| Author |
Message |
pcalbar
Samba Member
Joined: August 02, 2003
Posts: 80
Location: San Antonio, TX
|
 Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 8:06 pm Post subject: Bus Jacks |
 |
|
From what I've seen from researching on these forums, the roundish headed "Vigot" jack is correct for Barndoor, the similar roundish headed "Bilstein" jack is correct for post-Barndoor through about 1963, then the doghouse headed jack seems to follow that. I went through the four unrestored jacks that I have for my Buses (I don't have a Vigot yet) and have two roundish headed Bilstein and two doghouse headed ones. None of them are alike which brings a few questions that I hope some of you out there can help me clarify.
For the earier roundish headed Bilsteins I've noticed the following differences (see pictures for clarifications):
1. The bottom jack pictured has reinforcement built into the head that the top one does not.
2. The base on the top jack is thicker and has clips holding it on from the bottom, while the bottom one has a smaller base, is open at the bottom, and no clips.
3. The bottom jack has "Bilstein" written with a slight rainbow arch while the top one is written flat.
4. Both appear to have factory paint from head to base (top to bottom).
64-early Bay Bilstein, later design with square head
64-67 Split Bus on top, Early Bay window Bus on bottom
For the Split Bus jack, note that it has no "triangle" to stop the fold-out portion from extending too far upward and the indent on the fold-out section is smaller.
More comparison details:
The following are early Bay Window jacks:
For the later doghouse headed Jacks
I've noticed the following differences (see pictures for clarification):
1. The top jack has a "B" stamped on one side of the head and the bottom has a "J" stamped to the opposite side.
2. The base on the bottom one is bulkier and has clips holding it in place while the top jack has a thinner base and no visible clips holding it on.
3. The top jack has "Bilstein" cast into the squared portion that would go into the jack-point, and the bottom one is blank in that space.
4. Again, as with the earlier style, both jacks seem to have been painted black from top to bottom from the factory.
Late early Bay Window on top, earlier early Bay Window on bottom:
Bus jack bags
There is some debate when jack bags may have been used in Split Windows but they may have been used from 1966-67.
Several Mesh Grey bags have been seen and believed to be original:
Aero Balearic, a 1966-67 Deluxe color, bag:
Grey bag, 59-61 Commercial upholstery, has also been seen:
It is unknown whether this is an original or home-made.
Bay Window style, Bay Window headliner material:
Size: 27.25" x 6.5" (approximately)
Early Squareback bag w/Bus jack / green color
Size: 26" x 5.5" (approximately)
==============
I would very much like to read productive and educated feedback on this thread so anyone else can know what details to look for. Maybe you have a jack that you are sure came from a particular year which would help clarify changes in these jacks. If you have additional differences and things to look for, please do share them.
Thanks for looking! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
slow36hp
scott wimberley
Joined: August 09, 2004
Posts: 3113
Location: mukilteo washington
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
pcalbar
Samba Member
Joined: August 02, 2003
Posts: 80
Location: San Antonio, TX
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 8:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| If you or anyone else looking at this thread happen to have a Vigot Bus jack available, please let me know. I do not have one for my '54 and would like to find one. Contact Peter at [email protected] or (210)559-1214. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
campingbox 
Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2000
Posts: 10196
Location: Petaluma, CA
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Agreed on the Vigot thing. My '55 & both of my '56's came with them.
Here's one for sale, BIG MONEY.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=682000
If they are really worth that much I'll sell you the one out of my bus for $350 shipped. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
EverettB
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69802
Location: Phoenix Metro
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 10:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
My understanding from postings here is that the Vigot jack was used up through 1957.
The round-head Bilstein jack is 1958-1963.
The square-head (dog head as described above) is 1964-up.
My 51K mile '64 Bus has the square-head style jack.
If someone has a '63 I am pretty sure it would be the same jack as my low mileage '63 Squareback. 62-64 Squarebacks use a Bus jack:
I have never seen a Bus with a jack bag but it is awesome.
I looked at my jacks and I only have one of the reinforced round head jacks, seen on the bottom here:
All of my round-head jacks have a base with the style seen on the bottom here:
So, combining my jack styles with Peter's, there are round-head jacks with both combinations of head styles and base styles.
