Removing body on VW Beetle

How to remove the body of your Volkswagen beetle from the floor pan in preparation for floor pan and heater channel replacement.
In this video I will be putting the body onto my rotisserie, but this is not necessary for the work that will be done.
The process is shown on a 1965 Beetle, but will be similar for earlier and later models as well.

[@philcappellini2820]

All of us DIY'ers often lack tools & proper equipment and sometimes we do sketchy things. But you and that bar stool have taken sketchiness to a whole new level 😊. Thanks for the video. I am looking forward to future ones.👌

[@SteveBueche1027]

Man,you SO are making me want to go get another bug and dig into it. Thanks for putting these videos out.

[@vwcoco]

I got one or two you can have but I’m in U.K.

[@bobboskey6571]

I had to replace the driver's side pan and the VW junkyard in Denver pulled a similar body from their yard. I used a cold chisel to open up the tunnel and the bottom. Then I did the same on my 66' bug. Undid the bolts along the edge of the car on both vehicles and bolted the good one onto my bug and used roofing sealant to finish the job. Took a day of hard bustin' to get it done.

[@secoff1]

In theory it is easy to separate the body and pan but oh boy those bolts! what a pita!! I've done 4 cars and thats enough for me. That squeak sound oh man I know it well. I've done all mine in summer on the driveway and get so hot doing that job. I do find it easier to just remove door and all just to make it really light

[@baileynick9803]

Giving me loads of inspiration to get on and do a beetle like this myself 😁

[@eddystellini2548]

Thanks for your videos. I replaced the floor pans in my 69 beetle. I wouldn’t have attempted it without your instructions. Thanks again.

[@Devildog1962]

I have watched all but 2 of your videos. I have enjoyed them, and I'm looking forward to many more. CT is the guy who got me watching VW videos and I feel you have got a very bright future ahead of you just like I thought he did!!!! Keep up the good work.

[@mattevans9193]

Excellent quality video and instruction.

[@VWJawbreaker]

Good explanation and video. Looking forward to the repair vids.

[@DuckmanCycles]

Great timing on that pan drop lol!

[@EngineeredToDesign]

Great in depth video thanks for the tips! I will be tackling this soon

[@bobsbarnworkshop]

I have a 72 Super Beetle that has a good body, but I suspect there’s some hidden body and frame rust they conveniently covered with lots of gooey mastic undercoating! I plan on lifting the body , probably this coming winter…. I’m having a shop built this summer with a lift to make it easier! Thanks for all the hints and how too!

[@67VWForever]

16:40. Keep in mind that they didn't think it was necessary for the 67 bug to put the bolts in this location anymore mine didn't have these bolts, it was seam sealed over and yes it was never taken apart before this car is 100% original ..

[@Carl-un1ev]

Thanks for the tips really helps🔥

[@MacksDad]

I’ve pulled of several Beetle bodies and had a built plenty of work arounds to support the shell. The engine hoist and very sturdy saw horses did the trick. This will become my preferred method from now on. Thanks for the ideas. Back to work!

[@mattlee007]

great video definitley learned a thing or two ... and subcribed cheers

[@mostlycars7586]

awesome. love your videos. thank you!

[@EYE_SPIDER]

Nice work!!!

[@douglasbarnhart3324]

Awesome video thanks.

[@garagechronicles9008]

Have a look at my beetle chassis separation video. I did it in one move. Pretty cool.

[@vwcoco]

👍 nice going !!

[@DuckmanCycles]

Looking good my dude! I need a big rotisserie like that 😁👍🏻🦆💩

[@psyneurb]

Thanks

[@rscruiser3533]

Thank you for the Tip on getting the bolts out. --- Too bad there isn't access to the bolts to get a little lube on them -- but it is what it is --- Will be following along ------ I want to take the body off my '70 Bug ----- Rodney

[@lindarock4128]

on the napolean hat bolt ur talking about u can drill a hole through the side of that bracket and spray liquid wrench threw the small hole it works

[@lindarock4128]

yup thats what my husband did

[@lindarock4128]

worked great

[@gatormcclusky1]

AWESOME! Very informative! Do you have any bugs for sale? Or suggest where I should look? I mainly want a baja. Thanks man. I'll keep watching 😁😎

[@mdob5724]

Nice job, look forward to more videos. I subscribed. You mentioned you had a Ghia, do you have any videos on that?

[@callahansgarage]

I have restored several ghias for customers over the years. I do not have any videos currently, but maybe in the future.

[@mostlycars7586]

Thanks for this. Seems like most people remove the doors and weld a brace in place. Any opinion on that. Thanks again.

[@callahansgarage]

This is only necessary if the heater channels are in bad shape or being replaced. I talk about this at length in my heater channel series.

[@greezyzgurage]

Hi and great video. Does the type 3 Fastback body come off the same way?

[@callahansgarage]

The type 3 bodies come off yes. But the configuration of the floor pan and body mounts are all a little different. I will have a type 3 floor pan video coming out in a month or two.

[@ORTLIEBRC]

is removing the body on an oval window the same as this?

[@timhause6956]

Great video, ever consider selling your rotisserie's?

[@ronacree7488]

What are you using as the lifting point for the rear?

[@callahansgarage]

I was using a ratchet strap around the rear apron. You could also use the bumper brackets if the mounts are solid.

[@audioguy5]

Hey man great channel. Do you have schematics on that body rotisserie? If not you should (for a price…lol). Keep posting!

[@callahansgarage]

I will have a video and blueprint of the rotisserie at some point in the future.

[@mattcourtemanche3403]

I'm considering buying a 73 baja, but there is lots of rust, I'm not sure it's worth it. Can I send you pics and get your opinion? BTW my son's name is Callahan!

[@Bob-Mann]

Hi, in another video (Nathan’s garage) YT channel, he said you have to remove the engine to take the body off? Did you not need to remove the engine ? Thanks in advance ❤ from 🇬🇧

[@callahansgarage]

If you had dual carbs those would need to be removed. Otherwise it is not necessary to remove the engine to pull the body.

[@curtissimpson7856]

Speaking of rust have u fixed any beetles rusted in quarter panels at the vent from the foam behind pannel

[@callahansgarage]

Too many to count.

[@curtissimpson7856]

@@callahansgarage any tips

[@callahansgarage]

The only real option is to open it up, clean as much out as you can, close it back up and treat the inside as much as possible

[@thomasnoteboom1531]

Ok i see how you did it, good thing i have a trustworthy stool too, ha ha

[@johnluna9915]

How freaked out should I be when I hear loud bangs when I slowly break the firewall bolts loose?

[@mattmichael6792]

How do we find Callahan’s Garage in the real world so that we can become an actual customer?

[@callahansgarage]

You can message me through instagram @callahan_inc

[@EYE_SPIDER]

Oh man yeah those rusty bolts are not fun!

[@bernardolagnitonjr7851]

A never ending story