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TomInAlaska Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2007 Posts: 386 Location: Anchorage, Ak
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 10:46 am Post subject: Had to change my username ('84 GL build) |
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So, for better or worse, I bought the first Vanagon I looked at.
Here it is as I brought it home a few days ago.
I runs and drives, but I wouldn't trust it outside of the neighborhood at this point. Needs quite a bit of work before I take it on any adventures into the wilds of Alaska.
So far, I've rekeyed the front doors and hatch to match the ignition key. Next up , there's a tank seal kit, engine fuel line kit, plastic bulkhead fitting replacement kit, and various fuel tank/expansion tank grommets on the way from GoWesty. Next priority is brakes (minimum new pads and shoes and hoses and fluid flush), then sort out the janky dash wiring, then change the oil in the transaxle along with a complete tune up and cleaning all the electrical connections I can find around the engine. After that, suspension rebuild with powerflex bushings all around and new springs (leaning toward Schwenk but they seem to be out of stock, might go with Moogs and spacers to get a little bit of lift) and shocks. Then wheels and tires (hope to find some 15" steelies and get some Yokohama Geolanders.
Last edited by TomInAlaska on Mon Jul 05, 2021 1:11 pm; edited 3 times in total |
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Alaskaberrys Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2016 Posts: 1001 Location: SE Alaska
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 10:51 am Post subject: Re: Does this mean I have to change my username? |
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Nice! Congrats, I like those two tone vans.
I see you got the list all set (my favorite part). Looking forward to the progress. Subscribed.
Do you have a garage or is this a summer mission? _________________ '91 Westfalia, Bordeaux Red Pearl 2.1L 2wd Auto
'91 T3 Syncro Doka, Escorial Green 1.9L TD AAZ “Gremian” (to provoke, irritate, exasperate, vex...) |
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7473 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 11:27 am Post subject: Re: Does this mean I have to change my username? |
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73superduperbeetle wrote: |
So, for better or worse, I bought the first Vanagon I looked at.
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You saved a ton of time buying the van that you can now use to work on it. A perfect plan.
Nice van.
No need to change your username, just rename the van. _________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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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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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76939 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 12:30 pm Post subject: Re: Does this mean I have to change my username? |
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Yes. _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
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Corwyn Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2009 Posts: 2238 Location: Olympia, Washington
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 1:16 pm Post subject: Re: Does this mean I have to change my username? |
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The adventure begins . . . welcome aboard! The essentials:
- AAA Premium
- Cell phone
- Credit card
- open mind and a lot of patience . . . _________________ '90 White Westy ("The Longship")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja
"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~ |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15144 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 1:25 pm Post subject: Re: Does this mean I have to change my username? |
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a power wash and scrub then some rattle can silver or black on those 14in rims will doll them up nicely for quite some time.. _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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16CVs Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2004 Posts: 4026 Location: Redwood City, California
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 2:01 pm Post subject: Re: Does this mean I have to change my username? |
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Black if you're going to run Hubcaps and Silver if you are running them bare. Re keying locks is something I seldom see people do early on in a project. You or a relative must be a locksmith.
Stacy _________________ 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. |
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TomInAlaska Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2007 Posts: 386 Location: Anchorage, Ak
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 3:05 pm Post subject: Re: Does this mean I have to change my username? |
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Today’s task is to try to get the dash wiring back in shape. A previous owner must’ve been a fan of Mad Max Fury Road and so wired in a couple of switches and a starter button in addition to the regular ignition switch. I’ve removed all that crap and soldered and heat-shrunk the wires back together.
Ignition switch now works like it’s supposed to.
In the interest of not pulling out stuff that’s supposed to be there, do these relays look factory? Or some aftermarket junk for fog lights maybe? They are wired to a non-factory looking rocker switch that is driving-off-fog ?
And I’m not a locksmith or anything, just followed the instructions in a couple of the threads here on how to reset the tumblers in the lock cores. Easy-peasy once I figured out how to get the cores out of the front door handles. It involved a drill btw. |
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shadetreemech Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2005 Posts: 777 Location: Claremont, CA
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 3:15 pm Post subject: Re: Does this mean I have to change my username? |
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Hey! I've got one of those!
A couple of the plastic wheel covers passed me on the freeway. I replaced 'em with the closest match I could find. Bought it 30 years ago with 60K on it.
Good Luck with yours.
Dan _________________ '84 GL 1.9
'01 Volvo V70 T5
'88 Westy - "MZDRTHY" |
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TomInAlaska Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2007 Posts: 386 Location: Anchorage, Ak
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 3:29 pm Post subject: Re: Does this mean I have to change my username? |
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While poking around the engine compartment I discovered something interesting:
Also, a previous owner had wired in their own water temp gauge and tach running loose wires from the sensor through though the passenger area under the carpet up to the dash. I think the yellow/red wire is supposed to be connected to the coolant temp sensor, correct? What about the blue/black wire?
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10379 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 6:08 pm Post subject: Re: Does this mean I have to change my username? |
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I'd guess relays are: one for low beams, other high, third for fog lights.
1985 wiring diagrams show a yellow/red wire from coolant sensor and blue black wire from oil pressure switch on engine.
What year Vanagon? '85?
