What did YOU do to your van today?

[MsTaboo]

Bummer about the hot metal in the eye ,but looking good on saving your van. Don't forget to coat the underside of that step!
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Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec

The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
Help the fight against Truth Decay.
Defend democracy, support Ukraine.

[BCE56]

Recently had AC recharged in anticipation of summer temps. Just in time as it was almost 90 here yesterday.

Coming home from SF I noticed some exhaust noise which has been steadily getting worse. Yesterday my local muffler guy welded up a couple hairline cracks at exh. flanges and collector.
Took the van for a test cruise down by the beach- it sounds right now.
$20.00 well spent!
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=BCE56=

'86 Syncro tintop
EJ22, OBD II early SC adapter plate conversion

Side project: '69 Frankenbug "It's alive!"

[Paulbeard]

Today I
• Pulled the Domestic 3 way fridge in anticipation of my TF49 arriving tomorrow, and tidied up the cabinet (cut away the backing wall, unscrewed the dual socket)
• Wired up my BlueSeas ACR and installed it under the rear bench by the aux battery, wiring it thusly:

Starred runs are new wire I added today. The fuse panel is still to be installed. This is what I ended up with:

Anything that requires drilling holes gives me major agita but I managed to drill a hole for the 8AWG wire run from the starter to the ACR and a much smaller one for a grounding screw. The wire runs to the ACR are very short, 8 inches for the aux and maybe 2-3 feet for the main, not counting the run to/from the starter. 8AWG should be fine especially as its the largest I can find.

Got it all wired, reconnected the main battery, turned the key, I walked around looking/smelling for smoke, and when I cranked her, she started. Checked both batteries and they were getting 13.76v each. They had been holding about 12.5v.

I really have no idea how the aux battery was used previously, as I noticed the clock and radio both worked. I didn't expect that, as they were supposedly drawing on the aux battery. So I'm not sure how/what PO did here. I think there was no isolation and both batteries were just on all the time. Could be a bummer if you went camping and drew down what you thought was the aux battery, only to find they were both flat. This is the same van that only pushed 6v to the radio when I got her and was blowing alternators on a regular basis. I have enough receipts from the shop that looked after my Frida to know not to let them near her again.

So now to sort that out and get the camping/entertainment stuff on the aux. I guess I don't mind the radio and clock on the main battery, it's just not what I expected.

Q for the cognoscenti: what size fuses do I need inline between the batteries and the ACR? I have a 90a alternator. I want to do that before I put any miles on her.

Next up: pulling a length of 8AWG to the driver's pedestal to hook up a fuse panel and sort out this mysterious wiring. The fridge will want power and so will the sink and lights.
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Currently -> Frida: 87 Tizian Red (mostly) Vanagon GL Westfalia w/ 2.0L ABA conversion
Formerly -> Steward of a 73 Super Beetle (Beater) and 67 Beetle 1300 (Little Max) both names by POs

[MidwestDrifter]

Paulbeard,

Your ground wire in the photo above is too small. I would suggest 10 gauge minimum. Ideally matching the 8 gauge charging wire would be best.

The smaller wire will reduce charging currents noticeably, and may even overheat.
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2004 Dodge/Mercedes Sprinter (Custom Camper)
2000 Jetta TDI
1982 Diesel Westy W/ ABA I4 hybrid (Sold)
Epic Road Tripping since 08/05/12 | http://VagariesAbound.blogspot.com/
My Current Build | http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41215

[Michael4104]

[Slimvest]

Replaced my upper control arm bushings with T3's Powerflex. No squeaks or knocks anymore! Time will tell, but I felt rather accomplished doing the job myself. A local shop pressed out the old bushings and the new ones in for me for $40. Went a lot smoother than I would have guessed.

Time to hit some forest service roads!
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'87 GL w/ Reimo top

[Paulbeard]

I'll have to find a 10AWG spade which was the limiting factor there. At least I know it all works. I need a bunch of 10AWG to get the fridge and fuse panel hooked up.
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Currently -> Frida: 87 Tizian Red (mostly) Vanagon GL Westfalia w/ 2.0L ABA conversion
Formerly -> Steward of a 73 Super Beetle (Beater) and 67 Beetle 1300 (Little Max) both names by POs

[OrganicMechanic]

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Check Out the Bus Luv fB fan page...

click here to check out Bus Luv

for the love of all rear engine VW busses...bagged to beat, rusted to restored, we luv them all...

tell your friends and share the luv...

[babywindow]

[OrganicMechanic]

Carbon fiber pop...
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Check Out the Bus Luv fB fan page...

click here to check out Bus Luv

for the love of all rear engine VW busses...bagged to beat, rusted to restored, we luv them all...

tell your friends and share the luv...

[bobbyblack]

Used disc grinder to remove PO's tow bar plate.

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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[dobryan]

[dhaavers]

[Michael4104]

[Dave Wood]

My latest 82 air cooled L needed the fuel tank fixed because it leaked when you filled it up. The fuel gauge didn't work either. The tank had a huge dent in it and lucky for me I keep everything and I had a spare tank from a totaled 87 that fit perfectly. I replaced all grommets and lines with a GoWesty tank kit. I also replaced the aging rubber fuel lines. The swap went as smooth as butter and the gauge is now working too.

Next is figuring out to install this Z bed that came with it?
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Dave
87 Vanagon GL

[jacob.]

Got my kit from RMW yesterday. Took it all out, admired it, played with it. Good times. Put 2 new headgaskets on subaru donor motor, replaced the rear main and front main seals, camshaft seals and replaced all the timing components. Installed a new oil pump and water pump. Engine prep is almost done, just need to get a new oil filter stud, plug up the port for the oil cooler and install my reversed coolant manifold and adapter plate/flywheel. Sent my harness out to RMW to be modified. Should be ready for the swap in a week or two. Good two days.
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[jacob.]

[OrganicMechanic]

[jacob.]

I'd love to see some pictures of how you trimmed it up when you're done. Somebody should really make a kit.
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[Michael4104]

Who manufactures your new round headlights Jacob?
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1990 Wolfsburg Carat with new poptop.
1985 Westy now sporting a 1995 Jetta ABA 2.0L. Sold