TheSamba.com :: View topic - I got an 81 Diesel Vanagon, and no one cares.

Wed Sep 01, 2004 8:05 pm

I just wanted to share this info with people who may care.
I have always wanted a Vanagon, ever since I was a kid in the UK, now I have just bought a Vanagon made in 1981, very cool, and slow.
I just wanted to tell someone who knew how cool this is, my friends could make a collective yawn that would turn away a hurricane.

So off I go, I need to buy some plywood, just in case, and smile alone.
Cheers y'all.
Chris
NC

Thu Sep 02, 2004 5:23 am

Hey,

Yawn back at them when you drive past them filling up on gas while you carry your plywood!

:)

Thu Sep 02, 2004 5:49 am

plus that opens up all sorts of options for biodiesel, turbodiesels, etc...
when they all need a ride, they'll pay more attention.
:)

Thu Sep 02, 2004 6:15 am

hey Congratulations....stick with us, we'll appreciate your purchase...
I guess i've always liked Vanagons myself, but really didnt think about purchasing one, until it hit me one day.....how cool it would be to own one :lol: ....found a great buy on here, and boom elbows deep in grease...(putting a new engine in)....good luck...and welcome

Thu Sep 02, 2004 6:01 pm

i just got an 87 syncro. i told a buddy of mine and he said "ewwww, i hope you're gonna flip it"

yup.

Sun Sep 05, 2004 1:23 am

Right on man. I just got an '82 diesel camper a couple weeks ago that is my new pride and joy. Everyone says they are slow but I really don't think its that bad. It feels about right to me for its weight, and I love hearing that diesel push it bwooaaa. I wish I could get a 5-speed into it, the gears are kind of far apart and going down into 3rd at the top of a steep incline makes you think.:oops: I just drove mine from Los Angeles up the CA coast then east to Maryland via Illinois with no problems. I think I almost made 70mph once comming down the mountain from Frederic, MD on 70. Until then top speed had been 66 with a good tail wind... down hill. I think its great over all, I want to restore it. Somewhere there is a guy with a snail decal on the back of his. I think that should be manditory; just to be curteous to others. Good to hear another diesel is alive and kickin'
--Chris

Sun Sep 05, 2004 6:52 am

UZI wrote: i just got an 87 syncro. i told a buddy of mine and he said "ewwww, i hope you're gonna flip it"

yup.
I am al about finding a Syncro Double Cab. I think I could have a lot of fun with one of those. Like it was stated earlier, it just *hit* me one day that I want a Vanagon Camper. Then, my son and I could go around this great country on vacations in a self-contained environment.

Sun Sep 05, 2004 1:06 pm

I just bought a 55 Barn door with the old crash box, and 36 hp...
makes my diesel look FAST!

BTW, you are right about the trannie, if those gears were just closer together... :roll:

Sun Sep 05, 2004 4:54 pm

You are all very cool.
Cheers

Fri Sep 10, 2004 12:27 am

Everybody that says the ratios are too far apart on the 82 diesel 4 speeds, I agree! I've had my 82 diesel SUNROOF Vanagon for 14 years now and REALLY want a 5 speed. Actually, I've got the 5 speed, but it gets more complicated, The 5 speed is about 1-3/4" longer,and VW just mounted the front in the same place as the 82, but moved the engine and everythhing else back. so that means different mounts, oil fill tube, cold start cable, other stuff, too. Everything is working so good, I hate to take it out of commision to change all that stufff (Not to mention, I don't have any of them!)If anyone has extra mounts, oil fill tube throttle cable, etc from an 83 or newer, I'd be interested in buying them.
Al
69 double cab, Vanagons

Fri Sep 10, 2004 6:10 am

:lol: I always wanted a close ratio trannie in my diesel 7 passenger. In big rigs, we run 10-13 speeds. You keep the motor at a specific RPM range. The concept of the 4 speed and VW's ultimate wisdom with that Apine trannie, while unique, defeats the purpose on our open roads.

