Hey hey all!
I realize that winter is fast approaching and unless I want to be carrying a hot water bottle around with me on my long winter drives (I am seriously considering that if i cant get it working) I need to get my heating working on my 1974 L-series beetle!

SO how do I do it? Is it a DIY job or should i get a mechanic to do it?

Thanks for everyone's help in advance!

Hang on

Dont beetles already hyave heating, air coming from the heat exchangers on the exhaust manifolds and then up through the tube on each side of the floor.

nah those are unrequested suicide applicators

Burgo, depends how much ofyour system is still intact

most people disable them cos of the fumes
do you know if you still have heaterboxes and the ducting to the the heater channels?

the cables and control levers rust off too

No I dont anymore, is there an alternative to the heating system or am I gonna have to get new cables and a heater boxes and ducting?

i had a 67 bug and the heaters were bloody great. like all things do it right and they work

The stock heating system is excellent if it is maintained,if it's dodged up it is dangerous. I have run the stock system in my volksies for over 40 years both with and without standard exhaust systems.We manufactured our own version for Barls 2 litre and this also works well.

mine works fine actually i think im pretty much the only one with working stock heaters on a t4 converted bug

Oh yeah. That factory heater on a 1971 S is just great. So hot and dry, the car is toasty and no fog on the windows. The best heater I have had in about 10 different cars I have had.

Do you really need a heater in Brisbane? I went through 3 Armidale winters in my bug without a heater... water bottle is a good move, believe me!!! but seriously beanie and a good jacket....

heres a link to my bug in the snow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dd1x4sghXM 

but I've also seen something on Flat-4.jp that is a heater for VW's

https://www.flat4.co.jp/products/detail.php?product_id=5197 

you'll have to use a translator though

I have always had stock heaters on all my beetles, and as said above, as long as you keep them maintained (which doesn't take much), they work very well.

I dont think anyones really answered my question...
My heater is NOT present so WHAT do i need and HOW do i put it in, HOW hard is it and can i DIY or should I get it done by a mechanic and HOW much would that cost?

Thanks all.

ok heater boxes, cables and then fitted.

i cheated on one of my bugs by using a oil cooler and a small fan it was located in the well behind the back seat,i would use the fan in winter and not in summer i was going to use a tap to stop the oil from getting to the cooler
happy driving

If you are not experienced then i would suggest you take it to a VW specialist who can assess the car and what it requires for the heaters to work.

If you do not any heater parts present, you will need heat exchangers on the exhaust system, heater tubes, heater dump valves and heater tube mufflers. Cables and flaps and maybe vents. It may cost between $500-800 in parts, and $80 an hour with between 4 and 16 hours to fit it all and get it working depending on the amount of components still intact, being brackets or cable tubes that should still be welded to the body.

So lets say as little as $100 for a couple cables if that is all it needs and you can do it yourself, up to $2000 if it is all just a dogs breakfast and you need lots of new quality parts.

just adjust this cold start fan to blow hot air down heater tubes.

Didn't think it got cold in Brissy