Retrovans MeFusco Beetle Truck Project

Give details and pictures of your ACVW projects here.
Dawie
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Re: Retrovans MeFusco Beetle Truck Project

Post by Dawie »

Good to see progress.
How easy does it shift forwards/backwards, (as in between 1st and 2nd, or between 3rd and 4th), is the side loading on shift shaft bushing giving issues? At least it should be easy to replace that bushing in your application.
Just thinking...
Seeing that a tunnel is not really necessary. If you use a kombi gearlever, (which is also slightly longer below it's fulcrum point), and mount at floor level.

One could also use a single shift-shaft from below lever directly to your modified kombi coupling on the box. Then also tilt gearlever's mounting (with lockout plate), forwards at same angle as shaft. (Unless there is something in the way, trying to occupy the same space as the shaft). Then just bend gearlever more backwards to compensate for angle.


Staying Aircooled is so much nicer.
Do'nt assume anything- (While doing fault-finding).
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retrovan
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Re: Retrovans MeFusco Beetle Truck Project

Post by retrovan »

Thanks Dawie,

Like the way you think, yes that may be an option, only do not have much space towards the seats, as the engine cover takes up a lot of space.

But that said, it may help to get under the peddle intrusion into the tunnel, and reduce the angle into the box.

Can cut the tunnel back to just before the peddles, and fit my blank off cover there.

Then have the kombi floor shift fitted into the floor or even lower down, if I have space.

The shifting is OK, but not as tight as I would like, it may give issues at the wrong time, or when you need accurate shifting to get you out the :bn:

As can be seen, I did open a way for a straight down rout, put the beetle shift will not work at such an angle.

Will try and get a Kombi shift from someone, and test it.

Hell have had this system in and out so often, another try would not matter as long as the shift is tight and positive.

Haha! Watch this space......

Herman
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
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Re: Retrovans MeFusco Beetle Truck Project

Post by Tony Z »

you need to look at the following website for ideas on your linkage.
http://www.cableshift.com/Website/catalog%20page.html
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retrovan
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Re: Retrovans MeFusco Beetle Truck Project

Post by retrovan »

Tony Z wrote: Mon May 06, 2019 5:36 pm you need to look at the following website for ideas on your linkage.
http://www.cableshift.com/Website/catalog%20page.html
Thanks Tony

That has verified the bay gear stick direction.

if you look at the above type 2 setup, you see the push-pull cable comes in just over the gear box,

well when I fit the bus gear lever at an acute angle just passing over the gearbox, I will get the same result with the gear rod.

The left to right movement is not the issue as this is the easy part, as my swivel gearbox couple has shown.

The iffy bit is the push-pull as the angle tends to lift the rod rather then move forward when shifting fast.

I am sure I will get good results from the Bay stick.

Hoping to hear from my good buddy supplier......

Herman
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
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retrovan
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Re: Retrovans MeFusco Beetle Truck Project

Post by retrovan »

Hold your horses...

Just had a rethink, and as I am trying to keep as much as possible from the Beetle

This whole gear lever system needed a rethink.

So I will take all the good points from all the ideas, and rework the Beetle system but into an angle under system.

This will include a floating tunnel end which will bring the gear lever more into the cab and allow for a more straight gear lever.

So with my trusty grinder we will rebuild it till I am happy.

So the Kombi shift is on hold, and I will re-engineer my Beetle shift.

Will keep you posted.

Herman
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
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retrovan
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Re: Retrovans MeFusco Beetle Truck Project

Post by retrovan »

If your questions is did this "old Toppie" do any work this week, then the answer is yes.

Build the floating tunnel, and got the gear placement ready for the gear rod bush holding plate ordered from Volkspares.

The old one I had has been hacked up to fit the last attempt with the universals.

Also made center pins, mounting brackets and fixing plates for the handbrake lever.

This had to be done as My tunnel does not run between the seats, but is a short ended tunnel.

Also it is on the door side of the drivers seat, as there is no gap between the two seats for the handbrake.

Also busy with the cut outs of the front fenders, so as to allow the doors to open fully without bumping into the fender.

All these thing have to be done because of the front nose coming back so much that it all interferes with each other.

Doing some investigation in the running of the steering rod as it has to return past 80 deg.

Will probably fit a T3 Bus bevel box to get it to line up.

Watch this space for that final solution......

Will not be posting any photo's this week, as the parts still have to be fitted and signed off.

Well till next week.

Thanks for looking.

Herman
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
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Re: Retrovans MeFusco Beetle Truck Project

Post by 73type2 »

retrovan wrote: Sun May 12, 2019 10:15 pm
...the parts still have to be fitted and signed off.

So, between you, yourself and Herman, who will be signing off the parts?
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retrovan
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Re: Retrovans MeFusco Beetle Truck Project

Post by retrovan »

Its not that easy,
Me and myself have to do the work....

And I keeps standing around....

