'65 Single Cab (and rotisserie) build

south_island_surf

Hey Samba,

My name's Art, I've been a member since '04. Since then I've been looking off and on for a project, and finally got one in March of this year. Bought the truck in Vancouver (from Alp, a member here), and I live in Victoria, BC.

The truck had been sandblasted and bodywork started probably over ten years ago. The project began in North Carolina, then moved to Washington, where Alp picked it up. He ended up with too many projects, so I took it off his hands...

At the ferries on the way home:

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

Home:

As it sat for several months while I finished some projects around the house:

New parts that came with it:

-Klassic Fab bed.
-Cheap rocker (orange), battery tray, decent used floor for patches.
-Nice re-done seats.
-New Interior panels and under-seat mats.
-Repro bumpers.
-Wiring harness.
-New shoes, wheel cyls, flex hoses, bearings, tie rods.
-Looks like a full set of seals.
-Boxes of used bits and pieces

Missing engine, gas tank, rear apron. Side gates are probably savable; rear gate beyond help.

south_island_surf · Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:05 pm Post subject:

Finally got started a few weeks ago. Bought my compressor, had it wired up, got some tools... Man, having air in the shop is very nice! Couldn't break a couple lug studs free... wrenching with a breaker bar made the tire spin on the polished concrete floor. Picked up a decent IR impact wrench and it spun them no problem, then made short work of the front end dissassembly.

Picked up all the steel for my dolly/half-rotisserie, I'll weld it up when I get the trans and front end out:

Got the front end out tonight; dinged up the front shift rod a little trying to separate it from the rear, but it should be fine.

Front end done. I picked up a cheapy air hammer and pickle fork set from the new Princess Auto (closest we get to Harbor Freight in canada), which made separating all the tie rod ends super quick:

south_island_surf · Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:10 pm Post subject:

Trans/axles/rgb's out:

Ended up selling the trans, drum to drum (minus nosecone) back to Alp for use in one of his projects.

south_island_surf · Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:21 pm Post subject:

Using a chain (extra one from the kids' playground) and jack to get the spring plates off the stopper:

Dolly frame welded (copied a design from the second page of the biggest rotisserie thread on here):

Dolly brackets bolted to the frame:

Lowered onto the dolly frame, where I tacked it. Actually, I was worried about things moving when I welded it up, so I tried to lay as many beads as I could before pulling it out. Things still moved a bit, and I had to ream some holes in the angle iron brackets. I'd use a bigger drill bit if I did it again, more wiggle room.

Pulled it out and started welding:

Drilling plates for the casters:

Welding them on:

Done:

Test drive across the garage!

I'd love to start some sheet metal work, but the used welder I bought didn't come with shielding gas, so before I get a bottle I'll weld up the half-rotisserie with the flux-core wire I've got going.

I'll take some shots of the problem areas and post those next...

unclespanky · Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:23 pm Post subject:

Nice progress!!! keep the pics coming please! Very Happy

south_island_surf · Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:24 pm Post subject:

Bulkhead behind the cab:

Mild radio hack:

Passenger front wheel well:

Passenger floor and dogleg:

Driver's floor and dogleg:

Roof creased (from a rotisserie?) over passenger rain gutter:

Driver's side rocker:

Battery tray (came with a repair piece):

Lower nose:

All in all, pretty minor stuff for a split. I'm debating whether to blast it again and re-do all the bodywork, or just grind all the patches where rust has started again. The whole underside is surface-rusted, and the treasure chest area is spotty.

Side gates are probably savable, rear gate is toast. Doors haven't been touched; they'll need some work. Treasure chest doors are bare metal with pinhole rust, decklid is primered.

Hoping to have it ready for paint when the weather warms up... April? We'll see...

Saul Koll · Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 10:03 pm Post subject:

Looking good, I'll be watching!

Fuzz VW · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 12:03 am Post subject:

Nice project! Looks to be a really solid bus. Nice job on the cart too. Clean and simple.
_________________
The Older the Better!
www.wolfsgart.com
www.wagenfest.com (Vintage VW & Porsche Festival)

Campy · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 1:02 am Post subject:

I would recommend using a tie rod end separating tool to remove the drag link and tie rod ends (no damage).
Since the body was taken down to bare metal, take it back down to bare metal, including removing any filler, especially if two coats of epoxy primer were not shot over the body. You don't want your new paint to start getting bubble spots.
I like the photographs: they make me feel like I am there.
_________________
Don't worry; be happy. (Baba)

crukab · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 6:44 am Post subject:

Nice looking project Truck !
I like the no center posts in your garage, wish I had that option when mine was built.
You will love the second treasure chest door when working inside the beast, keep the great picks coming.
_________________
Tom

My Pops:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604100&highlight=
I know you will always be with me, rest in peace with no more pain. 8/13/14.....

In the yard right now:
'51 Dodge 5 window truck
'65 Bug
'66 Singlecab
'82 Rabbit Truck Diesel from CALI Smile

'86 Doublecab W/T
'91 Vanagon carat/wolfsbrg.Tiico
'88 Dodge Ram pickup
'11 Jetta Wagon

BenTen · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 7:01 am Post subject:

That SC is in great shape compared to any I've seen especially from the NC/SC area. Will be watching your progress!

Ben

south_island_surf · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 9:28 am Post subject:

Thanks for the kind words, everyone!

P.Rocket · Samba Member Joined: September 19, 2007 Posts: 3

Good looking project Art. Looking forward to keeping an eye on your progress.
I'm Andrew from Abbotsford, the guy with the fuel tank.
Does the bus tank fit in that location on a single cab?

You've got my number, chat ya later.

south_island_surf · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 2:23 pm Post subject:

Hey Andrew, yeah the tank is the same.

I am missing the sheet metal that hides the tank in the treasure chest... anybody have that?

crukab · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 2:53 pm Post subject:

south_island_surf · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 6:11 pm Post subject:

south_island_surf · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:48 pm Post subject:

Got more done on the rotisserie.

Second upright and crossbrace:

Adjustable piece to brace the cab:

Placed this tube against the cab, tucked up under the rain gutter, then traced how it sat against the brace so I can cut it and weld them at that angle:

Only had a couple hours in the garage today, hopefully I can finish it off tomorrow and flip this sucker on its side!
_________________
Art

My '65 single cab project:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=491474

HotStreetVw · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:54 pm Post subject:

You don't NEED the additional support at the cab. The frame is plenty strong to support the weight of the shell.
_________________
4inBhore
50 Split - 2724cc NA. Haltech injected
62 Notchback - 2542cc Turbo WIP

south_island_surf · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:07 pm Post subject:

I'm sure you're right, and I've read the debate on the rotisserie threads...

Just peace of mind, especially since this is my first fabricating project beyond skateboard grind rails! I'm pretty sure all the welds are good, but a little insurance never hurt.
_________________
Art

My '65 single cab project:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=491474

dmuis · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 10:19 pm Post subject:

I was looking at that singlecab back in 2009 already, but when I sold my other bus in 2010, I needed a driver, the withdrawal was so bad. Bought a 65 singlecab, but always wondered about the colour of yours. It does really look closer to ivory. Have you got an Mcode plate with it? That should tell all. It's behind the passenger seat, down low.

Closely watching the thread,
Darren


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'65 Single Cab (and rotisserie) build
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