Kermit- 1969 Peru Green Beetle

[Kermit]

[Tom]

I don't think you have to cut the dash with Retrosound.

It's a padded dash, so it has to be cut.

Sorry, I tought that radio block out plate snapped in and out.

[Kermit]

Yeah, unfortunately there is no plate, it's just a solid dash with an outline around where the radio goes (and the space behind it for the radio).

Based on how my current Bug is set up, I think the mounting parts in the radio plus a $10 piece of radio trim should be workable (to cover the marks of the dash pad cut).

I have a working stock speaker from WW, but I have to decide if I should take the opportunity to put something stronger in that spot (while just sticking with one dash speaker).

[Tom]

Yeah, unfortunately there is no plate, it's just a solid dash with an outline around where the radio goes (and the space behind it for the radio).

Based on how my current Bug is set up, I think the mounting parts in the radio plus a $10 piece of radio trim should be workable (to cover the marks of the dash pad cut).

I have a working stock speaker from WW, but I have to decide if I should take the opportunity to put something stronger in that spot (while just sticking with one dash speaker).

They sell an adapter to put a 6.5" speaker in the dash. It's pricey though (69 bucks I think) and I don't know if the improvement in sound would be that much better.

[Brown]

I don't even know if there are many radios today that can hook up to a single speaker.

Here are some thoughts

http://www.jbugs.com/category/vw-bug-se ... -1977.html

[Kermit]

I'm really trying to stick to the stock speaker and radio position. Which I realize limits my options.

I found some threads on thesamba of people who coupled the dual coil speakers with the Retrosound radio. They all seemed really happy, I'm going to do some more research but I think it'll work.

[Glenn]

99% of the time I have no music in the Beetle. But on longer trips I use a pair of powered speakers and put them on the passenger seat and use my Blackberry to provide the tunes.

[Kermit]

Huh — what's the power source, batteries?

I just remembered that you had a radio, but not seeing any speakers when I saw your car (but I liked what you did with the former back seat). Or do you have some in the rear cargo area with the "secret" radio you described?

[Glenn]

I have a period Blaupunkt Frankfurt in the day but it's not connected. No speakers or antenna.

I run the speakers and Blackberry off the car battery. I use a 12V DC socket that is connected to the battery for them.

[Brown]

To each his own. After i start the car that next thing i do is turn the radio on, could not live without it. You can find some inexpensive radios and speakers and put something together on the cheap. Mount it int he glove box under the dash, under seat, etc.

But you know best what you can live with!!!

[Glenn A]

You would be surprised how well these sound. I got a pair for Christmas and they fill a room with sound. These are rechargable through USB port. I had been using a similar speaker in my bus and shop for some time now. You could just leave them on the seat or cut a hole just about anywhere and stuff them in. Double stick tape or velcro for charging purposes might work too.



Sounds like this would be perfect in that Kermit the frog beetle of yours too.

http://www.mamotorworkstv.com/vw/produc ... ox_319335/

[Tom]

^^^^^^


Those from Kohl's ?

[Glenn A]

I got a pair for Christmas

^^^^^^


Those from Kohl's ?

Santa!

[dubstar]

anybody read my post?

[Glenn A]

anybody read my post?

John You can hack a dash way faster than doing all that silly reading.

[Kermit]

anybody read my post?

I did, but (like most things) it's firmly in the "beyond my skills" department.

[Brown]

anybody read my post?

I read it. Did you get something to hide the frame of the speaker yet??

[Kermit]

Took the car out today for some breaking-in and getting a sense of anything that might be worked on. My friend and I ended up wandering into a BBQ in the Bronx for a Puerto Rican motorcycle club. Everyone there loved a different air-cooled car rolling-in, it was tons of fun and now I'm too exhausted to move.

But I got to wondering about removing the dash pad. Anyone here done it before?

An example: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewto ... highlight=

[Glenn]

If you remove it you might have to have some holes closed off and have it painted. Then you have to deal with the defrost vents because they will be too high since the pad is no longer there.

[Kermit]

Yup — though it looks like it's possible to get '67 vents that are a bit flatter. Only problem is the knobs would stick out a bit awkwardly. But it's a pretty good look.

This sort of falls into my general mental back-and-forth over whether I should just get the thing re-painted. Which I realize is a whole ordeal. But I know I'll want to do it at some point to fix some of the (minor) paint imperfections. I'm big about doing those kinds of things up-front. Besides the money involved, I'm not sure that could be done before Memorial Day.

[dubstar]

"I read it. Did you get something to hide the frame of the speaker yet??"

I've had vintage grill cloth installed for quite some time now...pay attention

Re: 1963 Turkis Kombi
by dubstar on Sun Nov 14, 2010 10:09 pm

radio grille cloth installed from vintage 60s speaker found in the trash...subtle difference, but looks much better:

[Brown]

"I read it. Did you get something to hide the frame of the speaker yet??"

I've had vintage grill cloth installed for quite some time now...pay attention

Re: 1963 Turkis Kombi
by dubstar on Sun Nov 14, 2010 10:09 pm

radio grille cloth installed from vintage 60s speaker found in the trash...subtle difference, but looks much better:

I have enough trouble keeping track of myself let along someone else!!

Nice touch though, looks great!

[Raj]

If you remove it you might have to have some holes closed off and have it painted. Then you have to deal with the defrost vents because they will be too high since the pad is no longer there.

my 69 baja has the pad removed and nothing welded closed if you want to take a peek at whats in store

[Kermit]

You have a 69 Baja too? How many VWs do you have?

So after looking at my finances, I may be willing to make the up-front investment and just repaint Das KermitKafer sooner rather than later. The paint job certainly looks good, but cheap with a few imperfections. I may as well address it up-front if the price/timing is right.

I know most body shops don't really love this kind of work, but I have a few months before I really need the car and (depending on the number) I'm willing to pay.

Does anyone have any referrals for some places that do a solid paint job? I'd like to make a few calls and see what kinds of numbers people are throwing out. I would prefer keeping it local, but I can also do something in the region. The one (and maybe only!) advantage of my parking situation in the city is my car is parked in a UHaul facility in Queens, so I can get a good deal on UHaul's AutoTruck trailer.

[Raj]

You have a 69 Baja too? How many VWs do you have?

According to my wife....way to many.

So after looking at my finances, I may be willing to make the up-front investment and just repaint Das KermitKafer sooner rather than later. The paint job certainly looks good, but cheap with a few imperfections. I may as well address it up-front if the price/timing is right.

This is when it gets fun. Obviously, you asked the right first question, 'Who will paint it?' Next up.... 'should I remove any of the parts before paint, and if so, should I do it myself to save some loot'? Then once we see whats under the paint.......' should we replace this rusty bondo'd panel or leave it'? Then finally, when reassembling the car should I put the dry rotted / rusty part back on, or just buy a new one? and if so... Mexican or German. Fun fun fun.

I have always been of the mindset that by an original car that hasn't been 'restored', just to hopefully alleviate any prior 'work' and have a best guess as to what I have to work with. I def recommend pull of all parts you can before paint, especially the glass. Cars look like 'poo' if not painted throughly and the paint job generally doesnt last as long. Just be warned that this gets costly especially if someone does all the work for you. Persoanlly, if your car is already a 7 or 8 out of ten and you want a driver, I'd leave it alone. Driving a ten in NYC after months of paint/ body and all the cost would be nerve racking.