TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon May 08, 2006 10:52 am

I'm sure this topic has gone around before, and I apologize in advance if it truly has (I've only been here a couple of months), but what's the favorite mod you've made for your van? Wheels/tires? Engine enhancements? Interior stuff? I know I've done a bunch of stuff - both large and small - and would like to hear everyone's thoughts. It might inspire others to greatness! Post pics as well!

Personally, I'm a big fan of my GoWesty 2.4 waterboxer. And my driver's side grab bar.

-Jared

Mon May 08, 2006 10:58 am

I'd go for a 956 or 911 turbo with 6 speed if I didn't have five kids in college!

The mulla I spend on tuition would be spent on a screaming brick, in red.

Mon May 08, 2006 11:20 am

Thats easy, (funny though, its all the little things)
1. 2nd Battery (makes starts much easer after a couple of days camping)
2. Air Lift air bags for rear suspension (big difference on their maden voyage down hwy 1 from Monterey to Morro Bay this weeken, fully loaded)
3. inverter (I like to charge my electronics)
wait, roof racks are #1

Mon May 08, 2006 11:24 am

I like my awning a lot too.

Mon May 08, 2006 12:37 pm

ok, so I haven't done this yet, but here's what I'm gonna do:

1) full set of gauges - oil pressure and battery voltage are too important to monitor with idiot lights...

2) power inverter

3) 2nd battery - to support #2 above

Mon May 08, 2006 12:48 pm

1 Derek Drews 16" wheels with Vanco 8s
2 paint the pop top gloss white
3 SA front grill with 4 lights and headlight relays
4 Fiamma (sp) 10' awning
5 Fixed the gas heater
6 3 florescent light fixtures (Terry)
7 bicycle light (2D cells) clamped on pop top bar
8 small one but cool, - blue LED to indicate fridge on propane.
would do those again in that order.

Still to come, forgot to add front brake upgrade
driver side grab handle
aux battery
stereo upgrade
inverter
microwave
dvd for the rainy days.

Mon May 08, 2006 1:19 pm

My favorite is a shameless plug for my wife's little business venture.
The Westy Rainfly/Sunshade for the poptop window.

http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/rainfly.htm

Mon May 08, 2006 1:25 pm

High power headlights.
Center console.
GoWesty 2.2 engine

Those were the big ones for me

Mon May 08, 2006 2:09 pm

i like my wood floor. makes clean up super easy and looks sharp.

Mon May 08, 2006 4:48 pm

I love 'em! Keep 'em coming!! Getting some great ideas on things I've been thinking about, as well as reminiscing (sp?) some things I've done. It truly is all the little things that add up to a personalized van special to each one of us :)

Some others that I've done...

rubber floor mats (GoWesty) all the way around
tinted windows
stereo system with ipod
SA Rhein wheels
personalized license plate
new cigarette lighter
2nd battery with inverter
headlamp relay
short shift kit

-Jared

Mon May 08, 2006 5:15 pm

Upgraded the headlights which has made a big difference. Good wheels and shocks have certainly helped a lot as well.
Kev 8)

Mon May 08, 2006 5:22 pm

For me, it is two main things:

1) Ecode headlights and relay upgrade
2) improved sound system

I have the bigger engine and wheels and what-not, but it is those two that really make the van feel better. Hopefully I'll get the same feeling when i get the upgraded brakes installed.

And backcountrymedic/Jared, I just got a job in Monterey, so we should hook up when i get there in July.

-Damon

Mon May 08, 2006 5:34 pm

I 4 engine, gauge cluster(oil p-volt-water temp) ,dual bat, added poptop and 120V inverter(700W) :D

Mon May 08, 2006 5:50 pm

Bill W wrote: 120V inverter(700W) :D

I put 2000W on the big trucks, tore thru alt and batteries, had to remove them....Freightliner would no longer cover warrantee work if one was installed

now we use a pony engine anyways to keep the idle time down to min

Mon May 08, 2006 6:33 pm

every mod has a time where it's the best. but i gotta say that the one that makes me smile the most and therefore is the best ...

Gene Berg Short Shift Kit!

Mon May 08, 2006 8:20 pm

I have alot of the same but here goes:
#1-New BFG tyres!
2-New bilsteins and westy springs
3-XM radio and system
4-roof rack and Safari basket
5-Hella fogs
6-Headlight upgrade
7-Aux battery
8-Tinted windows a must in this glass house!
9-Kelty carport like Jared's. :wink:
10-Repaint bumpers and stuff

I really need one of those driver side grab handles, who sells 'em?

Mon May 08, 2006 9:10 pm

Sorry for the grungy looking pictures. I haven't had a chance to wash ol' Bonesaw after my mountain bike trip.
1. Rap steering wheel with weather stripping then a leather steering wheel cover (Ahh sooooo sweet!!!)
2. Paper Towel Holder/LED Cabin Lights
3. Fuel Tank Re-seal (No more dripping liquid gold at fill-ups)
4. Viton fuel lines (For running biodiesel @ $1.27/gal)
5. Cup holder for every passenger

Tue May 09, 2006 9:55 am

Two words---AIR-HORNS!!!!

Tue May 09, 2006 10:07 am

Three Window Tent, Roof Rack, Fog Lights, AT Tires, 10" Sub Woofer!

Tue May 09, 2006 11:31 am

ALL OF THE ABOVE!

Plus good pre-emptive repairs.
-*ALL* new hoses, stainless pipes if you have plastic.
-seal the liguid gold fuel tank.
-clean all the engine grounds.
-injectors cleaned, balanced and all new fuel hoses.
-proper engine adjustment including valves.
-all new wear items like belts and ignition related
-new sensors.
-etc

I can not say enough about having good tires and brakes. To that end, I am going with 16 inch wheels and still plugging away at bigger brakes. If you can not safely corner or stop, the rest don't really matter does it?

All the stuff to make life simplier is great too, just as in all of the above. I have been remiss in all that stuff. Just too much other stuff to deal with. It is not our only home, you know!

Above all, have fun with it.......