Starting my project - 71 Super Beetle

[VDub63 ( Steven )]

I wanna have that "problem". Would love to be retired, not for another 30 - 40 years tho.

[wells]

Boy, Dustin was right! Pulling the body off was a real chore. But I have achieved separation! Now I have to devise a framework to support the steering so the suspension won't drag it's knuckles on the ground.







What fun!! It is nearly addicting!

[bren]

You sure don't mess around! Did you lift the body off by yourself? It is lots of work to get it off but I guarantee you will be glad you did. Sure is lots easier to work on the chassis that way.

[wells]

Yeah, I lifted it off myself. I put a jack under one corner and started aouund the car. I was hard but its done.

[Dustin]

Its tougher on the Superbeetles because of the front suspension but like Bren said it makes things so much nicer to work on. Great work Wells keep it up.

[vw1302]

Looking good, when you do get ready to pull the body, let me know, my In-laws live in Durand, and we are out that way quite often. Would be happy to lend a hand

[vw1302]

Opps, I missed page two, and the body already off...I did the same thing you did, jacked up the body, then rolled the chassis out from the front.

[wells]

I've been sidetracked for the past couple of days. This afternoon I raised and stabilized the body. I rolled the chassis around underneath it. Gettin closer to have to work on it instead of playing Dr. Destructo!

[wells]

My son came over today and we moved the body outside into Hurricane Ike and were able to put the chassis back into the workshop. He had a good idea for holding up the front nose on a 71. Its called a tie-down strap! (Mine is yellow!).
Wells

[Dustin]

I have seen something before where you attach a bar or the strut bar they sell across the struts on the Superbeetle to keep it up. I think they used something like that in VW Trends a few years ago when they had their Superbeetle project. Might want to pick those issues up for their tech, It was all done on a 71 Super.

[wells]

Thanks for the info, Dustin. I found the 17 part series on their website. Nice resource!
Wells

[Dustin]

No problem, Good work on your project so far. Keep it up!

[wells]

I want to get the transaxle off today, and start getting everything off the frame so I can get real busy. I had patched the rear part of the pans 15 years ago, and the patch held up well. The front of the pans and the firewall are gone. The body is in good shape. Rustproofing and the work I did 15 years ago held up well. I need only weld in 5 small patches near the back wheels, etc. I am beginning to order parts so now I must clear the chassis to get reassembly underway.

[wells]

I finally got the rear axles and the transaxle off yesterday. I also removed the front suspension. Pretty ratty. I unhitched one half of one pan. Not much done on the car today. Other commitments. I hope to remove the res of the pan welds tomorrow. I also need to make a bracket to support the front wheels.

[Dustin]

You should just take the rest of the front suspension off and support the frame with blocks or jack stands. Then you can repaint everything easier. Your going to replace the ball joints anyway right?