Looks like I may use a repro rear apron (depending on cost and quality) - the original one has a fair bit of panel beating required - so that is on hold for another week or so.
So now onto the dash mods - essentially I will be extending the under dash panel where the ashtray and ignition is so I can fit my stereo head unit in as well as the original stuff. Used a donor dash section (below pics) from a 58 (thanks Brad). Lots of cutting, welding, shaping, bending etc but it should turn out alright - I'll post more pics as progress continues.
1st pic dash as it currently stands (holes for autometer gauges)
2nd pic dash section after cutting and some initial shaping.
3rd pic same dash section with new metal being sized up for welding (today's project).
Alan
More boring pics to update you with...
1st pic is the initial hole cut in the dash
2nd pic is the new extension piece welded in place to the donor dash
3rd pic is the bigger hole left in the body (if you listen closely to this pic you can hear me saying to myself "what the f*ck have I done here?")
4th pic is where I started to feel a bit more at ease when some nice primed metal was going back in (tacked at this stage)
more pics of the new modified dash section tack welded in place.
The second pic shows an annoying little hole that required a very complex (that is time consuming) piece to be cut and bent, and bent, and cut again etc....
Third pic is the section welded in (just have to do the other side then weld the whole thing in, prime...then start the panel beating/filler work!
The hole on the right side of the ashtray is for the wolfsburg west cigarette lighter I got from the US (don't smoke but hoping it can be used to charge my mobile phone)
Alan
Well the dash is coming together - still have to finish the welding and grinding and general tidying up but here is how the stereo etc will look.
Couldn't get a decent pic tonight though because the flash kept reflecting off the gauges.
Alan
Finished welding and grinding the dash yesterday and primed it up. Have to tidy up the stereo cut-out still and commence the filler work.
I get more impressed than I already was every time I see new pics 😀
Thanks mate, much appreciated! Taking longer than expected but thats what a knee operation, house renovations and getting engaged ($$) will do to a project! 🙁
Man with all that on do you ever sleep?
your almost Mrs Das Dubber must be VERY understanding!
love your work.
kkk
Yep kkk, Mrs Dasdubber (to be) is very understanding....especially when you bring home a set of these babies....:bounce
My Cup3 turbo twists (17x7, ET52) have finally arrived. I managed to wipe the drool off for a few moments to take some pics....
Sorry I meant to say 17x7.5 (not 7).
Made in Italy but obviously repros. Caps are blank but I might get some real ones (if funds allow) some day. Here are some pics of a mock up of the front suspension.
No clearance problems, should be sweet.🙂
Rear is a different story though... 🙁
Here's the problem...originally when ordering the wheels I was told I Could get them in 27 offset which would have suited the rears perfectly. Alas after 6 weeks of being stuffed around, I was told they could only get 40 offsets (which would have been tight but may have just worked)....only to find out after another 3 weeks that I was told I could only get 52 offsets. So guess who now has to organise some spacers (more $).
Ah well, thats what you get for a custom project. Those discs look cool under there don't they 😀
Clearance on spring plate and bump stop are the problem areas.
They laugh because You are different, You laugh because They are all the same.
check out
www.lowlight.com.au for low lights only..
Much respect for those wheels dude 😎
They're awesome!
Congrats on the engagement too.
Thanks Cam!
Did a bit more work to the dash mods today. Finished the underside bog work (first couple of pics look ugly yeah?)...although looks like a lot of filler used, it is quite thin thanks to a fair bit of panel beating.
Something different at least (haven't seen such a mod in mags (not saying it hasn't been done though)).
Primer is on, just the under bonnet area to finish.
Alan
Nice, again! Have'nt seen a dash like that before. Looks wicked:thumb You don't often see custom dashes in beetles nowadays, let alone so subtle and complimentary as this. Makes you wonder why people don't play with dash set-ups more often?!?! I've often thought about using a 993/6 dash cluster in a beetle, but changing the insturment faces to look more "period". Costs might outweigh the end result tho.
