FORGOTTEN Volkswagen Thing On The Road Again After 25 YRS| Engine Swap On 1974 VW Type 181 |RESTORED

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Join in with the RESTORED crew as they attempt to revive this forgotten Volkswagen Thing that hasn't seen the roads in over 25 years! Pulling an engine from a 71 Super Beetle they recently got running, the guys decide to transplant it into this unique VW project! Follow along as they dig through all the obstacles it takes to get this THING back on the road again!
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Lance & Wyatt Bush
P.O Box 865, Bogata Tx, 75417

[@RESTORED-HOPE]

So how would you guys like to see this thing get built?!

[@richardwilliams3152]

I'd love to see that "thing" brought back a bit, but please don't lower or "slam" it. Its basically the VW version of a Jeep cj and nobody likes to see those lowered.

[@joelstaab6773]

I've lived in the Czech Republic the last elven years... I am a missionary for over thirty years in Africa and Europe and so highly appreciate your strong witness for Christ... that said it does also mean a lot to me to also watch all of you work on these old cars. As you can imagine there is not many as do the same here... and so it is an extra blessing to subscribe. As to keep working on it... I am all for it. Like whatever you do... even like the idea of lowering as hey... who does that with a Thing?

[@joelstaab6773]

Anything they do is cool... as be a fun project and is the slam it or lower it... paint it whatever... be fun to watch.@@richardwilliams3152

[@OscarOliu]

Honestly with that low rust, I'd repair all the rust, get it painted in a nice Yellow or Dark Orange, maybe a flat paint job. Get some better wheels for it, and repair the top/leathers on it. And if possible, update the headlights to have the projector style headlights like they have on Jeeps you can get aftermarket. Essentially make it a daily that stands out. Oh, and get a nice exhaust and try to get the HP to ~100 to just be more peppy.

[@JHACbiz]

turbo diesel meets Mad Max

[@joejohnfanning1637]

I've been looking for one of these for a long time for my ole lady and have had to pass up on one sence I had a heart attack and I'm waiting to go back in for my second surgery. Love what you are doing . God bless you and your family

[@someguy9778]

Many of them were taken down to Mexico.

[@mstraitefamily]

It just makes me smile.

[@Apophis1966]

In 1986 I drove a Kübel 181 for the German Armed Forces, in 1987 it was separated and sold. I bought it for 2,000 German marks. I got a new convertible top, plug-in window and a complete engine from a couple of comrades from the INST Bundeswehr workshop, everything for 10 packs of coffee, that was still time.

[@mfundenimthembu651]

You guys can literally start anything that has what seems to be an engine... Real mechanics!

[@myMotoring]

That patina is just awesome

[@jasperwalkoe9406]

Had a 71 karma Gaia. Loved that car. Replaced the front Ibeam in high school backin 87. Great vehicle.

[@Biggspeed]

Christian is fast! She was at the shop when you left the yard and by the time you got to the gas station she was already there waiting for you!

[@Biggspeed]

Well y'all have a DeLorean so that makes sense.

[@tombulli1236]

My father used to drive a VW type 181 bucket, that was funny :)) Today they are being sought or restored! In Germany the value is increasing ... Greetings from Germany :)

[@hyperspaced0]

Really, one of the best restoration channels ever seen. I’m with you from Turnin Rust times and you are keeping very high level till now; please don’t change. It’s great to observe how you and your dad are solving problems together, I truly wish to have as great relations with my dad as you have. God bless you and your family.

[@joelandry865]

That would be so kool to have the thing restored completely

[@mr.goodpliers6988]

"Losing hair has been something that's always been on the top of my mind..." Underrated humor! and Great video Lance!

[@willbarker1693]

it's amazing that VW even built those 'things' and sold them.

[@eileenfranke2411]

Boy you are really brave with no brakes

[@charlesking1244]

It’s Good Seeing You & Your Dad Sir!!

[@TheSearaider]

watching from london england love your stuff !

