Planning an epic journey

[beetle08]

Hello,

I am a long time VW owner, long time Samba follower/stalker and am planning a journey from the Pacific Northwest to Tiera del Fuego.

I have owned air-cooled VWs and Porsches. I am somewhat familiar with Vanagons, but need some general advice. I am looking to purchase a 2WD Westfalia that I can prep for the journey. I have read the forums and found the packing topics, some blogs of people that are on this journey, and good resources on how to prep the car.

From reading, it seams that 86 or up is the way to go. My question is, what is the differences between 86-88 and 89-91. I would prefer to get the newest vehicle that I can, however it may be better to just purchase the more "solid vehicle". I would appreciate any feedback on what year range I should look at. I know my way around VW pretty well with electronics and mechanics, I just don't know which one would be the best vehicle.

Thanks in advance for your help!
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1973 VW 1303 GSR
1991 Porsche 964 Carrera 2

Founder: 3 Pedal Posse

[hippiepilot]

You may want to check out http://www.drivenachodrive.com/ they're traveling around the world in their vanagon. He did some really cool mods.
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83 air-cooled Westy
91 Carat (daily driver)
http://www.changeisland.com

[70coupyel]

Whats your budget for the van? When do you plan on leaving?
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[juanb]

First: congratulations! Lots of people want to do a trip like this, few do.

As far as I know, the stock engine from 87 to 91 didn't change at all. 86 was the first 2.1 so I'm not sure it is exactly the same. Other than that, the trim and the color of the interior changed. From 89 on you get a less annoying closet door (you can open it with the table stowed). 88-91 have nicer looking bumpers. I wouldn't say the differences are significant...

So I would say-- the best Vanagon is one that you know. I got my Westy (an 89 with a GoWesty 2.2) at the end of 2009. For over two years, I got to know it, and tried to renew everything that made sense (fuel lines, radiator, misc cooling system parts, suspension, wheels, etc). The last thing I did was to get the auto transmission rebuilt.

Now I'm two months into a trip like the one you'll make. We left San Francisco in September, and are now driving around Mexico (we love this country so much that we'll stay AT LEAST the six months our tourist visas allow). Ultimate destination is Argentina, where I'm from originally. By now I feel like I know the van pretty well. I can tell if it's running ok from the way it sounds, and if any new sounds appear, I will know immediately.

So I think the main thing is, get to know the specific vehicle you'll take. Buy something asap and take it on lots of short trips. Change all the parts you can afford to change. Then by the time you are on the road it won't matter if it is a 91 or an 84.
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1989 Westy AT, 2.2 GoWesty.
We drove it to Argentina: http://www.vanenvan.com

[rubbachicken]

a great idea, we are kind of resting from a 1 year trip around the US in lucy, i'd echo what juanb said, buy a bus drive it a lot before you set sail, so you are used to it before you leave, a shake down run or 5 will help you find what suits you with the bu, and what doesn't, set a budget for your bus, then a budget for things you may want to add on, solar, aux battery, inverter, and other upgrades, if you don't have the bentley bible yet, make sure you buy a copy.
have you bus checked over before you buy it.
if you are headed outside the US with it, you may want to carry some spares that are easy to find here, but not so easy in more remote areas
spare CV joints, rear wheel bearings, CV boots, brake hoses, pads and shoes, maybe ball joints, there's space under the floor that could accommodate these spares and more if you are willing to be creative


i would not bother looking for the newest bus you can find, IMHO look for something solid, i agree after '86, the 1.9 is a slug


be sure to document your travels




i'm sure juanb would have liked to have had spare CV joints with him
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lucy our westy

lucy's BIG adventure

meet 'burni'


markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.

619 201 0310 or 617 935 4182

[Ahwahnee]

[beetle08]

Thanks for the responses so far. I have been religiously reading drivenachodrive. This is an awesome resource and I'm taking lots of notes!

The goal is to head out in six months. I am budgeting 25K for the vehicle with all mods.

I'm looking to purchase within the next month and have a few Vanagons narrowed down. I'm anticipating certain upgrades right off the bat: ss coolant lines, 930 CV kits; plate underneath engine, replace all hoses, lift kit, gowesty bumpers, awning, secured front roof box. I already have roof racks, roof basket, and a roof box. I also have a low mileage Porsche G50 box which I'm thinking of transplanting, given the "fragility" of the Vanagon box. Plus the 5th gear would come in handy.

I'm also trying to figure out a reasonable monthly budget for this journey. So far from my estimates and reading various blogs; seems like $3500/month is more than adequate.
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1973 VW 1303 GSR
1991 Porsche 964 Carrera 2

Founder: 3 Pedal Posse

[SpeedoJosh]

I'd say the most reliable thing you can do to a vanagon is a Bostig conversion. I'm absolutely in love with my van.

I'm planning a similar trip next year as well. Currently getting the van in top shape. Solar, propex, TF49, etc....

Seems like engines, transmissions, and CVs are common things I've read about people having problems with on trips. So I'd start with making sure those are in top shape. Most everything else isn't a trip killer if it goes bad.

For 25k you can have a sweet set-up. But, if you can budget it, and don't mind having a Ford engine, I'd research the Bostig conversion a bit.

Also, check out Burley's products for the Vans. He makes top quality stuff.

-Josh
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87 Westfalia 2wd
Bostig Conversion
Build thread >> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=529709&highlight=

[IdahoDoug]

I think JuanB's advice on getting to know the vehicle before leaving is spot on. What he's describing is that synergistic relationship a human and machine form with time and familiarity.

