Replacing the speedo / dash

HGFS Wolfsburg Wizard

531 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 1 Jun 2010, 11:36 am

#782186

I got a KPH speedo for our 69 square off thesamba, just need to know how to remove & replace. The bonus is the KPH is in much better condition than the original MPH!!

While I'm in the area, how is the dash removed? I see some screws under the windscreen at the top of the dash, is that it? How about the grab handle, does that bolt to the metal part of the dash above the glovebox? I got a better looking refurbed dash with the car but it doesn't have any tabs for the screws under the windscreen so I hope I can still fit it.

1954 Oval long term project going nowhere
1958 Beetle drag car project
1959 Beetle project I need to sell one day
1969 Squareback

1500S Custom Title Time!

1,418 posts · joined Mar 2005 · 1 Jun 2010, 1:10 pm

#782193

The spare pad you have is for the later 72-73 model which fits into a small "C" channel.

Grab handle... remove glove box first.
Gauges .. speedo etc.... reach under and undo speedo cable and squeeze in retaining clips to remove.
Pad.... more screws under trim strip

DH

HGFS Wolfsburg Wizard

531 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 1 Jun 2010, 6:39 pm

#782266

Thanks for the info

So does that mean I need to get this C channel, then will the dash fit?

1954 Oval long term project going nowhere
1958 Beetle drag car project
1959 Beetle project I need to sell one day
1969 Squareback

1500S Custom Title Time!

1,418 posts · joined Mar 2005 · 1 Jun 2010, 8:24 pm

#782303

HGFS wrote:Thanks for the info

So does that mean I need to get this C channel, then will the dash fit?

That part is spot welded to the later dash metal. You would have to find a wreck, drill the dozen or so spot welds out, fill the holes with either weld or solder to make it look presentable and then screw it to your dash................... it's just not worth the trouble. Been there, done that on son's 71 Notch in the early 90s!

If the spare one you have is a good one, sell it off and use the loot to get your own recovered.

DH

HGFS Wolfsburg Wizard

531 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 4 Jun 2010, 11:37 pm

#782931

1500S wrote:Gauges .. speedo etc.... reach under and undo speedo cable and squeeze in retaining clips to remove.

Did this just now, pretty easy once I got my hand past all the wires. But as always there was a catch:
The OG speedo (7/69) has a double terminal on the bottom with a couple of brown wires attached to it (I assume they are a ground?). The new one (4/66, I didn't check the year when I bought it 😠 ) doesn't.

Is it as easy as drilling out the spot weld to get the terminal off the old speedo, and soldering on to the new one, or is that too redneck?
If I cant connect those wires am I in the shit with a speedo from the other side of the world that I can't use?

1954 Oval long term project going nowhere
1958 Beetle drag car project
1959 Beetle project I need to sell one day
1969 Squareback

1500S Custom Title Time!

1,418 posts · joined Mar 2005 · 6 Jun 2010, 9:11 am

#783109

The brown wire is the earth wire for the dash lights. It'll most likely be ok without but you could just solder a tab on to connect the wire to the speedo body.

DH

HGFS Wolfsburg Wizard

531 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 6 Jun 2010, 11:06 am

#783128

Ok thanks v much thats what I was hoping!

1954 Oval long term project going nowhere
1958 Beetle drag car project
1959 Beetle project I need to sell one day
1969 Squareback