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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 52739
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 Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 9:40 pm Post subject: Re: Sliding door |
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| Dearindeed wrote: |
| First thing, never use your bus to transport anything like P.A. speakers. Don't shut it by hurling it; widen your arms palms forward and roll it forward till it's only few inches open and shove toward the inside of the bus. Don't let your friends use the sliding door, you'll notice they slam what door they do use too hard. |
If you lubricate the door hardware every decade or so it will shut with a light forward pull, no antics needed. |
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VDubTech
Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2002
Posts: 9157
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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The post you're responding to is almost 3 years old. A Bus can certainly handle hauling a couple speakers around. It has a one ton payload. And then some.
_________________
First Trip in the RustyBus:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=279077&highlight=
| borninabus wrote: |
| a measurement of your rod would be extremely useful. |
| notchboy wrote: |
| my dad wasnt a belittling cock when he tought me how to wrench on cars. |
| EverettB wrote: |
One photo = good for reference.
10 photos = douchebaggery |
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Dearindeed
Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2010
Posts: 22
Location: Southeast
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| Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 8:56 pm Post subject: Sliding door |
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| First thing, never use your bus to transport anything like P.A. speakers. Don't shut it by hurling it; widen your arms palms forward and roll it forward till it's only few inches open and shove toward the inside of the bus. Don't let your friends use the sliding door, you'll notice they slam what door they do use too hard. |
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Mark
Samba Member
Joined: January 20, 2003
Posts: 1523
Location: Victoria, BC Canada
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| Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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I'm loving that stripe w/ that colour. 
Disconnect the battery before you screw in the fusebox.
Oh yeah, welcome!
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www.zwerks.ca |
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VDubTech
Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2002
Posts: 9157
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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I wouldn't try to fix that top, it's only going to keep breaking in the same spot. I would replace it myself....too bad you're across the country, I've got a complete top sitting right in the backyard.
_________________
First Trip in the RustyBus:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=279077&highlight=
| borninabus wrote: |
| a measurement of your rod would be extremely useful. |
| notchboy wrote: |
| my dad wasnt a belittling cock when he tought me how to wrench on cars. |
| EverettB wrote: |
One photo = good for reference.
10 photos = douchebaggery |
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Bleyseng
Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2005
Posts: 4759
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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Looks good!
Fixing the fuse box is easy, just find two screw that fit to reinstall it.
Good to see the FI is there!
The top can be fixed with fibreglass but I would wait until spring as its better to do with the top off.
Time to weld in a battery tray...
The sliding door hinge is missing the plastic block to hold in on....
_________________
70 Ghia Black convert-9/69 build date-stock w/133k 1600 SP-barn find now with a rebuilt tranny and engine
77 Westy 2.0L w/Ljet, Camper Special engine-95hp and with LSD!(sold)
76 Porsche 914 2.1L L20c, 120hp Djet (sold)
87 Syncro Westy Titan Red 2.1L 2 knob 100k miles |
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VDubTech
Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2002
Posts: 9157
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 5:03 pm Post subject: Re: Pictures!!! |
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| pinkcrowes wrote: |
My sliding door Mechanism...anything look unusual, other than the fact that it pops off:)
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You're definitely missing a piece there, and it's the piece that will keep it on the track naturally. I think someone already sent you a link to the part, but if you want a good used original one, I just took one off of a '79 last night. I can send pics if you'd like.
_________________
First Trip in the RustyBus:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=279077&highlight=
| borninabus wrote: |
| a measurement of your rod would be extremely useful. |
| notchboy wrote: |
| my dad wasnt a belittling cock when he tought me how to wrench on cars. |
| EverettB wrote: |
One photo = good for reference.
10 photos = douchebaggery |
Last edited by VDubTech on Mon Feb 04, 2008 5:08 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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pinkcrowes
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2008
Posts: 24
Location: Spokane, WA
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| Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 4:48 pm Post subject: Pictures!!! |
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This is me and my new friend
My sliding door Mechanism...anything look unusual, other than the fact that it pops off:)
The outside of the sliding door
Another Outside shot, we just got a shitload of snow!
