VW Baywindow Pickupsby Richard Atwell |
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What's here? Eventually, everything you will need to know to restore your VW Type 2 Baywindow Pickup 1968-79. If you have a 52-67 Splitwindow pickup, head over Wade Lloyd's excellent dropgates.com which is dedicated to the restoration of that vintage of VW pickup.
The baywindow Type 2 pickup was the workhorse of Europe for many years. VW produced 155,764 vehicles in singlecab or doublecab configuration but fewer and fewer examples seem to exist these days which has driven them up in collector value. I've put together a simple website to help restore these classic VWs.
One thing I love about the Transporter is that VW designed it as a commercial vehicle but gave it enough comfort to be enjoyed for pleasure use. Have you ever noticed how a fully loaded Transporter doesn't seem to drive any differently that an empty one? That's just how well VW succeeded with the design of this vehicle. If you can find a pickup, I guarantee you'll really enjoy owning it.
Where did all the pickups all go? You can thank the Johnson administration for this one. Back in the 60's, the German government slapped a tarif on frozen chickens imported from USA. In retaliation, the U.S. govt. slapped a 25% import duty on all foreign made trucks specifically to harm Volkswagen and the German economy. By 1971 VW had decided to stop importing commercial vehicles into USA. Canada continued to import them but with the US dealerships unable to sell them and rising inflation in the 70's, Canadian dealers soon gave up as well.
The 25% import duty exists to this day and is commonly referred to as the "chicken tax". Some manufacturers skirted the tariff by shipping trucks in parts and performing the final assembly in USA. Unable to repeal this tax because of the powerful lobby of the Big-3, most manufacturers have built truck plants in USA to ensure they can remain price competitive with US manufacturers who would otherwise have a 25% profit margin but VW never did.
Pickups are known by many names:
Many similarities with the other body styles:
VW used 15 slats in the plank bed (5 short, 10 long) but switched to 11 (3 short, 8 long) around 1976. Baywindow slats are longer than the Splitwindow versions.
Model | Count | Length | Design |
---|---|---|---|
DC | Short | 172cm | beveled both ends |
DC | Long | 184cm | square cut on cab end, beveled at gate |
SC | Short | ? | beveled both ends |
SC | Long | ? | square cut on cab end, beveled at rear |
Chris Murray sells authentic reproductions of the slats for $200:
so does Rick Wilson:
and ISP West:
Wolfsburg West no longer sells slats after UPS damaged one too many sets.
I have provided Chris and Rich with specifics of the baywindow slats so I would try them first if you want authenticity.
Tilt is the European name for the optional frame and canopy that covers the plank bed. The frame consists of two hoops each with a cap that sandwiches 6 wooden "rods"
Several part numbers exists for the various version of the canopy (or tarpaulin): SC, DC versions; in sail-cloth and PVC. They have been NLA for a long time along with all the numbers listed above.
Tom Buese sells authentic reproductions of the sail-cloth canopies:
Although the length of the plank bed differs from Split to Baywindow, the mounting holes are in the same location so the bows are the same for both generations. If you can find a set of bows, they will mount to your baywindow pickup.
Derek Gregg sells authentic reproductions of the bows:
The bows are too large to ship so they are normally shipped as 3 pieces and welded later. Even VW shipped them this way to the dealers who welded them.
Once problem with the rods is that because they were made from wood and had a habit of sagging over time. Around 1980 VW replaced these rods with galvanized poles so if you have a tilt with them and someone is telling you otherwise they are wrong and thinking about the earlier generation.
Rick Wilson sells authentic reproductions of the wooden rods:
If you are thinking about buying slats or a tilt for your pickup you may unknowingly be buying ones for a different generation pickup. Keep these measurements in mind when shopping.
Generation | Singlecab | Doublecab | Widebed |
---|---|---|---|
T1 - Splitwindow | 2600mm x 1570mm | 1755mm x 1570mm | 2600mm x 1570mm |
T2 - Baywindow | 2700mm x 1570mm | 1855mm x 1570mm | 2820mm x 1850mm |
T3 - Vanagon | 2730mm x 1735mm | 1880mm x 1735mm | 2820mm x 1895mm |
Note: the Splitwindow singlecab in metal wide-bed is 2600mm x 1850mm.
I'm a proponent of the coconut fiber "horse hair" seat pads sold by Wolfsburg West. They offer the best comfort and durability compared to foam inserts that VW never used and are the best replacement for the original material. Here are the part numbers you'll need:
Location | Part Number and Link |
---|---|
Driver's seat (back) | 211 881 775G |
Driver's seat (bottom) | 211 881 375H |
Front 2/3 bench seat (back) | 211 881 776A |
Front 2/3 bench seat (bottom) | 211 881 370A |
Crewcab bench seat (2x) | 211 881 375 |
You may wonder why there are 68-74 and 75-79 seals used on the pickups? The glass was made thicker to comply with safety regulations.
Part Number | Years | Description |
---|---|---|
265 841 818A | (68-79) | door seal - double cab door |
265 841 819A | (68-79) | lower door to body seal - double cab door |
265 845 317 | (68-74) | large fixed window seal - double cab door |
265 845 317A | (75-79) | large fixed window seal - double cab door |
265 845 321 | (68-74) | small fixed window seal - double cab door |
265 845 321A | (75-79) | small fixed window seal - double cab door |
265 847 674A | (68-79) | vent window seal - double cab door (LHD) |
265 847 673A | (68-79) | vent window seal - double cab door (RHD) |
261 845 521A | (68-74) | rear window seal |
261 845 521B | (75-79) | rear window seal |
211 837 625A | (68-79) | Fixed quarterlight seal |
Note: while the fixed quarterlight seal not strictly a DC part it is common on pickups. Buses in UK and Aus were often fitted with the fixed window unlike their "continental" counterparts.
Wondering where the seatbelts are mounted in the crewcab? They are under behind the seat back under the metal frame. You'll find 6 captive nuts for the worldwide standard 7/16-20 seatbelt bolts (111-857-799) and two captive nuts covered by plastic plugs near the headliner to attach the 3-way belts.
Because of the location of the fuel filler opening and the position of the tank, the fuel filler neck and pipe are different from the bus version.
In 1974, the fuel door was eliminated just like the bus and VW made a pickup specific fuel filler neck:
What is this space for? The interior light on a singlecab. Because this panel was shared between DC and SC it was left without a light on the DC because one was mounted in the headliner above the front seat.
What is this pastic tube for? It connects the cabin mounted air intake vents on the 73-79 pickup to the frame to provide a separate path for intake air. Earlier models took air for the intake through the vents on the side of the engine compartment:
10/24/07 - Created
09/08/11 - Fixed broken photos, added translate button, updated footer
07/15/19 - Google update: new adsense code, removed defunt translate button
11/10/20 - Updated old links