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euro911
Samba Member
Joined: May 20, 2007
Posts: 162
Location: So. Cal, So. Bay
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 Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2015 4:34 pm Post subject: |
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Nice upgrade ... makes a BIG difference 
Where did you find thin enough paneling?
I ran into a carpenter that said Home Depot carries it, but when I went to look at both, HD and Lowe's, all I found was 1/8" and that's a tad too thick.
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Mark S.,
So. Cal, So. Bay
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'70 Karmann Ghia Coupe
'84 Vanagon Westfalia Camper ("Eileen") |
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porterbrown
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2005
Posts: 718
Location: Bentonville, AR
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| Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2015 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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Installed RMW Swing-away Tire Carrier and GW Hitch with 2" Receiver.
Big day--I'm zapped and happy!  ...those swing-away tire carriers look pretty badass; aside from that I now have a 16" spare and can stop sweating the inevitable flat tire.
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'90 Westfalia GL Automatic |
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BCE56
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2013
Posts: 359
Location: So Cal
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| Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2015 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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Last week I increased insurance coverage on my Syncro. I showed receipts, pictures and comps to the agent. It was surprisingly inexpensive.
Today I applied Meguiars Ultimate synthetic wax to the new paint. This is a liquid product that goes on and wipes off easily. A foam applicator pad and a microfiber polishing cloth are included in the package. I was able to do all surfaces but the roof in a little over two hours. No streaks swirl marks or white residue. Pretty happy with this product. Shiny.
Next weekend I will tackle the roof, and the rims.
What are you guys using for tire dressing? (I hate the wet look.) |
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torbot
Samba Member
Joined: September 09, 2010
Posts: 121
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2015 8:35 pm Post subject: |
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| euro911 wrote: |
Nice upgrade ... makes a BIG difference
Where did you find thin enough paneling?
I ran into a carpenter that said Home Depot carries it, but when I went to look at both, HD and Lowe's, all I found was 1/8" and that's a tad too thick. |
Thanks Mark, it's like a brand new vehicle 
My neighbor turned me on the "doorskins". They're an odd size (3x7 rather than standard 4x8) but they're inexpensive ($22) yet good quality and I only needed 2 of them to get the job done (though you'd need 4x8's to do the panel above the driver's cabin).
Interestingly, they're spec'd at 1/8" but I didn't have any issues with thickness. I didn't have much luck with Home Depot or Lowe's either but found a local Seattle lumber shop. Here's the link to where I found 'em for reference:
http://www.dunnlumber.com/Store/ProductDetail.aspx?pg=0&pl1=2343&pid=16933
Are you planning a similar project?
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'82 Westy w/2012 Subaru EJ25 (AKA "Dave"). |
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euro911
Samba Member
Joined: May 20, 2007
Posts: 162
Location: So. Cal, So. Bay
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| Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2015 11:02 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah, the plastic coating is starting to peel everywhere. Also, the rear hatch and sliding door panels were heavily damaged. Looks like someone punched them in anger :2gunfire:
I glued and clamped the original rear panel back together, and replaced the sliding door panel, but had to force the replacement 1/8" paneling into the upper rail. It also didn't like following the curvature very well but those were just temporary fixes (and they still look hacked).
I guess the thickness wouldn't matter much for the rest of the panels, except for the extra weight  The paneling the carpenter had was thinner than 1/8" and the grain looked really nice too. I should have copied the info that was on the product label.
I think my wife would appreciate 'Eileen' more if the interior didn't look so shabby. She did wash all the curtains and the cloth upholstery, but redoing the paneling would go a long way to win her over completely.
Oh, and the map is just too cool
_________________
Mark S.,
So. Cal, So. Bay
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'70 Karmann Ghia Coupe
'84 Vanagon Westfalia Camper ("Eileen") |
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narendra.vw
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2013
Posts: 440
Location: Bangalore India
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| Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 7:36 am Post subject: |
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[quote="torbot"]
Detail of the sliding door:
quote]
Very neat & useful idea having two door levers. |
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GreenMachineVW
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2008
Posts: 645
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| Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 8:37 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="narendra.vw"]
| torbot wrote: |
Detail of the sliding door:
quote]
Very neat & useful idea having two door levers. |
Novell idea to have the second handle mounted vertically: I've only seen them horizontally. I am surprised it clears the body when opening.