From the outside again
The passenger side
The steering wheel, speedo doesn't work
the back seat, with the kings of leon riding:)
This is what I have to do to keep airflow from getting in through the pop top while driving. It doesn't sit flush
The headliner
My fuse box hangs
No glove box
Interior cabinet
The engine
My cracked pop top. This was cracked the day I bought it so I am not sure if this is why it is not sitting level. Is this repairable without replacing the whole thing?
Underneath the battery tray
And a picture of chris robinson I took 2 years ago. What the heck?
Hope those provide help to my issues, or feedback. If you want a picture of anything else on the bus let me know and I will get it up ASAP!
Thanks again
Cory |
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ccpalmer
Samba Member
Joined: September 17, 2006
Posts: 3851
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
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| Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 6:27 am Post subject: Re: My new 77 VW Van...Top 10 problem questions |
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| pinkcrowes wrote: |
Van, Bus, Bug, Truck - call it whatever you want. Yes - I know a Texan that calls my '71 Bay a Truck. He's even a rich Texan.
Here's my 2cents:
1.) It had an exauhst leak. The cab would fill up with smoke while driving. I got that fixed, along with an oil leak. It went from sounding like a lawnmower to sounding like every other van I have heard. It is missing the heater blower that mounts on the top of the engine and has the hoses connected to engine. I think this part if just called the heater blower??? You can see how stupid I am on the subject of vans, but don't worry there is more to come.
You can't be that green; to know about the heater system blower! The only time the blower is on is at idle; to assist in blowing heat when the engine rpms are low.
2.) I had it tuned up. Twice. The valves adjusted, compression checked, etc. It ran rather well for a few days but then started acting up again. Once I get it started it runs well. I was told by the mechanic that I need a new distributor for it and I should see a significant improvment. Where can I get one? How much are they? are they easy to install etc? He said the compression was good. "The engine is tired but not as bad as most. It still has a lot of life left in it. The compression is good." is what I was told.
What distributor do you have in the Bus? My overall suggestion is STAY STOCK. If you do need the proper distributor, they are very very easy to replace. I'd also have a qualified VW dude check out the FI system; or get a Bentley manual and do it yourself - it's pretty easy.
3.) The battery tray is rather rusted. Is there a remedy for this? A Fitting that can be popped in there? It still has enough to hold the battery, but I don't want it to fall out while I am driving down the highway.
Best fix is of course a new metal battery tray piece. But there are plenty of temporary options like plastic or wood. Even getting a plastic battery tray from a junk yard would help for now.
4.) The sliding door falls off if you are not careful with opening it. This was not pleasant to discover on my own. I opened it before buying it, the seller opened it before buying it, and it seemed fine. Not sure how to fix this. It falls off, but you can just pop it back in. I want it to be to the point where I don't have to pop it back in because it doesn't fall off.
Where does the door fall off? Off the rear track? Then it might be the nylon runner piece. Off the bottom? Might be a rusty track, or also a loose upper guide - check all guides, rollers and clearances.
5.) There is a crack in the fiberglass of the pop top. it is located on the back driver's side corner. As a result, the top doesn't sit right and I have the inside bungee corded around the brackets to make it sit flush. Other wise it sits crooked and air flows in from the top while driving blowing the canvas around. Where do I begin with fixing that? I don't think it is feasable to replace the whole thing. Any thoughts? Prices from past experiences?
Patching fiberglass is really easy. Get a repair kit from a FLAPS. Just be sure to position the pop top correctly so that when the patch dries it is straight again.
6.) I have no glove box. I have the face, but no actual box. Actually there is nothing under there. Just the face of the dashboard. The fuse box hangs down. I need to mount that back up in there.
EASY - $20 buys you a new glovebox insert - you might need the metal bracket too.. check classifieds...
7.) The "wood" paneling is peeling off the face of the interior. Replacments for this? better ideas for a replacement?
