Sialia - our 1971 Westy

[jaransonT3]

[mark d]

,beautiful bus. good on ya.....how bout some engine porn ?
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1972ish westfalia

"what good are tractors without violins ?" jose figueres

[jaransonT3]

[jaransonT3]

We went on our first camping trip this past weekend. The bus worked great. It will be perfect for Jill and I, but this this time around we had our niece with us. Definitely too small for 3 adult-sized humans, so we brought a tent along for the overflow. <G>

Here are a few pictures from our weekend...

Packed up and on the road.

At the campground waiting for our campsite to be available. Bus was great for parking lot lunch.

Our set-up for the weekend.

My little sketch of Sialia at the camp activity center.

One more shot of our set-up.
_________________
Later,
John Jaranson
'66 Square (Sophy)
'67 Type 34 Karmann Ghia
'70-1 Fasty (Jane - the Lead Sled project)
'71 Westy (Sialia)
https://www.carartbyjohn.com
https://www.carartbyjohn.com/2026Invasion/

[jaransonT3]

One addition I have made to Sialia before our camping trip was adding a USB powerpoint for charging our phones while using them for navigation and such. One of the previous owners had replaced the original ignition switch with an aftermarket dash-mounted one. The USB powerpoint fit perfectly in the column hole. No modifications had to be made.

It was a bit fiddly to get the powerpoint tightened and wired in the small space inside the column pod. I simply moved the hot-wire from the cigarette lighter over to the powerpoint and grounded it to the column. This unit has a on/off switch that you need to remember to turn off since it is fed from an always hot wire.

Eventually, I would like to get the proper ignition switch back in the bus. Guess I will over the powerpoint over to the current ignition switch spot. <G>

_________________
Later,
John Jaranson
'66 Square (Sophy)
'67 Type 34 Karmann Ghia
'70-1 Fasty (Jane - the Lead Sled project)
'71 Westy (Sialia)
https://www.carartbyjohn.com
https://www.carartbyjohn.com/2026Invasion/

[jaransonT3]

We got the VW Emblem mounted on Sialia's nose this afternoon. Looks so much better than the spare tire being up there. This is the emblem from JBugs. It had M5 thread studs on the back side for mounting so I was able to bolt it on instead of using the plastic grommets. No way to simply pop it off from the outside now.

Yes, I know it is lower than the factory location for the emblem, but I was using the holes already in the nose for the spare tire bracket. The center of the emblem lines up nicely with the centers of the headlights. I actually like it better this way.
_________________
Later,
John Jaranson
'66 Square (Sophy)
'67 Type 34 Karmann Ghia
'70-1 Fasty (Jane - the Lead Sled project)
'71 Westy (Sialia)
https://www.carartbyjohn.com
https://www.carartbyjohn.com/2026Invasion/

[Abscate]

Then, it’s right for you.


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🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🍊 🍊 🍊

[jaransonT3]

Got a few more upgrades done or well on their way to being done. One of the first things we wanted to do was replace the 50+ year old, non-retracting front seatbelts. I order a new set of 3-point belts from SeatBeltsPlus.com. I chose blue since we will eventually go to a blue plaid interior. Pretty straight forward install, but I did have to figure out a way to mount the retractor. I chose to mount it to the vertical wall of the bulkhead with a couple of M12 bolts and a large reinforcing plate on the backside. I also had to install the D-ring on the top of the b-pillar with a longer (40mm) bolt so that the d-ring would clear the pinch flange on the pillar and pivot freely. Definitely a nice upgrade.

I also ordered and tried out a the sun block from Fancher's Upholstery https://fanchers.com/store/ols/products/vw-bay-window-bus-sun-block-with-side-door-screens-1968-1979. Fits great and should really help with the thermal load while camping. IT also provides privacy. We got the version with the built in screens for the side doors which will help with ventilation (at the expense of some privacy <G>)

Last thing for this post....I have been working on a center console with cup holder and center stool. The center console was complete enough for a test fit yesterday. Still trying to decide on the finish, but the clear polyurethane on the plywood will work for now. The cupholders are big enough for our water bottles. I added holes to the sides to access the underseat storage without removing the console. I wanted to hinge the lid, but the seats hang over the edge of the stanchions enough, especially when we are sitting in them, that you could only open it 15 degrees or so. Solution was to just leave it as a loose piece with a couple of stop blocks on the underside to keep it from sliding forward or back. Works great.

