Beetle/bug Pickup project

[tricky]

Hi all

for a while now, I have been toying with the idea of making a beetle
pickup for me to use for work.

It would be more or less a 'standard' pickup design, but with a roof
rack capable of carrying full 8x4 sheets .

It will probably take me a year (or more) to complete.

Also thinking of using a type 3 engine/motor for more load space.
Are these becoming too rare/hard to find for this to be a good idea ?

Any links or ideas would be muchly appreciated :)

Thanks
Rich

hmmm.... just thinking now, that a beetle/bug "van" might be more useful

[Bill Leary]

"tricky" wrote in message
news:RfednXBIyrX0NffM...@brightview.co.uk...

> for a while now, I have been toying with the idea of making a beetle
> pickup for me to use for work.

Since we're on r.a.m.v.a we can assume you're going to do this with an air
cooled beetle?

> It would be more or less a 'standard' pickup design, but with a roof rack
> capable of carrying full 8x4 sheets .
>
> It will probably take me a year (or more) to complete.
>
> Also thinking of using a type 3 engine/motor for more load space.
> Are these becoming too rare/hard to find for this to be a good idea ?
>
> Any links or ideas would be muchly appreciated :)

A thread where someone builds a Beetle pickup:
http://www.build-threads.com/build-threads/vw-bug-pickup/

A picture of a factory built 1946 Beetle pickup:
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/03/1946-vw-beetle-factory-pickup-with-fifth-wheel-car-hauling-trailer-discovered/

Perhaps something more like what you've got in mind:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lookupinwonder/3209749343/

Video about a conversion using a later model air cooled:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI95y17R8B8

A short article (summary, really) of a '72 conversion:
http://www.evalbum.com/3970

> hmmm.... just thinking now, that a beetle/bug "van" might be more useful

Something like the Mini van?

- Bill

[LeRoy]

Just wonder what the total cost was?

[Bill Leary]

"LeRoy" wrote in message news:svGat.210064$m21.1...@newsfe02.iad...

> On 14/04/2013 2:14 PM, Bill Leary wrote:
>> "tricky" wrote in message
>>> news:RfednXBIyrX0NffM...@brightview.co.uk...
>>> for a while now, I have been toying with the idea of making a beetle
>>> pickup for me to use for work.
>
> Since we're on r.a.m.v.a we can assume you're going to do this with an
> air cooled beetle?

> ((..omitted..))

>>> hmmm.... just thinking now, that a beetle/bug "van" might be more
>>> useful
>>
>> Something like the Mini van?
>

> Just wonder what the total cost was?

Total cost of which item? Not that I'd know anyway, since I didn't read
through all of any of those links.

- Bill

[tricky]

Yes .,.. Totaly Aircooled :)

If I did a van, maybe something like a morris traveller
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o238/RichAAC-UK/00037.jpg
a bit of 'woody' going on

I have a couple of likely candidates for the project
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o238/RichAAC-UK/DSC01869.jpg


I have a 'spare' roof I can use too, and a 72 Type2 pickup to take
inspiration from too

I'm in a place where I am fed up with the VW communitiy slowly tuning
water cooled, and find myself withdrawing to my own little AC corner

Rich

[tricky]

I do like this one :)

http://www.build-threads.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/133.jpg

[Bill Leary]

"tricky" wrote in message
news:XMudnYRzMshi8vHM...@brightview.co.uk...
> ((..omitted..))

> I'm in a place where I am fed up with the VW communitiy slowly tuning
> water cooled, and find myself withdrawing to my own little AC corner

I haven't owned an air cooled VW in twenty-five years. I had two beetles
before that. A '64 which I souped up which ended it's life in a collision
with a bridge abutment during an ice storm. And later a '68 which had the
engine seize. Since the early '90's I've owned Scirocco's. Four of them
overall. I still have two, one driven the other as a parts car.

I'd like to find a restorable late '60's bug to work on after I retire. But
I'd want it pretty much just as a bug. I'm not looking for anything like
your objective.

- Bill

[Jorge]

In article <RfednXBIyrX0NffM...@brightview.co.uk>,

I just got done cutting a '71 type two down into a pick-up. It was
pretty rusty .
One thing the transporter has the beetle doesn't, a real frame.
a beetle needs the roof for structural reasons.
--
Karma ; what a concept!

[tricky]

I have a couple of beetles with the roof already cut off.
The heater channels have the Cabriolet strengthening beams fitted

There are other panels and bracing that need to be fitted too.