A slight vibration and he'll instantly hold up a hand to "shush" his wife and listen. From then on while driving he will feel/listen for that and eventually from varying slight things under way (throttle, steer back and forth, etc) he will deduce that a rear wheel bearing is going, for instance.

That's the kind of relationship you should have with a vehicle like a Vanagon in order to take it on a long, unsupported journey. Somewhere parked near a palm tree on a windy evening, Juan is nodding his head in agreement. You will need to notice things like the battery not turning the engine over as quickly, so you can replace it in the next big city on your journey rather than have it die one morning at a remote camp - that kind of stuff.

So, condition trumps the year though I think 86 and newer would be my preference. And above all, get to know the vehicle before departing.

DougM
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[juanb]

Doug--that made me laugh!

The only things you got wrong were that we're urban camping now, in San Miguel de Allende, and that when I hold my hand up to shush my girlfriend, she says "what? what?" a few times, so the listening usually has to wait a little

beetle08--I also follow Drive Nacho Drive, of course. I'd only say that I disagree (and highly) with Brad's opinion of Latin American mechanics. They are not hacks, you just have to know how to look for one (same is true anywhere, USA included). More, there is a "can do" attitude here that I'm sure can help you come out of a problem faster than in the US. I suppose speaking Spanish helps, but his comments about Latin American mechanics and technicians would have you think that they are little more than little kids with wrenches, which, um, is not true.

So the other piece of advice would be, if you don't speak Spanish, use these six months to learn as much as you can. Your trip will be way better from it


PS: my luggage compartment box is currently secured just with an unlocked strap...
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1989 Westy AT, 2.2 GoWesty.
We drove it to Argentina: http://www.vanenvan.com

[Wildthings]

The newest US Vanagon is now over 20 years old so "newest" doesn't count for a thing. You want one that has a solid body first and then a good drivetrain second. Both the original engines and original transmissions gave problems with time, so quality rebuild mechanicals may actually to be preferable over engines and trannys with moderate or even low miles. Suspensions do wear with miles, so low miles would be better there.

[j_dirge]

[Vango Conversions]

If you have $25k to spend on a reliable van, I'd get the most rust free one you can and do an engine conversion. I like Subaru conversions but there are others that are reliable as well.

The newer vans are "nicer" aesthetically but are no more reliable than the older ones. Getting an older solid van at a good price will allow you to put more money towards getting it reliable mechanically. You should be able to get a solid van, have a conversion done professionally, new cooling system, brakes, and a few upgrades.

Sounds like a fun trip!

[j_dirge]

[a1fa]

Just get you a Ford E350 7.3 IDI NA, and be done with it.
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Learn to ride. Ride to learn.

[DLJ]

I would stay as stock as possible. EVERYONE knows these vws therefore better chance of repairs/parts. As for 930 s I wouldnt do it, stay stock. I recently went on a trip with a friend that had just installed new 930s and within a few hundred miles they blew ! The fun started when we looked for new or replacement parts.

[juanb]

Yes, stock is better, unless, as Jim says, you have tons of time to learn the kinks of your conversion. Or, say, if you get a Zetec, Subaru, TDI or 1.8T that has already been converted a few years ago and is known to be running trouble-free.

Mechanics here don't necessarily have a lot of experience with the WBX, since it was never imported to Latin America. But VWs in general have a huge following, and every big city will have a club with members who will be able to point you to a mechanic that knows these things.
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1989 Westy AT, 2.2 GoWesty.
We drove it to Argentina: http://www.vanenvan.com

[garryv84]

I am planning the same trip too. Here's my recommended list so far:

Rebuild motor to a 2.2 with extra oil cooler (oil to air)
Rebuild tranny by AA transaxle with SA oiling plates and steel retainer plate
Install tranny cooler (like Alaric H, "my attempt at a transaxle cooler")
Replace all fuel lines
New altenator, water pump, fuel pump - keep old ones as spares
Rebuild every componet of the fuel injection system
New radiator
New off road tires like BFG All terrian 195/75/14 plus TWO SPARES!
Extra jerry gas cans on bumper (like GoWesty)
Rebuild all suspension and brakes
Bring lots of spare parts, there are not many water cooled vanagons in South America

Have all this completed 6 months to a year before you go. You need lots of shake down miles on this rig before you go. You need to be able to fix it on the side of the road by yourself. The machanics down there do not know how to fix vanagons and will only make it worse. Never let anyone fix your van without watching them every second.

The weekest thing about these vans is the tranny. Everything I have read on a trip like this, is that it will break in the Andes. Look at Drive Nacho Drive is going thru. Lesson learned.

Here's my thread "What upgrades to buy for my Pan American Hwy trip?" Lots of suggestions from people who have made the trip.

Good luck on your adventure, just be prepared for any and everything!

[IdahoDoug]

I'm with A1fa. For an epic long journey on rough roads I'd look for a 10 year old full size American van with a good old 350 V8. Spend $150 changing all the fluids and belts and hoses, put BFG's on it and head out. I see them all the time with 80,000 miles for $5000 around here. Some are quality camper conversions, too for only a couple thou more. Plenty of power, ice cold A/C, way more interior space, far more durable, and spare parts on shelves in every little dirt road town. Incredibly, they only get a few MPG less than a loaded Vanagon.

DougM
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[juanb]