When you ask him if all is fine, he says, I

So now we say "have you signed off on these parts".... and he says ... I

Then we can carry on ... :shock:

:lol: :lol: :lol:
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
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retrovan
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Re: Retrovans MeFusco Beetle Truck Project

Post by retrovan »

Haans wrote: Tue Apr 23, 2019 7:34 am Which of the three is the genius !!!😂🤣😆

Regards Haans
When you ask all three.... they all shout Me.

So it must be Me ...

:lol: :lol:

No genius here, but that said... 3 heads are better then 0ne.

Herman
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
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retrovan
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Re: Retrovans MeFusco Beetle Truck Project

Post by retrovan »

Parts from Volkspares have arrived.

These include Golf Ignition key body, Golf ignition switch, and late beetle indicator cluster.

Yes the golf key and switch fit into the beetle steering hub with a few modifications,

and you have OEM parts at a 1/4 of the price of beetle replacements.

Can now do the steering hub, and get it ready for the steering completion.

How is that going to happen....

Well I have found an type 3 Kombi steering bevel box, just need to collect it in the morning.

"Bevel Box" thats the 90 deg. angle transfer box that sits at the bottom of the T3 Kombi steering rod, and transfers the action at 90 Deg. to the steering rack under the cab.

Post to you again on Sunday...

Herman
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
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Re: Retrovans MeFusco Beetle Truck Project

Post by Haans »

Problems tend to become large when the threeof you have different opinions,....voting on it often ends in a stalemate situation!

Hope " I " have the 'swing' vote!!!

Keepit up!!

Haans
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Re: Retrovans MeFusco Beetle Truck Project

Post by retrovan »

But if we do start swinging, no body gets hurt... :lol: :lol:

OK, so we got into doing some of the "can't be done" things :shock:

As I needed to get the mechanical things right, and working, I have been concentrating on the controls,

Because if they work, then the project will work, so these are the things I got working this week..... :D

Put a lot of effort into the gearshift floating tunnel, and it has paid off.

The gears are positive and the gear lever true. Changes very nice even without the engine running.

Brought the angle in straight from the gear lever to the gearbox hockey stick which has made all the difference.

Even if the tunnel and gear lever is at an acute angle, it still works ,and best of all, its still of Beetle origin.... :wink:

Fitter the master cylinder into its position, but no brake lines as yet.

Managed to find a brand new VW T3 Bus NOS bevel box how nice is that.

Fitted the steering shaft housing and made up the steering shaft to enter the Bevel box with an spline,

Needed to make a nylon bush to centralist the bevel box, into the old steeling housing shroud as I do not have bonnet clearance otherwise.

This meant it had to go into the cab divider wall shroud as deep as possible or crash with the bonnet.

As it is, I only have 2 mm clearance between the bevel box and bonnet.

Having fitted the bevel box so close, I had to hack a hole into the cab wall for the Golf 2 steering universals to pass through.

This we will have to make two angle box covers for to clean up its appearance and stop air blasting into the cab all over.

Did some epoxy repair to the cracked up steering wheel and will smooth it off and paint it when nice and hard.

The hand brake fitment bracket can also be seen between the seat rail and door.

Repaired the rusty floor edge of the cab and welded in some metal, strengthening it and making sure to seal off the cab.

The steering shaft passes very close to the accelerator, but will not be obstructive as it will make a nice foot rest .. :roll:

Will probably be doing the clutch cable and accelerator cable tubes next, but who knows, may go off on a tangent again...

So here are some photo's of what has been done,

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Thanks for looking

Herman
Last edited by retrovan on Mon May 20, 2019 10:09 am, edited 1 time in total.
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
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Re: Retrovans MeFusco Beetle Truck Project

Post by AlanH »

Nice one Herman.
It sometimes helps to walk away and let the ideas mull around a bit.
When you then come back everything just falls into place.
Wanted parts:
Left sunvisor
Sink faucet
Exhaust to swap for Beetle exhaust
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retrovan
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Re: Retrovans MeFusco Beetle Truck Project

Post by retrovan »

Thanks Alan, see you right, but sometimes a person is so dog sure it will be OK, till you do it and then you get the inspiration of "but why did I not do it this way"

But as said, before, this is an experimental build, of known challenges, without solutions and not an strip, clean , reassemble, add replacement brand parts, and say I built a car.

This is a one off, and as the car manufactures need to think out the box when coming up with a totally new model,

so this has to systematically be gone through but not by a team ,

but only by 3 old Toppies with split personalty's..... or wait, .... is it one old Toppie with 3 personality's

Oh darn, I forget... :shock:

:lol: :lol:

So no progress this week, as the kids and their kids came over to please this old man, so week end well spent.. :D :D

Till the work begins next week.

Herman
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
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retrovan
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Re: Retrovans MeFusco Beetle Truck Project

Post by retrovan »

busy with the front fenders to enable me to get their shape right and ready for removal

Then I need to round them, weld the underside and grind the top to smooth.

Once that is done, I can build the moulds from these sculpted masterpieces... :roll:

Ran out of welding wire for the Mic welder , so that brought that to a stop.

OH Well!! .. had the Bay back , so I can start on getting it ready for reassembly.

Herman
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
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