Unless I make it into a van

[Kafe...@aol.com]

On Sunday, April 14, 2013 9:00:25 AM UTC-4, tricky wrote:
> Hi all for a while now, I have been toying with the idea of making a beetle pickup for me to use for work. It would be more or less a 'standard' pickup design, but with a roof rack capable of carrying full 8x4 sheets . It will probably take me a year (or more) to complete. Also thinking of using a type 3 engine/motor for more load space. Are these becoming too rare/hard to find for this to be a good idea ? Any links or ideas would be muchly appreciated :) Thanks Rich hmmm.... just thinking now, that a beetle/bug "van" might be more useful

I have always wanted to convert a type 3 into a truck.

[tricky]

Nice pickup build here
http://www.volksrods.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26539
interesting how the 'cab' is full floorpan length, so keep the body
strength.

[AllanW]

Arrrgh! I can't find a picture of my "Fonzie" Beetle wagon. It was an awesome NZ designed and built fibreglass kit to go on the back of a beetle which had been choppedbehind the b pillar down to the bottom of the window, and cut straight out the back. It was awesome retro 80's with a spoiler on the back and a beetle engine in the rear. I could sit inside the and repair the engine. Awesome, as it stopped pretty often! There was louunge suit built innto the back to sit on, at the height of the dogbox in the rear of a beetle... HEAPS of legroom!

Go on, do it!

Allan.

[tricky]

I can see I'm going to have to do two. A pickup, and a woody van :)

[Bill Leary]

"tricky" wrote in message
news:LcOdndpkJKQYGebM...@brightview.co.uk...

> On 26/04/13 05:35, AllanW wrote:
>> On Monday, 15 April 2013 01:00:25 UTC+12, tricky wrote:
>>> Hi all
>>> for a while now, I have been toying with the idea of making a beetle
>>> pickup for me to use for work.
>>>
>>> It would be more or less a 'standard' pickup design, but with a roof
>>> rack capable of carrying full 8x4 sheets .
>>>
>>> It will probably take me a year (or more) to complete.
>>>
>>> Also thinking of using a type 3 engine/motor for more load space.
>>>
>>> Are these becoming too rare/hard to find for this to be a good idea ?
>>>
>>> Any links or ideas would be muchly appreciated :)
>>>

>>> hmmm.... just thinking now, that a beetle/bug "van" might be more
>>> useful
>>
>> Arrrgh! I can't find a picture of my "Fonzie" Beetle wagon. It was an
>> awesome
>> NZ designed and built fibreglass kit to go on the back of a beetle which
>> had

>> been chopped behind the b pillar down to the bottom of the window, and

>> cut
>> straight out the back. It was awesome retro 80's with a spoiler on the
>> back
>> and a beetle engine in the rear. I could sit inside the and repair the
>> engine.
>> Awesome, as it stopped pretty often! There was louunge suit built innto
>> the
>> back to sit on, at the height of the dogbox in the rear of a beetle...
>> HEAPS
>> of legroom!
>>
>> Go on, do it!
>

> I can see I'm going to have to do two. A pickup, and a woody van :)

That's what you make the cap for the pick up bed look like.

- Bill

[tricky]

Now that's a good idea :)

[Jan Andersson]

This was made in Finland a few years ago...

http://s117.photobucket.com/user/lavakupla/library/?sort=3&page=5

[tricky]

Hi Jan

Yes, I have that one in my bookmarks too, maybe even from you years ago !

Thanks :)

[AllanW]

On Monday, 15 April 2013 01:00:25 UTC+12, tricky wrote:

HAHA! Found a piccie:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52223891@N03/6048951916/

It was actually proper bright yellow though, not washed out like in the pics 8-)

Allan.

[tricky]

Thanks Alan
I enjoyed looking through your photostream :)
A good reminder too, that you drive on the 'correct' side of the road ! LOL.
The Beetle Van is something completely different to anything I have seen
so far !

Richard

[Bill Berckman]

Wow! One post with 19 replies. Nice to see Ramva rockin again. I remember back in the late 70's seeing a Beetle pick-up conversion abandoned with no engine that would have been mine for the taking. Should have grabbed it then, but was driving a 73 Beetle at the time and still living at my parents house. A VW pickup in front of the house with no motor would not have gone over very well. I should have just taken it home and asked for forgivness later.

On Sunday, April 14, 2013 9:00:25 AM UTC-4, tricky wrote:

[tricky]

I was thinking how we seemed to have picked up at bit (excuse the pun ! )

[AllanW]

On Friday, 3 May 2013 14:20:52 UTC+12, Bill Berckman wrote:
> Wow! One post with 19 replies. Nice to see Ramva rockin again. I remember back in the late 70's seeing a Beetle pick-up conversion abandoned with no engine that would have been mine for the taking. Should have grabbed it then, but was driving a 73 Beetle at the time and still living at my parents house. A VW pickup in front of the house with no motor would not have gone over very well. I should have just taken it home and asked for forgivness later.
>
>

Maybe we need a "What did you do to your VW today" thread or something :-D

[Bill Leary]

"AllanW" wrote in message
news:893f091a-5e39-48ff...@googlegroups.com...

