New to the Samba... What would you do if you were me.

vanagonjr · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 10:23 am Post subject:

I like my weekender interior, but one thing I miss from my full westy is the tray above the kitchen unit. Seems like that always held sun cream, bug dope and all the misc small things. IMHO, that would be a good addition to the Weekender.

I plan to replace the bulk head under the rear seat with a straight vertical wood one to increase the storage room slightly. Would allow adding a magazine rack, LED floor lights, maybe a cut-out or two for a small book shelf for guide books.

I really hope to get to Nova Scotia this summer, but the family will have their own ideas.
_________________
John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
LiMBO (late model bus club) www.limbobus.org
LiMBO is on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798

Jeff's Old Volks Home · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 10:07 am Post subject:

So, I'm leaning towards converting my 1980 rust-less westy to syncro, and install the 91 weekender interior. Of course going though everything, and maybe even building a custom removable kitchen unit. I never cook in any of my previous Westys, but I do like water, heated too, for washing up and the like...
I'm definitely going diesel, not sure what yet, but it'll likely be AAZ. I'll run a locker transmission with the same gearing as my Doka, .70 4th, which lets the engine run at 2800rpm at 100kph with 215/75R16 General Grabber2 tires. That's GPS 100kph, not speedo KPH...
Keep the ideas coming.
Jeff

bjrogers86auto · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 6:36 am Post subject: doka

Welcome to the samba Jeff! Let the kookiness begin!

Based on some personal experience(Jeff has worked on my van) I know you are going to keep the engine VW. Not being a speed freak I'm thinking a juiced up Tdi is the only way to go. A picture of the Doka's engine would make everyone on here drool with envy! The torque would be sweet to have cruising the back roads around here and all our East Coast scenery.

Having owned my Westy for just over 3 years I think I would pick a weekender if I had a choice. I know a guy(me) who would really enjoy making some custom cabinets to fit my camping style a little better. We don't use the kitchen at all and could really benefit with a different set-up.

Having had a few conversations with you I know better than to make too many suggestions on a mechanical level. That's why I take my van to you! I know a little about the Synchro Envy Syndrome. It hasn't hit me yet. I'm more than happy with my 2wd.

Straight from the horse's mouth.

Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate it and best wishes to everyone!

Brian.
_________________
2020 T@B 320 Teardrop(Has been van guy)
21 Ford Ranger XLT
19 Honda Civic Hatchback

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DAIZEE · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 8:52 pm Post subject:

I'm considering putting Jalousies in the middle windows and put one of the 1/2 sliders in the rear passenger. If you go that route, could you document it well, please.
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

photogdave · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 6:57 pm Post subject:

If it was me I'd customize the weekender. I have an '82 and an '89 Westy and I find the newer one more refined and nicer to drive. With the weekender you have a more open platform to customize to suit your tastes and you don't have to go through the hassle of cutting the roof to add a poptop or hightop.
I'm sure this will be a fun project to watch!
_________________
89 Syncro GL Westfalia 2.1 WBX/WBXaustSS

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edgood1 · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 6:40 pm Post subject:

I saw your truck at t-fest. It was bad ass! it was my vote for #1.

I didn't get to meet up with you though....maybe next year.

I say go all out. You have the parts and the skills. Build something that you can use and treasure at the same time.

If I were to do it all over again (and I probably will) I would build a Westy Weekender with some form of Turbo diesel motor.... possibly with a custom automatic transmission (so the wife can drive it). good mpg would be a must. I still have a crazy urge to build a super stretch vanagon.

this will be when the '63 restoration is completed (stay tuned). I feel like I enjoy working on/building/hacking vanagons more than the old stuff these days.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia powered by Subaru
1963 Panel to Deluxe Bus project :::: (photo album)
'65 Westfalia

vanagonjr · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 6:31 pm Post subject:

Wow, a lot of choices! I'd say the 91 Syncro Weekender with MTDi. I'd add a sink, ice box unit behind the passenget seat. For 2, I think this would work fine.

However a panel van would allow you to add the windows of your choice, and skip one where the rear cabinet is. I'd probably just mount bay Jalousie windows on the slider and side opposite and an RV slider window on passenger rear side and a flip-out window in the reat hatch.

I'm sure it will look good based on what I saw at Transporterfest.
PS - I might want some travel info on Nova Scotia.
_________________
John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
LiMBO (late model bus club) www.limbobus.org
LiMBO is on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798

Salem7 · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 6:12 pm Post subject:

Nice to see you here!

