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Pwer sterring and aircon for KG
tothemaxx - February 13th, 2011 at 11:13 PM

Hi guys,

I'm interested in buying a KG and wanted to know if its possible to install aftermarket aircon and power steering so it can be used for everyday? How much approx would this be? Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers

Pat

barls - February 14th, 2011 at 06:34 AM

aircond can be done there are kits available.
dont think you need powe rsteering on any type 1 air cooled vw. mines a dream to drive and easy to steer. its possible but would cost you a small fortune to do. plus there isnt that much room in the engine bay to fit both pumps ie aircon and power steering.

tothemaxx - February 14th, 2011 at 11:14 AM

thanks for the advice, approx how much would I be looking at for the aircon kit ?

SPRINTSTAR - February 14th, 2011 at 12:00 PM

Mate, in the nicest way possible, one foregoes a lot of things in driving a classic car. if you want the same level of comfort as the car in your avatar, forget about it..:blush:


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=990347 

Craig S - February 14th, 2011 at 12:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by SPRINTSTAR
Mate, in the nicest way possible, one foregoes a lot of things in driving a classic car. if you want the same level of comfort as the car in your avatar, forget about it..:blush:




I hear what you're saying, and agree that there are things you can and need to forego between a classic and modern car but:

* many people have memories of parents, uncles, aunts etc struggling at the wheel of a big Ford, Holden or Chrysler trying to manhandle the thing into a parking space, and don't realise that steering a VW with all the weight in the back is probably lighter than many modern cars with assisted steering

*Air conditioning is doable, depending on what your intent with the project is, and if it gets another classic on the road regularly, then that's a good thing. I know that the lack of air con results in my car sitting in the shed more often than I'd like it to.

Joel - February 14th, 2011 at 12:19 PM

A few people have been retrofitting the electronic power steering out of modern watercooled VWs into early air cooled cars.

Personally I think PS in one is overkill.
You would need the cut out like alot of cars have so it only works below a set speed.

With the air con depends how fussy you are.
AFAIK noone in aus actually makes a bolt in kit for KGs in RHD.

Gilmore enterprises in the US may do it, they certainly do a RHD kit for Lbugs, not cheap though, especially once you get it shipped, installed and charged up.
probably looking around the $3k mark at a guess.

KGs have plenty of space under the dash though, if you found an automotive a/c mechanic that would install one of the new universal under dash consols you can get it may be a bit cheaper.

Just depends where you want to mount the condenser.

tothemaxx - February 15th, 2011 at 08:52 PM

THanks guys. Teh advice has been really helpful. I definately need an aircon cos if I do get the KG its gonna be a regular drive and in Australian climate.....I don't want to think a bout it.