[@mancsblue]

I always loved those VW "things" as a kid and still love them now ,can't wait to follow this build as this could be such a cool ride ,we done boys

[@darrenashley126]

I used to work for a wreckers called the Volks Factory here in Australia. I'd pull out a tired engine and put in a restored engine by myself but I'd have it on a jack and just wheel it in first go in the end. Next time if I were you I'd pull the filter and clean it and have all the parts and oil already in it before putting it back in, makes life a lot easier. I'd also rejet the carbie too because they can be a pig if they have been sitting. So easy to work on :)

[@compound256]

I'm 61 and have had 30 to 40 aircooled VWs of all models. I've had 3 VW Things and about to close a deal on my 4th I have to say I love this channel. My second VW Thing we drove it down the Maui volcano at 4am in the morning cause it had no brakes to get it home to the beach. My friend Brooks drove my convertible Baja Bug in front so if the Thing started to go too fast downhill I had someone friendly to bump into to brake. Have many stories like this. I love these outlaw guys. Aloha!

[@kasuraga]

man I always loved Things. You never see them very often.

[@thornycajunrest8708]

What a gorgeous car, As a 67 year old in the UK i have never seen the like before, Thanks a lot

[@nancykitzinger3078]

I love that “Thing”! Nice job putting her back on the road! I can’t wait to see what’s next!

[@billbroekema8963]

my son and I are rebuilding a yellow one in Belleville Ontario. We are almost done. Bill

[@steverolfeca]

Watching you put the motor in reminded me of my high-school prom night in 1973. Left school at noon, single-handedly pulled the motor out of my '63 Beetle using some wooden blocks and a floor jack. Put a new clutch on it, and had it back in the car in time to pick up my date and driver her to the prom. Of course, it helped that the heat shields around the engine bay were already long gone...

[@nygelmiller5293]

Steve Rolfe: last of the ,"real men". Nowadays guys can't even change a spare tyre. IN CASE THEY GET THEIR FINGERS DIRTY!

[@raulcastro3277]

Don't give up the fight.

[@danielheartsill4269]

The beautiful part about VW, all body panels, and any other part is readily available. I have a son who is restoring a 1957 rag top bug. He has ordered a right rear quarter panel and the front clip where the spare tire goes. Someone had replaced the front clip and it was ok except wrong year. There was a tiny bit of difference and he wanted it right. He has the body off the pan and a new motor for it. He had it sand blasted and now is going back together as soon as it is painted.

[@shayneyolivier4316]

I love VW bugs. I had a blue one named Bubbles. I best part about having her was my son was to much of a snob to borrow it her when he was a teenager. My grandson say he is going to get me another one and paint flowers on her to remind me of my youth. Enjoy your show.

[@wildhogget69]

That's a "Thing" of beauty

[@waynebooker498]

I liked that DeLorean up on blocks at the house behind the truck.

[@pacerodi]

When we have one thing, we keep it, when we have too many, we don't care. All VW's are precious nowadays.

[@pierosanchez6839]

Nothing better than a patina thing

[@jonoffensend7519]

I had a 1973 thing.I bought in 1974 it was my everyday car for 10 years. I redid the rocker panels at 100,000 miles then drove it for another 40,000. The engine was never removed from this car. It had a gas heater and was the only car I had with a wind chill factor, in winter above 50 mph the side curtains would flap open and all heat was lost, no problem pull over and warm up👍👍😄🎩

[@EnriqueLopez-hb5jn]

Wow,and double wow!, to see a volkswagen The thing, at least it is running

[@skipstein744]

Thanks for brining the VW Thing back to life. Onward!

[@bleu5535]

You have inspired me! My '74 Thing was in my garage during an unfortunate house fire. Its been in my barn for 20 yrs. Thinking seriously about getting it in my shop and restoring it back in driving condition! Thank you guys for the inspiration. I'm up in Ohio. I have all the parts to restore it. I have a bunch of spare parts as well. / Chuck

[@castlerock7423]

Film it!

[@josephentilla2179]

You should name that Project "Wild Thing"...

[@richtintera5524]

This is giving me flashbacks of pulling the engine in my old bus. I just used to tools from my motorcycle to unbolt, and with the engine propped up on a wobbly stack of lumber, I pushed the bus uphill away from it. Thank you, "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive".