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torbot
Samba Member
Joined: September 09, 2010
Posts: 121
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 11:42 pm Post subject: |
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| euro911 wrote: |
| Yeah, the plastic coating is starting to peel everywhere. Also, the rear hatch and sliding door panels were heavily damaged. Looks like someone punched them in anger :2gunfire: |
Yep, exact same damage to ours - I'd originally planned to replace just those two, but took it bit farther than anticipated  you can use a heat gun or iron to take the peeling paper off, but the adhesive left behind is a PIA to remove, which prompted me to replace most of them rather than sand everything.
| euro911 wrote: |
| I guess the thickness wouldn't matter much for the rest of the panels, except for the extra weight The paneling the carpenter had was thinner than 1/8" and the grain looked really nice too. I should have copied the info that was on the product label. |
I've heard of people having issues with regular 1/8" plywood fitting (since ze German's used the metric thickness) but as I mentioned, I had no issues.
| narendra.vw wrote: |
| Very neat & useful idea having two door levers. |
I think they originally came with those handle but for some reason they seem to get lost over the years. We didn't have one originally but my mechanic had one laying around - makes it MUCH easier to close the door.
| GreenMachineVW wrote: |
Novell idea to have the second handle mounted vertically: I've only seen them horizontally. I am surprised it clears the body when opening.
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GreenMachine - THANK YOU for pointing that out! It's absolutely supposed to be mounted horizontally, but I obviously reinstalled it wrong. It was bugging me that the door seemed harder to closer than before. oops! 
Love your interior, BTW - I actually used your posts/photos for reference before I started the project, and plan to do the door cards in wood as well (love how they look on yours). Cheers for the inspiration!
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'82 Westy w/2012 Subaru EJ25 (AKA "Dave"). |
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artacoma
Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2014
Posts: 121
Location: Victoria BC Canada
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| Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2015 8:55 pm Post subject: |
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Well over the last 4 days while I wait for my RMW kit ,
Rear, CV's , axles , brakes , drums , springs and shocks , the credit card is smoking!
[/img] |
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Jake de Villiers
Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007
Posts: 5911
Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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| Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 1:17 am Post subject: |
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| artacoma wrote: |
Well over the last 4 days while I wait for my RMW kit ,
Rear, CV's , axles , brakes , drums , springs and shocks , the credit card is smoking!
[/img] |
Where did you get the beautiful drums?
_________________
'84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com |
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artacoma
Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2014
Posts: 121
Location: Victoria BC Canada
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| Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 7:08 am Post subject: |
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| The drums are from Gowesty ,I bought the kit deal, I am surprised at how shiny they are , I'm tempted to shoot them with a coat of clear but once the wheels are on I'm the only one who will know. |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7757
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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^^^ Almost anything "clear" you spray on there is just gonna burn off...just sayin'...
Instead, try TK's peanut oil treatment...???
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7925
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 8:20 pm Post subject: |
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Been sick all week  , but managed to get something major done to the van today  :
Finally found a gray outlet w/ cover, so swapped out the white one (which replaced the ugly brown one).
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~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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euro911
Samba Member
Joined: May 20, 2007
Posts: 162
Location: So. Cal, So. Bay
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| Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 10:43 pm Post subject: |
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| dhaavers wrote: |
^^^ Almost anything "clear" you spray on there is just gonna burn off...just sayin'...
Instead, try TK's peanut oil treatment...???
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Actually, black paint will help dissipate heat better. Use 2500 degree flat black paint, it will hold up best.
_________________
Mark S.,
So. Cal, So. Bay
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'70 Karmann Ghia Coupe
'84 Vanagon Westfalia Camper ("Eileen") |
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BCE56
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2013
Posts: 359
Location: So Cal
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| Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2015 4:10 pm Post subject: |
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Finished waxing the Syncro, roof yesterday, rims today. This thing is looking pretty good, if I do say so.
Gassed it up and checked mileage: 17.4 mpg, mostly around town.
Took it for a spin down by the beach, as it is a lovely sunny day.
=BCE56= |
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vanis13
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 3100
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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| Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2015 9:43 pm Post subject: |
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Fixed evap tank check valves - http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7557884#7557884
(Actually did a whole permanent gas tank seal but that’s for a diff post)
Broke the nipples off the check valves. Thought I was bummin’ since not avail locally on a Sunday. Looked at replacement options and would have been a week and ~$50.
