I Done Gone Done It

"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54) 05/08/2017 at 16:33 • Filed to: vw, vw jetta, smyth ute

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Not my Ute in the pic. But mine will look just like this (maybe less dirty) before final paint. I just ordered the Smyth Ute kit.

I’ve been driving the donor car regularly for about a month since it passed state inspection, and the only remaining issue I’ve found is one of the two electric cooling fans for the radiator is dead. I’m waiting on delivery of the replacement - no big deal. So now that the car is in good shake, it’s time to cut it up. Because of course that’s the logical thing to do to a perfectly good sedan.

I’ll be detailing the whole process on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and will post updates here as I go. This is where things start to get interesting!

Spaceball-Two > Justin Hughes 05/08/2017 at 16:37

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You know what you have to do!

Harlequin Ute!

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Justin Hughes 05/08/2017 at 16:39

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YESSSSSS

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Justin Hughes 05/08/2017 at 16:41

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The only thing I worry about with such an intricate hack job is strength....you’re removing a LOT of rigidity....does the kit re-add any that was removed in any way?

Justin Hughes > Spaceball-Two 05/08/2017 at 16:42

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Ha!!! That’s good. I like it, but I’m not sure my wife will. We do have ideas on the final paint though.

Justin Hughes > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 05/08/2017 at 16:44

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Great question. The aluminum bed and related components make up for the lack of half the roof, the trunk, etc. They tie into the B-pillars with a ton of rivets, which are good enough for aircraft.

The reason the Ute in the top pic is so dirty is because one of Smyth’s engineers and I co-drove it at an SCCA rallycross - the ultimate torture test. The assembled Ute is just as tough and rigid as the original car. I would not believe it or make such a claim if I hadn’t actually experienced it for myself, particularly under such extreme conditions.

Justin Hughes > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 05/08/2017 at 16:45

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Apparently your username didn’t save me from this idea. :D

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Justin Hughes 05/08/2017 at 16:47

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I happily volunteer my services to help “test” this new vehicle.

Justin Hughes > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/08/2017 at 16:47

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You want me to help you move, don’t you? Dang it, that’s the only problem with having a truck... :D

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Justin Hughes 05/08/2017 at 16:56

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If moving involves hooning it until the tires explode sure.

Justin Hughes > Justin Hughes 05/08/2017 at 16:59

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Confirmed. She hates the Harlequin color scheme. Oh well - we tried...

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Justin Hughes 05/08/2017 at 17:04

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Thanks! I think their Charger Ute kit would look cool on one of the current-gen Chargers!

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Justin Hughes 05/08/2017 at 17:04

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Thanks! I think their Charger Ute kit would look cool on one of the current-gen Chargers!

LongbowMkII > Justin Hughes 05/08/2017 at 17:07

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My cousins mk1 beetle had a similar issue. Check the fusebox on top of the battery, it’s a common culprit for those going out.

Justin Hughes > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 05/09/2017 at 10:53

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I agree! They only have one for the first gen at the moment. But personally I think the back is where the old design fell short, before the race track tail lights. It’s amazing how Caravan tail lights actually look good on the Ute version. :)

Justin Hughes > LongbowMkII 05/09/2017 at 10:54

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I’ll check that too, but the fan itself has a LOT of resistance when I spin it by hand. I had to replace the interior blower fan for exactly the same reason. Still, the extra resistance could’ve also caused that fuse to blow, so it’s worth checking. Thanks!

bob and john > Justin Hughes 08/07/2020 at 09:51

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I will need to know how well this hauls a motorcycle. maybe 2.