Hi All i have seperated my 69 bug pan and am about to get it blasted and painted... what else should i do to it before painting???
PS I am aiming to race my beetle so i was hoping poeple might have suggestions about strengthening it???

Thanks

Seam weld the frame head completely to the chassis. its only got 3 separate seam welds on the main join to the tunnel. Its not welded all the way around.

is it a swinger rear? or irs (pre stickshift auto?) Check to make sure your trailing arms are all seam welded. Front beam shock towers as well are only spot welded. can seam them up.

Even the plan halves.

But mind you, this is coming from a vw offroad background. it will make it stronger, but i wouldn't really see you needing it. It wouldn't be taking much hard impacts i would assume, and would increase ur weight of course.


If ur not running a roll cage, look into pan stiffening to reduce body twisting/roll. some people weld up a small RHS channel outlining the pan halves to the front and rear of the tunnel for stiffness. If ur running a cage, it will do the job.

What engine and tranny will u be running? if kombi and none-type 1 motor, i spose the racing boys here would recommend welding in a kafer cup bar kit to strengthen and support the rear frame horns. All depends how hardcore you want to go.