No easy fix - live with it or make new paneling. You could try gluing the peeling sections back with spray adhesive. Best replacement is 3mm Baltic Birch plywood in 5' x 5' panels. Stain and laquer.
8.) The Speedometer is broken, as is the odometer. The odometer appears to have not been running for some time as it is miles exempt. I don't really need the speedometer as I don't think I could get a speeding ticket if I tried, but I do want that to work at some point.
Probably just needs hooked up by the back of the spedo or where the cable attaches to the front driver's hub. See Bentley.
9.) the overhead interior is peeling off, I would like to replace that with something, just not sure what.
3mm (1/8") Baltic Birch ply again..
10.) And now the biggest problem: When I bought it I was told it had a new starter recently put in. I have the receipt. However, as I am finding it doesn't always start. I have plenty of battery power as I have put in a new one recently and I get all my lights and radio functions working. It just makes a clicking sound and then nothing. However, I have recently discovered that if I go back and jiggle the battery and the cables attached to it, for some reason it fires up. So the connections are good enough to run the lights and radio, but not tight enough to start it? I don't know. I would like it to be a turn key start up van obviously, but so far I haven't gotten that. This was something that was hidden from me, because everytime I or he started it, it had no troubles. It wasn't until about a week later that I started having the start up problems. I am not sure what the root cause of this problem is.
I'd go through ALL the wiring on the Bus - check every line to the fusebox; make sure everything is wired in as it should be. And look for corroded wires. This is the first thing I'd do to any newly acquired Bus. A cold start relay is also a very good idea.
This is my list of the top ten problems (that I know of) so far. I am a brand new VW Van owner and know absolutely nothing about them. As I said though I am hoping to change that and what better way to start than to get advice from the most knowledgable people on the subject? I have tried to give as much information as possible, but if you feel like tackling the challenge of helping an idiot novice like me and want more I can certainly try to give you whatever information you need. Thanks in advance!
Cory |
Good Luck with all! Sounds like nothing too unusual or even critical. I'd get the wiring, mechanical all checked out before worrying about the aesthetics of the interior yet. On the otherhand, one of my first needs is usually a good stereo system...
_________________
'71 Westy |
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Earl 78 westy
Samba Member
Joined: October 28, 2007
Posts: 364
Location: Jersey
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pinkcrowes
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2008
Posts: 24
Location: Spokane, WA
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| Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:26 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Randy....in Maine!
That's one problem solved...2000 more to go:) |
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Randy in Maine
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2003
Posts: 34890
Location: The Beach
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pinkcrowes
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2008
Posts: 24
Location: Spokane, WA
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| Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:16 pm Post subject: |
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| 1FUNBUG wrote: |
When you get a chance, post some photos of the concerns you have. We like pictures!
Welcome aboard Bus Pilot! |
You know what....that would be a lot easier. I will do that when I get the chance. We have seriously had like a 2 feet of snow in spokane in the past few days so as soon as I get home (i live about 25 miles south of Spokane in rosalia and am currently snowed out of my house) I will go take some picks and let Y'all know what I got. So look out for that!
Thanks again!
Cory |
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1FUNBUG
Samba Member
Joined: June 29, 2004
Posts: 599
Location: Waterville, OH
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| Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 2:00 pm Post subject: |
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Regarding starting issues, you may also have a bad ground strap. There is (or should be) a ground strap on the left side of the transmission that goes from the transmission to the body. I bumped mine and it fell off!
Also, if you're going to drive it while fixing it up then YOU MUST REPLACE YOUR FUEL LINES! I'm referring to the rubber ones. www.germansupply.com has great kits that come with everything you need. Make sure that you know what your Bus has. There are several flavors of kits to choose from. Some Buses came with several sections of metal lines with only a few inches of rubber hose between them. Others did not. Also, if your fuel injection was replaced with a carb. Germansupply has a kit for that as well (I think). When you get a chance, post some photos of the concerns you have. We like pictures!
Welcome aboard Bus Pilot!
