Is The Volkswagen BEETLE The SIMPLEST Car To Fix EVER?

[@steveluken3180]

You could do a video series where you see how much engine and tech you can squeeze into a super beetle without modding the exterior. That could be a blast.

[@drippingwax]

Beat this! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqHFY3ufop52i9E

[@MrChipDouglas1]

Fuel injection conversion would be nice, not many options that are cost effective.

[@michaelbaka4777]

3rd car I ever owned was a '67 Bug. Ran bad and smoked when I got it for CHEEEEP money. First engine I ever rebuilt. I was done in a day! 2 &1/2 hours out, 5 hours in the rebuild, then almost 3 hours to put back in. Started and ran on the first try!!! EASIEST engine I ever worked on! Had to do a few other things on it, but it was just too easy to work on!!! Man, I drove the wheels off it!!! Love me some old Bugs!! PS That car will have NO heat unless he puts the heater tubes back on it. That's providing it still has the heater boxes on the exhaust manifolds. Tell him best 'o luck for me, JR!!!

[@ethylhexyphthalate]

Crazy, but, back before global warming, when East Tennessee would get some epic 6-12" snowstorms, my dad would slap some chains on his Beetle and just rock on in to work, passing all the Fords and Buicks in the ditches. It was so light it just drove on top of the snow, I guess.

[@terrylessmann2274]

So true. We drove over some epic snow drifts in northeast Neb with our 63.

[@CharlesOttman]

Don't forget to put a couple bags of sand in the frunk. They like to go straight around snow covered corners. I speak as a former 73 Super Beetle owner from the north east.

[@kendallsmith1458]

All the weight is on the drive tires. The front acts just like snowmobile skis.

[@Moparkansas]

I had one one in high school. Used to go drift busting and I thought I broke something as it wouldn't steer. Turned out the front fenders were just entirely packed full of snow!

[@joevendramin9509]

I love bugs but JR's one hand on the camera and the other hand fixing the cars is impressive as hell! And funny! I could never do that. Mustie 1 and 5150 just got a new soul mate.

[@JamesAllmond]

and coldwar motors...

[@muzzcovw7674]

Love the channel, but always find the one hand thing annoying as hell. Time for a tripod

[@schutzhund3933]

As a proud owner of the same bug for over 40 years, not a car for a daily driver for a kid

[@TheBarberShopScott]

Just a cruiser for her, she has a nice daily already

[@oldmovies963]

My favorite car. I have owned 6 of them. Glad to see you working on one.

[@FatKidontwowheels]

Bought mine a bug also! Seats don't recline... ultimate "daughter" car!

[@Cartier_specialist]

My first car was a Beetle and my 3rd was also a canary yellow Beetle. Those are the best cars to learn how to wrench on because they're so simple. Just for the record the car you were working on is a Super Beetle the simplest indicator being the curved windshield. A regular Beetle has a flat windshield.

[@maryjanesresurrection3309]

Except 71-72 super beetle is also a flat window I use the method of if it's got struts it's a super

[@RandomGuyDan]

@@maryjanesresurrection3309 True, not all Super Beetles have curved windshields, but all Beetles with curved windshields are Super Beetles

[@alanmoffat4680]

Just found this now, and loved it. Memories of our 1972 1600 Super bug. @nd hand with 6000 miles and we had it for years then sold it after 175000 miles to get a larger car for our family. Saw it some years later up for sale and when wife and I sat in it, we were so surprised it was so small. Ours was yellow too.

[@corbingreiner9879]

I was wrenching on my bug before you were born. God I'm old lol

[@69Dartman]

My buddy always had Baja bugs and bugs because back in the early 80s they tended to be dirt cheap, fun to drive, and reasonable mpg. They also were so simple and easy to work on. I never really liked the way they drove but they always seemed to run, even when they shouldn't. He started buying old Toyota when they started getting reasonably priced and they just tended to be even more reliable and drove better but we had a lot of fun in those bugs and bajas. You really don't see them either way anymore around here.

[@batsonelectronics]

I would have put the window handle up. That is how I oriented all the ones I had when younger. Makes it easier to find when dark to roll down and doesn't get in the way of anything.

[@someonebald2022]

I put mine with the handle down so they don't vibrate open when you're driving.

[@chrisnelson6226]

@@someonebald2022 factory placemenyt is 10 o'clock

[@carlosnsosa99]

The bug just became the coolest bug around with the installation of the Saleen shift knob

[@terrylessmann2274]

I learned how to drive a manual in a 63 bug. Trans / clutch is indestructible. Looks like this one started life as orange. Better get a front bumper on it for a new driver. And hope his daughter is ready to roast her ankles in the winter and scrape the windshield from the INSIDE for defrost. And don't forget to adjust the valve lash.