It took me about a million years before I started including my vans in my sig.
If you search VWoC or VW of Canada you should find a range of opinions on those remanufactured engines. That info is likely in the stickies here.
If the PO wired toggle/push switch in parallel to existing wiring, there may've been an issue with the ignition switch cutting out intermittently. i.e. they didn't bother replacing the ignition switch. That job can be perceived as difficult but it isn't.
Neil. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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TomInAlaska Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2007 Posts: 386 Location: Anchorage, Ak
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 6:48 pm Post subject: Re: Does this mean I have to change my username? |
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Well, looks like I’m doing some rust repair next week, too. 🙃
I also discovered that in addition to once upon a time having air conditioning, this van used to have cruise control!
Next work session I’ll try to figure out those three relays and get the oil pressure wire hooked up. Oh, and if you look closely at the pic of me holding the wire above the engine, you can see another aftermarket accessory that’s been added, a plug-in block heater! It’s kinda fun to see a little bit of the history of a car like this from finding all the modifications and stuff that have been added to it over the years. A little forensic mechanics? |
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jlrftype7 Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018 Posts: 3582 Location: Chicago
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 7:02 pm Post subject: Re: Does this mean I have to change my username? |
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That one picture with the engine compartment grounds showing corrosion, that’s another task.....
Have fun, you’re off and running already... _________________ '68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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TomInAlaska Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2007 Posts: 386 Location: Anchorage, Ak
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7473 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2021 11:39 am Post subject: Re: Does this mean I have to change my username? (build thread) |
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$100 bucks for steel wheels with the correct bolt pattern and 41 mm offset looks like a great deal. Standard offset is something like 30mm - 35mm. 6.5" width is fine unless you want (overly) wide tires for most applications.
Far too many details here:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=203519
Christopher at T3 is a tremendous resource for wheels and suspension and can provide answers and spacers, lug nuts, etc. _________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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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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Wasted youth Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2012 Posts: 5134 Location: California's Hot and Smoggy Central Valley
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2021 12:48 pm Post subject: Re: Does this mean I have to change my username? (build thread) |
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As an added security measure, I purposely changed the ignition lock to a separate code. It's convenient for one key to fit all, but I hope that if a potential thief manages to unlock my doors using one of his/hers set of thief keys, they won't have one to fit the ignition.
Obviously if they want to steal my van, they will. They are very easy to steal by today's standards. But I hope with the several small measures I've employed, they will ultimately give up and move on to someone else's Vanagon. |
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TomInAlaska Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2007 Posts: 386 Location: Anchorage, Ak
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Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2021 9:15 am Post subject: Re: Does this mean I have to change my username? (build thread) |
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Today I'm going to try to tackle some rust repair starting with this. I found this thread:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=686138
showing a nicely fabbed patch panel with the correct contours and raised area where the pedal bolts down, but since I don't have any reference for those things, would a flatter, less 'correct' panel work just as well?
By the way, I plan on cutting out the rust back into good metal then cutting a panel (or panels) to fit as close as possible and then welding them in (MIG with shielding gas). And then painting and sealing with rubberized undercoating, obviously. _________________ '73 Super Beetle (resto-mod/rally look, 1776)
'84 GL adventure van project (1.9L, 4speed) https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=755844&highlight= |
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TomInAlaska Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2007 Posts: 386 Location: Anchorage, Ak
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Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:16 pm Post subject: Re: Does this mean I have to change my username? (build thread) |
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So it’s kind of a quick and dirty patch job, but it’s a darn sight better than what it was! The rest of the rust in the fender wells will wait until I drop the gas tank(s) for a reseal next week. _________________ '73 Super Beetle (resto-mod/rally look, 1776)
'84 GL adventure van project (1.9L, 4speed) https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=755844&highlight= |
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TomInAlaska Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2007 Posts: 386 Location: Anchorage, Ak
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Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 10:28 am Post subject: Re: Does this mean I have to change my username? (build thread) |
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Today I'm working on continuing to straighten out the electrics including this plug I found yesterday while patching the floor under the gas pedal:
I'm having a hard time finding any corresponding wires in the diagram in the technical section on the site here. Any thoughts on where this should be plugged in? Could it be part of the defunct air conditioning system? Fog lights? _________________ '73 Super Beetle (resto-mod/rally look, 1776)
'84 GL adventure van project (1.9L, 4speed) https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=755844&highlight= |
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TomInAlaska Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2007 Posts: 386 Location: Anchorage, Ak
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Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2021 11:24 am Post subject: Re: Does this mean I have to change my username? (build thread) |
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Completed the gas tank reseal and installed a new fuel filter along with gowesty's filter relocation kit (no pics of that since I was in a bit of a time crunch). Complete engine fuel line kit and new plastic hose kit along with new brake pads, shoes, and rubber hoses are waiting for the next work session.
Also swapped on a set of good wheels and tires that a friend is letting me use until I figure out something. The 16" steel wheels I asked about up-thread turned out to be 5x110, by the way. At the least the seller took them back without any issues.
Looking a little bit less like a piece of junk everyday! _________________ '73 Super Beetle (resto-mod/rally look, 1776)
'84 GL adventure van project (1.9L, 4speed) https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=755844&highlight= |
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