Slow but steady... '86 Vanagon FAS TDi install

[JohnL99]

awesome work man... very nice.

[GreggK]

Yes they dim along with the instrument cluster lights and radio. I have them spliced to a grey/blue wire.
_________________
'86 2wd Poptop transplant
FAS TDi engine swap. Peloquin LSD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=692188&highlight=slow+but+steady

[uberaudi]

Wow that turned out great! The dash pad really tied it all together. Do your HVAC controls dim too?

[GreggK]

I just went out and took a picture of the illumination. You cant really see in the picture but the lights cast a nice mild glow down in the floor area. Currently my color choice is the orange.

_________________
'86 2wd Poptop transplant
FAS TDi engine swap. Peloquin LSD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=692188&highlight=slow+but+steady

[GreggK]

_________________
'86 2wd Poptop transplant
FAS TDi engine swap. Peloquin LSD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=692188&highlight=slow+but+steady

[GreggK]

Not too long ago I got my dash pad back from "Just Dashes". I made a few cuts in the pad. They did a great job of re-covering it and filling in the map light notch.

I did a little modification to the Smallcar defrost vent routing.

In the end its not really what I first envisioned but the more time, and MONEY I spent on it I just settled for what was easiest. The round vents are very adjustable and they have great output. The double DIN radio has this angle feature which is helpful to combat the sun glare. I also made the climate control knob housing to match the angle of the radio screen. The LED strip I used with the knobs and the radio have a multi-color option which is cool, so I can match the colors. I've got some switches on the way that will get installed as well and there is still lots of room for power/USB outlets and heated seat switches.. In time I'll find the right spots for them.
Thanks for looking!
_________________
'86 2wd Poptop transplant
FAS TDi engine swap. Peloquin LSD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=692188&highlight=slow+but+steady

[valvecovergasket]

wow how did I not see this sooner?!

Incredible work!

[Multiman mv]

Man that is some tight looking work. I wish my wiring looked even half as nice as yours (Fas’ wiring was really tight, I’m talking about my own lame attempts.) Looks like quarantine has been serving you well. Looking really good Gregg!
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1991 multivan, FAS 1.9 tdi, Peloquin limited slip
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

[GreggK]

I still plan some kind of plexiglass cover or something but this is it for now.
_________________
'86 2wd Poptop transplant
FAS TDi engine swap. Peloquin LSD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=692188&highlight=slow+but+steady

[GreggK]

With all this free time I've been getting around to some small projects on the van. I went through some old pictures and found some that showed how I mounted my ECU and relays. My original board was made from wood which I installed with the rear seat out. Once I installed the seat there was contact with the board so I pulled out the old OEM ECU cover and modified it.

_________________
'86 2wd Poptop transplant
FAS TDi engine swap. Peloquin LSD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=692188&highlight=slow+but+steady

[GreggK]

Thanks erste for the comment. I did that front end work through out the summer and into the fall. I started a Eurovan front seat rebuild that will go in the van and the final touches on my Double DIN radio custom dash. I'll get some shots of the dash installed but waiting on the pad to come back from being recovered. It's pretty much been a stand still due to work and I cut my fingers pretty good cutting drywall a few weeks ago.

The van is a real treat to drive. I cant wait to go on a nice long drive to some place less busy than where I've been these last few years. Hats off again to the guys at FAS for putting together and guiding me through this entire project!
_________________
'86 2wd Poptop transplant
FAS TDi engine swap. Peloquin LSD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=692188&highlight=slow+but+steady

[erste]

oh man. looks so good!

[GreggK]

Here is a look at the Schwenk springs installed.

I looked into DIY alignment tools and found "Quick trick". I bought their turn tables and the basic alignment tools they offer anddid the alignment myself. Afterwards I took it to an old school shop for the final look over and was told that I had the adjustments "pretty close". I'd definitely recommend the Quick trick tools. I'll get some pictures soon.
Now I'm in the finally steps to drive the van legally. In PA I need to now take my van to an "Enhanced " inspection station and have them look over my diesel transplant and sign off on it. Then I get to pay more money and send the paper work to the DMV so they can approve it and then issue me my "Reconstructed" title.
Back in the day I would have just went to see one of my friendly inspection guys to run it through but I'm thinking for re-sale, I'd like the next owner to have no headaches with registering or titling.
_________________
'86 2wd Poptop transplant
FAS TDi engine swap. Peloquin LSD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=692188&highlight=slow+but+steady

[GreggK]

I was having issues getting my front with-in specs so I eventually swithched out my GW Zero-lift front springs with a pair of Schwenks. T Schwenks did the trick and what a breeze was the install. I've had the GW springs on two different vans and each install was so stressful with the amount of compressing I had to do to get them in place.
Next I installed a T3 Sway bar and HD endlinks.

_________________
'86 2wd Poptop transplant
FAS TDi engine swap. Peloquin LSD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=692188&highlight=slow+but+steady

[GreggK]

Pressed in new joints and then went to the install of the front suspension parts.

Then next with the BMS front brake upgrade install.

_________________
'86 2wd Poptop transplant
FAS TDi engine swap. Peloquin LSD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=692188&highlight=slow+but+steady

[GreggK]

I've made more progress with my build and I wanted to update. I went back through some pictures of my front end rebuild. Its a shame but I lost all the pictures of my step by step progress so these will show before and after.

I removed everything, cleaned and prepped the under side for a coating of Chassis Saver then a coating of Monstaliner. Here are some of the parts back from powder coating.

_________________
'86 2wd Poptop transplant
FAS TDi engine swap. Peloquin LSD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=692188&highlight=slow+but+steady

[GreggK]

The pictures jump around between three different housings I made. Originally I used ABS but I couldn't really do with it what I wanted so I switched to wood. Eventually I'll match wood cabinets in back with the dash accents and some kind of cup holder up front. I'm trying out the round vents and so far I like the look and the flow out of them is pretty strong. The LED light is very bright and I might make the perimeter around the decal a little smaller to dim it down.
Its still in the works but I'm going to stick with this general idea until something happens to make me come up with a plan "B". I really should be concentrating on the front end but I just needed a break from it.
_________________
'86 2wd Poptop transplant
FAS TDi engine swap. Peloquin LSD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=692188&highlight=slow+but+steady

[GreggK]

So I have been making lots of progress on my build. I just finished up the front end re-build and now studying the DIY alignment. A failed attempt to the alignment shop made me decide to at least give it a go before I start looking for another shop. The whole project has been creeping along so I figured whats another weekend or two. I'll get some pictures up later.
So for the weekend I went back to my SC in-dash A/C, double DIN dash project. I was looking around on the internet and saw some cool stuff this car audio guy is doing with acrylic and LED lights. This is what I came up with.

_________________
'86 2wd Poptop transplant
FAS TDi engine swap. Peloquin LSD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=692188&highlight=slow+but+steady

[GreggK]

Thanks for the positive comments! Im really looking forward to getting the van back home so I can get back to work on it. I'll be replacing pretty much the entire front end. Also have a complete roof section from a Westy pop top that I may graft on or contemplating a high top but waiting till the Adventurewagen option is available.
I was having some oil consumption issues which is why I sent the van up to FAS. I'm actually down in Pennsylvania for the time being so it wasen't too far to go.

I've since drilled out all the spot welds in the gutter area. You can see one side done in the picture. I'll probably also have FAS do that install if I go that route so they will have the whole roof to do it how ever they choose.
_________________
'86 2wd Poptop transplant
FAS TDi engine swap. Peloquin LSD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=692188&highlight=slow+but+steady

[westina]

Amazing work. You are an artist.