With the foot-box construction complete, I can start to get the inside of the VW bug’s body ready for paint. I have created a couple of caps to enclose the body openings where the rear struts sit. I am basically ready for paint.
The foot-box is now closed in. I slowly positioned it and now have all the fasteners in. I hammered the front edge over to create a nice seal. I won’t reinstall this lid until I am very close to finishing the car.
I now have the rear apron mounts straightened and strengthened. I can now refocus on the front foot-box cover. The cover will have 5 mounts on the fire-wall side and 9 screws on the front. Now that I have the rear mounts on, I can line up the front.
Before I can complete the front foot box cover, I need a piece of 18 gauge steel to fit the top of the box. I am also working on the rear apron fins. The fins were beat up and I needed to straighten them as well as strengthen them. I am using a piece of 18 gauge steel to back up the passenger side as well as adding some new steel bumper brackets to both sides.
With the foox box, more or less, built, I can focus on getting all the brackets and pedals finalized. I expanded the VW bug’s footbox by hammering out the side a bit to get the clutch pedal to fit. So far everything looks to be fitting OK.
I need to close in the front foot box. I am using 18 ga. steel to create the side panels of the box. The sides of the box will stiffin the box up and make it super strong. Once the sides are made, I will make the top cover.
Still working on the VW bug body. More welding more clean-up and I am planning out my fuel cap location. Getting closer every day to painting the inside of the body.
Work continues on the VW bug body. I cut a bit more out of the body rails to accommodate the front sway bar mounts. I also got my power steering hose back from being crimped. Getting closer everyday to painting the inside of the big body.
With the chassis removed from the shop, I can bring the VW bug body back in. There is lots to do to the body before it can be reunited with the frame.The sway bar mounts will interfere with the lower body rail mounts, so I need to mark out and remove a bit more steel so that everything will fit together.
I am finally finished with everything that I need to do to the frame before putting the body back on for good. I will need to roll the frame out of the garage and bring the VW bug body back in. Once I finish the repairs and painting on the body I will unite both body and frame for good.