Topics
Background
Example of Smyth Performance Ute kit
The Smyth New Beetle Ute kit provides a cargo bed and rear body solution for New Beetle Ute transformations. Kit flexibility enables various customizations, such as rear lighting, interior treatment, and lift suspension modifications.
The Smyth kit creates a truck bed that measures approximately 60 x 39″.
Kit contents
(Subject to change, as of August 2020)
| FIBERGLASS BODY SHELL | QTY |
| bumper roll pan cover with license indentation | 1 |
| quarter panel, left and right | 2 |
| tailgate skin | 1 |
| rear window cab surround | 1 |
| ALUMINUM SHEET COMPONENTS [approximate dimensions in inches] | QTY |
| flat aluminum bed floor 0.125 (extruded aluminum pre-2021) OPTION A: wood plank bed floor [7.27 x 0.750 x 60] - Not included in kit | 2 5 |
| bedside 0.125, left and right [63 x 20] | 2 |
| front wall with Smyth cutout logo 0.125 [59 x 25] | 1 |
| front tray with fuel pump access hole 0.125 | 1 |
| rear tray 0.125 | 1 |
| front tray to floor support 0.125 | 1 |
| B-pillar gusset plates 0.125, left and right | 2 |
| tailgate inner wall 0.125 [39 x 19] | 1 |
| tailgate outer framework 0.125 [39 x 19] | 1 |
| lower bedside brace 0.125, left and right | 2 |
| flying buttress bedside brace 0.125, left and right | 2 |
| front wall to bedside T-brace 0.125, left and right | 2 |
| wheel well to bedside brace 0.125, left and right | 2 |
| floor bracket short 0.125 | 4 |
| floor bracket long with square punch 0.125 (spare tire removable) | 2 |
| floor Y-bracket removable 0.125 (spare tire removable) | 1 |
| front wall to cab surround spacer 0.125 x 1.0 x 38.0 OPTION: larger bar 0.25 x 2.00 x 40.0 - Not included in kit | 1 1 |
| side floor slotted beam support 0.125, left and right | 2 |
| tailgate top cap 0.100 [39 x 4] | 1 |
| roll pan bottom bracket 0.100 [39 x7] | 1 |
| rail top cap 0.100, left and right [57 x 4] | 2 |
| C-channel support 35.375" length | 2 |
| CAB FINISH [part or reference number] | QTY |
| window clear glass, 1960-66 Chevy GMC 10x38" [38-6030] | 1 |
| window rubber gasket [38-6941] | 1 |
| window seal and lock inset [38-5899] OPTION: wider wall seal Fairchild G4071 fits fiberglass better - Not included in kit | 1 1 |
| black carpet 24x96" | 1 |
| TAILGATE [part or reference number] | QTY |
| tailgate latch [F582112] | 2 |
| tailgate striker Ford [F37Z-99431B54-A] | 2 |
| tailgate hinge Chevy/GMC 1999-06 [740002/3], kit | 1 |
| tailgate support cable Ford Ranger 1993-2005 [FO1918101] | 2 |
| tailgate spring links | 2 |
| Biothane webbing OPTION: Polaris Ranger 500 tailgate handle - Not included in kit | 1 1 |
| M8x20 bolt, washer, ring spacer (3), nyloc for support cable | 4 |
| HARDWARE, PLASTIC SPACERS [part or reference number] | QTY |
| rivet 3/16 aluminum flush [15327] | 60 |
| bolt M8x20 stainless 18-8 button head [6656] | 62 |
| bolt M8x25 stainless 18-8 socket flat head [6700] | 24 |
| bolt M8x30 stainless 18-8 button head [6660] | 4 |
| bolt M8x60 stainless 18-8 button head [11886] | 4 |
| nut M8 metric hex lock [4797] | 100 |
| bolt carriage 5/16-18 x 2" stainless 18-8 [940] (spare tire removable) | 1 |
| wing nut 5/16-18 stainless 18-8 [2672] (spare tire removable) | 1 |
| bolt 1/4-20 x 1/2 stainless 18-8 button head [4411] | 36 |
| rivnut 1/4-20 | 30 |
| washer 7/16 stainless 18-8 [5564] | 2 |
| washer 1/4 zinc grade 8 [3060] | 134 |
| buttress spacer 0.75x3x2" plastic | 2 |
| U-channel floor spacer plastic | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL [part or reference number] | QTY |
| LED stop/tail 2" round United Pacific [2-38171] | 2 |
| LED license plate [14872] | 2 |
| LED reverse/backup | 2 |
| trailer tail light converter IIT [16690] | 1 |
| electrical crimp connectors [981005] | 10 |
Fiberglass body
The Smyth Performance New Beetle Ute kit contains five separate fiberglass sections. The large left and right quarter panels with curvaceous fenders provide a distinctive profile. The cab surround holds the rear window, and the bottom roll pan and tailgate skin finish the Ute’s rear end.