I enjoyed our chat about diesel engine upgrades at Transporterfest.

Good luck on your project, what ever you decide. If it is anything like your Doka it will be great.
_________________
1982 Westfalia 1.6NA diesel. Converted to Turbo 1.6 and sold.

1995 Eurovan Camper Winnebago, early serial number 5 speed

Larry Davick · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:47 pm Post subject:

I am very new to this, and so, rather green. With your expertise and resources I'd simply look to your inventory as parts. You will probably want to touch every system anyhow, so why not start with the rust-free air-cooled chassis and avoid the added body work? Plumb it for HVAC and radiators - they were built as diesels too, so it shouldn't be a total engineering exercise to add this.
Brakes are something that can always be improved, but I'm no expert here. With our Van my first job was to refresh the brake system, but I've gone stock, nothing fancy.
Engine choice is a personal preference - Diesel vs Gas, German vs Japanese, vs American. You choose. I'd go for torque and efficiency over horsepower, but that's me. I like what I've read about the Subaru transplants - they seem to be reliable and powerful enough.
Full Westy pop-top camper with a modern Gasoline / Propane / Diesel heater (your choice.) The pop-top lets you heat or cool a smaller space while keeping the profile low for better wind resistance.
Fridge? I like propane, but a lot of folks go for the Truck Fridge.
If boondocking a lot I'd add a solar panel to the roof and the best deep cycle battery bank space would allow. (What will you do with the old spare tire space?)
Oh, I'd mount the spare tire on a swing away mount at the rear.
Wheels and tires? I like the mild look better than the aggressive 4x4 look. It's personal preference again - you can go as nutty as you like or keep it close to the ground.
Awnings look so very cool at the campsite. Gotta have an awning. A nice radio with connectivity for your iPod and perhaps an audio input for a Television. Maybe not.
I wouldn't change the layout of the interior as I think it's just right. Maybe I'd find the most comfortable seats for Mamma and me and some cup holders, but everything else is just right for me.
I really like the look of the 4 lamp South African grille. This time of year it needs a wreath.
Even though it's the last thing on the list, it's still very important. A nice paint job. Nothing says that the job was done right like a shiny, pretty Vanagon.
_________________
1981 Westy Automatic
Sleeping Beauty

Timwhy · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:45 pm Post subject:

Welcome Jeff, hope to meet up with you next summer and of course @ Transporter Fest!

By the looks of your Doka, I'm sure the new Westy will be equally as nice!

Jeff's Doka @ T-Fest

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS

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MarkWard · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:09 pm Post subject:

Well then I take my compliment back. Embarassed

Zaro · Samba Member Joined: December 22, 2011 Posts: 1

syncrodoka · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:06 pm Post subject:

buildyourown · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:58 pm Post subject:

Syncro panel w/ a hightop and custom cabinets. I wish I could delete the rear windows in my Westy.

MarkWard · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:57 pm Post subject:

A solid chassis is always the best foundation to start with. If it is made out of metal, it can be made to work. Don't know about the radiator support bracket weld nuts, but easily solved. Finishing the lower radiator air inlet would probably be more of a challenge than fitting hoses and the radiator. If you have the skills to convert a 2wd to a syncro, getting the early chassis to work should not impose any unsolvable problems. I can weld and fabricate, but body work is not anything I enjoy. Post lots of pictures and welcome to the Samba.

NEUTEILE

Jeff's Old Volks Home · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:53 pm Post subject:

Jeff's Old Volks Home · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:51 pm Post subject:

[quote="rsxsr"]I like your write up on the vanagon clusters. I link members to it all the time. While the Air Cooled chassis may be in the best shape, It was not set up for a radiator/cooling system as well as the heating system. It can be done, but I have seen a couple members say it was a lot of extra work to adapt an aircooled chassis to water cooled.

I do have lots of heater boxes. The body is the same. I need to cut a hole for the hoses. I even think the holes are there for the rad supports. correct me if I'm wrong...

insyncro · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:49 pm Post subject:

I would build a Syncro Panel Very Happy

vw7266 · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:42 pm Post subject:

sounds like you have the resources.

I think you need to sell me a set of rubber floor mats out of one of your parts vans for my syncro project!

Alot of people have converted non syncros into syncro's.

Panels are my favorite..but I can understand wanting to have windows at the same time


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