Kriss Motors

Top cap trim

Posted on January 18, 2021 by Kriss Motors Lighting and trim

Background The top of the truck bed is surrounded by aluminum L-shaped caps that hide the join between the bed wall (and tailgate inner wall) and the fiberglass shell (and tailgate skin). To complicate matters, in most cases the wall and shell join is not at exactly 90 degrees; in fact,...

Stepside tread plate

Posted on January 17, 2021 by Kriss Motors Lighting and trim

Background The stylistic stepside design on the Beetle Ute can be embellished with a metal or rubber tread plate. A contoured shape — that is, one that closely follows the edges of the step platform — can be flat or have a raised pattern on the surface like diamond plate. An...

Tailgate lettering

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Kriss Motors Tailgate

Background In 1979, VW introduced the Rabbit (AKA Caddy) coupe ute based on the Gold Mk1 platform that sported a tailgate with VOLKSWAGEN lettering across the middle. Refer to back end treatment and tailgate skin preparation discussions. The tailgate skin provides a canvas for customizing the Ute. Of course, it can...

Turbo S pedals

Posted on January 10, 2021 by Kriss Motors Interior

Background When the Audi TT Coupe was launched in 1998, one of its classy features were polished stainless steel pedal covers with push-through rubber skids paired with a stainless foot rest, or dead pedal. Then when Volkswagen introduced the Turbo S version of the New Beetle in 2002, it too was...

Fuses and relays

Posted on January 4, 2021 by Kriss Motors Specifications

Background New Beetle fuses and relays are accessible in these locations depending on engine type and model year: on top of the battery in the engine compartment behind the driver’s dash end cap lid underneath the driver’s dash relay carrier in the protective housing on left in the engine compartment In...

Window surround interior

Posted on January 2, 2021 by Kriss Motors Interior

Background Refer to rear window glass, cargo cam, headliner/rear trim, and B-pillar top cover discussions. The inside of the rear window surround is raw fiberglass and of course needs to be covered somehow. The rubber window seal is very tight and because there is no flexible lip as there would be...

Rear window glass

Posted on December 16, 2020 by Kriss Motors Lighting and trim

Background The Ute’s rear window glass, re-purposed from the 1960-66 GMC truck, fits into the fiberglass surround cutout that must be 9/32″ larger than the glass itself. Part number 68-3030 (replacements can be sourced from LMC Truck) is a clear glass window while 68-3031 has a green tint.

Carpet

Posted on December 11, 2020 by Kriss Motors Interior

Background The original one-piece carpet (part number 1C1 863 367 with color as well as manual/automatic transmissions pattern variations) has cutouts that must be replicated onto a new single piece molded carpet.

Head unit install

Posted on December 2, 2020 by Kriss Motors Interior

Background A Jensen CMM710 multimedia head unit (see Jensen manual PDF download) replaces the original VW radio. The Monsoon amplifier, relocated from the luggage area, powers the front speakers while the Jensen handles the new Rockford Fosgate R1525X2 rear speakers with 4 ohm resistance. Before bonding in the quarter panels, verify...