| 1974 VW Thing as Toad [message #193146] |
Mon, 17 December 2012 10:16  |
rcjordan
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
Karma: 1
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I have a couple with hardtops in inventory. Looking around, I see mention of old VW toads here and in other forums with the Thing being listed as maybe one of the best toads overall --certainly, one of the simplest.
But those are usually old posts and not by the VW owner. What are the negatives for a Thing? Ethanol, I'm guessing?
SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
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| Re: [GMCnet] 1974 VW Thing as Toad [message #193153 is a reply to message #193152] |
Mon, 17 December 2012 10:52  |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Well here
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
FREE WIFI @ Mickey D
On Dec 17, 2012, at 8:49 AM, mr.erfisher@gmail.com wrote:
> Go here and you will see a lot of bug-toads. Clock on toad
>
> FREE WIFI @ Mickey D
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> On Dec 17, 2012, at 8:16 AM, RC Jordan <rc@rcjordan.com> wrote:
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>> I have a couple with hardtops in inventory. Looking around, I see mention of old VW toads here and in other forums with the Thing being listed as maybe one of the best toads overall --certainly, one of the simplest.
>>
>> But those are usually old posts and not by the VW owner. What are the negatives for a Thing? Ethanol, I'm guessing?
>> --
>> 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath "http://RetroChicGMC.com/"
>> 76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath "http://ShortCircuitGMC.com/"
>> Both currently at GMCcoop
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| Re: 1974 VW Thing as Toad [message #193154 is a reply to message #193146] |
Mon, 17 December 2012 11:21 |
GeorgeRud
Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
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A classmate of mine had one back when, and it was a fun vehicle. Basically the same as other VWs of that era, though parts may be getting a bit more scarce.
The only negative I remember is that the heater/defroster did basically nothing unless you had an optional gas fired heater.
George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
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| Re: 1974 VW Thing as Toad [message #193159 is a reply to message #193154] |
Mon, 17 December 2012 11:44 |
midlf
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
Karma: 1
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| GeorgeRud wrote on Mon, 17 December 2012 11:21 |
The only negative I remember is that the heater/defroster did basically nothing unless you had an optional gas fired heater.
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I had a 1960 bug. In the winter the ice scraper was used on the windshield a heckofa lot more on the inside than the outside.
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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| Re: 1974 VW Thing as Toad [message #193162 is a reply to message #193159] |
Mon, 17 December 2012 11:58 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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While living in New Hampshire, we had a Honda Z600 (google it). Used the engine heat for defrost and interior heat. Drove back from a ski area, using a propane torch to defrost the windshield. New England Winter trumped Honda heat design.
However, it would make an almost invisible toad.
Tom, MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: 1974 VW Thing as Toad [message #193171 is a reply to message #193162] |
Mon, 17 December 2012 13:09 |
rcjordan
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
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My wife & I had a used VW van back in the late 70's. I drove it as a 3rd car well into the 80s. Heat/defrost is laughable ...except when you're freezing.
But, trust me on this one, my wife isn't likely to be out in a motorhome anywhere that's below 75f. So I don't see using the VW as a training toad to be a problem. If we settle in and can find time to do extended travel, then I'll pick up a Yaris or something if we hate the Thing.
SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
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| Re: 1974 VW Thing as Toad [message #193173 is a reply to message #193146] |
Mon, 17 December 2012 13:31 |
Kirk
Messages: 80
Registered: April 2008
Karma: 0
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We occasionally tow our '74 VW Thing. It's fun to drive and the engine air heater works fine. George and Jodell Banovich always tow their '73 Thing, I'm not sure how their gas fired heater works.
The down side, no air conditioning. We tow our Chevy Tracker w/ AC when we feel the need. The Thing at 1850 lbs tows light. The Tracker feels heavier towing than the additional 450 lbs would indicate. Both George and I have bumper mount tow bars. It gets old crawling underneath to remove the VW tow bars that attach to the front torque tube.
I have a progressive two barrel carburetor and I can't seem to keep my foot out of it so the mileage suffers. I suggest staying with the stock carb.
Another tip; make sure the engine cooling shrouds are all intact and the thermostat is operational. These are often removed thinking it will improve engine cooling; it doesn't do much and it takes too long to warm up the engine. A poor rubber engine compartment seal also affects cooling.
You will ruin the convertible top if you don't retract and fold it up correctly.
Here are FAQ's from www.thethingshop.com
Things were made from 1968 thru 1979. The last official year model was 1980. They were imported into the United States from 1973-1974.
Things have Thing-only ball joints.
The passenger-side tie rod is Thing specific.
Rear brake drums are Thing specific
Front brake backing plate is Thing specific.
Thing torsion arms (a.k.a. front trailing arms) are Thing specific.
In a pinch, Type II C/V joints will work but we DO NOT recommend it. They do not have the same travel as the proper C/V joints. We DO NOT consider them safe.
Kirk & Eloise Yeager -
Motorcyclists/RVers/Dog Lovers -
77 Royale 455/TBI/3:55 -
49ers - N. Nevada -
NdnKirk at Gmail dot com
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| Re: 1974 VW Thing as Toad [message #193176 is a reply to message #193146] |
Mon, 17 December 2012 14:33 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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my wife says I can buy a vw thing when I turn 40. almost there! so if you have some in inventory, let me know in a couple years. then maybe I will be able to use it as the toad behind the gmc.
VW's are super light toads. and all have about the same downfall, heat and A/C. almost the same problem as the GMC.
but the thing has an advantage over most of the other VW's. you can take the top down or off. drop the windshield. and enjoy the cruise.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: 1974 VW Thing as Toad [message #196478 is a reply to message #193146] |
Fri, 25 January 2013 20:45 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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Many say a VW Thing is the perfect towd. Others say the Tracker/Sidekick is the better towd.
Why not combine them?
See eBay Item number: 321061690596
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: 1974 VW Thing as Toad [message #196480 is a reply to message #193146] |
Fri, 25 January 2013 23:17 |
John Hunt
Messages: 70
Registered: January 2011
Location: Orange County, CA
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Funny I was just thinking about a Thing as maybe the nearly perfect Toad (lacking only a/c). Light, easy to tow, super easy to work on and very reliable if you start with a good base and take care of it. I've owned quite a few air-cooled VW except a Thing, including a '53 Split window bug, 56 Oval ragtop, notchback sedan, dual cab pickup, Karmann Ghia and a beautiful 69 convertible that was a daily driver until I was t-boned in an L.A. intersection (drunk driver wearing sunglasses at night!) and it was no more. Also a short fling with a 356 Porsche and a pre-runner 69 Baja that went almost anywhere. Yep, a Thing is definitely on my short list.
1976 Eleganza II,
1969 Lotus Elan Plus 2,
1978 Merlyn Formula Ford,
1981 Lola Sports 2000
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