Collapsible steering column in early beetle

Aussie Officially Full-On Dubber

296 posts · joined Sep 2006 · 23 Jul 2017, 8:51 pm

#1036890

Hello,

Has anybody modified an early beetle steering column and added a collapsible section (like the post '68 columns)? Or put a late column in an early car??

Cheers.

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 24 Jul 2017, 12:32 am

#1036894

yes I fitted a 76 Golf coloum to my 65 bug

bit of bodywork required to make it fit

I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

Aussie Officially Full-On Dubber

296 posts · joined Sep 2006 · 24 Jul 2017, 5:39 pm

#1036907

vw54 wrote:yes I fitted a 76 Golf coloum to my 65 bug

bit of bodywork required to make it fit

Interesting. Was that the whole column unmodified was fitted? What about turn signal and ignition assembly? I want to keep everything stock that is visible inside the car inc. OG steering wheel - 1956 Beetle.

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 24 Jul 2017, 11:49 pm

#1036915

ok so I used the top half of the 76 golf and the bottom half of the 65 beetle, but you can adapt the 68 or later collapsible column, the outer tube will have to be adjusted most important is the distance from the dash to the steering column so you don't hit your knuckles on the dash if yr fitting different seats then allow for this

I had to cut under the dash approx 30 x 30 cm to have a flat section as the original has bumps and different curves then weld in a new flat section of sheet metal to allow the new column to be mounted its a bit of cutting and welding. I also allowed enough room to fit a 76 bug fuse box with the push in blinker, hi beam n wiper modules fitted

the later switches blinkers n wipers have to be re wired to fit the early stuff or you fit later wipers

I am Overseas at moment and don't have access to my pictures so can do on my return Aug 14

mine looks factory and no out of the way bits added very flat dash and unders

I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409