I found a pasenger van but is it worth the trouble

Racerrojo · Last edited by Racerrojo on Fri Mar 02, 2012 9:39 pm; edited 1 time in total

I been involved with Westfalias for some time now, but never a passenger van and only one AT.
I drive my Subaru powered '87 Westy as my DD, but I'm playing with the idea of finding a Carat (jump seats and table) and do a subi swap on it, but I having a hard time finding a 4 speed. But the idea of and AT in Stop 'n go Traffic sounds good.
The Only AT van I driven had the WBX in it and it would not get out off its own way.
So my question is would the AT fit the performance bill with the Subi in it, or stick with the 4 speed?
Also what is the Value of it? I do my own swaps so labor is only my time sweat and bloody knuckles, but still about $3K in parts
Campers hold/increase their Value for obvious reasons. How about the Passenger.
I just love the Feeling of the drive and how easy is to load up the kids (two)
and the fact that theirs nothing else like it on the road.
_________________
Tight is tight... too tight is expensive!!!!

Too many vans and mostly all projects Smile

240Gordy · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 9:50 pm Post subject:

I believe Tristar Eric built a Subie powered AT van for his Dad.
You might try searching for Vanagone on youtube for video, it may also be in a build thread on the Vortex.

And come to think of it, I drove a subie powered AT van that was for sale, should have bought it, it drove fine.
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purplepeopleeater · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 9:57 pm Post subject:

I've had/have two (stock engines)

they are great, infact...I think AT guys fuss less with the AT's then we do with the manual transmissions.
_________________
-Mike
67 Split Bus
86 westy- H4 powered
Subaru install
My Hightop install thread

syncrodoka · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:04 pm Post subject:

There is a shift point mod that needs to be done to the auto. It is shown on this site under the transaxle tab
http://www.weidefamily.net/vanagon/
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toomanyveedubs · Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 1:28 am Post subject:

i have an AT Vanagon as our family van. i have no complaints with the AT and enjoy driving it quite a bit. handles nice and it does go well with the 2.1 (we have a good 2.1 anyways)

as for the value - who cares? unless you want to sell it after.
I bought ours for $800 but have an easy $10k into it now with all the repairs i've done and the new paint job in the summer. i doubt id get $10k for it but if i bought a newer $10k van two years ago it would be worth less than the Vanagon is worth now. And if i had bought a $800 domestic van and pumped $10k into that, it would still be worth less that my vanagon.

so i say go for it and save the westy for the weekends Cool

we put two car seats in the back, dog in the very back and still have lots of room for groceries and shopping and two more adults!
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Racerrojo · Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 9:14 pm Post subject:

Well , I bought this '87 Wolfy 4 spped and now I'm having second thoughts about if I should restore to make it my Driver/kids hauler, or if is to much of a project may be part it out and wait for a cleaner one to come along.
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Body is not to bad but it will need repair and paint
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Fuse box , part of the dash board harness and head light harness was Cannibalized for parts by the shop I bought it from, I think I either have or have located must off the parts to put it together
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Interior is mostly complete but the AC tubes are falling apart
They tell me it has trany problems but not sure what kind, but look at what's attached to it
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Yep! is a Tiico conversion and supposedly runs good, and that's why I bought it and the parts that i hope will help me get it started.
Until then I can't make my mind, I'm sure I can make my money back and then some just on parts, and I'm sure could use lots of parts for my other projects.... what to do ,what to do?
_________________
Tight is tight... too tight is expensive!!!!

Too many vans and mostly all projects Smile

D Clymer · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 12:31 am Post subject:

I would be one of the people who encourage you not to part it out. First of all, it's a rare van. 1987 was the only year you could buy a Carat style van in Wolfram Grey. Also, the wiring and dash parts that it needs are pretty easy to come by. The Tiico conversion is kind of a cool bonus. With some work, it can be a reliable and economical power plant. There's a lot to like here.

