dells68 7,498 #1 Posted October 25, 2019 Well, @pullstart checked in with me last week wondering if I’m ok. Well, I guess I’m doing ok. I’ve just been distracted by another one of my hobbies - vws. I’ve got a 74 VW Thing that I hadn’t moved in about 7 years. Emory was wanting to go for a ride as he doesn’t remember being in it when he was little. I was really surprised that the battery still had 10.75 volts and all I had to do was drain the old gas (had been treated with fuel preservative) and charge the battery and she was off. We took it to a VW show a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been slowly mounting military accessories I have for it and collecting a few more. Been kind of nice to mess with it again after all of this time! 11 12 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,795 #2 Posted October 25, 2019 Nice to see ya back on here Dell, I thought maybe your class had you tied up in a supply closet! I’m glad that Emory has another interest in the things that make you grin, that always makes the shows just that much more enjoyable! 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dells68 7,498 #3 Posted October 25, 2019 Thanks Kev. He really has seemed to enjoy it. We were going to another large east coast VW show and drags with the car last weekend and Emory woke up sick Sunday morning. He still wanted to go, so we just rode over for a little while to let him look around for a little while. Now, he says he wants a Baja bug. Might just see another project in our future in a couple of years! 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,781 #4 Posted October 25, 2019 You get too tied up with this nonsense Dells maybe we just come get some tractors.... 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZXT 2,401 #5 Posted October 25, 2019 Man, what made you let it sit idle for 7 years? Seems far too nice of a car to do that with! Glad you got it up and running and made some memories. By the way, what brand of battery is in it and when was it made? 7 years is a long time for a battery to sit! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jennifer 1,877 #6 Posted October 25, 2019 @dell68. You have a heart of gold! Emory is clearly blessing you as you do him!! Your both very luck to have each other!!! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractorhead 9,064 #7 Posted October 25, 2019 Nice VW , drove one in my Military time for few Day‘s, unbelievable where this simple car gets through. Not to much power, not to much weight, a perfect ratio. Can be compared to a Wheelhorse, build to work, simple and reliable. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,981 #8 Posted October 25, 2019 That's one very nice VW. I don't think I've ever seen one like that in the UK. Looks a modern version of the '40's Kubelwagen and not as ugly. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,373 #9 Posted October 25, 2019 (edited) My step daughter wants a "Thing" and there's a fella back home in WV that has at least 3 from what I can remember, Sweet looking ride you have there... Sometimes you Good a tinker with the big toys even though the little ones are cheaper... And I just pulled a 10 year old (10/09) Advance Auto battery out of my '06 Silverado because it wouldn't hold a charge anymore. ....................................................... Sorry my bad it was 11/10, a 9 year old battery but sorta impressive nonetheless Edited October 25, 2019 by WVHillbilly520H 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeacemakerJack 10,738 #10 Posted October 25, 2019 I’m so glad to hear that you guys are doing well Dells and hanging in there! That VDub is really cool and it is sweet that you and Emory can enjoy it together. That is one of my favorite things these days about my GTO is spending time in it with my Kiddos... You mentioned some accessories that you were accumulating for your car—what are those? Thanks for sharing that cool little vehicle and updating us! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dells68 7,498 #11 Posted October 25, 2019 8 hours ago, ZXT said: Man, what made you let it sit idle for 7 years? Seems far too nice of a car to do that with! Glad you got it up and running and made some memories. By the way, what brand of battery is in it and when was it made? 7 years is a long time for a battery to sit! Believe it or not, the battery is an Advance Auto Parts battery. Build date on it is 2011. I think one thing that helped it is that I have a battery disconnect on it, so there is no parasitic draw at all once disconnected. I ended up letting it sit as Emory needed more attention, Mom got sick - then passed 4 years ago, and I just decided to concentrate on family time with Emory, Becca, and Dad. Emory is big enough to enjoy it now and had been wanting to get it out. Below is a picture of night I pulled it out of the garage. 17 minutes ago, PeacemakerJack said: You mentioned some accessories that you were accumulating for your car—what are those? I had the military antenna mount, blackout lights, folding shovel dated 1969, first aid kits, warning signs, gas cans, traffic paddle, and others - all og German. Now I’ve ordered the correct flag set, shovel for the rear package tray, emergency lights, hatchet, and cleaning brush. I know - that’s a lot of stuff, but I’m trying to get the items an original military issue 181 would come with. i made the light pole and mounted a European beacon to it - not quite correct, but I like it. Thanks for the kind comments guys! Gotta go to work. Check out Emory’s smile below!! 5 1 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractorhead 9,064 #12 Posted October 25, 2019 Let me know, if you need som stuff, hard to find. I will keep my eye‘s open for things you need on local auctions and Garage Markets here surround me. Some older Stuff from past (70ies and erlier) are hard to get and sometimes they handle it like Gold. I had a few Fella‘s they collecting some Stuff, maybe i can release it for fairly prices. If it was not to heavy, i maybe can bring it next year to the Big Show. There was 2 pieces of Antenna‘s, wich you mean, the XXl one for Shortwave or the smaller, witch can be used in 2 meter‘s. the last one i have here at my Side originally. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,795 #13 Posted October 25, 2019 14 hours ago, dells68 said: Thanks Kev. He really has seemed to enjoy it. We were going to another large east coast VW show and drags with the car last weekend and Emory woke up sick Sunday morning. He still wanted to go, so we just rode over for a little while to let him look around for a little while. Now, he says he wants a Baja bug. Might just see another project in our future in a couple of years! I’m all for some off-road VW action! 1 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dells68 7,498 #14 Posted October 25, 2019 @pullstart, you didn’t realize how much have in common did you?! I think we were meant to be brothers!😂🤣😂 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,795 #15 Posted October 25, 2019 Shorts and boots, brother! Shorts and boots! 1 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dells68 7,498 #16 Posted October 25, 2019 Rockin’ it buddy! I look the same no matter where I am! I keep trying to talk myself out of coming up there for a ride next summer! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,795 #17 Posted October 25, 2019 Give me about a 6 month warning, I need to wrangle up another buggy engine.. somehow I hurt this one Otherwise, I’d be glad to take video while you and Emory tear it up! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZXT 2,401 #18 Posted October 25, 2019 11 hours ago, WVHillbilly520H said: My step daughter wants a "Thing" and there's a fella back home in WV that has at least 3 from what I can remember, Sweet looking ride you have there... Sometimes you Good a tinker with the big toys even though the little ones are cheaper... And I just pulled a 10 year old (10/09) Advance Auto battery out of my '06 Silverado because it wouldn't hold a charge anymore. ....................................................... Sorry my bad it was 11/10, a 9 year old battery but sorta impressive nonetheless We've had multiple batteries to last over 10 years, the oldest being 18 when it died. All different brands, but we seem to have had more old Duralast and EverStart batteries than other brands. The worst typically being SuperStart, Interstate, and Die Hard. The battery (a Duralast from Autozone) on my dad's 68 Ghia convertible died last year - I remember buying that battery from a scrap yard I went to frequently when I was about 10. It was made in Jan of 2001. 17 years isn't too bad. Had one on the Chevelle last from 94 to 2012, also a Duralast. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,373 #19 Posted October 25, 2019 20 minutes ago, ZXT said: We've had multiple batteries to last over 10 years, the oldest being 18 when it died. All different brands, but we seem to have had more old Duralast and EverStart batteries than other brands. The worst typically being SuperStart, Interstate, and Die Hard. The battery (a Duralast from Autozone) on my dad's 68 Ghia convertible died last year - I remember buying that battery from a scrap yard I went to frequently when I was about 10. It was made in Jan of 2001. 17 years isn't too bad. Had one on the Chevelle last from 94 to 2012, also a Duralast. The Duralast L&G batteries seem to last the longest in my 520s... Believe I got 7 years out of the first one. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,795 #20 Posted October 26, 2019 Seems I saw not too long ago that if you have a high enough voltage(?) Charger with enough amps available, you can cook the buildup on the plates of a lead acid battery off to “restore” an old and gone battery. It takes a bit of work, in stages, but you can bring essentially any battery back from too far gone with time and patience on your side... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dells68 7,498 #21 Posted October 26, 2019 On 10/25/2019 at 10:10 AM, Tractorhead said: Let me know, if you need som stuff, hard to find. I will keep my eye‘s open for things you need on local auctions and Garage Markets here surround me. Thanks @Tractorhead! I am looking for a few items I haven’t been able to source or get shipped from Germany after I found them - no shipping to US from eBay.de with some sellers. I’ll send you a pm later. Well, I got my antenna mounted today for the SEM 25 radio. I also mounted my amber beacon beside the windshield. I’ve had some tubing from when I first built my roll bar years ago. I meant to make a set of rocker rails to help hide the 2” body lift I made. What do you guys think? Will it look better with the rock rail painted black or leave it as it is? Opinions appreciated!! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,795 #22 Posted October 26, 2019 That rail is quite appealing to the eye! I vote black paint like other accessories on the exterior 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractorhead 9,064 #23 Posted October 26, 2019 When i see this beautiful looking car, my heart gona melting. it is a „ must“ for me, to see the rail in Black. It integrates completely into the Car and look more Original. optional in the same green, but i found that in black, it „ lifts“ optical the Car bit up Chrome was a absolute „nogo“ at this car. The only things in chrome they can be happen, are the mirrors and the wheelcaps. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,981 #24 Posted October 26, 2019 Black here! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dells68 7,498 #25 Posted November 5, 2019 Finally got my bars welded up and mounted. I’m pretty tickled with the look - matches other accessories and hides the 2” body lift. Still waiting on a few German military parts to arrive. Now Emory has his eye on our next tractor project. He wants to do a military themed horse. I thought about my D160 since it has to be repainted all over, but I have a nice set of Terry’s decals and really wanted it to look original. What do you guys think? I’ll be posting this up in the restorations thread for feedback. Have a good one tomorrow and get out and vote!! 1 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
