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whagg55056
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2020
Posts: 25
Location: Florida
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 Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 2:41 pm Post subject: Vanagon Electric Power Steering - Slaughterhouse Customs |
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So one successful project for today was installing an electric power steering unit in my 85 Vanagon that has a stock power steering system full of leaks. I bought it off ebay from the below company. It was 473 GBP delivered to FL. It took maybe 2 hours to install and the only mods involve trimming the heater box and some of the trim pieces around it.
In terms of electrical connections, it is one wire to the battery and one to the ignition. All of the mounting points lined up perfectly and I am thrilled.
It is not connected to a speed sensor so it is the same assist all the time, but I think it works great and it should be very reliable. It also allows me to free up space in the engine bay by removing the pump, lines and tank.
If anyone is considering restoring their old PS or wants to add it, I would highly recommend this vs. replacing lines and pumps and belts and so forth.
https://www.slaughterhousecustoms.com/services |
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whagg55056
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2020
Posts: 25
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 2:46 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Electric Power Steering - Slaughterhouse Customs |
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Here are some pics of the install. I need to order a new steering column cover as the screw holes are busted out of mine. It includes a boot to cover the hardware once you trim the bottom cover. Really slick and neat install.
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pierrox
Samba Member
Joined: March 06, 2013
Posts: 268
Location: Paris, London, The Alps, North Carolina
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| Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2020 1:32 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Electric Power Steering - Slaughterhouse Customs |
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Nice project, still happy?
I've been eyeing this product as I inherited my dad's auto Vanagon and what a pain to park. Especially as it has a 15" steering wheel - my dad was handicapped and had the Vanagon modified so he could get in, using a lift to get in via the sliding door, and the brakes and throttle are hand operated.
I noticed that SLAUGHTERHOUSE now offers a sensor that measures how much force is applied to the steering wheel and can stop the power assist if you're only applying light force, ie you're driving and not maneuvering.
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Our bus is on Instagram
instagram.com/biencuitbus |
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khughes
Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2013
Posts: 880
Location: Phoenix AZ
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| Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2020 5:37 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Electric Power Steering - Slaughterhouse Customs |
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| pierrox wrote: |
Nice project, still happy?
I've been eyeing this product as I inherited my dad's auto Vanagon and what a pain to park. Especially as it has a 15" steering wheel - my dad was handicapped and had the Vanagon modified so he could get in, using a lift to get in via the sliding door, and the brakes and throttle are hand operated.
I noticed that SLAUGHTERHOUSE now offers a sensor that measures how much force is applied to the steering wheel and can stop the power assist if you're only applying light force, ie you're driving and not maneuvering. |
How did you find that information? Their website is just a mess as far as I can see.
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'86 Westy FAS GenV Turbo (Marvin) |
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pierrox
Samba Member
Joined: March 06, 2013
Posts: 268
Location: Paris, London, The Alps, North Carolina
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32988
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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revolution337
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2009
Posts: 398
Location: Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2020 5:18 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon Electric Power Steering - Slaughterhouse Customs |
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| Looks really nice, do you have any more photos detailing the installation? What all is involved with the wiring? It seems pretty straight forward, I assume it comes with detailed instructions. Seems like a really nice kit, very well put together. I'd love to add P/S to my 82 van. |
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15350
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2020 6:40 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon Electric Power Steering - Slaughterhouse Customs |
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steering wheel locks up 90* from center..
no actually it just doesn't assist you then.
EPS is a failsafe to manual mode.
unlike my chevy astro van with hydroboost that you really can not steer when the crappy metal lines corrode thru from new england salt/brine
| djkeev wrote: |
Question.
If you lose your +12v for some reason.
What happens?
Just back to manual steering?
Dave |
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minsk
Samba Member
Joined: March 17, 2008
Posts: 901
Location: pittsburgh
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jakesully
Samba Member
Joined: June 08, 2019
Posts: 13
Location: PA
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| Posted: Tue May 19, 2020 5:02 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Electric Power Steering - Slaughterhouse Customs |
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I purchased this unit but since decided to keep my Bluestar 100% stock so it is for sale if anyone is interested-$450- 
As of this morning no longer available-SOLD!  |
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syncroanddestroy
Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2018
Posts: 94
Location: British Columbia
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| Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 12:57 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Electric Power Steering - Slaughterhouse Customs |
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| I have this EPS rack in my syncro. Its ability to push the 32"s is great. Makes crawling really nice. |
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fxr
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2014
Posts: 2644
Location: Bay area CA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2020 7:03 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Electric Power Steering - Slaughterhouse Customs |
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I've just received one from Slaughterhousecustoms.com.