[@colonel9990]

I'm no mechanic, and I could work on the '74 Super Beetle I used to own in the early 2ks. I replaced the starter, clutch cable, shift linkage, interior, and radio. Same width my '80 & '82 VANAGON L. Old school air cooled VWs are the absolute best.

[@TheBetomann]

It's very easy to change the door handle lock combination and use the original key. Also you can use a lighter to soften the handle seal and install it correctly.

[@braxtonnelson7422]

Wow... this brings back memories! Back in 1978, I traded a 1968 Buick LeSabre (which was given to me and did not have a straight body panel or a back windshield) and $150 for a 1967 Beetle. At the time, I worked at an auto parts store and had zero experience with any type of import (read: "foreign car"). I drove the VW for a week and the engine blew up... it spun a rod bearing! I bought a copy of John Muir's book "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step procedures for the Compleat Idiot" and built a new engine (I re-used the old heads and carburetor-- after rebuilding them-- everything else was either new or remanufactured). New clutch, front suspension, brakes, etc... I drove it for a couple of years until I learned a most valuable lesson about driving while intoxicated when I rolled the bug onto its' roof one night. Flipped it back onto its' wheels, changed a tire and added a quart of oil and drove it home holding the driver's door closed with my elbow. Kicked most of the dents out of the roof by removing the seats and lying on my back and kept driving it. I later sold it to a friend for $400, and he drove it all the way to Louisiana without a hitch...

[@Tennesseeroadster222]

To help with the slop on the shifter he can install a short shifter it's a plate that goes from the hump and in between the shifter. Parts are cheap for vw

[@LondonDubClubtv]

ive had two bugs for over ten years and its fun easy to fix n cheap for new parts and cool without trying , its not fast its not warm in the winter but where ever you go people love the car , theres no stress driving them in town , and they have made more than any other car in history so cant be that bad

[@familyrcvideosds3680]

More content like this will make your channel explode the super cars are fun but not all of us own cars like those

[@dudenamedclem]

Can’t compare Jr to Mustie1 until there is a proper “will it run” episode on a Beetle that’s been sitting for years.

[@DurocShark]

Thinking the same thing!

[@whatsstefon]

Can you imagine a Mustie1 and Vice Grip Garage collab? We found this old beetle, we’re gonna drive it 600 miles home. Stopping at all the fine motels and auto parts stores for nasty tool kits.

[@DurocShark]

@@whatsstefon Don't forget the McDouble (Big Mac without the extra bread) for dinner!

[@whatsstefon]

@@DurocShark 😂

[@KylesTechChannel01]

I saw this exact beetle listed online awhile back!

[@TheDragonDelasangre]

Probably my favorite video all year!

[@ScottHolderCrossPoint]

I had a gold Super Beetle with a sunroof that I loved. I wish I had kept it. No AC, but it had great ventilation. Like you said, they are so easy to work on.

[@pablopicaro7649]

10:10 AIR COOLED engine- avoid overheating by closing off those air blower nozzles used for cabin heat (or put on proper heater air hose). OR you may overheat engine and might 'drop' a valve.

[@Gilman822]

Thanks. I'll look into it!

[@whatsstefon]

The ones on the shroud are blocked off, but the ones on the engine apron with those holes are definitely asking for trouble. While you’re at it, make sure the engine bay seal is sealing the top of the engine from the road. Keep that heat down under the car and out the back past the bumper.

[@Jaybear669]

Build a Bug! Full on Hot Rod Style!!

[@scottmilano512]

When you changed the door handles you can unscrew the lock tumblers out and switch them with the old ones so the door keys match the ignition key. Instead of having multiple keys for the car. Also the number on the old door handles is the cut code for the keys. Old bugs are very easy and well engineered. Your friend has a super beetle McPherson strut front end known to shimmy down the freeway. Tell your friend to put a 50 lbs bag of sand in the trunk. Trust me it works.

[@pablopicaro7649]

VIN 133.... Type '1' Body style '3' (super beetle) Year '3'' 1973. Known as curved windshield Super Beetle (71 and 72 had flat windshield).

[@FarrellMcGovern]

Like you "unbelt" name for the scissor lift...There used to be a building here in Ottawa owned by the Sunlife insurance company, with their "Sunlife" logo in lit letters on the side...and then the day came when it became the "unlife" building. We wondered if Vampires had taken them over...

