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KristianS
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2016
Posts: 53
Location: SF - Bay Area
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 Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2016 9:12 am Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Not today but last Sunday.
Monroe shocks in the rear - no more clonking and bonking.
Bilsteins shocks in front - nice and stiff (that is what she said!) |
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narendra.vw
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2013
Posts: 440
Location: Bangalore India
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| Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2016 7:45 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Received a set of good quality alloy Valve cap. Inside it has a O-ring for tight air lock fit. German flag adds character to the Disc.
Product quality is beyond my expectation(yes, China make)  .
Now, I’m scared someone may steal it.
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iheartstrangers
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2010
Posts: 47
Location: Portland, Maine
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2016 3:18 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Today, without meaning to, I broke my shifter. Not sure it's fair to say that I broke it, as I was just attempting to put ol' Rhonda into reverse to back her into my driveway, but at any rate, it's broken.
Can someone offer some guidance? I'm not sure where to begin.
_________________
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My name is Joshua and I am just getting started with an '84 Adventurewagen |
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KristianS
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2016
Posts: 53
Location: SF - Bay Area
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| Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2016 3:03 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Blazecut installed last night.
and for the last 6 hours.
Wash, Clay bar, Iron X, sealant and high temp wax.  I ended up with a good shine on the old single stage paint.
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midmo81
Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2012
Posts: 114
Location: Columbia, Missouri
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| Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2016 7:25 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Replaced my boring solid blue awning for one with stripes. 
_________________
1981 AC Westy |
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Colorado Yeti
Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2013
Posts: 356
Location: Ft. Collins, Colorado
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| Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2016 9:56 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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I have been catching up on some van projects the past few weeks that I have been trying to get to. I did not do all of this today!
First, I installed three auxiliary 12 volt deep cycle batteries under my front seat using the Go Westy kit. I wired in my Truck Fridge, stereo and all lights on this circuit, so it never runs down my main battery. I also installed a VDO voltmeter gauge in the stove to keep an eye on the aux battery voltage. We took it camping for a few days and it performed flawlessly.
Next I installed a gear reduction stater from Go Westy. My factory starter has been getting weaker for the past year and it was only a matter of time before it went out on me completely. Wow, what a difference! What an excellent upgrade!
Since I had rebuilt and repainted my front end a couple of years ago, I always wanted to clean, paint & detail my rear suspension / fenderwells. I finally tackled this project this evening. Since my van was pretty clean underneath, it didn't take too long and I am really happy with the results.
Finally, since my van's name is Chewie (it's large, brown and kind-of growls), I installed the requisite bobble-head Wookie on the dash.
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sanchius 
Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 1594
Location: IN
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fxr
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2014
Posts: 2686
Location: Bay area CA
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| Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2016 8:57 am Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Purchased a flaring tool, a pipe bender, some 3/8"OD copper pipe, and a couple of 'silent' 80mm 12V fans[1]. Replaced the propane lines to the fridge and hob from my new propane tank, and replaced the noisy and pretty useless OEM fridge fan with the two new ones, zip-tied to the bottom row of fins. On test, they are very, very quiet.
Ears, nose and soapy water found just one joint that needed to be nipped up a bit more - now all good.
[1] http://www.frys.com/product/6998377
_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300 |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32988
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32988
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 8523
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2016 6:00 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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A guy gets what he pays for... 
- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32988
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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bobbyblack
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4699
Location: United States, Iowa
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| Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 9:53 am Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Got these things out to assess. Not too sure where to start, want to know more about them. Out of a '90 according to the transmission date stamp (Jan 10, '90).
Looking for the lowest cost method of getting the engine to run without taking my running engine apart. Just bought this stuff when it looked like my trans was failing, and that turned out to be just a disintegrated clutch disk.
First step, I guess: see if the starter functions with 12V (probably use my jump pack). Next, compression test using starter if working. Next: Not sure... maybe someone has a few suggestions.
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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dyldebus
Samba Member
Joined: August 11, 2015
Posts: 171
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| Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 3:45 pm Post subject: Bus Depot Hammock |
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My Bus Depot hammock (fathers day gift) finally arrived after weeks on backorder. Easy install. I was a bit bummed that the headrests need to be pulled but not a big deal. The sheet metal screws that came with the kit were garbage but I replaced those with some heavy duty hardware and it worked out great!