Installation will have to wait until I've put new head gaskets in the EJ25 in Mrs fxr's Subaru Outback. Engine's out and on the stand, just have to get up in the wee hours tomorrow to beat the heat and get on with it.
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Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300 |
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pierrox
Samba Member
Joined: March 06, 2013
Posts: 268
Location: Paris, London, The Alps, North Carolina
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| Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 2:41 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon Electric Power Steering - Slaughterhouse Customs |
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Good news!
Will follow your progress with great interest!
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Our bus is on Instagram
instagram.com/biencuitbus |
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slownsteady
Samba Member
Joined: October 22, 2013
Posts: 49
Location: New Hampshire
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| Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 12:18 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Electric Power Steering - Slaughterhouse Customs |
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I completed the installation of the Slaughterhouse kit a few weeks ago and can heartily recommend it! Its a superb kit and turnkey.
We have already done a few extended trips and it is transformative to the driving experience. Having said this, some background for relevance - my '87 Westy had its PS kit removed two owners ago. It has a manual steering rack, power steering knuckles at the wheels (less leverage, harder to turn) and the standard PS Steering Wheel (smaller diameter). Effectively, it was a bit of a chore to park. With the Slaughterhouse kit and its automatic and variable assist, when parking the wheels can be turned with finger pressure on the steering wheel. At speed, no assistance is provided and the "feel" is as normal - actually improved as the one steering linkage in the column is changed to a universal joint. This actually tightens up the feel somewhat. When corning, the assistance comes on gradually and is unnoticed. I will say when parking, the assistance does feel somewhat over-boosted, however that is a very very minor note.
The installation was easily done in an afternoon - 4 hours which included modifying the center plastic fan cover and trimming the plastic on the fan box to accommodate the EPAS motor. The electrical is as easy as it gets - two wires - one to the column ignition switch and one to the battery.
Would I do it again - absolutely! |
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15350
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 1:54 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Electric Power Steering - Slaughterhouse Customs |
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how does the slaughterhouse unit know your ground speed to vary assistance?
gps? |
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pierrox
Samba Member
Joined: March 06, 2013
Posts: 268
Location: Paris, London, The Alps, North Carolina
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| Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 2:31 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Electric Power Steering - Slaughterhouse Customs |
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No it measures the force applied to the steering wheel. If high, then it assumes you're parking. If light, then you're moving.
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Our bus is on Instagram
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4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 4182
Location: MD
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| Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 11:07 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon Electric Power Steering - Slaughterhouse Customs |
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So if you yank the wheel at speed the van does a barrel roll?
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'87 Syncro Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
'85 Westy Sciuridae Domus Edition |
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pierrox
Samba Member
Joined: March 06, 2013
Posts: 268
Location: Paris, London, The Alps, North Carolina
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| Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 1:24 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Electric Power Steering - Slaughterhouse Customs |
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In theory yes... 
there's an option with a speed sensor.
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Our bus is on Instagram
instagram.com/biencuitbus |
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fxr
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2014
Posts: 2644
Location: Bay area CA
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| Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 12:21 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Electric Power Steering - Slaughterhouse Customs |
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I've just fitted the EPAS. OMG - should have done this ages ago! Mrs fxr is very happy.
A couple of points for those who might be doing it in future:
The splined coupling at the base of the old steering column was seized solid on mine - I had to undo the two bolts that held it on (and *they* were pretty rusted too) in order to get it in a vise and gradually tap it off. 50:50 ATF and acetone helped here. 
Also, the splined coupling in the new universal joint was very tight - I had to open it a tiny amount with a chisel in order to get the new steering column to start to engage with it. Even then the new column had to be 'persuaded' with a large rubber hammer to gradually slide into place.
All together this took nearly six hours rather than the 2-4 hours suggested. But oh so well worth it!
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Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300 |
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fxr
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2014
Posts: 2644
Location: Bay area CA
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| Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2020 7:05 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon Electric Power Steering - Slaughterhouse Customs |
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It failed on me today - but easy fix. The crimped butt joint on the main feed from the battery failed on the EPAS side, right by the motor. Used a new butt joint, all now good.
It was a huge reminder of how *WONDERFUL* this modification is. No way would I ever go back. 
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Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300 |
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