Gruuvan (slow build and refresh)

[chasethistoo]

Hey all,

New to posting but have been lurking for years. Been in the air cooled VW scene my entire life. Still have a few air cooled VW's in the family but never a Vanagon. I don't know much about them so I hope to learn as the project goes on.

I recently acquired my father in laws Vanagon after his passing. He had a long battle with cancer and it finally consumed him. This van was his surf van and in earlier years was the families travel van. It has been all over the US and down the Baja peninsula. My wife loves this van because it has been a part of her life since birth. Our goal is to clean it up, throw some style at it (all while retaining the basic look of her dads van), and enjoy it with our family so our boys can grow up with it. Hope you all enjoy the SLOW build process.

First things first - she needs a motor. I was initially looking into motor swaping something a little more reliable in there but then I figured my father in law would come back to earth just to kick me in the nuts. I don't need that in my life right now. haha. So I plan on rebuilding it to a 2.3. Should be enough for the short cruises to the beach.

Second - wheels and tires. I'm sure the more I read I'll figure out what works and what doesn't. I'd like a set of OG BBS' for it but that's like asking for a miracle. Good news is I have friends at Rotiform so that's always a back up.

Third - Drop. I've read a million things and I still cant find anyone even remotely close to me that can get me as low as I want. This will not be a commuter car or even an every week car. This will only be for looks and in my opinion the Vanagon looks awful but not bad the lower you get. Can anyone shine some light on who might be able to get me on bags or hydraulics in California or surrounding states?

Here is the van. The top two are the Gruuvan and the bottom one is where I would like to be. Clean and simple.

Thanks for reading this far.

[Steve M.]

Have you driven a Vanagon yet?

Just saying try it out stock before changing it to things you haven't experienced yet.
I'm not saying do not change, but get a feel for what it is before changing it based on what you read.
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[danfromsyr]

nice van and touching family his-STORY

I think that your father-in-law will kick you in the nuts for the third item not the 1st

vanagons look dumb slammed.. i guess it's better if your pants are baggy and you wear a trucker brim hat with the mesh in the back. or if your wallet is chained to your belt.


what you are looing for is this... and I don't condone it..
how the kids say it today.. it's fire..

Link

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[pnwkayaker]

It's a beautiful van (always had a soft spot for Carat/weekenders), it's great that you father in law, his daughter and now the grandkids will enjoy adventures in it.

I've asked before why some folks like to lower-down cars/vans/etc (I have a lifted Syncro so I'm on the opposite corner) and I still don't get it, however, this is your van and she's a canvas waiting for you to add your personal touch. Go ahead, and don't forget to show us the results.
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[chasethistoo]

[chasethistoo]

[chasethistoo]

[Steve M.]