'72 Bus Front Door Interchange

[U-turn]

Hello all,

We've recently purchased our first air-cooled vw, a 1972 Campmobile, and are diving into this project head first. Our friend has been in the process of downsizing his bus fleet (five at one point), and we decided to give this one a home. It appears to have light rust in the usual places, though the rockers seem to have been spared.

We plan on replacing the two front doors as this is probably our best option with the current rust situation; however, my friend thought that we might be limited as to what years of the bay window are a direct swap. I understand that '68 had a different door handle setup, and my buddy thought that there was perhaps a change in the hinge area with the later bays. Anyhow, I'm wondering what kind of year range I'm looking at for compatability, and if it is indeed the hinge that changed. Enjoying the forum, glad to be here.

Cheers,
U-turn

[Bleyseng]

yes, the hinge design changed in 76 IIRC. You used to be able to buy a kit with some special pieces so you could mount the early doors on a later bay.

[U-turn]

Thanks, Bleyseng. That should help me narrow my search. Is '76 the same year that the internal door lock migrated up next to the window?

[Gypsie]

Welcome u-turn.

Another one into the Fray...Bwaaahaaahaaaa.....cackle....(eyes dart left and right)....Let the madness begin....

What part of Wa. are you in? Mayhaps you will have other buspilots nearby for extra hands in future projects and parts bin raiding.

A possible resource for gaining knowledge about part sourcing/fitment is busdepot (http://www.busdepot.com/) or midamerica motoroworks (http://www.mamotorworks.com/).... and any number of others.

I use these sites to get VW part numbers and then do a google search with the VW part number in quotations. Helps find the best deal for the part as well as answering some fitment questions.

Hope this helps.

[dtrumbo]

Another great local resource is Ken Madson at The Bus Company (http://www.thebusco.com). You can give him a call and he can tell you what parts are interchangeable between what years and most likely has three or four of each on hand for sale at a reasonable price. This is an un-compensated announcement by a non-attorney spokesperson.

[U-turn]

Hey guys,
Thanks for the tips. I can see already that some parts for the bus are going to be easier to source than with my 'dub that is nine years newer. We're a quick hop across the river from Portland in Southwest Washington, so lots of good people. My friend and the P.O. of the '72 is a mere .8 mile as the bus drives, so I can always go look at one of his '72's to see how it should go.

The doors I looked at were a bit too new; the semi-search continues
Cheers

[Gypsie]

I live up in Ridgefield.

Sounds like we may see you at the Lucky Lab on Quimby one of these Mondays?....hint hint

[Oregon72]

Although I've never been there, I've heard Avery's AirCooled to be a good place for all kinds of big and small parts like this. Dtrumbo, what do you think about Averys' for U-turn?

[dtrumbo]

Dtrumbo, what do you think about Averys' for U-turn?

I've only ordered Beetle parts from them, but I've been VERY pleased with the quick service, quality parts and reasonable price I paid. I assume they'd behave similarly with their bus parts. Let us know.

[U-turn]

Hey, thanks again. It looks like a trip to Woodland will be in order one of these days. Same with the Lucky Lab, once the bus is streetable.