[@TTIYTE13]

That THING is 😎!

[@lomgshorts3]

Years ago, I helped rebuild several VW Transporter engines for me and my buddies. It is easier to rebuild a boxer 2,000cc dual port or single port engine OUT of the bus because all kinds of crap gets in your way. Also, critter stuff in the air passages especially around #3 cylinder have to be cleaned out and all moving parts have to be lubed with white lithium grease. You have to reset the valve lash on each cylinder which means pulling the valve covers off. Also the oil cooler and thermostat need to be checked for leaks and fouling, replacing the gaskets where they have dried out or broke. Lots of picky work to get any VW engine to work right and not pee oil on the concrete. This is best and easier done outside the vehicle where you have easy access to everything. Put the engine on an easily built stand or set it on a workbench and clamp it down. When your work is done and the engine purrs along, then you can install it onto the transaxle (in which you already installed a new clutch pack and pressure plate into the transaxle) and installed new bushings on the shift rods. After you replaced the engine tins (which are very necessary for proper air flow to cool the cylinders) and put ALL the screws back in to hold the tins on, you could call the job done. Lots of engine parts are out there if you have the money, all other parts are rebuilt by you. If you have access to a bending brake and an english wheel, you can make most of the tins and fenders yourself out of 14 gauge stainless steel, then paint as necessary. I recommend using etching zinc chromate primer for every color except white, yellow, and orange colors. This is really necessary for those of you up in the "rust belt" where salt is used in the Winter. Stainless may not rust, but does corrode over a longer time than tin or sheet steel. Those are the main points I remember when restoring VW's - I'm 65 now, so its been a few years. Another point, when you break down a VW engine, have each half of the block boiled out by a local engine builder to free up the oil passages, it is worth the money by far. Be careful that they do not treat it like cast iron blocks, aluminum is frail to acidy cleaning fliuds. Good Luck wth the "Thing".

[@larrygarrett724]

That would be great. For years there was one at a business between Weaterford and Fort Worth, Texas. I would see it on the way to Fort Worth. I think it was a driver. Some days it looked like it was in a different parking space. I always smiled at seeing it. I really enjoy your videos!

[@stephaniemarie437]

We want to see it.

[@mrvein5934]

No lights, No indicators, No brakes, No mirrors, No belts, No interior, No roof.. It has Everything!

[@stebro2738]

BTW.. Ferdinand Porsche was SOOO ahead of his time.. Cars ..simple!! Simple to build, simple to maintain & simple to assemble/ disassemble. I've owned countless VW's, 356 Poesches, (911 Porsche, & now 337 Golf.. Impressive engineering!

[@robertsnyder5149]

I wish I lived close to you guys. I lost my VW collection when my wife of 30 years died of cancer and left me 1/4 million dollars in debt. I had to sell my custom bug, my 73 Thing ,my 70 Bug daily driver and my beloved 1964 double door split window bus.We had six boys and I even lost my house. I had to declare bankruptsy to shed the debt. My son Josh and Iused to drive all over the hills around Cle Elum, Wash. in my Thing. I even went places the Jeeps couldn't. That made the Jeep club mad because I could drive on top of the snow where they would break through.. God luck ad God Bless you guys.

[@rexfreelom4300]

After you pull the engine off from the VW Thing then you put in the Beetle engine back in but if you could buy the two oil ring seals and it won't take long to take out the heat shroud and pull off the oil cooler. These seals are already hard and bad because it is worn. It saved a lot of trouble and time. Thanks for letting me watch.

[@Wiganpilot]

I have watched quite a few of your episodes over the last few days. I love the rawness of the live shows, and Christian does a really great job with all the editing, she could take that up professionally full time. Keep doing what you are doing.

[@RESTORED-HOPE]

Thank you for your comment and support

[@Broadshore]

Man!!! 74 Thingy... You guys are lucky having one! They are SUPER super rare to find.

[@danielwilson5296]

You should get a transmission jack . They work perfect for VW

[@ACCobra1963]

This is the first VW Thing I have seen with AC.

