Hi, just joined this forum. I have two bugs:'68&'73, presently doing body off resto on the '73. Has anyone tried replacing heater channels by turning the body on its side to make it easier to cut and weld? My bug has one good side(the drivers) but the passenger side front half is US, does it make more sense to replace the whole caboodle or can you buy half pieces?cheers

a big job.......not impossible tho

probably have to buy the whole section, and may as well do the wholel ot anyhow.....

sounds like a rotiserie would be handy if you're keen. the welds are fairly easy to get at reguradless (after stripping guards, interior etc)

don't forget to weld in some braces to hold the door jams ++++ all in alignment BEFORE cutting out the heater channel!!!! very important

oh, and welcome to the forum!

Tanks! yeah I will watch the bracing of door jambs.

oh, and you can't always expect the repros to "fall" stright in...........seen a couple of chocks and dudes bouncing on either end of the channel before

work on the channel BEFORE you do the
'body off' as it far easier to align etc

And yes, brace the door aperture: The body will tend to flop around like a torn cornflakes box when off the pan and one sill cut out!!

have a look here

Jon did it in his garage.
No experience - just patience

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=24785&page=1#pid190416 

I'm doing one now. Both sills, but one at a time!
Eventually I'll be able to post photo's...

Not a difficult job, but the sills I'm using are about 10mm too short. Don't assume ANYTHING.
The hardest part is the rust that needs repair where it is attached to the sills.
I would do it body off, right way up,but nice and high. Mine is sitting on two 44's.

LOL