Body cut to remove engine??

Anybody adapted the rear panel beneath the engine lid so you can pull the engine out rather than jacking the bus up for removal?
As with most of us no facilities to raise the bus to take engine and gearbox out so looking at this option.

 

Couple of peeps on VZi have done that mod I believe. I cannot understand why VW decided it was a good idea to do away with it!

After a quick search, one of the mods did it and posted a link about it but the link no longer works.

 

i think it's classed as structural on a late - although how much so i'm unsure when you say no facilites? ramps make it high enough, are you tight for height then?

 

Standard height and some I'm afraid, more like a Baja bus lol!!
Don't really want to stick jacks and axle stands on max height as all becomes abit wobbly. Seeing as the engine and gearbox is all coming out I want it easiest way poss especially as I'm working an a driveway. Actually ramps might be an option.

 

I dropped mine with the bus on the floor, I had to remove the fan housing before I could drag it out from under the bus though.

 

I've just found this on another VZi thread about dropping engines.
Copied and pasted from page two.

Here's a tip that's saved me a bit of time in the past. Take the engine out whilst the van's on the ground. Get it off the trolley jack and onto a bit of board that it'll slide on. Jack the van up and remove one of the rear wheels and slide the engine out through the wheel arch (the chassis rail is higher than the valance). No need to remove fanhousing etc.

Here's the thread.
http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=612557&highlight=removable rear valance bay

 

I'll have to have a rethink on what to do when I get home. Just wondered about the rear cut.

 

Mine was done badly by the PO to be honest by the time you have removed the bumper and valance you might be better off just jacking it up

 

This works - FACT !
Bit more messing around than other methods but easier than cutting out the vallance !!

 

i 2nd that!

 

Mine is removable, only because its a non standard engine and its the only way to get it out, 4 bolts per side after removing the bumper, apparently something the welders had done a few times before

 

You got ramps? Happy to lend if you need em

 

Mine is removable, did it a few years back...probably only removed for engine/gearbox work two or three times since. Really only did it as a design exercise ...

 

Some good tips for a 1 engine, but this is T4.

 

Cheers Ray might take you up if I haven't got any in the garage.
Yeah Zeds right, type 4 engine.
Cheers people for the advice.

 

If its raised and you have a T4 engine it probably only needs the camping yellow wedge type levelling ramps.
Or even just a very low entry jack.
If you hack out the rear valance, that is just more crevices for RUST.

 

Let me know and I'll bring some rags to wear and give you a hand.

As you know I'm a softy so not doing if cold or wet

 

Also got a jack and axel stands.

Talk about all the gear and no idea

 

That will be Spring then