I really hate drilling into my bus but we needed the extra bunk for the kid.
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bobbyblack
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4699
Location: United States, Iowa
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| Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 7:26 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Finally got the "guide for skylight" from GW installed. I guess that means I have done every single piece of the skylight. Not sure, but somehow I would be 'hands up' for the guy I was 6 months ago to just get the entire kit, when I decided to fix what was visibly broken. Go figure.
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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Paulbeard
Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2015
Posts: 2611
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 7:55 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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I have seen this — a hatch latch extender you can lock — mentioned a few times and yesterday I wanted one. So while running a few errands, I picked this up:
$5. Probably less $ or a better selection of parts in a different sort of hardware store but I wasn't going to shop around. This came as a unit, indivisible.
I tested it in the parking lot so I could be sure a. it fit and b. I understood how it works, and with an affirmative on both counts, I bought it.
_________________
Currently -> Frida: 87 Tizian Red (mostly) Vanagon GL Westfalia w/ 2.0L ABA conversion
Formerly -> Steward of a 73 Super Beetle (Beater) and 67 Beetle 1300 (Little Max) both names by POs
— dhaavers |
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jacob.
Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2009
Posts: 802
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| Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 4:09 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Got my remanufactured engine from SSI Subie Specialists all prepped to go in the van. Will be installing it tomorrow and getting my new tires mounted on my clk rims.
They used a black rear main seal. I am disappointed by that. I've read that only the brown ones are genuine subaru replacements. They also used a non japanese water pump. I have a brand new one, but I really don't want to take off the timing belt and reinstall it. I know I should, I'm just being lazy.
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| RCB wrote: |
| jacob gets razzed a lot cause he has the only GEX engine thats lasted longer than half an oil change. |
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physast
Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2005
Posts: 675
Location: DC
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| Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 5:15 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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I always look at this thread for things to do to my van. I have done a few things over the past couple of weeks so thought I would share.
1. courtesy lights for the front floor boards.
I used this LED strip purchased from Amazon and these connectors:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JQV6Q9I/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A75USBE/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I tapped into the passenger door dome light switch (it had an extra slot). I then ran two led strips under the foot wells. The led strips have adhesive backing, but I also used 3m double sided tape because I thought this would help. I also added a rocker switch so that I could turn the footwell lights off when at camp and we have the side door open.
finished product:
LED's under dash:
Rocker switch:
Tied into map light power:
Tied into dome light ground:
2. installed busdepot side screen
This will be nice at camp. We hate leaving the door open with all the bugs.
3. added red/white reflective strips to the engine cover
I got this idea from texasvanagons.com. This seemed like a great idea! Now if I ever brake down on the side of the road I can use the engine cover as a reflective triangle for safety. This also frees up some space in my van.
http://texasvanagons.com/deck-lid-safety-reflective-tape/
4. replaced all my metal brake lines
I used the nicopp brake lines from the local auto parts store.
5. installed dome light in plastic A/C unit rear of westy
6. installed Busdepot (purchased) waste water tank
This was a straight forward install (fit, measure twice drill once)
7. installed ARB awning using Gowesty brackets (did not drill in van (yet))
8. installed T&C front seats with small car bracket
9. installed LED lights in cabinets using same led strip as I did for the front floor.
I used magnetic switches so the lights will turn on when the doors are opened
10. installed the closet door mod using the fridge door
11. installed larger 5.25 inch speakers in the front doors
UPDATED: to include pictures and more mods/installs
_________________
1967 L633 VW beetle (currently being restored...slowly)
1991 Orly Blue Vanaru 2.5L
Last edited by physast on Sat Aug 20, 2016 12:04 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 8261
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 9:11 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Pics?
Edit: Great pics - they really help. Thanks!
1 - I've installed the ARB 2500 with GW brackets and haven't felt a need to drill into the van.
2 - I've found inexpensive plastic boxes from the Container Store can help with organizing stuff. FWIW, YMMV...
_________________
- Jim
| Butcher wrote: |
| This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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physast
Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2005
Posts: 675
Location: DC
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| Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2016 3:04 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Jimf909,
I like the plastic bins for organizing, I will add it to my forever list of things to do with the van!
_________________
1967 L633 VW beetle (currently being restored...slowly)
1991 Orly Blue Vanaru 2.5L |
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