[@asands257]

A neighborhood by my house was named Sunswept Village. Their fancy sign kept having the S stolen and making it Unswept Village. It happened so many times they put up a painted sign instead.

[@upsidedowndog1256]

I always wanted a Bug. I fixed my sister in laws and by the time I drove it to her house, I was over it! I still think all old Vdubs are undoubtably cool, though.

[@stephenbacks3100]

I learned to work on cars on a 72 Beetle. Soooo easy. The rims on this one are small. The original ones were 15”, but much narrower.

[@treyperkins2360]

Judging from the paint colors, you’re working on what remains of three Beetles.

[@CR7659]

Car pretty clearly was once orange

[@tabelq]

“Phoenix Red” was the color name on my ‘74 orange beetle.

[@rwdplz1]

Definitely originally a horrible 70's orange

[@jstein77]

I think you should strip it and repaint it in its original orange. ;)

[@jljr1998]

Now i want a beetle too nothing is ever that easy! Btw Control panel on that lift was replaced ($600 our cost) i remember reading that in one of the older work orders 👍🏼 from its condition looks like you stole that thing

[@Moparkansas]

I'd never sentence my kid to one of these. I had one in high school and the heat only works when going 55 down the highway, and there is no A/C. This also leads to frosted up window (on the inside) when it is really cold out. I used to use a cassette tape case to scrape the inside frost off as the window was flat on a 70. There is also the safety factor to consider. It is like a tin can, no airbags and you'll probably get run over on the freeway as the top speed is 70-75. Be fun for a weekend car, but for a daily, no thanks!

[@Skoda130]

Well, maybe she WANTS a beetle? We don't know the background story.

[@Moparkansas]

@@Skoda130 More power to her if that's the case. If I was gonna have an older lower tech car I'd probably do an 80s turbo Daytona which ain't exactly everyone's cup of tea. Just putting a couple of thing out there to think about since I've been there and done that.

[@R3DD3LUX]

In Brazil we call them fuscas , and there is a saying here that goes as , you can fix a Fusca with a piece of duct tape , chewing gum and wires

[@taunuslunatic404]

In Mexico it's called vocho. And in Spain Escarabajo.

[@dj33036]

@@taunuslunatic404 In Mexico the girls ask the boys, do you have a car or a Vocho?

[@juliobello4561]

@@taunuslunatic404 yup my aunt has vocho in her car collection she rarely drives it but I got to install her stereo few years ago when I went to visit her. Awesome cars 🚗 one of my co workers has a retro herbie bug looks amazing park outside

[@pops55650]

I learned to drive stick when I was 16 on an old bug, easy to work on, think I can drop an engine as fast as you put those seats in

[@Shauma_llama]

That was fun! Buy a project bug. 😎

[@MarkLoves2Fly]

The front is actually not so bad. I have replaced that in 3 of my 5 Beetles. The access is in the front behind the bumper, just over the frame head. For safety and drivability, it is worth doing. Keep it running! ✌️😁

[@jimmccormick6091]

Beetles are indestructible! SO much fun to drive, and work on. Left a beetle on to of a washing machine in the sand dunes across from NYC many years ago (landing on that washing machine was NOT fun)

[@TheBarberShopScott]

Glad to see it was a quick and easy fix!!

[@jaqueloon]

Damn dude, it looks like this is one of your most popular videos!!! Go Bug go!!!

[@nukedathlonman]

I had a neighbor who did a resto mod of one of these... Absolutely beautiful restoration job. However the twist was in the rear - it had an air cooled Porsche 911 flat 6.

[@maryjanesresurrection3309]

Hell yea man love the old-school vws first cars I learned to work on and first car I got at 13 to build was a 71 super beetle

[@Brian_Homer]

I had a 72 Super Beatle with a sun roof, while stationed in Germany. Loved that car. I believe the car in this video is a Super Beatle.

[@maryjanesresurrection3309]

@@Brian_Homer yea I had the sunroof too the crank was a real pain it broke eventually so I gutted everything out and just used a set of hood pins to keep it shut

[@Brian_Homer]

@@maryjanesresurrection3309 Lol, the sunroof crank was probably the only part of the car that didn't break. I had a lot of mechanical issues but I still loved that car.

[@bienhelado204]

Love to see JR repair cars. Would recommend installing strong metal brackets bolted through floor pan around front seat rails to prevent VW beetle ejector seat problem.

[@robertm2172]

There are two covers one on the body and one on the tunnel in the front to move the shift rod forward to replace the forward bushing

[@kerrylewis2581]

I love having the use of a scissor lift at work. The only thing that sucks is how hot it is once you pass the first twenty feet.

