1974 Thing - Transmission and Motor Upgrade

[conductorx]

Two years ago I jacked up my 1974 Thing and installed BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires to give it an offroad look. I wasn't pleased with the rough ride and the large diameter tires messed up my gear ratio. Top speed dropped from 65 mph to 55 mph because of the large diameter tires.

First I removed the poor tired 1600 dual port motor. I plan to rebuild it for use some where else. This motor came from a bug called "The Flying Squirrel". It is in very bad shape, I ran a leak down compression test and each cylinder could barely muster 35 lbs. Still the engine ran and didn't smoke so I feel it is a good candidate for rings and valve job.

Flying Squirrel Motor:


A good friend Mike built an 1835 for me and we actually ran the engine at his shop and again in my shop on my test stand.

1835cc with 40mm Webers:


From under the car you can see the sharp angles of the CV joints.

Transmission CVs and Axles:


I pulled the transmission and the heavy grease from leakage is obvious.

Dirty Transmission:


I removed everything else to continue cleaning and up grading the suspension. Here you see from the top, torsion bars, spring plates, trailing arms shocks, backing plates and brake shoes, and finally the blue brake drums.

Complete Rear Suspension:


I have an IRS transmission from a Karmann Ghia that I plan to install. It will give me a better highway gear ratio and hopefully a higher top end speed. I have to change the CV Flanges and while I do that I will replace the seals in the transmission.

Ghia Transmission:


This is as far as I have gone with the project and I will post more photos as I go.

"G" 10 July 2009

[FRK]

Way to go Gary!

Keep us posted on the process!

[conductorx]

Thanks Vert

Today I worked on the Trailing Arms. I want to beef them up because of the larger engine and it looks cool. I got an IRS trailing arm boxing kit from Chirco in AZ.

In case you are wondering this is an un-molested trailing arm. (upsidedown)


First thing cut off the shock mount and bump stop mount:




The boxing kit is pre-cut.


The arm is all clean and ready for the plates:


First plate ready to tack weld:


Plates tack welded to arm:


After a full day of welding and grinding, one arm is ready:




Thanks "G"

[IS]

bad ass work

[FRK]

Like IS says "That's bad ass work"!

Are you going to paint them or powder coat it? Did you finish the second one? Any more update?


Keep up the GREAT work Gary.

[conductorx]

Right now I typically work 1.5 days each weekend. I am also rebuilding a 1962 Ford tractor and preping my race car for paint.

I have stopped here for now. I plan to reattach the shock mount and the bump stop. I will "paint" it with POR-15 when completed. This weekend I am having a yard clean up, I have three pans, a buggy body and fiberglass front clip to get rid of along with various other sheet metal and suspension parts. I'll keep you posted.

"G"

[conductorx]

I totally did it wrong. I was supposed to clean up the arms but I welded the plates on wrong. This one is done except for painting, I have one to go.

This is how they go...


I also started cleaning under the car in prep for paint and new undercoat. I discovered some rust that needs to be stopped.

Before:


After wire brushing:


Inside the wheel well:


"G"

[FRK]

Aug 14, 2009 20:41:30 GMT -8 conductorx said:

I totally did it wrong. I was supposed to clean up the arms but I welded the plates on wrong. This one is done except for painting, I have one to go.

This is how they go...


I also started cleaning under the car in prep for paint and new undercoat. I discovered some rust that needs to be stopped.

Before:


After wire brushing:


Inside the wheel well:


"G"

They looked fine on the privious pictures. Did you fix the second one? What color are you going for on the thing?

[conductorx]

The second one is nearly ready. The plates were upside down and supposed to go all the way out to the full curve of the arm. I'll take a photo of both together and you can see the difference.

The Thing is an Alcapulco White with blue trim. I have the Alcapulco top and luggage rack and I plan to put a Blue and White stripe Sunbrella top on it to match the blue and white seats.

I am hoping to drive it via Route 66 from St. Louis to L.A. and back next year if I get my work done.

"G"

[FRK]

That thing is going to be a nice one. After you trip on route 66, ar eyou planing to keep the thing or sell it? When you make the trip and you are in LA let us know and we can show you around and take you to VW meets.

[conductorx]

I plan to keep it unless I have a significant life event that prevents me from keeping it. I have have had it for nearly 10 years now already.

I would very much like to meet some of you in L.A.

"G"

[FRK]

keep posting the progress pictures, we love to see that thing done and compare the before & after pictures.

[conductorx]

Work resumed today on the Thing I was disapointed to find some rust holes and like a sore the more I picked at them the bigger they got. Some one patched the rust under the car using sheet metal with pop-rivets, silicone caulk and some welding. Luckily I found it and I should be able to repair it in a few days of work.

What I found:


Hole near the top of the fender:


After "picking" out the old repair:


Damage goes through to the inside:


"G"

[conductorx]

Back to work on the rust.

I cleaned out the rotten metal..



I had a rear seat brace from another Thing and I used the metal to make a patch for the hole. Then I welded it in. Looks pretty bad but it cleaned up nice:



After grinding for a while it started to look acceptable:


After six hours of work I still have more to do. I have more repairs to make and a fender bolt pulled out. (second from the bottom)



"G"

[FRK]

You are one busy guy Gary. That patch work is pretty good and I know it will clean up nicely.

That thing is going to be up and running in no time at the pace you are going.