Replacing my Luggage Compartment Shelf?

[elev8_dude]

Wanted some advice as to the removal and replacement of the Luggage Compartment Shelf on my 69 beetle.

Thanks

[jrinlv]

How are your welding skills? How much is damaged, or where you looking to replace the whole thing? If you only have parts that need to be replaced I would just cut them out and replace. Otherwise you will have alot of cutting and welding. I wouldn't even try to find all the spot welds under the seam sealer.

I guess if I did not feel like I could butt weld the whole area back in and had to replace the whole area, I would leave a about a 1/2 inch lip and place the replacement on that.This is not the best way but if you are not up to all the welding this would be much easier. Then seal both sides real good. Let us know what the damage is, maybe we can give you a better answer...Good luck JR

[wrenchnride247]

A picture would help with more detailed answers ...

[elev8_dude]

First thanks for the response.

The whole thing start when I started to clean up the area to find a leak I get during rain. One thing lead to another an the whole area had been Bondo along the seams and the plate above the tranny was replaced with thin gauge sheet metal and poorly welded on. In cleaning I noticed they never treated the areas under the Bondo so I have rust in several spot along with where the plate I mentioned and the fire wall connect.

Should I remove the whole piece our just replace the large sections that need repair? My only fear is that the new Luggage Comarpart shelf area won't fit good, but I rather start fresh.

I have friends whom can weld so no worrys there.

Your thoughts

[mrweasel]

I'm in the middle of replacing the luggage shelf on my 74 'vert right now.
It's not that hard to chisel out the spot welds.
The replacement shelf I got from cip1 seems to fit very well (after I straightened out the few dents from shipping).

This is the part I used.
And these are some pictures as I'm taking the old one out:





Since the vertical part looks to be in pretty good shape, and it looks like a real PITA to remove and replace all the extra convertible bracing, I'm considering cutting it in half and just replacing the lower part.

More to come.

Hope this helps,
mrweasel

[elev8_dude]

Thanks for the pictures. I thinking of replacing the vertical also. However the "half way idea doesn't sound bad. I'll have to take some pics for you guys to review.