Overlanding a VW Bus Around The World?!

[HastaAlaska]

[airschooled]

I don't want to sound like a curmudgeon, but your alternator pulley is warped. This will cause shortened belt life, which is irritating if you have a spare, and debilitating if you don't. It will also over stress the alternator bearings. If those fail, you're in for a solid half days work to replace the alternator, if you can get one. Just like the stock Type 1 fuel injection, a shredded belt will happily destroy any components in its path, (like your crank position sensor.)

Watch the light reflection at the 10:00 position on the pulley, and the 3:00 edge of the pulley. You can see their effects by watching the belt itself shuffle around.


Link



I originally had that posted to the TV/travel thread, but I didn't want to mix topics. I hope your adventures are trouble-free!
Robbie
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[HastaAlaska]

A few pics from the engine install:

Goodbye Type 4 (thanks Bill)

Hello Type 1

1776 Type 1, Designed and Built by Pat Downs of CB Performance

Designed to run cool in high temps

Mark from CB Performance was in charge of installing the Gen4 EFI

CB Performance were a bunch of legends, really! What an outfit they are.

I just posted a video in the other thread showing how they built this 96HP engine and so any of you airheads that want to geek out on that with me, should check it out.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...p;start=60

If anyone wants to read about the specs, how much it cost and a story about why I managed to blow up so many engines and what I will be doing differently this time - check out this article:
https://www.cbperformance.com/Articles.asp?ID=340

[richparker]

I gotta ask, I’m pretty sure I saw stock connecting rods and a non counter weighted crank in the video. Is this what you got?

GEN4 FI is legit and I want it!
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[outcaststudios]

those castings are tight.
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[HastaAlaska]

[HastaAlaska]

Little update.

I was inspired by the GoWesty Swing-Away system for Vangons so I met up with them and adapted one for the bus.

It's still work in progress but I think it will be a useful addition to the "overlanding rig"

Slowly getting there

If you haven't seen this weeks video (about this subject) it's on YouTube, via the link below or in the video thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...p;start=80
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Around The World in a VW - Follow the Docuseries
2011 - PRESENT
Hasta Alaska Series - https://kombilife.com/hasta-alaska/
World Overland Series - https://kombilife.com/world-overland-travel-series/
Latest Adventures - https://www.youtube.com/@kombilife

[vwwestyman]

Nice. I have thought several times about how one of those swing away tire carriers would be nice to have for the Bus, but I haven't ever found a stout one or one that doesn't bolt to the sheet metal. Maybe now that they know how to build one, they'd sell them to other late bay owners! (Did/would you ask?)

I've thought about trying to make my own, as I have done a couple trailer hitches and such, but I don't know if I'm confident enough in my fabrication skills, and I don't know the proper names of the parts to try to order them. (Like the swingy hinge part, or a good latch mechanism.)
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[Our79Westy]

Hi, Ben and Leah Greatings from Virginia!

(picture edited by photolab and taken at Smith Mountain State Park, Virginia, http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/smith-mountain-lake#general_information)


Awesome stuff you are doing! Not a video of yours I haven't enjoyed living vicariously through. You both are an inspiration to so much more than the Volkswagen community and I hope the sambanistas have and continue to help keep your new ride running around the world in the best condition possible. High tops are tight! good choice. swing away bumper is also a nice choice. I think I am most intrigued to see how everything holds up to the punishment of your journey. I know you will take the time to wonderfully document your trails, trials and tribulations as you've done in your 'must see' hasta Alaska docuseries Some of the comments from the peanut gallery in this thread compel me to relay that I have spent so much time watching your videos over the years that, even though we've never met, you feel like a friend...both of you...and people do stuff for friends...sometimes or usually for free if they can. like so many incredible people that helped you enroute to alaska, et.al. U do U and everything b cool fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly and h8trz gonna h8 ...In today's entertainment environment it is refreshing to see talented individuals share what appears to be more realistic than anything industrially produced. plus you're not bound by motion picture regulations, etc. so you go places they can't or won't. at the end of the day you are sharing your life on a platform open to, and as, real people, who as a norm dont have "movie star" armored skin. as far as I'm concerned if someone has nothing constructive to say...they should keep thinking till they do (refer back to fish gotta swim). so if my apology for their behavior is any consolation I give it profusely Currently, obligations keep me from pulling up the emergency brake Anchor of Constance (my 79 Campmobile) and landsailing after you into the sunset. Alas, I am religated to enjoying your enthusiasm and mad videography skillz watching what could have been if i was following you or what could still be in the future when you're back in the USA...East coast...Washington, DC area...(I'd be honored to follow or lead you through a monuments tour in my my 79 Westy )

