What did YOU do to your van today?

[Paulbeard]

I like the magnetized knife rack…

All I did was replace the temp sender and then somehow render the motor inoperable. One step forward…
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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]

With more true off-road &/or backcountry travel in mind for this season, I've done a fair amount of googling and
came across this very cool no-major-modifications-required (but unfortunately $450) self-recovery system:


Link

Looks great, but being significantly over my budget (and me being not at all interested in investing in or mounting
a typical hard-wired winch system) I present my first working concept of the 90hp "Backwoods Wonder Winch":

FWIW: Same basic idea worked for these guys:


Link

Still in development, although I've already invested almost $70, with another $10-12 budgeted...stay tuned for updates!



- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[beach_creature]

I Wonder if that could fit CLK wheels?
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84 Westy
1.9TD AAZ
5spd manual with Locking Peloquin TBD

[4Gears4Tires]

You aren't wrapping the line fast enough. You need a larger circle. If you have a welder, a trashed donut isn't too hard to find for free.

Anyone have any experience with durability/longevity of 3M Mar-Hyde? I was complaining about how most "rust converter paints" like rusteoleum don't do much and you'll find rust after 1 rain. A friend with a BMW 2002 recommended it after coating a lot of his 2002 with it. It's a little pricey at $45/quart. I have to say I am initially really impressed. I painted it on, 2 coats 25 minutes apart. It starts out looking like milk and turns rust this dark black/purple color that has a smooth surface. It almost feels a bit plasticky, like an epoxy. In the 2nd picture you can see a small stud and another spot of surface rust that is brown but the coated areas are black.

I'm pretty sure I am going to end up painting my whole underside with this stuff.
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition

[dhaavers]

[AndyBees]

Years ago, I saw a logger do this sort of thing with his dual wheel logging truck. He attached a cable between the two left rear wheels with the other end attached to a tree to help pull the truck (partially loaded) along a very narrow road immediately adjacent to a bank next to a stream. The road was very narrow. He had tried to follow along but got into a compromising situation where it was dangerous to go on or backup.

Anyway, the cable certainly helped him on thru the danger!
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'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI. 1989 Tin-top
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine. Seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003.

[LemonCove]

Busy past couple days fixing the broken plastic in the instrument panel/gauge cluster. The speedo housing corners were broken, as was a piece behind the tachometer where the instrument harness connects. Fixed the upper instrument panel mounting tabs while I was at it. I detailed the repair here:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9052841#9052841

I also replaced the capacitor in the temp gauge to fix the "coolant level blinking light" issue. I used the John Meeks method ( http://www.vanagonauts.com/Warning-Light-Fix241.htm )which worked great. Fiddly and delicate, but worth it to fix the problem.
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'88 Bostig Westy

[Paulbeard]

Got it running again. Duff coil and some learning experiences into the bargain.
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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

[dabaron]

I have been chasing wiring harness gremlins that have prevented the engine from idling. I could start it and if i kept the throttle open, the engine would stay running, no throttle, the engine cut out immediately.

was texting with Dave (djkeev) about it and he asked about power steering and if the wires were grounded. the concern being shorting out the Idle Stabilization unit. i had connected them and put a cable tie around the bundle as per the photo documenting the engine pull. both wires were seeing low resistance to ground. i removed the cable tie and now the one side was open to ground... guess which one

the engine started and stayed running, success (thanks Dave!)

of course while i was chasing wiring gremlins around, i discovered a failed coolant gasket. upon inspection, self-inflicted. they only happen in the difficult to reach spots, right?

notice the discoloration on the gasket? that's anti-seize. sloppy work Steve, sloppy.
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1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic
"burnin oil and cookin coils" -- Destructo

BiWerks Design, LLC

[Paulbeard]

Slow progress as I wait for parts to arrive. Removed the coil today, looks like it might be OG. That site lists a 1987 date for the one they are selling. Maybe the date is coded into the part number.

The 10mm screws (!) that hold the bracket are not reliable, only one came out. But I was able to loosen the 8mm bolt that tightens the bracket and liberate this fossil. New coil arrives tomorrow and then I can get back to figuring out the issues with overheating.
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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

[dabaron]

chased down more wiring woes - the engine was only running on #3 and #4. after about an hour of troubleshooting, #1 is alive. the new plug wires are a stretch. tested and it seemed fine, until i moved the plug end around... went to open connection on the meter. gave it a tug and it came out of the connector!

swapped the old wires back in and #1 is alive, but no joy on #2. did a bunch of troubleshooting there but ran out of time. maybe today is the day!
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1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic
"burnin oil and cookin coils" -- Destructo

BiWerks Design, LLC

[16CVs]

At 398000 miles I put the 3rd Power steering rack in 89 Syncro Tristar. The last one was a Maval crappy rebuild, which lasted just 2 years.
I had an NOS rack I had bought a few years ago from a member here on Samba.
I started the job at 9:30 at night and went to bed at 2:00, along the way I found bad boots as well as a bad inner tie rod and bad CV boots which I new about.
The truck had to roll this morning and I did not notice it leaking until I was home at about 7:30.
Luckily Rite Aid id open and late and they carry PS fluid.

Stacy
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[4mymalamute]

Put a new driveline in on my Syncro from GoWesty. Sooo much better than my worn out one that hummed and clanked.
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1989 Sally the Syncro.....she is a work in progress. 1.8T and tuned...she scoots up the hills...watch for flying dog drool out the windows.

1969 Bucky the Bug Convertible...red, rusted, work in progress....LOTS of work.

[westydriver]

Tach Mod and Temp gauge mod for EJ22.

[leecat]

Washing the Westy pop-top canvas for spring. Would have loved to put the whole Westy in the tub for a good scrub, but believe it or not a Westfalia will NOT fit through a standard bathroom door opening. Yes - tried it sideways, kitty-corner, made sure the pop-top was down, etc. - it simply won't go. Later models may fit though, I'm not sure.

[mikemtnbike]

Took a lot longer than today and actually finished a few weeks ago...but painted my van with Interlux Brightside, Flag Blue. Tried to take an after photo just now in same light as before...

BEFORE

AFTER

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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[g shepherd]

Looking good! I dig the accent stripe.

[0to60in6min]

mikemtnbike ... very nice ! !

how did you do it? - with roller or spray gun?

thanks

[mikemtnbike]

Thanks, I'm really happy with it. Roll and tip, it was time consuming but worked best in my situation. About 4-500 dollars invested, counting shipping, replacing trim parts like the rubber trim on the gutter lip, rear side markers, door handle seals, etc that all basically fell apart on removal. Lots of labor, no idea how many hours- I sanded the body down 80/120/240 and did some minor seam rust repair and body work prior to painting.

It's far from perfect, but I knew it wouldn't be and think it looks unique and cool. The stripe is 2 1/4" vinyl tape.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[dabaron]