PUTT-N + Subaru= HAUL-N

[daveark]

[nickg321]

[daveark]

Some folks requested updated "life with the bus" thoughts now that I have had time to get over being all giggly about getting her home. Will keep it succinct...mostly.

First, since she was in storage for quite a while, I had forgotten how many teenagers and 20-somethings love these buses (busi?) A young guy at the local O'Reillys auto parts saw me at the car wash and wants to buy the bus. I like him, but he isn't my first born so, nope. Actually I don't discriminate...my first born can't have the bus either. Couple of days ago came out of the grocery store to find three teenage girls alternating taking their picture with it. "Hey you kids, get off my bus!" As Samba folks know, picture taking happens all the time. You see the upright cell phone held over the dash or out the side window. Cars moving at 20mph over the speed limit suddenly develop an affection for the speed limit as they come up along side.

We still get the usual peace signs and thumbs up. Goofy, but I missed it.

In Texas, we have the phenomenon of cowboy pickup truck drivers accelerating past in a cloud of black diesel smoke to show how they can zoom-zoom just like a Mazda. I let "most" of that crap slide, but now I have a choice.

As to driving, it really is just brilliant. I don't have to watch the rear view mirror like a hawk. The fact that she just purrs along while keeping up,with everyday traffic is something I won't ever take for granted. Having experienced pre and post Subaru life, I have a tremendous appreciation for just seamlessly flowing along on the highway in a bus for gosh sakes.

Life with the bus hasn't changed at all in other ways. The turn signals went wonky. A few flasher pulls sorted that. Skills had already done the zip tie fix on the flasher box (see Bus Daddy post on flasher fixes). I ordered a new voltage vibrator for the fuel gauge since it isn't dependable. I also had a low beam light go out on the driver side, but a new fuse solved that. The fuse didn't burn out, it just cracked. Such is life with a 30 year old vehicle. You stay after the small things so they don't pile up.

You may notice that all of these issues have nothing to do with the conversion. That has been flawless.

The shifting for the new trans is getting smoother...like butta'. Seriously, it is behaving just as Benco and Skills predicted.

The water temp touched 185 or so in slow traffic when it was 70 degrees out. Fan doesn't come on unless I just sit and let it idle until it does. I have a feeling the summer temps will be fine in all but maybe the most extreme slow-traffic over-100 degree days. Then we will see if anything needs to be tweaked to protect her from deep summer driving. Actually the cooling system is so efficient, I may want to restrict air flow a bit in cooler months.

Heat is great, warms the uninsulated bus and doesn't smell like a dungeon.

The radiator sits about 10.5 inches from terra firma. The leading edge of the angled air scoop is just over 9 inches high. For comparison, my Tahoe sits up pretty high compared to a typical car but the leading edge of the front air dam is approximately 9 inches off the ground. I haven't had any issues with clearance over speed bumps or weirdly angled parking lot exits. Unless I was going off-road, I have basically stopped thinking about it.

Okay, that wasnt exactly succinct but you aren't paying me by the word, so no worries.

[cmonSTART]

Good to hear! I've been considering making The Swap for a bit - good to hear your experience with it.

Congrats on the bus!
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'78 Bus 2.0FI
de K1IGS

[daveark]

[skills@eurocarsplus]

holy shit. I made someone happy

daveark, it will only get better from here. wait till you get the a/c dialed in. I am glad you are enjoying the 2015 bus. you will be a local rock star for sure!

I know some turd will roll up on you...just try and get a look at their face when you grab a hand full of second I know you have some juvenile delinquent left in you

glad the cooling system is performing well. if anyone try's to take a look at it, smash their head with a rock while they are under the bus trying to sneak a peak ...don't need anyone looking up her skirt!!
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[daveark]

[tristessa]

[TomWesty]

[daveark]

[skills@eurocarsplus]

I can see the headlines now.....

" in other news, a texas man was arrested playing a tuba and bludgeoning people with rocks while driving one of the fastest vw buses in texas"

fear not, i'll post bail

that was a nice write up...you have lived both T4 and now Subaru. it's pretty clear that the T4 (or T1 for that matter) can't hold a candle to what even a stock(ish) 2.5 has to offer. smooth, quiet and plenty of power. it really makes driving them even more fun....no weird vibrations, no drone at xxxx rpm's....it really is nice
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[daveark]

[BusPriest]

Will you be bringing the bus to the vw swap meet in ft worth in early feb?
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1977 Champagne Transporter Custom Camper.
SOHC EJ25, tubbed, wagenswest
Work in progress build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619684
Not a Priest.

[daveark]

[skills@eurocarsplus]

run that girl around! you should be proud of what you have there. that was the cleanest bus I have EVER worked on. good golly she has the original battery tray!!!

you'll find yourself needing a coffee, a nail, a washer, a colonoscopy...whatever, just an excuse to drive her!
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[kennybench]

Great work on this bus Skills. Ditto on everything Daveark posted re buslife after the Subaru upgrade, especially if you must travel via the freeway. You can merge with full roll on power...and without anyone jamming around you and giving you the finger..

[daveark]

[skills@eurocarsplus]

now YOU can be a space stealer....nice!!!

it's awesome that both you and dumpy bus both had the opportunity to live life with a T4 for a while before taking the plunge. it kind of changes your perspective



Link

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