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Sat Oct 22, 2011 7:13 pm

Ok so I bought a 88 Doka and Im still in shock about the whole thing. I actually bought it to restore for a potential customer but I have decided to keep it instead. It is going to be my company car for my restoration shop. Its just too darn cool to sell. Plus my 62 DC needs company in the garage for the winter.

I have been looking around for paint codes, parts and general info on this vehicle and I am coming up pretty dry. I think the color may be marsala red but I am not positive.

Also I am missing the engine deckled which was replaced with a piece of wood. I anyone has one let me know.

Surprisingly the entire car is in beautiful shape considering it has been sitting in a field for the past 3 years. Minor seam rust in a couple locations. The dental pick and lots of grinding on both sides of the seams in these location will begin tomorrow. Can seals for the treasure chest and rest of vehicle be purchased? obviously some seals are identical to the vanagon camper/van but the odd seals (decklid, treasure chest, rear window) are they not available?

When I picked it up. I know the wood bed sides gotta go. I do like the lights that were added for seeing behind the truck at night.

After a good cleaning

Sat Oct 22, 2011 8:23 pm

From the pictures, the color looks to be tornado red.
The original engine cover is on mine is wood. So, yours is probably the original.

From the pictures, it looks good. Now you just need to get a pair of the rear side sliding windows!

Sat Oct 22, 2011 8:25 pm

original decklids were wood?

Sat Oct 22, 2011 8:44 pm

Plywood to be exact.

And congrats :)

Check up under the fuse panel for a build code sticker, it will have the origional color code. Looks like it has had a respray because the gromets on the tailgates have been painted.

Sat Oct 22, 2011 8:58 pm

Definitely resprayed. Wonder why the deck lids were wood. Did vw just give up on that part at the last minute and throw a piece of wood on there? Seems ridiculous. It doesn't even have latches.

Sat Oct 22, 2011 9:02 pm

It should have 4 bolts and wshers to hold the wood down.

Sat Oct 22, 2011 9:06 pm

Many of them came with slats of wood that went went from the front to the back of the bed. The wood (yes, plywood) engine deck was the same height as the wood slats.
Plenty of photos on the German websites, just have to look around.

I saw that advertised, did you get it for less than asking price?

Sat Oct 22, 2011 9:09 pm

I got it for a great deal. Much lower then the asking price. I notice a lot of people have replaced their deckled with a diamond plate version. Where can I buy one of these? I guess I could always make one if needed.

Sat Oct 22, 2011 9:21 pm

Pictures of wood decklid and wood slats. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=464083&highlight=diamond+plate

Discussion of diamond deckplate http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2...mond+plate

Edited for correct link to diamond plate deck lids

Sat Oct 22, 2011 9:22 pm

GMByers,
Thanks a lot, very helpful.

Sat Oct 22, 2011 11:51 pm

I think the "transporter" emblem has to go too. I do, however, have a home for it :D

Very nice! Someday I'd like to have a Doka.

Sun Oct 23, 2011 5:52 am

Welcome to the Club !! :lol: :lol: :lol:
My OG engine cover was starting to warp, I had one made in town, Diamond plate, $40 w/ the holes drilled. Now I don't freak when people are loading or walking on the truck bed-- "Don't step on the wood, DON'T STEP ON THE WOOD " :oops: :oops: :oops: :lol:
I've wanted a Tornado Red Doka to match my '91 Carat Wlfsbrg. vanagon, hate the white on mine, but thats life . I got mine w/ 100K miles on it, I just broke 160K, I only drive it from Mid-April to Oct.
Then it's in hibernation.....

Just wait until you get that 1st guy asking if you "customized" the truck your self, I tell them I did it w/ a chainsaw ... :wink:

Sun Oct 23, 2011 6:40 am

crukab wrote:

Just wait until you get that 1st guy asking if you "customized" the truck your self, I tell them I did it w/ a chainsaw ... :wink:

Lol ! I said the same think when a guy asking me that on a red light. :lol:

Sun Oct 23, 2011 6:42 am

casey79westfalia wrote:

Félicitation!! Very nice one!

Sun Oct 23, 2011 8:28 am

Nice tidy truck ,even has power mirrors.One less thing to update . Is that a bottle opener by the rear door ?
Lets see some more pictures of the interior and underside.

Stacy

Sun Oct 23, 2011 3:52 pm

Update:

Yes that is a bottle opener behind the door. Those holes will be getting welded shut when I repaint.

Previous owner said it drove just fine and then one day he couldn't get it to turn over at all. I installed a new battery and I started tidying up the engine compartment and I am beginning to replace all the fuel lines. I did try to turn the engine over but ran into a few problems. When I turn the ignition to position 1 I hear the fuel pump run and then stop, then when I turn the key to position 2 to start the car the starter does not activate and the fuel pump runs again while I hold the key in the start position. I am assuming the fuel pump is working as it should but the starter needs some attention. I'll give it a big whack with a hammer tomorrow to see if it is frozen. I did not hear the starter solenoid click when I turn the key on. Also when I turn the key on the two relays in the engine compartment (#53 and ??) in the black box, I believe they are controlling the fuel pump and ecu click erratically and then stop. Its very inconsistent. Sometimes I turn the key and it clicks like crazy and other times it just clicks once. I checked the connections at the coil which are nice and tight. It usually does all the clicking when I turn the ignition on for the first time after sitting for awhile. Any thoughts on this guys?

I spent majority of the day grinding and picking out the seams around the bus. I found one rust hole through the body just above the rear driver side tire below the bed. I am going to cut a patch panel and weld it in to solve that spot.

Sun Oct 23, 2011 4:42 pm

Did you find this state side?

Sun Oct 23, 2011 5:00 pm

Found in a field in Maryland.

Sun Oct 23, 2011 8:09 pm

casey79westfalia wrote: Found in a field in Maryland.

:shock:

Unbelievable

:shock:

Yous Sir have found the elusive golden hen. Fantastic score!

What did you pay for it?.......oh never mind, it will just make me sick :o

Sun Oct 23, 2011 8:16 pm

Im still in shock about the whole thing. Now I just need to get it running.