Tailight lens

[mentalQtip]

On the thing I am told that a late beetle talilight lens is a perfect match and fit for a thing. True?
I have a '74 thing that was stripped before I bought it. Kinda rusty pans and the batterey area is totally gone. No top and the frame is bent. Has a $60. engine in it that runs pretty good. Broken windshield. Have no wire for the backup lights either. Will one from a beetle fit?
Do people usually use three point seatbelts or just a lap belt?

Lotta questions

Thanks

Joseph

[Marc]

There are actually two types of lens for the big taillights, and they are not interchangeable. VW changed suppliers for the light assemblies themselves; the first design (for which lenses are obsolete) had a steel pan on the backside of the assembly so a quick check with a magnet will identify it. A `74 should have the later type unless someone changed it.
Floorpans are still available (same as Karmann-Ghia).
Backup light wiring is trivial - it's an afterthought on all models, simple enough to just make a harness (but yes, a Beetle one would fit).
Technically if the car has anchor points for shoulder harnesses they should be present. A cop probably won't write you up if you're wearing a lap belt, but he could...and since it's been over 40 years since cars didn't have shoulder harnesses, cops are accustomed to seeing one on you - you're more likely to be pulled over without.

[mentalQtip]

Seems that you have to have a roll bar to have a three point seatbelt. I'm going to get a lapbelt for the very near future.
I installed another backup light harness and still no lights. Checked the switch at the transmission and do have continuity. Harness also checks for continuity. If I have the car in reverse and the key in the run position, shouldn't the backup lights be on?

Thanks

Joseph

[Marc]

...If I have the car in reverse and the key in the run position, shouldn't the backup lights be on?...

One would hope, that's sorta the point.
Power goes from the positive terminal of the ignition coil (15) through an inline fuseholder to the switch on the trans, then back to a "Y" connector just inside the engine compartment which splits off to both sides' light assemblies. If you use a jumper wire to "inject" power at that Y connector the backup lamps should come on; if they don't, figure out why not. If they do, check that there's power getting to the switch.

There was a door post extension fitted to Things to provide a higher anchor point for the shoulder harness. If yours lacks those, you might be able to bamboozle your way out of a ticket...
New seatbelts are available which include an extension piece - they aren't made specifically for Things, they're generic convertible belts.