I will post pics of the center stool when I get it a little further along. It will have a padded, upholstered top/lid and will house our emergency luggable loo and a step for helping to get in and out of the bus while camped. That 18" step-in is a doozy without the step.
_________________
Later,
John Jaranson
'66 Square (Sophy)
'67 Type 34 Karmann Ghia
'70-1 Fasty (Jane - the Lead Sled project)
'71 Westy (Sialia)
https://www.carartbyjohn.com
https://www.carartbyjohn.com/2026Invasion/

[71whitewesty]

Some nice upgrades you have there. I do have a question and I don't mean to sound negative but I have never understood the external front window cover. Why not just use the original curtain? I think it's easier to set up, takes less space to store, is easier to lift up if you want to see what was making that growl in front of your bus late at night and in the morning when you leave camp after a good rain you don't have to put away a wet curtain. You mentioned thermal load and wondered it this is supposed to keep it cooler (or warmer) inside or ? I finally came to the conclusion that some just like the Eyes they put on them but yours has no eyes so I'm curious.
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71 Westy 1600 DP, all stock Bus 1
1970's Snow Trac 1600 SP (sold 12/2016)
1968 Tucker sno cat, sold 2021
1969 Tucker Sno cat 542
2017 VW Alltrac
71 tin top stock 1600 DP (project but runs)
Twin 71 White Westy, Bus 2, that I pulled from a 15 year slumber in a dry eastern WA field in 2015.
1966 Sundial Camper "Boomer"

[jaransonT3]

[scrivyscriv]

Those are some nice dry wheel wells! especially for your part of the country, no less!
I liked the bus as soon as I saw the cupholder in the first few photos on the way back home
_________________
Robert in Memphis
Dünkelgrügen 1967 Java Green bug thread
Engine rebuild thread
If you're ever in the Memphis area, you are welcome to stop by for advice and help.

[jaransonT3]

Got another accessory for Sialia yesterday. This is the prototype rain fly for the early Bay Window Westfalia campers from Fanchers Upholstery. It is a simple unit that hooks on to a couple of tiedowns I installed on the pop-up top and two bungee cords at the bottom that hook to the tie downs in the luggage rack.

It will be nice to be able to keep the large window open in the tent even if it is raining.

Comes in its own little zipper storage bag...

The tiedowns use the bolt for the scissor mechanism for one side and a machine screw into the wooden frame on the other side. Nice and secure.

The top corners have a very sturdy plastic hook sewn into them to hook into the tiedowns.

The bottom corners have grommets and supplied bungee cords that attach to the tiedowns in the luggage rack.

Should work great...

_________________
Later,
John Jaranson
'66 Square (Sophy)
'67 Type 34 Karmann Ghia
'70-1 Fasty (Jane - the Lead Sled project)
'71 Westy (Sialia)
https://www.carartbyjohn.com
https://www.carartbyjohn.com/2026Invasion/

[jaransonT3]

Finally getting around to posting a few pictures of the center storage box/emergency toilet (luggable loo), and step that I built for Sialia.

Start out with a latched box made from 1/2" plywood sized to fit between the rear facing seat and the icebox/sink.

Removing the lid reveals the Luggable Loo emergency toilet.

There is also a smaller box inside with room for toilet paper and wipes and kitty litter, etc...

That smaller box becomes a step when removed and flipped over.

Couple of shots showing the main box installed in the bus.

We have not had to use the emergency toilet, yet. Nice to know it is there if we ever do need it. The step works great to halve the 18" step-in to the bus.
_________________
Later,
John Jaranson
'66 Square (Sophy)
'67 Type 34 Karmann Ghia
'70-1 Fasty (Jane - the Lead Sled project)
'71 Westy (Sialia)
https://www.carartbyjohn.com
https://www.carartbyjohn.com/2026Invasion/

[jaransonT3]

We did get to try out the new center console and center storage box/step last weekend. We overnighted at Sterling State Park in Monroe, MI. First time for just Jill and I to camp in Sialia. It worked out great and was a very comfortable despite the strong winds coming off Lake Erie and some occasional rain.