_________________
How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
EverettB
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69802
Location: Phoenix Metro
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bugcollections
Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2007
Posts: 795
Location: Texas
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 9:14 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Everett: Or anyone else: Can you post some details on the jack bag as to materials, size, etc.? Is anyone repoping the jack bag? And one final idiot question? Where is the appropriate place to store the jack in a bus, i.e. where were they stored when they came from the factory. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
House
Minutia Militia
Joined: June 13, 2001
Posts: 1766
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 9:32 am Post subject: |
|
|
"Underneath the cab seat you will find the jack and tool kit required for changing tires."
I believe the bag is a squareback and baywindow item...?
I would use the one above though! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
EverettB
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69802
Location: Phoenix Metro
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yes, Split Buses don't have bags to the best of my knowledge. I have wrapped the jack in a towel though to prevent under-seat vibrations.
I have seen one Barndoor Deluxe pictured with a bag made of black seat material but I don't know if it was original. I don't think any one is making bags but it would be easy to do.
When you buy a Bus, this is what you want to see: 
_________________
How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Spanish Flea
Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2006
Posts: 1244
Location: So. Flo.
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Bus jacks....
I know they were black head to toe...
What shade of black....
Flat Black..
Semigloss Black..
Gloss Black..
Thanks,
Spanish Flea
_________________
Miami Vdubs
Alte Schule
Rare Vintage Air
"Mr. Ford, i don't think what we are being offered here is worth a damn!" - Ernest Breech (On buying VW, March 1948) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
House
Minutia Militia
Joined: June 13, 2001
Posts: 1766
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I would consider them to be around 80% gloss...?
Kinda inbetween what most consider semigloss and gloss. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AlteWagen
Troll
Joined: February 23, 2007
Posts: 8501
Location: PNW
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Here are the jacks, iron and bag that was under the front seat in my 63 when I got it. I know that they are not original but there was some interest in the bag. I think maybe bay? The material is square weave brown vinyl on the front side and smooth marble on the rear. the string is the smooth vinyl used on the rear
Bag measurements are:
27 inches long
7.5 inches wide
the one remaining string (supposed to be two) is
12 inches long
and sewn in the seam at
3.5 inches from the top
There was a como tool bag (empty) under the seat as well but at 18 i didnt know what it was and into the trash it went  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
EverettB
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69802
Location: Phoenix Metro
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
EverettB
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69802
Location: Phoenix Metro
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
EverettB
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69802
Location: Phoenix Metro
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DanM
Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2002
Posts: 1330
Location: Falls Church, VA
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 6:54 pm Post subject: Re: Bus Jack Clarification Wanted, what can you add? |
|
|
I just bought one of these jacks and realized that they are not correct for a Split Bus. That little cast triangular "nub" keeps the arm from sticking into the jack point on a bus while keeping the body of the jack straight up and down on the ground. A quick search of the classifieds shows other "doghouse" style jacks that don't have this cast part, so those must be " split bus" and these must be Bay or Thing jacks. Hope that helps.
Split Bus - jack is straight up (1967 Manual)
Bay Bus - jack leans back (73 Manual)
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sitka Steve
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2000
Posts: 241
Location: Sitka, Alaska
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 11:01 am Post subject: which jack goes with my 1960 Singlecab? |
|
|
Here are two jacks I have....Which one is correct for my 1960 singlecab?
From the discussion, I would assume it is the one on the right without the triangular stop nub. They appear to have a few differences than the ones already posted.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DanM
Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2002
Posts: 1330
Location: Falls Church, VA
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 11:13 am Post subject: Re: which jack goes with my 1960 Singlecab? |
|
|
| Sitka Steve wrote: |
| Here are two jacks I have....Which one is correct for my 1960 singlecab? |
Hi Steve, unfortunately neither of those are right for a '60. You want one like the top one in the first pic in this thread. All black, with the rounded head.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sitka Steve
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2000
Posts: 241
Location: Sitka, Alaska
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 12:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Good to know, Dan. Thanks!
What are the years of the two I have? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DanM
Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2002
Posts: 1330
Location: Falls Church, VA
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 1:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Sitka Steve wrote: |
| What are the years of the two I have? |
I think the one with the hump that keeps the arm from going up past 90 degrees is a Bay jack (see my post above w/ links), and the other one is from around '64 to (at least) '67. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