[@edmarkham2632]

I use to have a V.W. shop. When you get use to working on them, you'll love them They are easy to work on and no water or water pump. So many parts are interchangable from year to year. Enjoyable show.

[@westcoastbronco]

I really enjoy your content. You guys just seem to get along with no drama. Thanks for sharing.

[@mathewtronoski4498]

You guys should make a bracket to hold a VW motor pan to pull and install the motors with your floor jack

[@ncdave4]

The heavy metal tool your dad picked up in the trunk is a wheel nut wrench. Slip it on the nut and pound on it till it comes off.. :)

[@Kenite]

I like the fact that you don’t strive for perfection with your restoration. Your efforts toward getting the car running and that’s good enough for me. The Wise King Hezekiah? put it well. “To all perfection I see a limit,” reads the New International Version, “but your commands are boundless.” What is meant by ‘an end to all perfection’? (Ps 119:96) The psalmist is speaking about perfection from a human viewpoint. Especially enjoy what I see you do with the Volkswagens Thank you!

[@tw2210]

Fantastic channel. From the UK 🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@chrisminter7776]

Well that was a lot of fun. Looking forward to seeing more of that Thing.

[@rsprockets7846]

what thing?

[@tonyballestero3316]

such a good video, it is so cute to see your sister hanging from the truck doing the filming got to love her, stay safe guys and may the lord bless you all.

[@dezdog1]

Military theme for sure cheers from down under

[@Buzzard2014]

I bought one on a corner many years ago best purchase I ever made they are a fun car too drive

[@MarkLoves2Fly]

Thank you for getting this wonderful "Thing" running again. VWs are really meant to be driven. It NEEDs tail pipes though. The valves on that engine will burn up if the back pressure is too low. I'd love to see this with a fresh paint job. Keep it green though.

[@richarddecoster4464]

You guys always give the vehicles a name, well as Bill Engival would say here's your sign The Wasp

[@shanemurray8930]

I love the fish on the boot lid 😇👍

[@catslife5501]

Love the 'thingy' Thing.

[@steel-r_ua]

Thanks for your business! It's fun to watch 😂 I like when cars look nice, they do not do it with rust or painted to look like rusted 🤷‍♂️

[@forthwithtx5852]

Back in ‘84 or so, one of the guys in the USAF dorm I was living in had a yellow Thing that was lifted a bit with black fender flares and some nice, larger diameter off-road tires. Pretty sure the wheels were offset or it had spacers. Really transformed it from a dowdy car into a more aggressive off-road look. If I had a Thing, that is the direction I would go.

[@kevinl.2291]

Always a awesome time watching you all I truly love your channel. Much appreciated and blessings to you all 👍😎✌️

[@clydeedwards4348]

best i have ever seen watching from TRINIDAD WI

[@deniseprettner2020]

A Thing, so very cool. My neighbor had one here in Minnesota. He drove it daily even in winter. He drove it till it died a rusted right out from under him.

[@rudolphbondefangerer5513]

The editing, and camera work, is just unbelievable for a You Tube channel at this size. The flow is perfect.

[@RESTORED-HOPE]

Thank you very much for the compliment. We appreciate you joining in with us

[@bigbear5531]

I think the perfect name would be Oscar the Grouch.. from Sesame Street. Love that thing ..great job!

[@TTIYTE13]

That THING is cool!

[@vaughnhill3437]

I had a uncle that had one of those that was yellow and it was like brand new . It had some electrical issues at one time but after he got that worked out it was a good running little car. Those originated in world war two from the germans. Theres a story about them. My older brother and o e of his friends rebuilt a vw motor on my mommas kitchen table one time and he thought she was gone for the night but she came home and she was so e kinda mad when she walked in and seen what they were doing. That was back in the early 70s . God bless giys and i love watching you guys. So keep the vids coming. I have been watching since yaw started out on the other channel. Im a native southeast texas boy myself just northeast of downtown houston. I have owned a few home made rail jobs myself and two of those little fiberglass jobs. I cant remember what it was called the lynw mynx or something like that

[@kennyrichard2971]

Awesome guys another one saved from the big bad crusher😃

[@henrymorin9744]

Love the team work...and your videos..can't believe you drove that "thing" around town ... you 2 get it done...great job. Thank you..

