66 body on a 74 chassis

Here's the place to come to post when you have questions relating to technical issues or mechanical questions on the 1966 model year.

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brujo
New Member
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 8:56 pm
Location: Melbourne-Australia

66 body on a 74 chassis

Post by brujo »

Hi,
Just wondering if a 66 beetle body will fit on a 74 beetle chassis.i know the rear body mounts will need to be moved but what about the steering and shock towers.Will the 66 king pin steering and shock towers off the 66 fit the 74 chassis.This is my problem at the moment.I'd like to use the irs gearbox and go the 12volt system.I have a spare 74 body and chassis at the moment, otherwise i might just do up the 66 as is.
Trev
p.s.these are australian models.
Blue Baron
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Posts: 879
Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:34 pm
Location: Tampa, Florida

Post by Blue Baron »

I'll jump in before anyone not familiar with the Australian Beetle does.

When discussing the Aussie '66 Beetle you must keep in mind it is equivalent to a '62 German-built car. A German '66 would have front balljoints like your '74 chassis.

The chassis is a direct swap if you shorten the rear body mounts. The '74 front end will fit under the body with no alterations. You cannot fit a kingpin front end to the '74 chassis unless you do major surgery on the framehead. The reason being the tubes are spaced wider apart on the balljoint front end and the factory changed the framehead to fit it.
brujo
New Member
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 8:56 pm
Location: Melbourne-Australia

66 body on a 74 chassis

Post by brujo »

Thankyou so much.I at last have a plan.
Now all i've got to do is fix my heater channels.
thanks again
Trev
brujo
New Member
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 8:56 pm
Location: Melbourne-Australia

66 body on a 74 chassis

Post by brujo »

Hi again,
Just wondering - the 74 chassis has macpherson front shockers mounted to the body - do i have to remount them or what? could i use the 66 shock towers on the 74 chassis?
Trev
Blue Baron
Senior Member
Posts: 879
Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:34 pm
Location: Tampa, Florida

Post by Blue Baron »

OH NO!

You didn't say it was from a Super Beetle!

Ain't gonna work without major surgery.
brujo
New Member
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 8:56 pm
Location: Melbourne-Australia

66 BEETLE

Post by brujo »

its cool-i'm putting the 1600 motor into the 66 along with the 200 tooth flywheel.still got a heater chanel tho-welding learning fun
cheers
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