What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod?

[Boegrrl]

My Fave mods are so many!

Jack Bombay popshocks can lift my top w/Kayak on the roof rack
Cut out tent both poptop sides, stitched in screen -now 3 windows w/covers
Werkers and Inverter
AirConditioner for luggage rack and AC Sleeve
3rd brake light and brighter bulbs in tail light assembly
Kill Switch
Stainless Steel pipes and all new coolant system!!!!!!!!!!!
Buese Shelf nice painted/decorated on bottom, non skid surf on top
Shift extender
XM Radio

I dream of Swivel Seats on pax side, new interior panels, rugs and soundproofing AND 3G Internet!
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'87 Wolfsburg Weekender

[1621]

Okay, a new one because I recently redid my rear hatch release/handle and actually took a picture of it. It allows me to open AND close the rear hatch from the inside regardless of whether it's locked or not. The handle is screwed to some steel plates I mounted to the inside of the door. The latch release is simply 3/16" braided steel wire with some hose over it. Simple, clean, practical.

I also enjoy this thread and thought I'd rejuvenate it.

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'85 Westy

[MootPoint]

I had some nice fiddleback maple sitting in my shop for years. So I took out the original galley top and built a replacement:

Goes nicely with the Pergo floor.

Plus I really like my 'fridge mod to access the controls. Now if I can just get the 'fridge to stay running I'd be happy.

Oh and I need to add the push-button bacon dispenser.

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1984 Westy with tencentlife power!

[Boegrrl]

A mod was not exactly required....

Finally, my Verizon/Novotel MIFI ! Very very nice and has had a signal at every camp stop thus far. Used with my iTouch, a very fine and LIGHT load.
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'87 Wolfsburg Weekender

[Crughy]

By far, the best mod ever to my van was installing a new exhaust!

Night and day! Literally! It's a new van.

JP

[sanchius]

This is always a good thread to keep going. The mod I really like and use a lot is ...

An Ipod compatible headunit with remote,
+ headunit power switched on/off when the key is in/out of the ignition,
+ a toggle to power the headunit any time.

Ipod headunit/receiver: I'm using the previous gen receiver to the Sony CDX-GT640UI, which has a hidden ipod input wire running from the back of the headunit to an ipod in the glove box. I just keep one of the kids throw-away ipods (busted screen) in the glovebox and navigate via the headunit controls. The headunit keeps the ipod charged and, with the remote, I can control the headunit from the back of the van or upper bunk. I find that I simply _never_ listen to the radio anymore, just a constant, non-commercial, stream of exactly the music I want.

Headunit power when key in ignition: I have been running this setup for a year or so, so I don't remember exactly how I wired the power, but I haven't had any issue with having both the key in and the toggle on at the same time. This thread illustrates the basic wiring approach: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=379642.

Headunit on-anytime toggle switch: I hate worrying about losing/locking-in keys, so my keys are either in the ign when I'm in the drivers seat or they are in my pocket, period. The on-anytime toggle switch lets us keep the music on when we pull offroad for a vista or lunch or when sitting in the back without me periodically going thru those "Oh cr*p, where's my keys?" moments.

Next up is adding a toggle to the remote on/off signal from the headunit so I can take the aux amps offline easily.

[climberjohn]

[VanWilder]

So I wanted to be able to carry my 3 fishing rods, tackle a few other items and the guitar of course high above everything. I wanted that "Gutter Storage" unit that a Westy has. So I fashioned my own. Super sturdy very practical.

Home Depot:

1 10' Length of Brown Vinyl Gutter $4.58
2 end caps $6.78
4 3/4' self tap sheet metal screws
4 1 1/2' washers

I used about 6' of gutter to achieve this. I added the end caps and screwed the thing in just below the vents. I used the Screws and washers to hold it in place. I used some nylon bracelets to hold my guitar. The gutter has a lip in side that holds the guitar straps. It's almost crazy how great this worked out. It is bullet proof. Best mod I ever did.

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VW
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"83.5" Vanagon GL Air cooled "VanWilder"
VanWilder has given back to me more then I could ever put into it September 22, 2010
Malama Ka `Aina—"Respect the Land"

[MootPoint]

As one who also frequently travels with a guitar (or usually two...) I'd be afraid of too much heat affecting the ol' axe when it's hanging in the window like that, out of a case, not to mention the "steal me" factor. Obviously this doesn't bother you. Am I paranoid?
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1984 Westy with tencentlife power!

[carterzest]

[quote="VanWilder"]So I wanted to be able to carry my 3 fishing rods, tackle a few other items and the guitar of course high above everything. I wanted that "Gutter Storage" unit that a Westy has. So I fashioned my own. Super sturdy very practical.

Home Depot:

1 10' Length of Brown Vinyl Gutter $4.58
2 end caps $6.78
4 3/4' self tap sheet metal screws
4 1 1/2' washers

I used about 6' of gutter to achieve this. I added the end caps and screwed the thing in just below the vents. I used the Screws and washers to hold it in place. I used some nylon bracelets to hold my guitar. The gutter has a lip in side that holds the guitar straps. It's almost crazy how great this worked out. It is bullet proof. Best mod I ever did.

Sweet idea. Been looking for a way to get the Git Fid out of the way. I have thought of a hangar on the pop top push up bar for storing while at camp. This really gets it out of the way. Does it spoil the view for the rear passengers?
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Happiness=Portland, Oregon in the rearview mirror!

[VanWilder]

This is truly an awesome upgrade. Yes the guit is in the window but when we travel, I close the curtains on that side to protect it from the sun which in Oregon is a bit rare. The Guitar Ganking factor? Very good point, did not really consider it but as it is a Fender low ender, and hanging in plain site might say "I am not worth that much so leave me alone A Hole!!" One can hope it goes that way. As for the View Carter,,, No the little dogs don't mind it blocking their view.

Do this ,, loads of extra storage and note the Bottle of Vino???
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VW
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"83.5" Vanagon GL Air cooled "VanWilder"
VanWilder has given back to me more then I could ever put into it September 22, 2010
Malama Ka `Aina—"Respect the Land"

[Santana]

Top 3....in no particular order

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PHOTO GALLERY

[Freesurf]

My Myrtlewood armrest/cup holder table.

Then folds out of the way.

Also, makes a great step for the upper bunk.[/img][/img]

Freesurf
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82 Air-cooled F.I. 2.0 Westfalia Auto
75 Sunroof Bay

[GBA 88West LA]

2.5 170hp motor
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88 Westy GL Vanaru 07 2.5 EJ25/AA Trans/oiling plates, 1.14 3rd-.77-4th..solar powered cabin

[whynotvw]

satelite

[purplepeopleeater]

What make is that dvd system? any more details on the system install and how good it works? me and the wife want to install a setup like that.

[Syncronicity]

Simple and cheap, but a great mod. Has saved us countless bug bites and wet nights. Thanks bigsteveob

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=388627&highlight=screen

[whynotvw]

[dredward]

The best mod i've ever done to any VW:

[VanWilder]

Shower system and some extra square footage.

We have always used a shower bottle hung from a tree (heavy to hoist). We would also hang shower enclosure thing from the tree as well. The enclosure had to be blown up and the water had to be dragged around and hoisted high enough for me 6'3 to enjoy. So ,, we decided to remedy the heavy bottle hoisting and add some real estate to our van in the process.

Very simple to make and cost effective.
Add a mosquito net and you have nice air flow and star gazing.
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VW
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"83.5" Vanagon GL Air cooled "VanWilder"
VanWilder has given back to me more then I could ever put into it September 22, 2010
Malama Ka `Aina—"Respect the Land"