tunnel

VW's aircooled mini SUV. Great for riding in the country, or cruising the beach.
vwweasel
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Jan 09, 2003 12:01 am

tunnel

Post by vwweasel »

I am working on a 74 Thing and need info on the tunnel around the e- brake this area is so split up that the brake wont hold. if any one has a detaited drawing or template of this area please help.
justcallmebob
Posts: 124
Joined: Sat Nov 23, 2002 12:01 am

tunnel

Post by justcallmebob »

Usually the emergency won't hold because of a worn out latching pawl and rack. Did you check that first. Otherwise look at a beetle, the parts and that area are the same.
vwweasel
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Jan 09, 2003 12:01 am

tunnel

Post by vwweasel »

Thanks the e-brake has new parts it is with out doubt the tunnel there is nothing left for the e-brake to catch. I will look into grafting a section from a beetle.
justcallmebob
Posts: 124
Joined: Sat Nov 23, 2002 12:01 am

tunnel

Post by justcallmebob »

We did this one time and actually cut a donor piece out of the THING pan that we had salvaged the pan sections out of. We just cut away the old parts with a saber saw, leaving a rectangular hole, and welded the donor part, cut about 2" larger in all directions, on top. This worked fine and the welding was covered with the carpeting that was used.

Be prepared with a fire bottle, you may get a fire in the tunnel.

[This message has been edited by justcallmebob (edited 01-10-2003).]

[This message has been edited by justcallmebob (edited 01-10-2003).]
lastsafari
Posts: 93
Joined: Fri Jan 10, 2003 12:01 am

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Post by lastsafari »

German made type 181s; German made ckd kits assambled in Mexico and Indonesia won't show the usual four cracks around the base for the emergency brake. Cars assambled in Indonesia with Mexican ckd kits after 1973; cars exported assambled to Indonesia from Mexico; cars exported to: England, Venezuela, Colombia, etc. from Mexico after 1973; Things with IRS rear suspension, and Safaris from february the 18th 1973 will crack, and remember if it's cracked then the next thing to go is your sides under the doors.
Al Capulco
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2002 12:01 am

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Post by Al Capulco »

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by lastsafari:
German made type 181s; German made ckd kits assambled in Mexico and Indonesia won't show the usual four cracks around the base for the emergency brake. Cars assambled in Indonesia with Mexican ckd kits after 1973; cars exported assambled to Indonesia from Mexico; cars exported to: England, Venezuela, Colombia, etc. from Mexico after 1973; Things with IRS rear suspension, and Safaris from february the 18th 1973 will crack, and remember if it's cracked then the next thing to go is your sides under the doors.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Al Capulco
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2002 12:01 am

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Post by Al Capulco »

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Al Capulco:I have the same problem with my 74 thing. It was down in Mexico for ten years and has the cracks under the doors in the body and at the E-brake. It's in California now, and everyone I have talked to have never seen this type of cracking around the doors. I am planning to Tig weld the cracks as soon as I find a good metal fab. shop. Is it possible to locate a glove box door from a 76 and up thing down in Mexico? As you know they came from the factory with one. Also, will it fit on a 74 with little or no modifacation?
lastsafari
Posts: 93
Joined: Fri Jan 10, 2003 12:01 am

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Post by lastsafari »

Globe box lids started in 1975 and can be easely fitted to 1974s by just drilling holes for the hinges in the same place and size as the other two dash face plates; also the lock striker plate bolts instead of the globe box light. 1973's require body work to down size the opening on the face of the dash.
BobMiller
Posts: 115
Joined: Tue Jan 21, 2003 12:01 am

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Post by BobMiller »

Al
The 75 and later Glove Box door is avavilable as an accessory, both as stock looking and as a combination glove box door/radio mount. A little expensive, but a nice addition.
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