custom dash for the most part.

without dash:

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

custom replacement such as:

_________________
-1972 Baja Champion SE Super Beetle "Frank the Freak"

SOLD
-1969 Deluxe Bus "Warhaul" aka "Project Whitestock"

Air Speed VW Club of So Cal
Member Since July 2007

Rogeroo · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 6:31 pm Post subject:

the dash on the orange beetle is very nice.
Is that color L20B by any chance? Very Happy

JeffDeWitt · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 6:57 pm Post subject:

Baja Champ SE · Samba Member Joined: June 09, 2007 Posts: 442

Not sure what the color is. All the pictures are from the gallery.

Search is our friend.
_________________
-1972 Baja Champion SE Super Beetle "Frank the Freak"

SOLD
-1969 Deluxe Bus "Warhaul" aka "Project Whitestock"

Air Speed VW Club of So Cal
Member Since July 2007

gcan · Samba Member Joined: May 28, 2008 Posts: 246 Location: Al

looks like it, brilliant orange....that's the color of our car

It's been our experience so far friends either love it or hate it not a lot in between
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73 vert

Rogeroo · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 11:31 am Post subject:

gcan · Samba Member Joined: May 28, 2008 Posts: 246 Location: Al

thanks for the info, we recently purchased the car and the previous owners let us know that the car came with a couple of parking lot marks. They wanted to have them touched up but feared a poor match would make it look worse instead of better.

I'll give it a shot
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73 vert

Rogeroo · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 11:48 am Post subject:

oibovveroi · Samba Member Joined: May 22, 2006 Posts: 744

mclumber1 · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:50 pm Post subject:

I made some progress on the dash. I've removed the pad (it came off in pieces!) Removed as much of the glue as I could with goof off, yanked out the unneeded gages, and started working on the stereo hole...

The guy before me hacked up the dash to fit a modern stereo. Sucks. But lucky for me he merely bent back the metal, instead of grinding it off.

Hacked up dash. I've bent most of the metal into the rough shape it should be.

My bondo work. Apologies the to the body work experts on the boards. I have only minimal body repair experience (on my first car, over 10 years ago). But for my needs, it works.

Fit test with my new (old) Sapphire XIV. It fits! Of course I have to do some more detail work to the bondo'd area before I get it primered and painted.[/img]
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1968 Beetle

JeffDeWitt · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject:

Bondo is a bad thing when used wrong, but we do what we have to do with the resources we have.

Using it a dashboard isn't like slathering it over a rusty fender. Using it like you are might cause some cracking problems down the road (or maybe not), but you are dealing with the problem as best you can, and it looks good!

Good luck, and keep posting pictures.

mclumber1 · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:29 pm Post subject:

JeffDeWitt · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:40 pm Post subject:

It might work out just fine and if it gives you trouble you could make a radio mounting plate that would go over the radio opening far enough to cover the damage and add that to your list of things when (and if) you redo the car again.

2002sportside · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:42 pm Post subject:

It doesn't look like you put it on thick so you might be ok. Going to bare metal is good too.

There are much better fillers than Bondo. You should be able to find what others are using in the bodywork forum.
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1973 Volkswagen Beetle never ending project

mclumber1 · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:41 am Post subject:

I have a question about the fresh air knobs. I don't like the fact that the stock nobs will now stick out - can I put on a set of knobs from a 67 or older bug? Also, what do you suggest I do about the vents on top of the dash? Should I buy vents for an older model, or file down the stock vents so that they will sit flush with the dash?
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1968 Beetle

Joker69 · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:37 am Post subject:

Is there anyplace you can buy a replacement stock dash cover for a '69?

Mines cracked pretty badly and I'm not sure on whether or not I want to go with the stock look or bare metal.
PO had an after-market stereo put in as well, and I'm not sure how bad it's hacked up yet.

I'd like to know my options before I tear int o it to badly. Smile


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