Can't wait to see more pics. It's becoming a mad car 😎
Hay Alan you are doin a great job there.
good to see that you are doin all most every thing yourself not like some poeple.
😀
Can't wait to see it.:thumb
Thanks Kurt.
Here are a couple more pics of the inside of the dash mod. Just got the primer on tonight. Still have to do some final blade putty work to smooth out the tiny pinholes etc.
Also a pic of the new repro rear apron I'll be using (the original was just too much work, already spent 20 hours plus on it and still requires a lot more work!).
Alan
Got my tyres fitted today :bounce
Falken FK451 205/40 front and 215/45 rears.
More photos to come when I do the mock up on the pan.
Alan
Mounted up the wheels today to the pan and finally the rubber is touching the ground. The pan was sick of sitting on saw horses I am sure! Front wheels no problems re. clearance for suspension, rear I used some washers to space the wheels out so I could mount them temporarily. Spacers to come.
pics didn't load last time...I'll try again.
The rear will require between 25 and 30mm spacers to be fabbed up (or bring them in from Germany with their TUV approval). Will put the body on for a trial fit first to check for clearance between the guards. I am hoping I don't have to narrow the front to fit the wheels under the stock guards! But thats a custom project for ya. The rear wheels are going to hit the bump stop (which has to be clearance) and spring plates so I will sort that soon.
In the last pic there is Brad's (blup58) oval in the midst of body off resto. Stay tuned for pics and info from Brad, IRS conversion, 2110, 4 wheel discs, 16in fuchs....better not say anymore!
Alan
😀 mate your doing a fantastic job. i for one carn't wait to see end result.
said before and again good on ya.
Fantastic effort.
:bounce
Da Time For The Aircooled Revolution Is Upon US.
Brothers & Sisters Lets Hit The Streets, Roll As One. And Feel The Power Of The Aircooled Storm.
Thanks Matt, I too can't wait for this thing to be on the road! I'm sick of working on it...I just want to drive it!! 🙂 Still lots more work to come though, I really really really really really really want it ready for valla (if it is confirmed to be on?) this year. Fingers crossed.
Dasdubber,
You are doing a fantastic job! How long have you been at it now?
Thanks GL, started about May last year. In the mean time I've been busy with house reno's, getting engaged ($$ ring :P, and a knee operation so things have gone a little slower than I would have liked. Still progressing alright though. Thanks for the kind words.
May last year! You are going great. I started in Oct 2002 and am just starting to paint.
Whilst VWs are our passion and hobby we can't neglect the other important things in our lives.
Finally re-mated the pan and body today (amidst 40 degree plus heat!). Feels like I am progressing now even though it is a just a trial fit! Front wheels should just clear the guards, have just finished (8.30pm) reindexing the rear suspension as you can obviously see in the pics that it was set way too high. I like the 4th pic though, the front looks nice and agressive!
Must have stuffed up somehow when taking my measurements with the protractor...pretty easy fix though, should be sitting down nicely by the end of tomorrow (have to grind the bump stops before putting rear wheels back on).
I still have to get spacers made for the rears due to the ET52 offset wheels...probably around 25-30mm. The rears will hopefully just tuck under the stock guards but I may have to get the guards rolled.
Alan
In the 4th pic you can see my type IV longblock bolted up to get a more natural weight distribution when setting rear suspension. Gladwrap is to keep dust and crap out during storage.
Whilst it is in I'll be bolting up the manifolds and carbs so I can cut access holes in engine bay to improve the ease of tuning.
Alan
Great pics mate.
Da Time For The Aircooled Revolution Is Upon US.
Brothers & Sisters Lets Hit The Streets, Roll As One. And Feel The Power Of The Aircooled Storm.
inspiration to all thanks for putting time in between to give us a push to do our own
looking very nice "i like interior colour"
show us your gates