[@dannquan7696]

This is awesome 👍

[@vaughnhill3437]

You cant beat the vw motors for simplicity and dependablity

[@quixototalis]

Always funny to see when someone basically makes an entire body panel out of bondo.

[@phillipblades6784]

I recently found (both of) your channels. I love watching any of your videos. Being a VW fan, this one especially made me smile. I had to sell my ‘74 Super Beetle for lack of funds for the plans I had to do a resto-mod. Watching old VWs be restored or at least made drivable is wonderful! Thanks.

[@AZVIDS]

Awesom guys and gal! Love the Thing👍👍👍👍

[@danielheartsill4269]

Parts you may need, a good place to check is Earl Mann's Bug Shop, Ardmore Oklahoma. They make new VW's out of old ones. They have ten acres of VW's for parts and rebuild bodies.

[@kennyrichard2971]

Awesome guys it’s running awesome can’t wait to see what you have in the future 👍😃

[@stevenvalley300]

I love your show, every installment gets better as ya'll figure out what works and what doesn't. It's fun to see if it'll start and how little you'll use to get it up and running. So much fun so positive and uplifting! You're doing great work! Keep finding those iconic old cars, dig 'em out, drag 'em onto the flatbed, blow out the nests, dead critters and see what's been eaten or gnawed on... sooo much fun!

[@joshuacook4955]

All Volkswagen all the time you got my like❤️ and super Beatles are making a come back:)

[@muhamadhaykal5367]

You and your son are good partner to do this vw thing. Hopely i can visit your work shop.

[@ronaldthomas7083]

great video. i just bought a 73 Thing and its cool to see all the word you guys did to get this baby running.

[@sociallyinept5430]

That's quite a find.

[@johnhunt8788]

I think it's cool I haven't seen one of those things in years!!!!!

[@moneygooddude]

Call it Dopey!

[@martentrudeau6948]

Looks like a fun project and with your plans, it sounds like it will be a sweet Thing when you're done.

[@lanceorven9617]

I love your restoration videos guys KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!♥️

[@aussiewendelken7499]

Thanks guys and gall for another great video please keep doing what you do best you really have been blessed with a lovely family thank you again xx

[@zappatx]

I'm a little late finding your channel but glad I did - used to run around not too far from there. Almost moved to Leonard or Wolfe City. There's actually some fun twisties if you know the roads out there. Camped all the time at Cooper Lake, I remember these Things in highschool. (Carrollton, TX) There were a LOT - Dad's gave them to their kids who just abused them bnecause they were cheap.. I bet there are a bunch scattered around N. Texas. - LOVE the camera work.. It's beyond professional.

[@johnnewcomb1128]

I like the way you guys work together, just taking your time.

[@mariopascasio4341]

Still look good from the Philippines

[@sociallyinept5430]

This guy has an overview mode and can see what's missing. Amazing.

[@davidpulit9587]

So let me understand NO BREAKS , NO MIRRORS, NO PLATE, NO NOTHING! And you take it on on highway. PRETTY BRILLANT! And of course no "LAW"! ANYWHERE!!!

[@peterstang-walz2778]

Name it WILD THING!!!!!

[@kevinbowers2832]

It's the "German Vermin." Regarding all the wasps! LOL!

[@LANTHENS]

You need a snatch block to carry on your trailer, or if nothing else a bottle of dish soap. Makes it easy to slide.

[@2H80vids]

Lance: the look of pure, unadulterated joy on your face, as you took off down the road, was priceless. By the time you hit second, I realised I was grinning from ear to ear - it must be infectious.😂👍 Anything that makes you that happy must be good for you, so keep 'em coming and I'll keep on watchin'. Cheers for now, Dougie.

[@fredericcolombier5380]

there are a De Lorean DMC 12 on the back under the porch x) ...at 10 m15s . And poor two bugs left with a pretty nice patina !

[@thadmachia9873]

Awesome job you folks did !