The situations you have overcome give me patience and pause when I have been 'broke down' on the side of some byway in an unknown land. something in my gastank? nope, i had bad ICW (Interconnecting wiring), 400 miles away from home the ground wire for my fuel injection vibrated off...intermittently and sporadically causing bucking...wire brush and needlenose pliers later we drive the next 1200 miles with no problems. make sure you intimately know where all your new FI grounds are located...with the age of our vehicles there are a dwindling number of places and expertise to call upon in our direst circumstances. we are our greatest resource when it comes to the operation of our busses...Since you are doing so much new wiring, I hope you keep easily review able and detailed records of where every wire ran goes. every "hidden" connection made...having pictures or hand drawn diagrams will be invaluable when something stops behaving like expected ...not sure if you've mentioned or know about aircooledrescue.com ? but maybe if you mention it more people will register. ..win win for all of us who travel in our time machines it's a safety net I hope to not need but feel a sense of comfort knowing there are so many caring and likeminded future friends to be made around the world if a situation arises. Sorry so long winded...but honestly, you deserve more than these pages can contain. Congratulations and keep on making your dreams reality. They inspire me to work on my bus, my travel plans, and videography.... You prove what can be done with vision and persistence. You have laid a path for others to follow either figuratively or literally. You exhibit time and again a tremendous ability to roll with a third option. Keep on being u and i will keep on subscribing, liking and following your adventures! with warmest personal regards. Dan, Sherri and Constance.

P.S. My dogs love watching Alaskas adentures too!
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1979 Westfalia DELUXE 2.0 FI manual
Mexican beigeutiful and mostly original.

See the most up to date status of Constance on YouTube
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCvO1ZedS22IepvvRYaTxiPQ

My 1979 Westfalia Campmobile's sundry Tales of Constance
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620965

1990 Vanagon, Red, Driven 70,000 miles till sold.

[HastaAlaska]

Thanks for the kind words and the invite, Wish we'd had more time on the East coast! Next time we'll do a proper tour of the US. Hope y'all having a great weekend
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Around The World in a VW - Follow the Docuseries
2011 - PRESENT
Hasta Alaska Series - https://kombilife.com/hasta-alaska/
World Overland Series - https://kombilife.com/world-overland-travel-series/
Latest Adventures - https://www.youtube.com/@kombilife

[OrangeZA]

Hi Ben, I’ve been enjoying your new series of Kombi Life. There’s a couple of things that have caught my eye.

What kind of air filter are you going to be using on your trip? I’ve driven on quite a few unsealed roads and I’m always surprised how filthy the engine compartment becomes. My T3 Syncro has a factory fitted cyclone pre-filter to remove the heavier particles and make the filter element last a bit longer before it finally clogs up and requires replacement.

Cyclone pre-filters were a factory option (M153) back when T2s were new. Here’s a link to Heinz Müller’s blog on the Mann+Hummel website https://blog.mann-hummel.com/en/learning-by-doing/ Heinz helped to develop the system for VW and you will see some period photos of the prototype testing in the Sahara desert if you click on the link.

I also worry about your deep sump. The “Journeys Under Difficult Conditions-Z4” technical pamphlet written by VW has details on the sump guards that should be fitted when used in rough conditions. You can see the guards designed for the Type 4 engine fitted to “MadMax78’s” T2 below, the guards designed for the Type 1 engine are fitted in a similar way (also notice the transmission guard too).