There you go.

I could comment on what I did to my VW today, but mine's water cooled.

My curiosities are:

How many in this group still have air cooled VW's?
- and -
What is their status?
On the road, running but not on the road?
Stored?
Things like that.

- Bill

[tricky]

I have both air cooled and water cooled.
My interest here is totally air cooled.

I am finding more and more that forums are becoming more water cooled in
their content as they are cheaper.
Water cooled, to me is just a cheap daily ! not a classic in any way.


Maybe RAMVA can come back... just for it's air cooled 'ness :)

[Bill Leary]

"tricky" wrote in message
news:kp-dnddVsNcLCQvM...@brightview.co.uk...

> On 17/05/13 15:34, Bill Leary wrote:
>> "AllanW" wrote in message

>>> ((..omitted..))

>>> Maybe we need a "What did you do to your VW today" thread or something
>>

>> There you go.
>>
>> I could comment on what I did to my VW today, but mine's water cooled.
>>
>> My curiosities are:
>>
>> How many in this group still have air cooled VW's?
>> - and -
>> What is their status?
>> On the road, running but not on the road?
>> Stored?
>> Things like that.
>

> I have both air cooled and water cooled.
> My interest here is totally air cooled.
>
> I am finding more and more that forums are becoming more water
> cooled in their content as they are cheaper.
> Water cooled, to me is just a cheap daily ! not a classic in any way.

I and my 26 year old Scirocco 16V will respectfully disagree with that.

On the flip side, though, I see your point. I'd like to acquire and put an
air cooled on the road after I retire, which isn't very far away.

> Maybe RAMVA can come back... just for it's air cooled 'ness :)

- Bill

[alv...@example.com]

Bill Leary <Bill_...@msn.com> wrote:
> > ...not a classic in any way.
>
> ...my 26 year old Scirocco 16V will respectfully disagree with that.

Worked on my '75 "Dent Side" Ford pickup today, it's long over due,
been driving the heck out of it in the last few years.

I bought it new. xD

For me, to be a classic, it has to be the Ford truck style before my
Dent Side, a '72 or earlier "Bump Side". YMMV? :)

> I'd like to acquire and put an air cooled on the road after
> I retire, which isn't very far away.

> - Bill

My new wife wants to get my dune buggy from the friend I gave it to.
He ain't done nuthin with it so he'll be glad for me to get it going
and then give it back to 'im maybe-even running this time. LOL :)

Alvin in AZ

[Jan Andersson]

1968 Convertible hackjob, stored at parents' house idefinitely. Keep
having plans to raise money to ship it home, but something always
happens. Currently working on another Great Plan again, we'll see. Gotta
spend money to make money. Trying to flip a car for profit. Massive profit.

Jan

[Bill Leary]

wrote in message news:kn6ovm$9er$1...@reader1.panix.com...

> Bill Leary <Bill_...@msn.com> wrote:
>>> ...not a classic in any way.
>>
>> ...my 26 year old Scirocco 16V will respectfully disagree with that.
>
> Worked on my '75 "Dent Side"

Do you mean built with an indent (I've seen some like that) or that it's
badly dented?

> Ford pickup today, it's long over due, been driving the heck out of
> it in the last few years.
>
> I bought it new. xD

Oh, my. I bought this about eight years ago. It has spent ten years in
somebody's garage then their son had had it poorly repaired and drove it for
about a year. He ended up not liking it any more than is father had so I
got it with less than 110K on it.

> For me, to be a classic, it has to be the Ford truck style before
> my Dent Side, a '72 or earlier "Bump Side". YMMV? :)

Certainly. I see a lot of things I'd call "classic" and other might not.
And vice-versa.

>> I'd like to acquire and put an air cooled on the road after
>> I retire, which isn't very far away.

> My new wife wants to get my dune buggy from the friend
> I gave it to. He ain't done nuthin with it so he'll be glad for
> me to get it going and then give it back to 'im maybe-even
> running this time. LOL :)

I wanted to build up a dune buggy, though I rarely go on the beaches. I
mostly just liked how they looked. But at the time I might have been able
to do it I couldn't find any that were all-year capable and I couldn't
afford to have two cars. These days I can afford two cars (I don’t' drive
the Scirocco in the winter, for example), but don't really have the
inclination to be building a buggy.

