Retrovans MeFusco Beetle Truck Project

[buggyfan]

The knobs you are after is from a 1993 and up model golf seats. The pre 93 knobs are totally different.


Parr nr 191881671

[buggyfan]

Heres a place in Midrand where you can order it from online. JcT autoparts





https://jctautoparts.co.za/product/golf ... iner-knob/

[retrovan]

Got me two of the above caps, but not the same, the mount plate is too big for the new knob.

Had to adjust the mount plate to make the new knob fit,

So all eventually worked out great.

Will be collecting MeFusco tomorrow afternoon from the paint shop and He is looking just the bees knees.

Waiting on e-bay parts, as well as Autostyle parts, then we should have it all.

Getting ready to assemble

Herman

[retrovan]

So I hear you all ask why no post since MeFusco has got home on the 9th Dec.

Well it was not all plain sailing to say the least.

On collection I had a bright idea to ask a young chap from the paint shop to help steer MeFusco as I tow him back on the "A" frame.

Why did I do that, well when I took him there, I found as the length will not allow the truck to do a sharp bend being towed.

The wheel turn but when it gets to full lock, they will not come back to strait. This results in me dragging the tires.

On the way there I tied the steering wheel so it could do small turns but could not go to full lock, this worked but on sharp corners I landed up dragging the tires a bit.

But with the guy in the cab, he got confused and turned full lock the opposite way and yes we ripped out the wheel bearings from the McPherson strut as the CV joint was not bolted in to keep it in place. only has a small 10mm threaded rod with thin washers to keep it together.

So went back the next day and fitted a thick bolt and 10 mm spacers to hold it all in place and just dragged MeFusco squealing all the way home with out a driver.

So yes he is home and in the workshop having work done on a daily basis.

Yesterday was the removal of the bolts holding the bearings in place, and replacing the damaged bearing from the above issue.

Also fitted the outer CV joints into the struts and fitted the split-pins.

Now you may ask why did you not fit it before going to the paint shop, well it is easy, they would have been destroyed from dirt and paint.

Today we fitted the Type 4 engine and gearbox combination and what a job for this old Toppie on his own, that there thing is heavy man. !!!

Once in, I could fit the inner CV joints and measure the side shafts for welding.

As you may remember, we have an Opel Monza outer CV joint and a VW Golf 100mm inner CV joint.

So I have taken the two different makes of side shafts and cut them and am now going to welled the two different shafts together to make a dedicated MeFusco side shaft.

With Opel splines on one side and VW splines on the other

Much chuffed with the days work, and will carry on tomorrow.

Till then

Herman

[Haans]

Hmmm,....never a dull moment!........on top of the year 2020 !!!!!

Keen to see a "sneak" preview Herman,...

Regards Nick

[73type2]

Herman, I have to use your own words against you: If there are no pics, it didn't happen!

[retrovan]

Keen to see a "sneak" preview Herman,...
Regards Nick

Herman, I have to use your own words against you: If there are no pics, it didn't happen!

Will post pics later today

Herman

[retrovan]

OK, so here is a small taste of what the paint job looks like.







So today I spent removing the wheels and also doing the fresh air ducts from the louvre to the engine compartment.

Inside the cab from the louvre...



From the cab base to engine compartment ....





Just a look at the engine and gear box from under the truck...



And the wheels are going to the wheel shop to have the rings welded on and re balanced .

Yes Tony Z you where right the rings are so we can fit Beetle hub caps to the wheels to complete the Beetle look.



Well hope you like, as the 3 of us have done our thing and we think it looks good.

Thanks for looking

Till next update.

Herman

[Tony Z]

looks intimidating... but good

[73type2]

Great, Herman! The colour scheme looks good.

[retrovan]

Great, Herman! The colour scheme looks good.

Thank you Guys,

Yes I think there are only a limited number of colours that would work on MeFusco,

but Think we have found one that works.

Herman

[retrovan]

Not much done today, as it was a shopping day.

Had to get the Proportional valve for the back brakes (disk to Disk), Had to collect the once off anti roll bar from engineering shop,

also had to take wheels for tyre removal, hub cap ring welding , and fine metric tread shoulder bolts for the slave calipers

Also dropped 4 bits of side shafts off at engineering works for assembly of unique side shafts for MeFusco..

Hopefully we will get back to work tomorrow.

Herman

[brianj]

Coming together nicely.

[Madbones]

Great colours looks fantastic. Is this final with clear?

[retrovan]

Great colours looks fantastic. Is this final with clear?

This is final look,

It has a semi matt finish to have an WW2 German Desert look.

No Clear coat, it is 4 layers of 2K.

Herman