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bjrogers86auto
Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2009
Posts: 1375
Location: Halifax, N.S.
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 Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 5:15 am Post subject: welcome |
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Another welcome from the Northeast Coast!
We "fell" into the automatic as well...not on purpose but like you said, we found each other. Karma isn't always a b**ch! It's been very kind to us so far.
Hopefully you have also found all the online vendors. Gowesty, Van-Cafe and Bus Depot are the big three for me. Lately I have found great deals on parts on the classifieds here on TheSamba thanks to members sending me links.
Once you get the basics of wiring and electricity for the van I think you will catch on fast. DC or direct current is pretty basic. Finding the problem with it...not so much. My 11yr old daughter is learning it this year in science...neat to see the "lights come on" when she gets something new!
I have a friend who finally got his wife to a campground last summer. When the kids were asleep on each of them as they sat around the campfire listening to the sounds of the night in a campground she looked over and said, "Ok...I get it."
The doubters around you just don't get it. Too bad for them!
Brian.
_________________
86 Vanagon GL Westfalia 2.1
18 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X
19 Honda Civic Hatchback
A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin and Hobbes. |
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indytriple
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2009
Posts: 710
Location: Brownsburg, Indiana
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| Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 5:49 am Post subject: |
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Welcome to the funny farm! You'll have a great time. It sounds like you have the right attitude going into it. There are a ton of really great people on this forum that will help you through all kinds of trials and tribulations.
_________________
"See The Glass As Already Broken."
87 Vanagon Westy Auto Bostig
www.bluegrassbicyclecompany.com |
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UNIBLONDER
Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2011
Posts: 15
Location: Southeast USA
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| Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:58 am Post subject: |
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| Syncroincity wrote: |
Welcome! 
Specify your location a little better, so folks can recommend local repair shops for you.
Make friends with the search function... keep in mind it only searches the forum you start out in.
Buy the Bentley manual. It's very comprehensive, yet written in plain English, even if you do no work to the van yourself, you can have informed conversations with your mechanic.
Don't pay attention to the haters. Live life, drive a Vanagon and enjoy it. It ain't a Honda, but you know that already.
Have fun, and keep us posted. Use Photobucket or Picasa to keep pictures and post them here using the [img] code from your album. |
Will Photobucket once we get it...how is it I'm already spending on it (list of to-do's) and we don't even have it ? Is this how it works? 
We're in the Charleston, SC area....I know there's an air-cooled mechanic in North Chuck that local folks seem to swear by. And I'm looking out for a body person (not that we need that now) and maybe someone who can install a dvd player (overhead? Hopefully it can be done--I know I saw someone in one of the forums that had one installed) for us. I get the impression that I'd be better off getting someone who knows Vanagons to install it instead of going w/ the folks at Best Buy or the like... |
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DAIZEE
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010
Posts: 7552
Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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| Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 7:01 am Post subject: |
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Uni will you do me a BIG favour? Don't disappear after awhile. Become a permanent contributor to Samba and hang around, ok
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold) |
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UNIBLONDER
Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2011
Posts: 15
Location: Southeast USA
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| Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 10:50 am Post subject: |
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| DAIZEE wrote: |
| Uni will you do me a BIG favour? Don't disappear after awhile. Become a permanent contributor to Samba and hang around, ok |
Most definitely...I'll stick around! Hopefully my Vanagon will be here next week--I'll make sure and post photos! |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7925
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 12:34 pm Post subject: |
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| UNIBLONDER wrote: |
| how is it I'm already spending on it (list of to-do's) and we don't even have it ? Is this how it works? |
Welcome to the Vanagon Club. Our motto is: Spend, have some fun, and spend some more!! 
_________________
~Kamz 
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
 1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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Corwyn 
Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2009
Posts: 2238
Location: Olympia, Washington
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| Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 2:06 pm Post subject: |
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| DAIZEE wrote: |
| Uni will you do me a BIG favour? Don't disappear after awhile. Become a permanent contributor to Samba and hang around, ok |
Yeah! DAIZEE needs company and if ANYONE can tell you what a great community we have here, it's her!
Welcome to the Samba, where there is no such thing as a stupid question.
_________________
'90 White Westy ("The Longship")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja
"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~ |
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jeffklein
Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2009
Posts: 132
Location: Rochester, NY
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| Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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With your attitude of optimism, a Vanagon is the perfect vehicle for you. Welcome! This is a community like no other.
Your kids will most likely never remember driving around in your Toyota but they will absolutely remember camping trips in the Vanagon. I too have small kids (3 of them 5 years old and under) and like you, 2 in diapers. Life took on an entirely new meaning when my daughter was born. Now, it's all about creating experiences that will build memories that they'll be telling their grandchildren about.
I'm always looking to make our van even more functional (kid friendly) and have found many great ideas along the way. Have fun with yours! |
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jeffklein
Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2009
Posts: 132
Location: Rochester, NY
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| Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 2:56 pm Post subject: Re: welcome |
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| bjrogers86auto wrote: |
| I have a friend who finally got his wife to a campground last summer. When the kids were asleep on each of them as they sat around the campfire listening to the sounds of the night in a campground she looked over and said, "Ok...I get it." |
This is one of the coolest things I've read in a long time. |
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UNIBLONDER
Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2011
Posts: 15
Location: Southeast USA
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| Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 8:41 pm Post subject: |
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| jeffklein wrote: |
With your attitude of optimism, a Vanagon is the perfect vehicle for you. Welcome! This is a community like no other.
Your kids will most likely never remember driving around in your Toyota but they will absolutely remember camping trips in the Vanagon. I too have small kids (3 of them 5 years old and under) and like you, 2 in diapers. Life took on an entirely new meaning when my daughter was born. Now, it's all about creating experiences that will build memories that they'll be telling their grandchildren about.
I'm always looking to make our van even more functional (kid friendly) and have found many great ideas along the way. Have fun with yours! |
Funny, while I have always admired and coveted a Vanagon, the kids really were the tipping point for me. We just returned from a trip to the Grand Canyon (in a rented Prius--hate the design, love the fuel-efficiency!) and we just had such a great time being there, I came back with a renewed passion and determination to get the Vanagon. The rest is history.
I love your sentiments. You put words to my thoughts! I'm going to take a class put together by our local State Park (Camping 101), so I can be a better camper and well, I found you guys for the Westy! I love seeing the kid-friendly modifications--so in$pirational!
Peace. |
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