- Bill

[Kafe...@aol.com]

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1459789

heres one
I was looking for a picture of a C- box wagon I had worked on one and the guy bought it to sell so if you know what they are and interested let me know

[tricky]

I can see your point on the 26 yrs old Rocko

Wifey and I have a porsche 924 and 924's of a similar age..
but to me ... it's not the same !

Air cooled is 1930's vintage !!

[alv...@example.com]

Kafe...@aol.com <Kafe...@aol.com> wrote:
> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1459789

Wow, they did a great job on the body, IMO. :)
(it don't look "hacked")

Alvin in AZ

[AllanW]

On Saturday, 18 May 2013 02:34:53 UTC+12, Bill Leary wrote:

>
>
> My curiosities are:
>
>
>
> How many in this group still have air cooled VW's?
>
> - and -
>
> What is their status?
>
> On the road, running but not on the road?
>
> Stored?
>
> Things like that.
>
>
>
> - Bill

My 72 1200 is pretty much road worthy, But I haven't taken it in for it's test, becuase then I have to register it and insure it!

My 1984 VW T3 Transporter (Vanagon) is my daily, until I get my electric assist bicycle totally complete. Of course, It's watercooled... and Subaru powered to boot!

[John]

Retired with a 70 Squareback as a daily driver. Wife has Sonata, excellent
car but soulless.
Only real bother seems to be starting when hot which it seems is a function
of the volatility of
unleaded in Aust. Usual issues with flywheel oil seal dribbling and torque
converter seal adding
a nice red colour to puddle on floor. Frequent oil changes and keeping
engine spotless ( so heat can
conduct/radiate away) seems to be key to long life. Auto never been out, has
estimated 300000 miles
and engine has had one work over 20 years ago.
John

"AllanW" wrote in message
news:b27a8d9d-73bf-4a00...@googlegroups.com...

[vwluvrs]

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/765764.jpg
http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/405233.jpg
http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/363471.jpg

[Bill Leary]

"vwluvrs" wrote in message
news:fbeafe63-f24f-46f8...@googlegroups.com...

> http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/765764.jpg
> http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/405233.jpg
> http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/363471.jpg

These are pretty nice.

Well, except that I don't like lowered vehicles. They always look, to me,
like the suspension is broken. And cosmetically not having the wheels like
up correctly in the fenders looks wrong.

- Bill

[AllanW]

NICE!

Wouldn't get down my drive, but those look well done! Not like a hack job at all.

[tricky]

I do like the look of them pickups :)
Also, I like the way a VW gathering looks the same all over the world !

[ChrisKlinger]

Bill Leary wrote:

> I could comment on what I did to my VW today, but mine's water cooled.
>
> My curiosities are:
>
> How many in this group still have air cooled VW's?
> - and -
> What is their status?
> On the road, running but not on the road?
> Stored?
> Things like that.
>
> - Bill

1965 Karmann Ghia 1835cc dual 44 Weber - Daily driver

1960 ('59 build) Beetle. 6V 36HP non-synchro 1st bone stock, right down to
the horn that can be disassembled and repaired (still planning to get the
screw-terminal oil-pressure sender one day); stored at my parent's house,
waiting for 'time' to go through it. Needing paint, headliner, brakes. All
else pretty much perfect.

Chris

[Bill Leary]

"ChrisKlinger" wrote in message news:kpkiri$nhu$1...@speranza.aioe.org...

> Bill Leary wrote:
>> could comment on what I did to my VW today, but mine's water cooled.
>>
>> My curiosities are:
>>
>> How many in this group still have air cooled VW's?
>> - and -
>> What is their status?
>> On the road, running but not on the road?
>> Stored?
>> Things like that.
>

> 1965 Karmann Ghia 1835cc dual 44 Weber - Daily driver

Do you have a picture of that somewhere online? My brother was a fan of the
Ghia.

> 1960 ('59 build) Beetle. 6V 36HP non-synchro 1st bone stock, right down
> to the horn that can be disassembled and repaired (still planning to get
> the screw-terminal oil-pressure sender one day); stored at my parent's
> house, waiting for 'time' to go through it. Needing paint, headliner,
> brakes.
> All else pretty much perfect.

Sounds like a nice machine. Even with the needed work.

Thanks.

- Bill

[KWW]

Actually started working on my '64 Beetle. It has 98000 miles on it.
Took apart the front hubs and plan to re-grease the bearings & all
grease points. The car needs paint, interior re-done, fuel system
cleaned out, and I have a spare engine to put in it while I get my
current engine rebuilt. The tires are probably dry rotted too.

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