Obviously you now can’t fit the factory designed sump guard and with your deep sump hanging down like it does, your sump is more vulnerable. Maybe you could fabricate some sort of skid rail like the prototype 4x4 T2 has?

This skid rail sweps up at the tail of the vehicle and bolts onto the tow bar

The T3 syncro uses something similar to protect the engine and transmission.

[HastaAlaska]

[Manfred58sc]

Meddling with your sponsors creations will bring about bad blood fast. The obvious question to all these Mad Max type roads you envision is WHY? Your proposed route has roads that are accessible to most normal roads. Fly your drone into the hard to reach places and use some critical thinking to avoid trashing a very nice Bus your sponsors worked hard on.
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[TomWesty]

[Xevin]

[HastaAlaska]

Thanks for your concern guys. My first message went out to CB Performance to ask them their thoughts on air filter upgrade options, before I posted my response here.

At the time of install, the engine throttle body had to be shortened to get the air filter to fit. Bill and I had discussed the topic at great lengh in Arizona about how I could get a snorkel into the bus somehow. There wasn't a great deal of time to seek alternative solutions, a filter that would work on road was what we installed at CB with the view of addressing the inadequacies later.

CB have recommended that I consider using a foam filter and off road dust cover to assist with cutting down the dirty air, this would certainly be an improvement and will be the minimum I will do to address the issue.

From my own research the tractor style Cyclonic air filters seem to be the most effective.

I agree with OrangeZA, the current air filter is lacking for the environments that I will (at some point) be forced to drive in.

And no guys, I will not be "Mad Maxing" this kombi. I fully recognize that it has it's limitations, but the truth is, this isn't Kansas anymore - there are some places that will have extended dust roads, and I wouldn't be doing my due diligence if I didn't investigate a more suitable product to protect the rings where I am going.
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Around The World in a VW - Follow the Docuseries
2011 - PRESENT
Hasta Alaska Series - https://kombilife.com/hasta-alaska/
World Overland Series - https://kombilife.com/world-overland-travel-series/
Latest Adventures - https://www.youtube.com/@kombilife

[pkrboo]

foam filter is a good idea as it is easily washable, buy two and keep one clean to fit and then wash the other and then you don't have to wait for it to dry before continuing.

definitely consult CB at all stages of changing the components they fitted though(sounds like you are already are)
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1979 Sage Green Westfalia P22

[OrangeZA]

I don't think it's a case of OrangeZA or CB, why can't we have both? I agree, CB Performance put this engine together and so they are best placed to advise what can or can't be done to this engine in order to make it more compatible with your travels.

Having travelled in Southern Africa, Australasia, Eastern Europe and into Russia I have to say that many of the "normal roads" in these areas are unsealed and/or pretty rough. I was astounded by the number of gaudy blinged out Hummer H1s and Mercedes G-wagens I came across in Russia, the super rich over there generally don't buy supercars because they don't have good enough roads to drive them on. I think the same can be said of other countries outside of Western Europe and North America.

Even where I live on the west coast of Scotland, only the main road around the peninsula is sealed and that is only one car wide with passing places. Not a year goes by when I don't have to help someone out with a cracked or bashed engine sump, the last one was a Jeep fitted with the VM turbo diesel engine, the owner reckons he kicked up a rock on one of the side roads, it's easily done.

As I wrote in my post last night, VW recommended fitting guards or protection plates to the transmission and the engine

[TomWesty]

Colorado and Wyoming aren’t Kansas either... You might be surprised where I’ve driven my unmodified 14” wheel bus. I’m sure you’ll settle on a good path.
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[notchboy]

OrangeZA thank you for posting. I too followed your adventures and was inspired by your build.

I would think at a minimum a rail or plate to protect your underside is warranted.

This is the extreme and top of the game interest and engineering VW had to offer at the time.

http://www.michaelknappmann.de/bulli/michaelk/vw_bus_d/z16_3.72/frame.html
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