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bostonclassics1
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2005
Posts: 1
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 Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2018 8:17 am Post subject: Air dam needed for the front of a Vanagon? |
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| Is the stock front plastic air dam needed on a Vanagon? On my 1988 GL Camper, I just ordered the GoWesty steel bumpers. Their video for installation doesn't show them reinstalling the plastic front air dam below their bumper. |
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shagginwagon83
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2016
Posts: 3795
Location: VA/TN
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| Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2018 8:20 am Post subject: Re: Air dam needed for the front of a Vanagon? |
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I don't have one on my van
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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan |
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bobbyblack 
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4348
Location: United States, Iowa
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| Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2018 8:44 am Post subject: Re: Air dam needed for the front of a Vanagon? |
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Its just personal preference, for sure. If you are keeping the body cladding, then perhaps it "goes together". I think the '88 was the first year of (North America) Vanagons getting the 'new look'.
I think the cladding and front air damn look cool. But not to the extent to sourcing it all and putting it on my '87.
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'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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dgbeatty
Samba Member
Joined: October 26, 2006
Posts: 702
Location: Sacramento
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| Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2018 8:51 am Post subject: Re: Air dam needed for the front of a Vanagon? |
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According to the wind tunnel pictures and a very good technical article that was published in Germany it reduces drag and improves cooling at highway speeds.
I can personally attest to improved cooling with one on. Just to clarify our van rides at the lower Carat height.
The down side is that they drag on curbs etc. I suspect that they are ineffective if your van is lifted at all. |
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Nikkoleto
Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2004
Posts: 333
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| Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2020 4:23 pm Post subject: Re: Air dam needed for the front of a Vanagon? |
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how is the air dam connected? bolts or some type of glue
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1987 Vanagon GL |
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RoryGirl
Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2016
Posts: 783
Location: WestWorld Nanaimo BC
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SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3114
Location: Bozeman MT
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| Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2020 5:19 pm Post subject: Re: Air dam needed for the front of a Vanagon? |
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| Nikkoleto wrote: |
| how is the air dam connected? bolts or some type of glue |
No glue for sure. IIRC, self tapping screws and those c-shaped body panel clips. I took mine off for off road clearance but may put it back on to see if it helps fuel economy and highway handling at all. Of course I’ve been thinking that for about 5 years now and haven’t got around to it yet. My van’s cooling system works just fine without it.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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vino de vano
Samba Member
Joined: September 10, 2016
Posts: 359
Location: columbia gorge
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| Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2020 5:47 pm Post subject: Re: Air dam needed for the front of a Vanagon? |
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Get expansion nuts from Home D, they look like little rubber top hats. They fit in existing holes 3/8" I think. Screws for end pieces. Not my idea, found on Samba.
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what a long strange trip it's been |
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