D

syncrodoka · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 12:50 am Post subject:

Grab the sawzall to make some room for the new mudders, add a lift kit and you are done. The wife will love you for it.....maybe not Wink

The van doesn't need too many parts to be complete again. The tranny issue might be a deal breaker though depending on the issues, a different van might be a better investment. Confused

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Racerrojo · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:35 am Post subject:

As far as the parts goes, I have the lights, the trany, the cluster, I already replaced one side and the rear glass, I have a nice set of 16" wheels that I kept when I sold my 87 Westy.The van came with both grills and bumpers
I just bought the fuse box and dash wires from a seller here in Samba,( I hope they are that are needed) just need to buy the head light harness.
I'm a fan of the EJ engine swaps, and if this Tiicco doesn't convince me, I can all ways sell the parts off it to fund for the Subi swap. I know that they tiico is around 110 hp which sounds weak, a 1.8T or a TDI should be doable with the existing parts, but would not know where to start, since I know Shitsen about those swaps
I'm under the $1500, invested.
I can get a decent two stage paint job with body work for under $1000 or single stage (I would go non metallic an thus changing the color) for under $600, so far
My goal would be to be under $3500 finished, to allow room for the possible EJ install
_________________
Tight is tight... too tight is expensive!!!!

Too many vans and mostly all projects Smile

Vango Conversions · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 10:26 am Post subject:

I'm obviously a subaru guy, but I have worked on and driven a Tiico Westy and thought it had a nice boost in power over a waterboxer. The FI system is really funky though but if it's running and driving I'd keep it as is. A hardtop should go really well with it.

Even if the engine isn't running all that well, I'd use all the hard parts to go to a 1.8t, diesel, or other inline VW setup.

I suppose you could sell all the stuff to fund your subaru setup, but it seems like a shame to undo all the hard work that someone has already put into the thing.

purplepeopleeater · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 9:06 pm Post subject:

haha, David saving 87's since day one Laughing

I WOULD PART THAT
_________________
-Mike
67 Split Bus
86 westy- H4 powered
Subaru install
My Hightop install thread

D Clymer · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 10:55 pm Post subject:

Racerrojo · Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 9:27 pm Post subject:

I found must if not all the parts I need to put the wiring together.
I hope to get them soon and see what else it will need to make it road worthy.
I really don't want to part it out and it depends on how it runs to see how much or what quality of a restoration it gets
_________________
Tight is tight... too tight is expensive!!!!

Too many vans and mostly all projects Smile

DLJ · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 10:28 am Post subject: 87 auto van

Dont part it out ! Everything it needs to make it nice, is easy.

Bman · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 10:51 am Post subject:

I agree don't part it out, sounds like you are looking for a DD, this van comes with a Tiico ( which I have in my Westy and has been the most reliable VW engine I ever drove), it'll fit your family's needs, and that body damage is not that bad. Leave it as is, does every Vanagon need to be restored to A $20K GoWesty standards?

I just traded our old Toyota Rav4 for this old 89 Bluestar:

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It's not worth much, I have NO plans to body work and paint it, and if it ever dies I have a whole parts van for my 89 Westy.

Its banged up, has a strong 2.1 in it, and the "Bluestar" interior is fine. I replaced all of the little things like, sliding door handles and latches, seat head rests, window regulators, fuel lines, filters etc to make it safe and functional for the wife and kids. They love it, and if it keeps tham from driving the westy daily I'm happy. It's not perfect, not every Vanagon needs to be; take that 87 get it road worthy and save your money for a good project vehicle.
_________________
~Bryan
1989 Tiico Westfalia "Taj"
1984 2WD Doka Transporter
1989 "Bluestar" Wolfsburg Tintop

2WD Doka build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=503578&highlight=
FaceHook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/VW-T3-DokaSinka/129026087217120?ref=hl

kevtherev · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 11:47 am Post subject:

Incredible..
that van there would cost an arm and a leg in the UK
what a difference.

I suppose converting a bus to a camper is not popular in the States then?
To us that there van is prime sirloin to van converters Very Happy

reason being is most English converters used panel vans Rolling Eyes

Zeitgeist 13 · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 12:20 pm Post subject:

I assume all those power electrical options are fairly rare in the UK
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'89 Bluestar
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edgood1 · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 5:45 pm Post subject:

finding rust free vans in new england is damn near impossible these days.

if i had that I would without a doubt revive it.
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1987 Syncro Westfalia powered by Subaru
1963 Sundial Camper

kevtherev · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 12:11 pm Post subject:

GBA 88West LA · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 12:14 pm Post subject:

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I found a pasenger van but is it worth the trouble
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