I got one!!! I got one!!!!.... ok so now what do I do?

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I've alway wanted a Vw bus and so I got one...finally - 850$ for a 1979 type2(?) any suggestions on good places to get info, parts, manuals on it ect. (it came with a Chilton and the original owners manual)
I am interested in restoring it (as $ and time allow)
thanks!

[keifernet]

Lots of good info on this forum, great place to ask questions and get muliple opinions... www.type2.com has a good libray of info... Places that specialize in late bus parts are www.gowesty.com and www.busdepot.com and I'm sure you will get some more posts with other info.

John Muirs "Idiot" book is classic rading if not a decent how to on alot of stuff... Check a half price bookstore if you have one around....
The Haynes factory authorized manual is the best on alot of stuff... Like the FI info and making your sliding door work properly by adjusting all the cables and latches ect... (it's amazing what an hour or so can do for an old sliding door!)
850 sounds like a real deal, if it's not too rusted...
Welcome aboard, and re read the threads in this section, you can learn some stuff in one day that would take months or years of tinkering to gather.... later K

[Cash Up Front]

call rocky mountain motor works 800.258.1996 (colorado time) and request a catalog. that's how i started out. i guage prices on everything after refering to the catalog for their prices. so to sum it all up. i would purchase stuff from the internet or junk yards but i would check prices on all my shit. (lots of people can and will rip you off in the big picture).
p.s don't be afraid to do your own work. take your time and use your head.

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another good forum for your type 4 motor is www.shoptalkforums.com there is a really good type 4 forum there, type2parts.com has some good bus parts, and another option would be to go to motorworks.com and order a catolog, another thing i have found helpful, if you see a guy working on his bus at his house, pull over and talk to him, ive never run across a bus owner that isnt willing to help or give advise,
good luck and have fun
Tyler, 73westy

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also go walk around some junk yards, every time i get something at the junk yard, i dont plan on getting that particular thing, i just walk around and see if there is anything out there that catches my eye
and also on type2.com there is a good email listserve there, just go there and sign up, and read the current topics, and ask your own, you'll be surprised at how many people have the same issues your having, so ask around on these forums, thats probably the best tool for any bus owner

[chabanais]

Get the Idiot's Guide by Muir. Get the Bentley manual, too. Look thru this site and ask questions.

Get to know a good shop near you and ask plenty of questions. I've had my Bus for 7 years and I'm still learning about it all the time. Enjoy!!

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thanks so much for all the good info!!! hey I have heard that there is an ID plate behind the passenger seat with codes that will tell you the original factory options, color ect. but I can't find it in my bus.... so the question is; am I looking in the right place? or have I been miss informed?
thanks- dmm

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OH Yeah also on the condition of the bus - very little rust it is currently blue but I believe that it was originally orange. there is only one squished spot on the rear bumper and we (my hubby and I) do all our own work.

[jeremysmithatshawdotca]

The color codes on mine are behind the driver's seat, and the manufacturer's plate should be on the driver's door post. Is the inside the same color as the outside? Is it a camper (pop top)?

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Well lets see... we found the manufacture's plate behind the steering wheel sorta kinda behind a speaker (after market) and facing the wrong way...Hummmmm... it seems that the original color is neither blue or orange (suprise suprise) its two tone brown and I did find some of the original paint up under the front bumper and scraped a whole bunch of road grease and goo off to find it(the only thing that i can't figure out is where the one stopped and the other started- like the lighter brown on top and darker on the bottom) we are still wondering if its the original engine. there is a belt on the engine that goes horizontally rather than vertical like the Haynes shows so... R. thinks that it is a 1900cc engine so.... does any one know what we are looking at? OK go ahead and say it Im addicted!!! LOL
thanksDM