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TornadoVan Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2024 Posts: 40 Location: Bellingham, WA.
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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2024 3:40 pm Post subject: Trying to find a Vanagon "Junk Yard" in the PNW |
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As the title says, I am trying to find a USED parts supplier here in the Pacific Northwest. Something along the lines of a Pick-and-Pull or the standard "Junk Yard" would be ideal. I am hoping there is someone with a yard full of Vanagons that might have weird, optional parts as well as harder to find parts.
I've looked through the links in the Sticky post for suppliers, but they all seem to be selling OEM, NOS and aftermarket new stuff. I want original VW parts, but do not mind used items.
Someone that ships parts would be ideal, but if they are reasonably close to me I don't mind driving. Sometimes bringing the van with me is the best route as parts can be compared easier.
Thanks in advance! |
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zerotofifty Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2003 Posts: 3737
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jimf909 Samba Member

Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 8160 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2024 5:05 pm Post subject: Re: Trying to find a Vanagon "Junk Yard" in the PNW to source USED |
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This will be tough.
I just checked the last two places I knew that sometimes had used Vanagon parts and they're closed. Those were Hans' Auto (then H&J) in West Seattle and Absolute German in South Park.
Kirk at Northwesty used to have some parts but it sounds like he lost his lease and may or may not be selling.
https://www.north-westy.com
If someone does post a place I'll bet that it will be the next Descend... _________________ - Jim
Butcher wrote: |
This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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TornadoVan Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2024 Posts: 40 Location: Bellingham, WA.
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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2024 5:12 pm Post subject: Re: Trying to find a Vanagon "Junk Yard" in the PNW to source USED |
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While I appreciate the link, most hits on sites like that end up sending you to Pick-and-Pull franchises. Invariably, Pick-and-Pull ends up NOT having what they say they have, only have "newer" models and--I don't know why this is--are usually staffed by incredibly rude people. The one nearest to me, the Arlington location, is run by some lady that not only charges an entry fee just to look if they have the vehicle/part you want, but YELLS at you if you ask questions. So rude I swore I'd never return.
C'mon folks. There's got be some person out there that hordes old Vanagons on the Back-40, here in the PNW. |
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TornadoVan Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2024 Posts: 40 Location: Bellingham, WA.
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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2024 5:15 pm Post subject: Re: Trying to find a Vanagon "Junk Yard" in the PNW to source USED |
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jimf909 wrote: |
This will be tough.
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I was afraid of that.
Is there an appropriate place in these forums to ask people if they know where I can find a certain item? |
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jlrftype7 Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018 Posts: 4518 Location: Chicago
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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2024 5:18 pm Post subject: Re: Trying to find a Vanagon "Junk Yard" in the PNW |
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Can't help with your Northwest location. I rely on the "California crew" for used Vanagon parts. Several suppliers/sellers have ads here on Samba from California basically. Shipping to my Midwest location has always worked for us so far...knock knock knock...
Genuine Used VW parts, and generally rust free compared to what might be found here in the Rust Belt.. _________________ '68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
โ84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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jimf909 Samba Member

Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 8160 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2024 5:29 pm Post subject: Re: Trying to find a Vanagon "Junk Yard" in the PNW to source USED |
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TornadoVan wrote: |
jimf909 wrote: |
This will be tough.
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I was afraid of that.
Is there an appropriate place in these forums to ask people if they know where I can find a certain item? |
You can place a Want to Buy (WTB) in the classifieds. The classifieds are also a good place to search and as suggested you'll come across some sellers that show up regularly. They're the ones hoarding and selling Vanagon parts Save searches with a few search terms and check back regularly.
What parts are you looking for? _________________ - Jim
Butcher wrote: |
This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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dhaavers Samba Member

Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 8375 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2024 5:59 pm Post subject: Re: Trying to find a Vanagon "Junk Yard" in the PNW |
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TornadoVan wrote: |
...I am hoping there is someone with a yard full of Vanagons that might have weird, optional parts as well as harder to find parts... |
Wow, yeah... you, and about 30% of your PNW neighbors, right?
Another vote for Samba classifieds, I've done lots of good shopping here.
- Dave _________________ 86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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Abscate  Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 23785 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:01 pm Post subject: Re: Trying to find a Vanagon "Junk Yard" in the PNW |
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Try under the bridges near Oaklandโฆโฆ too soon? _________________ ๐บ๐ธ ๐บ๐ธ ๐บ๐ธ ๐บ๐ธ ๐บ๐ธ ๐บ๐ธ ๐บ๐ธ ๐ ๐ ๐ |
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danfromsyr Samba Member

Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15344 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:01 pm Post subject: Re: Trying to find a Vanagon "Junk Yard" in the PNW |
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isn't there that guy in Grants pass, OR?
used to be a guy in the Hudson valley of NY, but he'd only tell you he had 8 of a rare item and none are 4sale..
fact is that there aren't piles of old 80's VW vans left around..
they have near zero value to those who don't admire a vanagon.. ie other VW fans give them a blind eye.
and then the scrap wars of the early 00's people were grabbing them from everywhere for $400 cash..
heck, pathetic parts vans are listing at $2500+ and a used with no history Transmission nets $600+
best bet to do some classified surfing.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php...ton=Search _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like โwankerโ |
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Howesight Samba Member

Joined: July 02, 2008 Posts: 3401 Location: Vancouver, B.C.
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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:17 pm Post subject: Re: Trying to find a Vanagon "Junk Yard" in the PNW |
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I have found that some patience plus Craigslist often gets you want you want for used Vanagon parts. The Samba classified section is also a wealth of parts diversity. _________________ '86 Syncro Westy SVX |
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TornadoVan Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2024 Posts: 40 Location: Bellingham, WA.
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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:30 pm Post subject: Re: Trying to find a Vanagon "Junk Yard" in the PNW |
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OK!
The classifieds it is.
Thanks for all the replies. It sounds like TIME as an investment is the most probable route to finding what I seek. |
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space Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017 Posts: 806
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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:46 pm Post subject: Re: Trying to find a Vanagon "Junk Yard" in the PNW |
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https://thenonamegarage.com/
Ive gotten a couple used items from them, very reasonable _________________ 82 westy
w:
2.5 JDM Subie
Rear discs |
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TornadoVan Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2024 Posts: 40 Location: Bellingham, WA.
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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2024 7:07 pm Post subject: Re: Trying to find a Vanagon "Junk Yard" in the PNW to source USED |
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jimf909 wrote: |
What parts are you looking for? |
For the time being, I am trying to find a passenger side wiper arm that has the built-on wind deflector (if they even exist!), or, a driver side wiper arm that has the deflector on it. If it is the driver side, I don't really care if the arm is stripped out as I am going to drill out the welds on the deflector, drill/tap matching holes in the passenger side and then simple use screws to attach the deflector to the passenger arm.
I live in the PNW and with all the rain we get I am getting increasingly annoyed by the fact the passenger side wiper arm floats off the windshield at freeway speeds. It is completely useless--as in, not touching at all--at speeds over 65 mph.
Here is a picture showing the drivers side wiper arm on my van that has the deflector. I simply want one on the other arm. And, before you say anything, the two arms are NOT the same. The passenger side one is slightly shorter and has a different set of curves near the blade. Otherwise, I would just mount another drivers side one like I already have.
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TornadoVan Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2024 Posts: 40 Location: Bellingham, WA.
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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2024 7:09 pm Post subject: Re: Trying to find a Vanagon "Junk Yard" in the PNW |
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Oooo!
That looks promising! I'll check it out! Thanks! |
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0to60in6min Samba Member
Joined: November 27, 2006 Posts: 3456 Location: OR & CA (Oregon/California)
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Californio Samba Member

Joined: May 17, 2007 Posts: 1357
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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2024 7:28 pm Post subject: Re: Trying to find a Vanagon "Junk Yard" in the PNW |
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GoWesty has them too. It's likely a spring issue, try lubricating the flex points well and if that doesn't do it, a new one even without the wind deflector will do the trick. _________________ 1987 Syncro Westy/2.0L Tiico |
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jimf909 Samba Member

Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 8160 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2024 8:11 pm Post subject: Re: Trying to find a Vanagon "Junk Yard" in the PNW |
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I'm 99.8% certain that the spoiler was never stock on the passenger side wiper. As mentioned, folks have improved wiper contact by lubing pivot points, replacing springs, bending the arms, etc.
Nice van! _________________ - Jim
Butcher wrote: |
This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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dkoesyncro Samba Member
Joined: December 10, 2006 Posts: 999
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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2024 8:23 pm Post subject: Re: Trying to find a Vanagon "Junk Yard" in the PNW |
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The pot cast aluminum of the wiper arm breaks down. If any one has ever used the wiper to remove snow from the window this added weight also adds to the demise. A cheap and dirty solution to wiper arm creep is to wrap the splines on the wiper posts with tin foil.My next solution is to tap a set screw at the bottom of the wiper arm.
Averyโs air cooled in Longview
Halsey Import Parts in Portland
Not to many of these โVW onlyโ places exist like they did back in the day. The cash for clunkers and scrap metal fortunes in the early 2000s put a hurting on a one time easy endeavor. |
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Sodo Samba Member

Joined: July 06, 2007 Posts: 10617 Location: Western WA
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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2024 8:46 pm Post subject: Re: Trying to find a Vanagon "Junk Yard" in the PNW |
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What ever happened to "Ben" who had a bunch of Vanagons in Black Diamond? _________________
'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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