The windshield privacy screen and the rain fly worked great, as did the new step and all the other little accessories we have added (string lights, tie dye sheets and blanket and table cloth, LED lantern, and outside rug/mat)

_________________
Later,
John Jaranson
'66 Square (Sophy)
'67 Type 34 Karmann Ghia
'70-1 Fasty (Jane - the Lead Sled project)
'71 Westy (Sialia)
https://www.carartbyjohn.com
https://www.carartbyjohn.com/2026Invasion/

[jaransonT3]

We took our bikes with us last weekend when we overnighted at Sterling State Park, but we had not received the bike rack we had ordered before we left so managed to get them in the back of the bus with the bed folded down. The bike rack was delivered while we gone for the weekend.

The Saris 178S 2-Bike rack is very stout and works out great on the bus with the 1.25" hitch that came with the bus. The rack also has the adapter for a 2" receiver so we can use it with our Ford Maverick or Bronco Sport.

With the bikes off the rack and the center post folded down the engine lid just barely opens so that you can check the oil and such without having to remove the rack.

I think it is going to work out just fine. With the bikes loaded up, it does block the tail and brake lights some. I am working out details to add a third brake light and to possible switch over to brighter LED bulbs to help. I also had to rotate the handle bars of the inside bike so that they did not hit the rear window.

_________________
Later,
John Jaranson
'66 Square (Sophy)
'67 Type 34 Karmann Ghia
'70-1 Fasty (Jane - the Lead Sled project)
'71 Westy (Sialia)
https://www.carartbyjohn.com
https://www.carartbyjohn.com/2026Invasion/

[Xevin]

Nice rack. We use the Fiamma. Some states don’t dig license plates and tail lights obstructed. It’s also nice for checking oil along a road trip.

_________________
Keep on Busin'

[71whitewesty]

I'm a big fan of the fiamma rack too. Especially after our last trip when I had to get in the engine compartment several times. My bars are very wide too and there's no need to turn them like on the hitch rack. Without the bikes on it the hatch stays up pretty well too. Seeing the tail lights is a big deal to me although you do have to lift the bikes up higher. I've had all sorts of bike combos on it and it instantly adapts and super quick on and off with the bikes and the rack itself removes in about a minute. I've got my moneys worth out of it for sure.
_________________
71 Westy 1600 DP, all stock Bus 1
1970's Snow Trac 1600 SP (sold 12/2016)
1968 Tucker sno cat, sold 2021
1969 Tucker Sno cat 542
2017 VW Alltrac
71 tin top stock 1600 DP (project but runs)
Twin 71 White Westy, Bus 2, that I pulled from a 15 year slumber in a dry eastern WA field in 2015.
1966 Sundial Camper "Boomer"

[jaransonT3]

We looked at and liked the Fiamma rack, but it wasn't compatible with our other vehicles. Couldn't justify the cost of having dedicated racks for each vehicle.

I had a thought last night and think I will add some tail/brake lights to the rack itself and just wiring them up to a trailer plug. We did this with the cargo tray with built in toolboxes that we used for years with our Ford Flex. It doesn't address the license plate blockage, but will just take my chances with that one. <g>
_________________
Later,
John Jaranson
'66 Square (Sophy)
'67 Type 34 Karmann Ghia
'70-1 Fasty (Jane - the Lead Sled project)
'71 Westy (Sialia)
https://www.carartbyjohn.com
https://www.carartbyjohn.com/2026Invasion/

[jaransonT3]

Jill and I have been thoroughly enjoy the bus since getting her. We have camped 4 times now and are working out our process and everything for it. It has been a blast. We love all of the smiles, thumbs-up, horn honks, and waves we get.

I completed one significant upgrade at the end of last week before our most recent camping trip. The original front seats (even though they had been re-covered at some point fairly recently) left a lot to be desired comfort and support-wise. I read the sticky for seat upgrades. Lots of good ideas, but nothing that jumped out at me.