If VW had put in a close ratio 5 speed, whereas, the little oil burner out back could keep itself in a specific range, rather than having to drag it down to a low RPM then rapping it up to almost redline, WOULD have been much more intellegent.

I did replace the old Alpine trannie with one from an air cooled 1980, which does does you better gearing on the road. I even experiemented with larger 205 rear tires. Fine on the flats but low end suffers.... :x

Fri Sep 10, 2004 1:39 pm

It might be easier to make or have made new tranny mounts and shorten the axle, maybe. I'd have to get under there and really look at it. I am sorry to hear the disunity. I have been very fond of the, "if it aint broke..." mentality lately, too much going on not enough money. I'll get caught up soon.
--Chris

Sat Feb 05, 2005 7:12 pm

My friends yawn too... several actually told me I made a BIG mistake (in several separate, uncoordinated occassions), but I LOVE it. I love it so much, that I find myself driving simple, short distances when I should really walk or ride my bike (short jaunts aren't good for a diesel, right?)

Better yet -to make your friends stop yawning- switch to biodiesel. "I make my own fuel" is a good conversation starter. I don't what it's like in GB, but you could be the first one on your block...

Now, I need a massive dictionary so I can figure out what you're saying about that 5speed. A 5 speed would be good.... but i'm not there yet. I also find myself going WAY faster than 65. I've hit 70 a few times, and I haven't even been to the passes yet (Seattle) where I'm sure I'd fly like a porsche...

Sun Feb 06, 2005 1:37 am

I am suscribed to [email protected], a great forum. Lot's of questions answered! BTW, I installed a Vanagon aircooled tranny to go along with my 1.9 NA diesel Westy (http://torlasco.tripod.com). A great combo. 28 mpg average, and could cruise at 70 mph although I opted not to for the engine's long term health....
Cris

Sun Feb 06, 2005 8:15 am

My Turtle is bone stock! No, I take that back, changed the trannie years back with an air cooled. I love it! Smoke and all!

SUV's eat me! :twisted:

Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:50 am

I wanted a TD so much, that I converted my 1980 Air cooled model into a full watercooled Turbo Diesel..

even though I had a Diesel body in the yard, I felt it was easier to swap the driveline, then the entire interior and such.. I'm not sure now though..

but my 1.6TD will outrun a 1.9WC thru the hills of NY and PA... it'll boogie.. but it's like driviing with restrictor plates, takes a few miles to get up to steam, and if a set back.. then a few more miles to speed again. but i LOVE the turbo whistle.. and kids.. think it's kewl too.

turbo diesel whine is like big boys flapping cards in the spokes.

Dan In syracuse NY
VWCCNY
1980 1.6TD ASI riveria.
1976 1.6TD baja bug.

Thu Feb 10, 2005 3:45 pm

Congrats on your diesel. I've got an 83 gasser that I love but I've got a good friend with an 82 Turbo diesel and I'm always somewhat jealous. His seems to have as much power on the hills (if not just a little bit more) and he gets 28 mpg compared to my 20 on the highway. It's very driveable and he's got the highly coveted 5 speed. Anyway, sounds like you've got a vehicle you should be proud to own.

Thu Feb 10, 2005 4:01 pm

hmph. all thjs talk about diesel vanos makes me want to get one. *sigh*

Mon Feb 14, 2005 4:53 pm

I just got one. 83 westfalia delux. 5 speed, aux heater... I am now need to find a 1.9 turbo engine. Lots of body work,bumper to bumper resto. Comments on your experiences would be most helpful.

Thu Feb 17, 2005 3:26 pm

i HAD an 82 diesel ADVENTUREWAGEN that i let go for a mere $5500 last summer. we were really hard up for cash,and i still had my 80 westy. i sure do miss that thing. slow as a snail, but without a doubt, the coolest ride in town...........i wonder where she is. the gal i sold it to knew NOTHING about repair work...not that i know much........