My 1969 Class 11 Project

[sheridap]

Finally getting around to starting a thread for my project

I picked this car up from an ad in the samba about 6 months ago. I'm planning to take it on the TAT (Trans America Trail) in the fall, assuming I can get it ready!

I will get some photos of my work to date uploaded here as I get time:
- racing seat installed
- rear seat delete
- new fuse box and accessory panel
- roof rack added
- reconditioned oil bath air cleaner
- dash gauge cluster for temp, pressure, tach, voltmeter

todays fun:
- hack a cheap home depot wireless doorbell into a wireless horn relay so I dont have to fuss with the steering column rubbing on the steering column shaft.


basic doorbell:

remove doorbell circuit from housing:

locate power inputs to button/switch. I played around with a 24 gauge wire until i was able to determine which terminals trigger the button so i can bypass it:

then solder wires in to connect to the EMPI horn button:

TODO: remove the button battery housing and wire in a 12v to 3v stepdown to be able to power the button from the steering column.

remove the main board from the doorbell wall unit:

remove the leads to the speaker and the wire leads from the battery housing.

wire in the power leads that will connect to the horn ground and ignition power.

TODO: wire in a 12v to 5v stepdown to power the board.

Once I get the voltage stepdown parts in Ill update.
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1969 Class 11
1974 Super Beetle - Sun Bug

[Jimbug57]

Mega sweet
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Repeat after me "I am smarter than metal!"

[Chris333]

I know you were trying to keep the stock location. But I just mounted a center off sprung toggle under the dash for my horn.
I had to replace my rag joint with a universal out of a super.

[TDCTDI]

Seems like you could have fixed the real problem with the amount of time & effort that you’re spending to do a work around.
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Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[VW Habit]

I built that car. Sold it in 2001.
It used to have fully polished Porsche Pedrini wheels on it and BFG Mud Terrains. The car looks good and I like the Riviera's on it.
Keep posting and if you have any questions, hit me up.

[Buggeee]

[sheridap]

[sheridap]

[sheridap]

here's some images from my initial triage of the steering column shaft. Pulled the column to reveal a snagged piece of metal on the firewall end.

The column itself looks to have a slight bow that catches on a turn around the "10 AM" position from inside view of the shaft.

Shaved the snagged metal off the shaft and installed a new firewall grommet. used some hose clamps to try and keep the shaft in place, but it still seems to turn loose after a while despite my best efforts.

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1969 Class 11
1974 Super Beetle - Sun Bug

[sheridap]

OK so I abandoned the doorbell hack and ordered a proper 12v wireless relay. The below video shows it properly triggering the horn. The issue that prevented me from completing the install is there is only a ground wire in the steering column!.


Link


Oh well. I reverted to a mechanical fix to prevent the steering column from rubbing on the inside of the steering shaft: i inserted a PVC collar on the shaft, and put a think PVC liner inside the bottom end of the shaft. works like a charm!

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1969 Class 11
1974 Super Beetle - Sun Bug

[sheridap]

Recomendation request:

I want to connect a VDO oil pressure and temperature sending unit and gauges. I ordered the following but am having issues and think i maybe ordered the wrong setup. any thoughts are appreciated:

T adapter: VDO 240-855 (1/8 NPT)
Temp sender: VDO V3-2305-7 (1/8-27NPT)
Pressure Sender: 350-006 (M10X1)

Ok so in typing this up it looks like all my sizes are off (sigh). Still curious what VDO setups anyone may know work so i can order the correct stuff
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1969 Class 11
1974 Super Beetle - Sun Bug

[sheridap]

Radio and speakers installed!

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1969 Class 11
1974 Super Beetle - Sun Bug

[TDCTDI]

STOP!!!

Go back & revisit your steering column alignment issue.

This image shows horrible alignment of the steering shaft in the column, this indicates misalignment of the steering box. Installing a PVC spacer may only put more stress on the steering shaft and/or coupler. This can be caused by a steering box clamp being installed backwards (The other direction is for a Ghia.), a bent pan head or bent beam, a bent/failing collapsible steering shaft, or even a failed/failing steering coupler, ALL of which need to be inspected and addressed to keep the steering coupler or column from fatiguing and failing & causing loss of steering.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[sheridap]

[TDCTDI]

Then yes, the column is misaligned & absolutely needs to be corrected. Not only will you need to modify the notches on the steering box clamp, but you will need to install a spacer between the dash & lock housing AND relocate the hole that the column passes through the bulkhead to ensure a straight line. Or, install a support bearing at the bottom of the column where it exits the bulkhead & employ a double universal shaft between the steering box & the steering shaft. The way it is now will cause catastrophic failure.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[sheridap]

[TDCTDI]

Looking back through your pictures, there is evidence that the column was adjusted down. In stock form, the column tucks against the underside of the dash, that's where the dip in the carpeting is designed to go around. You can also see the galvanized patch with what looks like Liquid Nails holding it in place.

You might need to remove this patch, loosen the steering box & get it all to settle in it's natural state, tighten the steering box clamp, & then make your own patch
/support for the lower end of the column.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[VW Habit]

Yes I did the body lift. I do not recall there being a big issue with the column though.
I do remember a slight modification to the sheet metal where the column passes through the bulkhead and there was also a 1/2" or so steel disc between the steering box and the rag joint that aided in aligning the column with the steering box.
The car appears to be repainted so there is a possibility it took an impact in the front somewhere in its last 18 years.
It appears you are on the right track by getting the column aligned correctly.
Good luck! I miss that car, shouldn't have sold it...