Sorry, no photos tonight. I spent about 2 hours wiring the taillights. I know that sounds like a long time, but I hate roughly wired lights and figured I'd spend a bit of extra time and care doing a neat and tidy job. I used some junction blocks for spade type connectors from an older VW. these work great, and whenever I come across a beetle or early Rabbit being wrecked, I always grab the 3-4 that are found by the rear tail light assembly. Usually the wrecker yard just gives them for free...
I also installed the seat base, bonnet and front bumper, although it is only on temporary as a few holes have to be drilled in the frame to accomodate the grade 8 fasteners as the bumper carries all the pulling pressure of the winch.
And finally, I took it out for a drive. No top yet, and the tailgate is still off, but it felt pretty normal. I may have to drive it into Vancouver tomorrow as I am due at Wise Owl to get a Roverdrive fitted, although they said they'd meet me out here. Chances are pretty good I'll be going in there.
I'm at a point where I can list what's left to finish it:
- exhaust hangers at the rear
- rear tailgate and spare tire holder
- finish drilling front bumper bolt holes
- install hump and floor
- install passenger seat and cubby box
- rewire CB antenna
- rewire radio antenna and speakers
- install rear 1" thick rubber matting and seals around roll bar
- install top hoops after shortening them 1 inch (note the sides and back of the top were barely long enough, so a reduction in height for the purpose of getting it in the garage will give me the additional benefit of more fabric on the sides)
- reinstall the winch
- install the laptop mounting bracket
- tape the heater duct back in place and install the front wheelwell mud guards (non original plastic sheeting)
- install rear mud flaps and additional rear wheelwell plastic sheeting
- Install rubber bumpers with 1.5" additional offset from frame.
And three items of fabrication... I have the material here to build rock sliders, so that will be soon. Some u-bolt spring plate sliders will be next, and finally remounting the shocks rotated 90° to reduce binding of shock mounts. By that time, hopefully Breeze Industries will have the drop shackles ready to go. I'm also going to look for a space plate for the rear driveshaft as it is now extended about 1.25 inches further than previously. I don't think its dangerously extended but I'd like to move it back in a bit.
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