How I made an engine access panel look factory

[crownline]

If I'm going to do it I want it to look like it was supposed to be there.

First I took an old Vanagon Hatch and resized it to fit

Starting to fiberglass it back together as this is a newer non metal hatch

Now to have a Spotted Cow Cold one and start to cut.

After cutting. What a big hole!

Now for my homemade square tubing bender. I used 1/2inch square tubing. No laughing it really did a good job

Starting to weld the tubing and the 16gauge flat stock for the frame.

Fitting the frame in the opening.

Bent existing metal to meet the new frame before trimming.

Working out the slot for the hinge of the hatch using a piece of the original floor.

Painted frame ready to be mounted.

Finished frame with weather stripping and door edge guard for a stock look.

Factory looking engine access hatch.

After new Masonite and felt covering installed. Just need to roll carpet back and put rear seat back into position. Now I can finally work on the engine more easily and take the firewall out to change vent lines and on to the next project. Dress up the engine to make it worthy of the new hatch.

I still need to relocate the fuel charcoal canister. Haven't decided on where to put the booster fan.
I hope this helps anyone considering "hacking" their Bus. No Haters Please
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1972 Bus 1700 cc Single Carb. But not a progressive.
Barelymuvin
Wish I still had the ones I got rid of.

"It"s got some dings and dents and neither of us is going to SEMA."(Update, I went to SEMA in 2019 but the Bus stayed home)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-8446.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[Wasted youth]

There are a lot of hacks out there, but this one looks pretty damn good. I wish my P.O. had spent an equal amount of effort cutting a hole to get out the fuel sender, instead of using the shovel and pry-bar. Nice trick with the square tube bending!

Obvious question... probably doesn't need asking, but hey. Will you finish the fabrication seams on the hatch, or are you OK with the covering as is?

[crownline]

[Wasted youth]

Well, that looks pretty good. I imagine you could do the same with the early Vanagon steel hatches, too.

[Bala]

Looks great!
I didn't realize the later Vanagons had a non-metal hatch. Very interesting...
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1976 Westy

1966 Beetle

[danfromsyr]

great install crownline very oe looking..

I've never known why VW didn't put the T-III hatch in both the bay & the variants . like in this thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=363270
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[Sloride]

Pretty slick. Looks like what I did with mine. I used the metal hatch. My only regret wa not doing this ten years earlier.
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1972 Westfalia - 1.8 VW in-line h2o conversion
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Link to the engine swap:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=565304&highlight=

1964 Ruby Red Beetle

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=705757&highlight=ruby+red

[Lil Lulu]

This 72 owner appreciates the advantage of the hatch. Kinda makes you think "What were they thinking". Looks like a smart design too.
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'65 Beetle "Lil' Lulu"- Ruby Red
1600 stock from '71 bus

'72 Deluxe - Niagara Blue w/pastelwiess Camper Special 2L dual 40 Webers 002

'74 Hightop Weekender "Dixie" 1800 34 Del singles

[Busstom]

Nice work, I wish I had time to do that.

You gonna blend the top of the hatch joints and make it look factory?

[crownline]

Lil'Lulu, Thanks for the kind words.

Busstom, yes I will be finishing the seams of the hatch and painting it. Then reinstalling the sound deadening.
_________________
1972 Bus 1700 cc Single Carb. But not a progressive.
Barelymuvin
Wish I still had the ones I got rid of.

"It"s got some dings and dents and neither of us is going to SEMA."(Update, I went to SEMA in 2019 but the Bus stayed home)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-8446.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[Abscate]

Thread reported to moderators for deceptive title

"How I made an engine access panel BETTER than factory"

is more correct.

OP is banned pending installing same on all Sambanistas..


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🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🍊 🍊 🍊

[Manfred58sc]

Well done. No access is intolerable in my book. I used a late bay hatch in my 69. The only way to go when you are really driving these beasts on a daily basis.
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Fat chick owner/operator

[jtauxe]

Very nice! I really miss having a hatch on the pickups. I just cannot bring myself to cut a hole into the flatbed.

Nice installation job, with the frame and all, too.

My only concern with what you have done is that you seriously diminished the strength, such as it was, of the hatch by cutting it down into quarters. I understand why you did that, but what happens if you sit on it, or put heavy stuff on it? Will it hold up?
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John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD

[Chochobeef]

I imagine that with it being fiberglass, he can reinforce it to be as strong as he wants. I see no diminished strength and would probably be stronger than factory steel.

Nice fab work and ingenuity.

[crownline]

[Sprink1es]

Wait... there are bay windows that don't have an access panel above the engine?

[Stuartzickefoose]

Look up Rustbus' 72 he put in a crossbar for the booster
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Stuart Zickefoose

2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual

206-841-7324
[email protected]

[jtauxe]

[crownline]

Thanks Stuart I will check that one out.
_________________
1972 Bus 1700 cc Single Carb. But not a progressive.
Barelymuvin
Wish I still had the ones I got rid of.

"It"s got some dings and dents and neither of us is going to SEMA."(Update, I went to SEMA in 2019 but the Bus stayed home)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-8446.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[FlowerPowered]

There is no end to airhead creativity.
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76 Westy "Sunset"