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It has been suggested that we start up a build and mod thread. So here is my take on the idea. Post your dreams about building your dream Thing and what Mods will it take to make your dream come true.

Here are a couple Things that I would love to build.

here's more of it http://castlefab.net/thinggal/index.htm

My plan for my Thing is to make it a nice driver. I need to take care of a little rust and want to repaint. I also want to rebuild the rear suspension (new bushings) and re-index the torsion bars. Other than that, at sometime I want to redo the seats with nicer upholstery.

Thing is probably the only VW that doesn't loose value when you start building it up..

-Jacked.
-bolt on ghetto stuff (tire racks etc)
-widened stock looking bumper
-wider fenders
-centerlines

In researching current Thing value...

I went to 5 different well known sources for classic car value and it seems that any Thing that can be driven starts at $3K

The median value rests at $9K


A VW Thing that has not been restored and has a verifiable under 50K miles and is fully functioning with all it original parts has a value of $15K

Yet at one the well known classic car auction a body off with big motor and other cools stuff build by a team of the great Thing folks, just sold for $44K

I have an offroad Thing (Herr Kubelmann) and I just recently was offered a straight across trade for a 64 Porsche 365B all original. I declined.. Mine has 30 more hp.. 8" more ground clearance and he has more special Porsche and Bus parts than can be listed.. "Have you hugged your Thing today?"

One the subject of Things, something that has always bothered me about my '73 Thing is that when viewed from the side, the rear wheels don't look like they are centered in the wheel well. It is more towards the front of the car. I've noticed this on most other Things as well. The problem is compounded when you try to raise the rear just a bit. I seem to remember reading about fitting a Porsche rear trailing arm that was the equivalent of a 1x1 rear trailing arm and would help this out. I know its purely an asthetic issue, but I just want to address it before I get too much further in my rebuild.

Thanks in advance....

They're all like that.

It is the result of going from reduction boxes to irs rear end. I have the Porscche arms on both of my things and it did center the rear wheels.

Kubelmann wrote:It is the result of going from reduction boxes to irs rear end. I have the Porscche arms on both of my things and it did center the rear wheels.

Do you have any pics? Did they widen the rear track enough for the tires to extend past the rear fenders? More importantly, do you have the part numbers of the Porsche trailing arms you used? I'm planning on using 16" military NPT tires and I'd like to make sure they are as centered as possible so that they don't rub.

Thanks in advance...

I have something better than pictures. I have sets of the arms available. I can take pictures of my set up so you can decide if it is the look you want. You will have to wait a bit until more snow melt as the car covers on both Things are frozen fast to the ground. We are still buried in snow it river of water and mud flowing everywhere. When Spring comes I am gonna make some serious rooster tails with Herr Kubelmann...

I am not sure if the 16" tires will fit. What size and how tall are they?

MY offroad Thing is about as tall as you can make a Thing without a lift kit or tube frame modifications.

Kubelmann wrote:I have something better than pictures. I have sets of the arms available. I can take pictures of my set up so you can decide if it is the look you want. You will have to wait a bit until more snow melt as the car covers on both Things are frozen fast to the ground. We are still buried in snow it river of water and mud flowing everywhere. When Spring comes I am gonna make some serious rooster tails with Herr Kubelmann...

I am not sure if the 16" tires will fit. What size and how tall are they?

MY offroad Thing is about as tall as you can make a Thing without a lift kit or tube frame modifications.

I'd like to see some pics when you can. I might also be interested in the trailing arms. I guess it depends on what you want for them and how much shipping is going to be.

The tires I'm using are here: http://store.coker.com/images/D/Firestone-NDT.jpg

Thanks for the offer on the arms. I'm looking forward to the pics.

Great picture of the tires. Thanks. I know those tire well from my days serving in the military. If you have the tire size of these and the total tire height it will help me to give you feedback whether they will fit. K-mann

I have been looking for a set of rear arms. They seem to be as scarce as any other import parts in Mt. (except for rice stuff!!) How are ya fixed for Wiper parts? PO seemed to not need wipers, so.......
Thanks: J.R.

I have the wiper parts you need as well as rear arms... Pmail me at kubelmann@att.net

Kubelmann wrote:I have something better than pictures. I have sets of the arms available. I can take pictures of my set up so you can decide if it is the look you want. You will have to wait a bit until more snow melt as the car covers on both Things are frozen fast to the ground. We are still buried in snow it river of water and mud flowing everywhere. When Spring comes I am gonna make some serious rooster tails with Herr Kubelmann...

.

Kmann,
Do you still have the trailing arms you mentioned here? Also, any pics of your things with these arms installed?

Thanks....

chris