BTW a heat gun (or at least a hair dryer) is very nice for the hard plastic tubes on these nipples (sexual innuendo not intentional but kinda fun)
Turns out you can melt these together. Bring them close to a flame. Melt and join. Actually easier to catch the plastic bit on fire and join them and blow out the flame. Don’t worry if you are off center a bit or if some melted gets in – just drill into the nipple (1/8” IIRC)
Back in business on the same day
If you want to get these form your FLAPS or on-line I am told these Jeep/Chrysler ones fit. It is DORMAN part# 911-060 (OEM Jeep part# JEPJ5360058) RockAuto had them for $12 + shipping. FLAPS would order them in at a cost of $18-$25 depending on the FLAPS . 4WD also has them. Not sure if the shown seal will fit our VW tanks. 4WD often ships free to their store http://www.4wheelparts.com/Performance-Parts/Fuel-..._pt=101425
from RockAuto http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=6278379
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83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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joetiger 
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5078
Location: denver
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| Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 10:41 am Post subject: |
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Fixed the tick-tick-tick of my motor!
I removed the rocker assemblies (EJ22,) cleaned the HLA's and replaced any that wouldn't pump back up with a pile of good ones I found at the junk yard, blew out the passages with compressed air, put it all back together, and the valve train is as silent as it's ever been now.
My butt dyno tells me i have more power as well (but I always have more power after a successful procedure. )
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Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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oldhuldy67
Samba Member
Joined: November 25, 2008
Posts: 506
Location: somewhere with a southern exposure
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| Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2015 4:29 pm Post subject: Vanny gets sounds and sleeping upgrades...brrrr |
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You know what winter means, right? The garage!...and online shopping.
I did the dance with CIP1 with a return..free shipping = 20% "restocking fee".
Finally, had the proper size speakers for front and rear in hand with a RetroSound, blue tooth radio. The install was easier than I expected, powered from my aux battery, took the better part of a day..30 minutes at a time in and out of an unheated garage..whew, it's cold.
The holes were hacked out by the PO..hmmm?
4 1/2 in the rear and 5 1/2 in the doors..door panel holes were also provided by a PO, so there they go, nice fit.
The sleeping has been a challenge for me, the old foam pads were petrified. I had tried hauling a heavy, 3" pad but decided to replace the OG foam with the new pad...why didn't I think of that before?
Used same stainless staples I used for the poptop tent install..
Notice the three staples?..had the stapler upside down and thought it was empty...the price of perfection can be painful
I little 3M90 to reinstall the OG black trim tape...
Next camp out at Cruz the Coup next month...brrr.
What staples..? |
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singletrackrod
Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2011
Posts: 77
Location: Southern Oregon Coast
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| Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 3:37 pm Post subject: Quieted her down a bit |
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When we did the conversion I thought it might be fun to have a bit more aggressive exhaust note. With the big headers and just a Magnaflow she was LOUD. After a few months I decided that while it was fun to sound like every rally wannabe kid in a WRX, my neighbors might appreciate something quieter. Additionally after spending a fair amount on a good sound system I might be nice to hear music without the roar. So installed a Monza baffled exhaust tip. Now it's quieter, and doesn't have such an aggressive tone. Better.
_________________
Ella '89 Full Camper - bit by bit I'm importing the pieces from my wrecked '87
Louise '87 Full Camper - bought her new - zero hours 2.5L subie conversion. She had more add-ons and mods than I could ever count. (lost in an accident 10/25/2020)
'08 Stage 2 STI (sold)
'04 Forester XT
'00 4Runner Limited (sold) |
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singletrackrod
Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2011
Posts: 77
Location: Southern Oregon Coast
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| Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 3:46 pm Post subject: Slowly the interior is starting to come together... |
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Working on the inside too. Custom ribbon birch rear table and trim. I have also been looking for a material to use for flooring in my van that is dog-proof, easy to clean, not too expensive and at least somewhat attractive. Ideally it would also have some cushioning. The architect in me found a good fit in a product that is used for weight room floors...its also recommended for use with golf spikes, so the dog won't hurt it. As a big plus, it's a very effective sound deadening material too. A 4 x 10 foot piece is just $100 with free shipping. http://www.rubberflooringinc.com/mats/straight-cut-mat.html . Check out the photo of my installation.
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Ella '89 Full Camper - bit by bit I'm importing the pieces from my wrecked '87
Louise '87 Full Camper - bought her new - zero hours 2.5L subie conversion. She had more add-ons and mods than I could ever count. (lost in an accident 10/25/2020)
'08 Stage 2 STI (sold)
'04 Forester XT
'00 4Runner Limited (sold) |
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