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1FUNBUG
71 Beetle, 1776, dual Kadrons
77 Westy, Camper Special 2.0 F.I. |
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pinkcrowes
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2008
Posts: 24
Location: Spokane, WA
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| Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:26 pm Post subject: Thanks Everyone!!! |
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I gave my post a little while to grow and man did it! Thanks everyone for the advice, I am sure that I will need more and possible even keep having to bring up old topics! I appreciate all your wisdom and you will be hearing from me again to pick your guy's brains again!
Cory |
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willsmith2
Samba Member
Joined: June 08, 2005
Posts: 178
Location: Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho
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| Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 9:31 am Post subject: |
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A web page that also is super helpful is www.ratwell.com it has a variety of excellent information and step by step instructions.
Start looking around in junk yards around spokane to find a bus. You usually can get things like glove boxes and all other small items, and maybe even a pop-top (or try fiberglass repair tape from home depot or the like). I would try the tape first, just use clamps to make sure the crack is even and follow the instructions, then sand and paint the top.
The interior wood panels were 3 mm baltic birch and you can use a "door skin" from the hardware store for about $7 for all parts except the headliner where it requires a wider piece. Just becareful in the removal of yours so you can trace them then cut with a jigsaw with a sharp metal blade and pick out what ever screws and washers you want to install.
The list can go on and on and can get very expensive so pick your battles accordingly, get a good set of metric tools, manuals, and do the best you can.
these vehicles become more than a car, they become an addiction!
have fun |
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EZ Gruv
King of Plaid
Joined: December 10, 2002
Posts: 8578
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 9:15 am Post subject: |
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This part solved my slider door issues.
_________________
Eric
1977 Deluxe Westfalia - 2.0L FI Type IV, Completely Original
Photographer for HotVWs, VolksWorld, AirMighty, VW Camper & Commercial, Hayburner, and more.
My Photography Page. |
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'79jw
Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2006
Posts: 181
Location: SLO County Cal.
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jtauxe 
Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2004
Posts: 5980
Location: Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:53 am Post subject: |
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Very cool. New bus ownership. The fun begins.
Seriously -- all the problems you discuss are minor, typical things. Well, the door falling off is a problem that I have not encountered, but all these issues are eminently fixable.
Poke around on the classified on this site, and you will soon find (it may take a few weeks or months -- be patient) a glovebox insert, and a new speedo if necessary. But as the other poster said, do check the cable first. That is suspect since both speedo and odometer are not working.
The fiberglass top is probably best remedied by a replacement, though this could involve replacing the canvas as well. Do you have a junkyard nearby? Start scouring yards for old Westies. Parts of Washington state are thick with these, but I don't know about around Spokane.
One other piece of advice for you, and I cannot overstate the need for this:
Get and install the fuel line replacement kit from German Supply. Scott sent me one for my '77, and all the various pieces fit great. It seems a bit pricey, but the lines and clamps are top quality, Scott is a great asset to the community worth supporting, and you will have great peace of mind having fresh fuel lines.
Welcome!
_________________
John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD
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typesoneandtwo
Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2004
Posts: 659
Location: Cape Cod Mass. Bass River
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| Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:49 am Post subject: |
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Welcome to Type 2 ville. As for the slider, they usually start to fall off when the lower track rusts through. The only solution for that is to weld in a new slider channel.
I suspect that if the battery tray and slider track have rot, there's a lot of other rust that needs addressing. I think a new welder may be in your future, unless you have a lot of money to pay a professional welder.
I think the best starting point was discusssed above, books and tools.
You should own and read the Idiot's guide for basic philosphies and the Bentley book for detailed pictures instructions and specs.
As for tools, refer to the idiot Guide first, Phase 1 tool kit and up. Without proper tools you are bound to be frustrated and even break something.
Do a serious frame rust inspection. Look around the rear torsion tubes.(just in front of transmission you'll see a large metal tube 5" diameter)
Poke around at the rust gently with a screwdriver. Does it cave in or is there still a lot of strength?
The bottom line is that if you find any serious frame rot, holes or fatigue you should not drive the Bus until it is fixed. It is a safety issue.
Good luck!
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