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Late floor pan to early pan?

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duncombemu Seriously Crusin Dubber

199 posts · joined Jan 2003 ·

#40131
I've saved a '71 Super bug from our local tip. It had a very badly damaged body, beyond repair, so I've removed the body from the floor pan, because it was in good condition.
So, is it possible to match a late floor pan ('71) up to a early 60's body? I'll have to change the frame head (strut type) to a frame head/link pin type front end. This late type floor pan has an IRS rear end and a better floor pan.
Don't ever let anyone tell you, "It can't be done."

aussiebug Officially Full-On Dubber

246 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#40291
You can't put a superbug body on a standard bug floor pan - they are too different forward of the windscreen. And similarly, you can't put an early body on to a superbug floor pan.

You can put a later style standard bug body on an early pan and visa versa, but you may have to alter the rear suspension mounting point (under the mud guards/fenders) the later style is a different height (higher or lower - I forget), but that's a straightforward cut/weld job.

[Edited on 22-4-2003 by aussiebug]
Rob
Rob and Dave's aircooled VW pages
Repairs and maintenance for the home mechanic
http://www.vw-resource.com

Baja Wes V6 Baja Pioneer

3,119 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#40303
duncombemu wrote:So, is it possible to match a late floor pan ('71) up to a early 60's body? I'll have to change the frame head (strut type) to a frame head/link pin type front end.
Yes and yes. I have done this procedure before.

To mount an early body on a strut floorpan, you will need to cut the strut frame head off and weld a link pin one on, as you already said. Just pay attention to the alignment of everything and you'll be fine.

The only other change is in the rear shock tower area. The IRS towers are taller to clear the trailing arms. So VW made the shock tower body to pan bolt mounts about 1-2 inches higher.

To fix this simply cut those mounts off the body carefully. Then put the body on the pan, and reweld the new body mounts slightly higher to match the higher shock towers.
Wes - www.offroadvw.net - 200HP Quad Cam V6 in a VW Baja - with climate control... 🙂
www.taylorcycles.com.au - My DH MTB racing brothers shop.

aussiebug Officially Full-On Dubber

246 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#40627
Baja Wes wrote:To mount an early body on a strut floorpan, you will need to cut the strut frame head off and weld a link pin one on, as you already said. Just pay attention to the alignment of everything and you'll be fine.
I learn something new every day - thanks Wes.
Rob
Rob and Dave's aircooled VW pages
Repairs and maintenance for the home mechanic
http://www.vw-resource.com

duncombemu Seriously Crusin Dubber

199 posts · joined Jan 2003 ·

#48670
I want to put a mid 60's body onto a '71 IRS, Super Bug pan.
I've removed the strut frame head and put a on ball joint frame head. How I did it, is another story.
Are there major modifications needed to combine the two, body to pan?
Regards,
Mark
:thumb
Don't ever let anyone tell you, "It can't be done."

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#48963
Hi

I saw pictures from SA of a guy who was fitting a superbug pan & struts under an oval, I have also seen some guy on the shoptalk forums doing the same thing.

1302Steve