My Summertime Go-Kart!

JBall8019 · Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 5:36 pm Post subject: My Summertime Go-Kart!

Im trying to learn how to post photos , so if this doesnt work I will try again!

I have been looking for a Thing off and on for almost 20 years, I used to see some once in a while growing up. The first one I saw upclose was at a car show in Kaiserslautern Germany in 1990, and I knew I would have one eventually!

I bought this thing from member ,VWinnovator, near Baltimore in 2012. It didnt come with an engine but the seller, Paul, built and installed one as part of the selling price. He has this neat shop and does really cool projects. He gave me a list of small stuff that the thing needed and Im about halfway finished.

This is how it looked at Paul's shop:

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

I am slowly making it how I want it:

_________________
John

JBall8019 · Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 5:38 pm Post subject:

ok cool it worked!

When it gets a little warmer, I have the inside to paint, the seats to refurbish, gas tank and muffler to replace.
_________________
John

GI Joe · Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 8:57 pm Post subject:

Looking good!! These Things body shape lend themselves to off color fenders! I've contemplated doing mine black, or even grey..... Not sure yet..

Keep up the good work. When y'all get thawed out, you'll be able to have all sorts of fine times there!
_________________
'74 Thing, "Our Thing".... Blue 181

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...p;start=60
'71 Beetle RPU
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8080337#8080337
www.NLEOMF.com
Respect, Honor, Remember

citroen · Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 9:25 pm Post subject:

looking good keep up the work and keep adding pictures

oasis · Samba Member Joined: December 12, 2002 Posts: 2168

Deckard · Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 6:41 am Post subject:

I am glad to see you are involving your son. I have a 2 year old who is fascinated by the car, and tries to help out with repairs. With his plastic tools of course!

JBall8019 · Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 5:13 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys, the support from this site is great. I think it looks good with the color scheme. The paint is flat black and Ford 8n tractor paint shot with a HF all purpose sprayer. It's far from perfect because I romp it in the woods from time to time but it looks better than the nasty 80's crinkle paint. So far it's been reliable and fun to wrench on.

GI Joe: I think flat black will work for your blue as well. I'm debating what color to paint the wheels, gray or white
Citroen: yes sir! I will keep posting pics as I progress
Oasis: I wish I had the domeck bros skills
Deckard: just keep an eye on him! When my son was his age he took a real hammer to my beloved farmall tractor!

It's been a pleasure to have this car, I love driving it on the weekend when it's decent outside. My son likes the car too, he loves it when we go the drive in movies or swimming with it. I explained to him that a cool car can be junky and slow and he gets it Laughing

Is there anything I can do to the plastic window to get the scratches out easily?

_________________
John

GI Joe · Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 5:50 pm Post subject:

I recently took some plastic window polish and used an HF polishing head kit for my drill. Took my time and really worked the polish onto the windows of our jeep... They looked brand new!!(until the next trail ride, where we ended up on a 4wheeler trail and got pinstriped Really bad..... Or good, depending how you look at it!! Wink

_________________
'74 Thing, "Our Thing".... Blue 181

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...p;start=60
'71 Beetle RPU
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8080337#8080337
www.NLEOMF.com
Respect, Honor, Remember

Deckard · Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 6:40 pm Post subject:

To.avoid scratching the rear window follow the correct procedure for folding the top, which is NOT "fold back fhe top". There's a video on youtube.

jjrannauro · Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 9:16 am Post subject:

JBall8019 · Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 6:02 pm Post subject:

Wow! I never knew the proper procedure for taking the top down. The procedure that's shown in the video seems cumbersome though.

Go joe: I'll take your device on clearing up the scratches. I like jeeps too, I'd like to own an m-38 someday.
_________________
John

JBall8019 · Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 6:02 pm Post subject:

Advice
_________________
John

rrankin · Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 2:21 pm Post subject:

even using this method to take down the top I try to make sure I have clean fluffy terry cloth sandwiched between the window and the other parts of the top just to avoid any light scratching.

It's a lot of extra work, but it's worth keeping your top in great condition for years to come.
_________________
'74 Thing [Fritz]
Austin, TX

GI Joe · Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 3:21 pm Post subject:

JBall8019 · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 9:05 am Post subject:

it's starting to get warmer and I'm itching to start on my thing again. One of the tasks I want to do is address theft. I was swimming at Lake Milton last summer and I noticed a guy walking around my VW with what I believe was a large screwdriver and a mallet. He quickly left as a passenger in a pickup when he noticed me approaching. I have been contemplating something this but I don't know if the lock works with the stock shifter:
http://www.amazon.com/EMPI-17-2949-Shift-Volkswagen-Buggy/dp/B00EDOMKGQ
Does anyone make a anti theft column collar? Is it even possible to jack a vw with a screwdriver and a mallet?
_________________
John

Ratt · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 9:23 am Post subject:

I had to break my ignition with a screwdriver when the shipping company broke my key off on the ignition. So yes it is possible. A simple method is a quick disconnect on the battery. I have one where the knob unscrews and you can take it with you. Only down side is if you have a radio, you will loose allow your presets.

wbrown45 · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 9:36 am Post subject:

JBall8019 · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 7:26 am Post subject:

Ratt: did it take long to start the car? Thanks for reminding me to put a radio in my car Very Happy

Wbrown45: did you use a shifter lock made for a 68-71 beetle? I found a couple for $70 after your suggestion. Was it difficult to install?
_________________
John

JBall8019 · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 7:02 pm Post subject:

I'm having a bit of trouble with my brake light fuse blowing. I've inspected the wires in the engine bay and above the fuse block and I couldn't find the fault. Are there any usual areas that I should focus my attention?
_________________
John

Semper_Dad · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 7:32 pm Post subject:


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Thing/Type 181	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time Page: 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2