I work in the Research Lab at Ford Motor Company and my department does research on advanced seating and interior systems among other things. I did some asking around about the lowest block height (height from the bottom track mounting surface to the h-point of the seat) that Ford had made. Someone suggested the second row seats from a Ford Flex. I have had a half dozen Flexes over the years and never had a complaint about the comfort of the second row.

Anyway, I found a set of leather, 2nd row captain's chairs from a 2010 Flex in a local salvage yard for $65 each. I removed the flip and tumble mechanisms and risers from below the tracks. With a little over 1/4" spacer at each corner, I was able to bolt the new seats to the seat risers/wheels of the bus without having to grind away the production track details on the driver's side. The h-point of the seat ends up a little higher than the stock seats, but less than an inch. Still have plenty of headroom.

I have a couple of inches of seat track adjustment and a little bit of recline if I move the seat all the way forward. The Flex seats fold flat, at least on the passenger side. The seat hits the steering wheel before on the driver's side preventing it from going all the way flat. The passenger side makes a great flat storage surface while camping.

The seats are way more comfortable and supportive than the stock seats. They do not squeak with every bump and have functional headrests that shingle down over the seat back when stowed giving an almost lowback appearance.

We are very happy with the upgrade, but will be re-upholstering them and the rest of the seat cushions over the winter in a combination solid blue and blue plaid for a more retro look. Stay tuned for that.

Here are some pictures....

One other thing I had to do was relocate the brake fluid reservoir behind the driver's seat for it to clear the Flex seat hard flat back panel, especially when dumped forward. I simple sheetmetal strap and rotating it 90 degrees let me mount it tight to the bulkhead instead of standing off the bulkhead with the original mount.

I will add this post to the FAQ on Upgraded Seats as well.
_________________
Later,
John Jaranson
'66 Square (Sophy)
'67 Type 34 Karmann Ghia
'70-1 Fasty (Jane - the Lead Sled project)
'71 Westy (Sialia)
https://www.carartbyjohn.com
https://www.carartbyjohn.com/2026Invasion/

[jaransonT3]

Time for a little update on Sialia. We never liked the claustrophobic feeling that you got with the original Westy floor to ceiling closet on the passenger side in the rear. It also created a huge blindspot while driving.

So I designed and built a custom cabinet that stops a little short of the beltline of the bus. We were giving up some storage volume but felt the trade-off for the human space and visibility was worth it.

If you have never removed the closet, it turns out you need to take down the headbanger cabinet (obviously since it is attached to it), but you also have to take out the complete z-bed seat and base. Even with all that, it was still worth it. Of course, I had to make a new headbanger cabinet since it now had to go full width. I did shorten it front to back by 4 inches or so you are less likely to bang your head on it while seated in the rear seat.

While we were in there, I also pulled out the sink/icebox cabinet to have a wider door opening when the slider was open. We just use a simple cooler instead. Probably better insulated then the original icebox and it is removable once we are on site. I even found a color coordinated one. <G>

With the closet out of there, I also decided to sew up some new curtains and a couple of matching pads for the top of the new half cabinet. I also made new curtain rods from some 1/8 x 3/8 aluminum bar stock using a stock of washers as stand standoffs and sheetmetal screws to on each end and in the center. It worked great.

Here are some pics.

New cabinet shell...

Added a lip to retain the lids...

Raw cabinet completed...

Finished with white opaque polystain and installed. Added cupholders and relocated the speaker that was in the closet cabinet originally...

Shot with the bed down showing the relative height...

Much more spacious looking and feeling...

Still have plenty of storage...

New headbanger cabinet installed...

These are the two 1" thick foam pads I sewed up for the top. Very nice when sleeping as you can put your arm or leg up there for more space...

Matching cooler to replace the sink cabinet. I did relocate the folding tray table to the seat bulkhead. Works quite nicely...

A few shots of the curtains I sewed up... We are going to get the seats reupholstered to mush eventually.

We have been out enjoying the bus as well. This was part of our set-up at the Bus Boo in western Michigan at the end of September.

_________________
Later,
John Jaranson
'66 Square (Sophy)
'67 Type 34 Karmann Ghia
'70-1 Fasty (Jane - the Lead Sled project)
'71 Westy (Sialia)
https://www.carartbyjohn.com
https://www.carartbyjohn.com/2026Invasion/