[@AP-rb8eo]

Thanks JR for helping me fix my lawnmower

[@billymasoner3735]

This is awesome! You really need a mini truck build! An S10 would be so cool to see.

[@fryedaddy83]

The scissor lift should get its own channel called Watch JR Go Up. LoL

[@PaddyBoy644]

It’s been bugging me for ages that you haven’t done a Beatle video!

[@theannoyedmrfloyd3998]

Beetle Beatles make music.

[@jordanturner9173]

I saw it in the background and was REALLY hoping you would do a video! Awesome

[@ScottJ175]

How cool! My first car was a 1970 Bug back in the 80s. Only engines I ever built until my Dodge 4.7 in 2018. I sometimes kick myself for selling my Bug as a basket case.

[@Fredness2300]

That was one of my first mods on my '70 Beetle. Good stuff. The link in the shifter too...

[@hugozapata1298]

I had one same color ! Brought me good memories!

[@markweissenbach196]

Best channel on KZbin

[@damienreilly8061]

My first car was an orange 71 VW bug. It does great in snow and it is a great car to learn how to work on cars everything is so simple. I can pull a motor in about 20/30 minutes 4 bolts and drop it out. Lol.🤙🇺🇲

[@johnrideout7124]

Jobs I did to improve the beetles performance was to get rid of the bottom tinwork, to improve mobile cooling. Had the flywheel lightened by a considerabl amount. The quality of the steel was such that the machine shop that did it said not to bring anymore VW flywheels as it ruined all his lathe cutters. ! Also altered the back panel so the engine could be pulled out without lifting problems. Cut a hole adjacent to the front clutch cable fitting, which was causing much grief. Was advised to get 6 cylinder Porche lump frm wreckers yard instead of my improvements, but doubted the existance of same.! Rang up a yard, for same and was asked how many did I want. Gave thought to the possible results and decided the two extra cylinders hanging out the back of the beetle wouldn't look right. So carried on with original see-through, hi-speed flywheel.! This all took place when I lived in Australia in the early 70's, Foolishly came to the UK for a holiday, ran out of money, as everything so dear, been stuck here ever since.!

[@thetrumpnewsnetwork7503]

I have owned several air cooled WV's in my time. They are so much fun to drive and so easy to repair. Except for the cables. The cables can be a real pain the first time you do them.

[@nottingham82]

I was so confused by the old shop. The algorithm brought me so I thought this was new.

[@jnorthrop70]

Nice car and I’m sure his daughter will love it, but as a Dad I would rather my daughter daily drive a modern car with airbags, ABS, etc. that will offer some crash protection. Save this bad boy for going to Cars and Coffee and VW shows.

[@Mikes84Corvette]

Thanks for saying what I was thinking. In a land of huge SUVs and distracted drivers - get your kids a safe, modern car as the first one. Not a tin can like this.

[@jay-em]

Absolutely, this is unsuitable as a daily driver, especially for a kid.

[@christinesommerfeld9815]

Yes, this while it may be a cute car for a young lady, would make me nervous as they wad up bad even in a minor accident. Yikes....

[@Mikes84Corvette]

@@christinesommerfeld9815 Agree. 100%

[@levaranoia]

Definitely wouldn't be putting any of my kids in this old death trap

[@Tennesseeroadster222]

Finally a vw video , brings back memories of my 2 vws

[@mentaldiversions]

I used to own a Type 3 fastback. Same motor. Pretty simple to work on. Worst part is rusting floor pans. There is a whole aftermarket for it and you can everything for them. (except type 3 windshields, you have to look hard for those)

[@joekizonu9503]

A bug should be everyone's first car.

[@hectorotani27]

yes!!!!!!! perfect vid on my bday, thanks JR!!!

[@dantheman9395]

That’s the first car I learned to work on. Been chasing one ever since

[@notpurple]

YES!!! THIS is the sort of stuff that I want to see!

[@whatcubedIlIlIl]

It would be cool to see you buy a crappy Slug Bug and build it into something cool. Maybe a Baja version for your exists but has nothing JR Offroad channel?

[@dalewhite5068]

Warning! Bugs go lite on the rear wheels in the blink of the eye. That rear end will swing around in front of you with the slightest break in traction. The bug hydroplanes on a drop of water and a slight amount of lubricant on the road will spin you out. A Hillcrest at cruise speed will flip the rear end up and you better be be going straight as you crest a hill. I wouldn't put my daughter in a bug for any reason. They are not safe to travel any highway that isn't straight, level and dry.