Braces, gussets, spacers
B-Pillar Gusset
B-pillar gusset plates
Two B-pillar gusset plates — left and right sides — bolt to existing holes in the Beetle B-pillar to form a reinforced corner at the beginning of the truck bed. This plate sandwiches the truck bed front wall (with the Smyth cutout logo) to the Beetle steel frame.
Lower Bedside Brace
Lower bedside brace
The lower bedside brace provides added structural strength between the B-pillar gusset plate and the Beetle steel wheel well infrastructure. This brace also helps support the fiberglass stepside fender design.
The curve in the brace fits the wheel well contour. The 90-degree tab abuts the front wall (and B-pillar gusset).
Flying Buttress Bedside Brace
Flying buttress bedside brace
The flying buttress brace fits against the top front outer edge of the bed wall and fastens to the top of the Beetle wheel well steel infrastructure. The brace re-purposes the rear seat belt attachment bolt by folding the belt mounting tab down until this bolt points straight up. The flying buttress short 90-degree tab then fastens to the bolt.
Front Wall to Bedside T-brace
Front wall to bedside T-brace
This “doubler” fits under the front bed walls with the curved side facing out. Its purpose is to reinforce the critical front corner of the truck bed.
Two 8mm flush mount bolts pass through the top rail of the truck bed corner to sandwich this brace so that its 90-degree tabs hug the front wall, forming a secure edge for the cab surround.
Wheel Well to Bedside Brace
Wheel well bedside brace
This brace attaches to the top of the Beetle wheel well infrastructure resting against the middle of the inside truck bed wall.
Wheel well brace position
Spacers and floor brackets
Spacers and floor brackets
The floor C-channel supports are fixed to the Beetle chassis with four brackets on the foremost one and three on the one over the spare tire hold.
A carriage bolt and wing nut make the spare tire support removable on one end while the other end rests on the Y-bracket. A thin bumper on the Y-bracket prevents vibration rattles.
The two thin spacers fit under the flying buttress brace, and the four (note that you only need three) thick ones hold the U-channel/floor bracket sandwich with positioning bolts.
Smyth Performance video
Other models
In addition to the 1998-2010 New Beetle kit, Smyth makes similar ute transformation body shell and truck bed kits for the following 4-door vehicles.
- 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee [SUV wheelbase 2700mm]
- 2005-2010 Dodge Charger [sedan wheelbase 3050mm]
- 1999.5-2004 Volkswagen Jetta/Golf A4 platform [sedan wheelbase ~2470mm]
- 2005-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 platform [sedan wheelbase ~2580mm]
- 2002-2007 Subaru Impreza/WRX [sedan wheelbase 2550mm]
- 2002-2004 Audi A4/B6 platform [sedan wheelbase 2660mm]
- 2004-2008 Audi A4/B7 platform [sedan wheelbase 2660mm]
- 2005-2007 Audi S4/B7 platform [sedan wheelbase 2660mm]
These larger 4-door vehicles can accommodate a larger bed size than the New Beetle (green arrow indicates the approximate length of the Beetle Ute bed). For more detailed comparisons, see vehicle footprints.
