Like the added 3rd brake light and XM/GPS Shark fin too.
New Beetle Pick up conversion..... Sold in one day ~
Wow Alan congrats.... great job.
Now that it is all done would you do another>? Was it worth while for you?
DR.TRUK:
I see a busy future for you in my crystal ball!
Alan Merklin posted:New Beetle Pick up conversion..... Sold in one day ~
I told you there was an untapped market. I'd buy a Diesel Jetta conversion, should you find a good one with a manual.
Here we go!.
Stan, Yeah a TDI with a 6 speed would be nice.... I'm in Florida the next two weeks, a guy there that I'll visit that has done two Jetta's and now has three more Beetle kits and a Jetta kit in crates...I plan on getting some Jetta build info from him as the aluminum bed constriction on the Beetle / Jetta kits are similar. I'll do another truck conversion but right now I am well into a # 50 Speedster build for Carlisle, Pending is a " Meyer's Tow'd " dune buggy resto for a guy from Philly begins sometime in June, I also have scheduled for " Andy" a Myers buggy body change out to in October.
These kits are simple and very much complete including stainless hardware etc. I did lean not to toss anything out until the build is done as there are some small oem items that can be reused. Build videos are good, would run the video ahead a few step to see it what step I was doing now would be related of cause an issue. Do keep in mind you are building a single cab pick up with no room for storing nothing in the cab.
"Do keep in mind you are building a single cab pick up with no room for storing nothing in the cab. "
That may be an issue but a tonneau cover might be a solution plus if your carrying a lot of weight your rear end might need some extra or more frequent coil and shock changes.
I'm dead serious. I can see a ton of utility in the Jetta version. TDI 5-speed would be icing on the cake.
Do tell Stan, how would you use it?
IaM-Ray posted:Do tell Stan, how would you use it?
No big mystery, Ray. I run a small business and I have a lot of projects going at any given time. There's a lot of instances where a small runabout with an open bed would be handy.
I use trucks every day, and they are (aside from labor) the greatest single cost of doing business. Trucks are a necessary evil and the bane of my existence. I'm always looking for an edge in some unconventional way.
Stan, there is a 2004 TDI Jetta in Winchester VA for 3K right now. Miller Honda, it's a 5 speed manual according to the VIN. 224K on the clock, but that's nothing for a diesel.
Stan Galat posted:IaM-Ray posted:Do tell Stan, how would you use it?
No big mystery, Ray. I run a small business and I have a lot of projects going at any given time. There's a lot of instances where a small runabout with an open bed would be handy.
I use trucks every day, and they are (aside from labor) the greatest single cost of doing business. Trucks are a necessary evil and the bane of my existence. I'm always looking for an edge in some unconventional way.
You might want to decide if the kit fits the 2010 or before model or the 2011 and on model.
BTW 2009-2010 have fully independent rear suspension but a bit smaller inside cabin, but they are better built. IMHO, if you fit it them.
2011-2012's are new body style have a bit more cabin space and would have an I-Beam rear suspension which may or may not make a difference in what the kit can handle in terms of weight. Just saying those facts may help you to choose the model you want and the interior options you want.
For a go around to get an AC compressor etc you might find it handy.
I looked into doing one. The new Beetle Smyth kit is for 1998-2010 and the Jetta/Golf is for 4 door sedan/station wagon for 1995.5-2010. I had found a 2014 new Beetle on eBay for $3.5k that was hit in the rear (with salvage title) but regretfully the newer ones won't work with the kit.
Wolfy I checked the site and you are correct the latest versions are not adaptable so one would do well to check the site before committing to the kit.
I was running a call yesterday at a supermarket in Bloominton, IL when I saw a Smyth Beetle pickup pulling across the lot. I flagged the guy down and looked it over. His was a TDI with GORGEOUS paint - really slick looking bit of kit.
If guys could see these in person, I'm thinking there'd be a lot of interest. Really neat little trucks.
Stan did you get a photo? The Beetle truck is a style statement that works, easy to cut and assemble w/o any welding ....there were a few teething pains with the first few that were assembled (including my red one ) we worked through it and Mark Smyth welcome the minor changes we suggested. I might do another if it were a TDI with a manual "hand fired" trans. Andy at Hestermann Motor works ( I stopped to visit with him last spring in Florida) Andy is a TDI nut and can squeeze some serious TDI - HP w/o breaking the bank.
I didn't get a shot - I always think of it too late. Color was a kind of burnt orange metallic - but the thing had been well blocked, and looked fantastic.
@DannyP posted:I've used Youtube over the years MANY MANY times to figure stuff out. You sometimes have to wade through some BS videos but eventually you will find someone out there has figured it out and then made a video.....
Youtube has saved me thousands of dollar on repairs to my Mercedes. Helped a lot on my Spyder mods, too.
Attachments
Cute, but isn't funny that anyone, would be Youtube certified 
Think about it though, we are nearly at the point where Youtube has enough clout to be your certification company, and that is no joke
As mentioned once you weed through the half assed videos there usually is good solid info, YT has guided me a few times.
Me too. Saved me a bunch of service costs on my BMW.
@Lane Anderson posted:Me too. Saved me a bunch of service costs on my BMW.
And my old Audi. And now my Cayman. I installed an Android touchscreen with reverse camera, all off of Youtube videos.
Did you use a wifi or Bluetooth rear camera?
Hardwired. It's the way I roll. It's a skinny co-ax with a 12v feed wire inside to trigger the radio display. The feed is picked up from the backup light. Less than $25, and replaced a license plate light(includes LED license light). I did replace the incandescent bulb on the other plate light so the lighting color matched(whiter light).
https://www.reverse-cameras.co...-hd-ccd-night-vision
The Cayman camera was on the slow boat, I think it took 4 or 5 weeks, but for the price with shipping I can be patient.
Same way I wired and triggered my tailgate camera in the pickup. SO easy to hook the trailer up now! In the pickup, I merely drilled a hole in the tailgate latch, right where the factory puts the OE camera. Amazon, $20.
Sorry for thread hijack.
Costco may still have wireless backup cameras for $99 that are solar-powered and come with a screen.