[@AGPullen]

My Grandma gave me a '74 Super Beetle but I had to get rid of it. I didn't run and the rear brakes were locked, and I didn't have a place to store it. I'd love to get another one some day.

[@EvilTurkeySlices]

The rear brakes being locked is standard for these cars, nothing a small sledge hammer can’t fix.

[@robertobuenrostro2781]

JR that yellow bug is a firefly. 💥

[@carlosraf200]

I love Bugs, it is fun if you can make a project with a bug something like a Bug Series.

[@zimms-world]

I’m doing one on my channel

[@The6vdubs]

Glad I never gave up on the channel,

[@someguyonli]

When I was very young, my neighbor had a beetle. Whenever he would leave his house, he'd honk the horn twice after he changed from first to second gear. To this day, part of me still expects to hear two horn blasts whenever a beetle shifts from first to second.

[@muzzcovw7674]

Shift rod bushing is a super easy job...and now's the time. Won't shift quite right without it.

[@curtiswebster8095]

This is the Lockpicking Lawyer and what I have for you today is an X-ray machine that can see through JR's hand and decode the key

[@howardbrandon4423]

Outstanding Justin. Bless you for raising your children as you desire. Safe driving course? Raise your kids your way brother. H5Bravo 👍🏻🇺🇸

[@n9wox]

When the color of the car matches the lift arms. ☺️

[@HeavyTanker1945]

The lack of a Autobot Logo on a bright yellow Beetle, it's just weird.

[@MarkLoves2Fly]

😂😅

[@armandopatane5343]

Watch jr go post every day guys with educational stuff

[@31dknight]

Great video JR.

[@deltacx1059]

I have a 63 corvair and its pretty easy to work on as well.

[@zimms-world]

I have a 76 bug I am restoring. If you want to work on a project bug you can use mine. It’s fun and basic so even newbs like me can figure stuff out

[@Crafting_mom4139]

Is it crazy that I’m seriously thinking about buying one but I’m 46 and this will be my first, I have always loved them and just would be fulfilling a dream of mine

[@Rcmiller]

had a 72 when in high school , had a single exhuast coming out the back ,it was 3 to 4 louder then this one you could hear me coming from half mile during the day or at early morning about 3 miles. good old days

[@snowyowl7042]

Love the orig bug, 1300-1600cc air cooled, so cool. The Singer sewing machine sound

[@Patrick.B223]

Only a VW can pull off banana yellow and look cool! Great video.

[@ecds7393]

Jr: "I Almost kinda want a project bug" Project Rolls Smoke: *Raises Eyebrow*

[@noahmatthews5013]

Wow, good timing here. Let’s see what the bug can do!

[@WatchJRGo]

🥉 super early!

[@noahmatthews5013]

@@WatchJRGo notification squad pays off 😎 (and being on KZbin already when you posted) keep up the great content!

[@MarksKicksOnRoute66]

The lockpicking lawyer is the bomb! Just like you @watchjrgo!

[@DashnCars]

Same door handles on my 944 I just got. I need a set!

[@huevigarage]

Perfect timing, ima be doing some bug content also! I’ve got a orange one!

[@spuwho]

It's a Stryper VW. The "Yellow and Black Attack". The Killer Bee.

[@paulcourson6730]

when i was eating tacos with JR last week i was asking about the bug and he said it was not for the channel, i’m glad he changed his mind!

[@metalworks2765]

drifting in winter with beetle are king

[@ThriftMachine]

Miss seeing Bugs cruising about. My dad had a 69 with 66 fenders.

[@fredtotal33]

I understand people liking the VW bug. My issue with old bugs are how they survive in a serious accident. I hope his daughter stays safe and free of collisions.

[@mikeconnelly7032]

If you’re going to do anything air cooled it should be a Corvair!! Still enjoyed the bug project!!

[@jfv65]

Agreed, very underrated classic car. Wasn't there a turbo version as well?

[@mikeconnelly7032]

@@jfv65 yes… early models were spyders 150 hp. and lates were Corsa 180 hp.

[@dragonbrownies517]

Corvair Wagon with a turbo!

[@scotfenedick6618]

Air cooled Vw are some of the easiest, cheapest moddable cars around. Please do more content. I came be the only one that that loves air cooled Vws

[@jimschafer9196]

Cool bug and good upgrades.

[@williamkniesly5090]

Had a problem lining up the bolts on the master cylinder and the little spacers .What a bitch. Most fun car i have ever owned. You really learn a lot about fixing a car because if you own it long enough you would have fix almost everything on the car.