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backcountrymedic Samba Member
Joined: February 17, 2006 Posts: 583 Location: Monterey, CA
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Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 10:52 am Post subject: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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I'm sure this topic has gone around before, and I apologize in advance if it truly has (I've only been here a couple of months), but what's the favorite mod you've made for your van? Wheels/tires? Engine enhancements? Interior stuff? I know I've done a bunch of stuff - both large and small - and would like to hear everyone's thoughts. It might inspire others to greatness! Post pics as well!
Personally, I'm a big fan of my GoWesty 2.4 waterboxer. And my driver's side grab bar.
-Jared _________________ No need to bear the weight of your worries, you let them all fall away...
Sector 9 longboard
Kona Kikapu Deluxe MTB
Novarra Big Buzz
Electra Cruiser
'01 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 |
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weinerwagen Samba Member
Joined: May 10, 2004 Posts: 1548 Location: Monterey, CA -Laguna Seca--Coats, Kansas
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Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 10:58 am Post subject: |
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I'd go for a 956 or 911 turbo with 6 speed if I didn't have five kids in college!
The mulla I spend on tuition would be spent on a screaming brick, in red. _________________ Retired attorney--Tort King. |
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m4mke Samba Member
Joined: April 26, 2006 Posts: 92 Location: Morro Bay, Ca.
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Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 11:20 am Post subject: |
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Thats easy, (funny though, its all the little things)
1. 2nd Battery (makes starts much easer after a couple of days camping)
2. Air Lift air bags for rear suspension (big difference on their maden voyage down hwy 1 from Monterey to Morro Bay this weeken, fully loaded)
3. inverter (I like to charge my electronics)
wait, roof racks are #1 |
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m4mke Samba Member
Joined: April 26, 2006 Posts: 92 Location: Morro Bay, Ca.
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Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 11:24 am Post subject: |
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I like my awning a lot too. |
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mobowesty Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2005 Posts: 101 Location: Central Massatucky
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Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 12:37 pm Post subject: |
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ok, so I haven't done this yet, but here's what I'm gonna do:
1) full set of gauges - oil pressure and battery voltage are too important to monitor with idiot lights...
2) power inverter
3) 2nd battery - to support #2 above |
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Wellington Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2004 Posts: 1890 Location: Montreal
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Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 12:48 pm Post subject: |
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1 Derek Drews 16" wheels with Vanco 8s
2 paint the pop top gloss white
3 SA front grill with 4 lights and headlight relays
4 Fiamma (sp) 10' awning
5 Fixed the gas heater
6 3 florescent light fixtures (Terry)
7 bicycle light (2D cells) clamped on pop top bar
8 small one but cool, - blue LED to indicate fridge on propane.
would do those again in that order.
Still to come, forgot to add front brake upgrade
driver side grab handle
aux battery
stereo upgrade
inverter
microwave
dvd for the rainy days. |
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motelvw Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2005 Posts: 465
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Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 1:19 pm Post subject: |
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My favorite is a shameless plug for my wife's little business venture.
The Westy Rainfly/Sunshade for the poptop window.
http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/rainfly.htm |
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ProvoCyclist Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2004 Posts: 593 Location: Murray, Utah
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Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 1:25 pm Post subject: |
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High power headlights.
Center console.
GoWesty 2.2 engine
Those were the big ones for me _________________ Clark
Current: 1986 Tintop GL 2wd, stock 2.1L, manual trans, Flash Silver LP7Y.
Past: 1985 Sunroof GL, 2wd, Subaru 3.3L, manual trans, resprayed to Diamond Silver L97A |
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Paintedbus Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2003 Posts: 679 Location: salem, ma
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Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 2:09 pm Post subject: |
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i like my wood floor. makes clean up super easy and looks sharp. _________________ Champagne Edition Roadtrip monster "Juakali"
~"Paintedbus" Ken~
The Mobile Muralist
WWW.PAINTEDBUSART.COM |
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backcountrymedic Samba Member
Joined: February 17, 2006 Posts: 583 Location: Monterey, CA
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Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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I love 'em! Keep 'em coming!! Getting some great ideas on things I've been thinking about, as well as reminiscing (sp?) some things I've done. It truly is all the little things that add up to a personalized van special to each one of us
Some others that I've done...
rubber floor mats (GoWesty) all the way around
tinted windows
stereo system with ipod
SA Rhein wheels
personalized license plate
new cigarette lighter
2nd battery with inverter
headlamp relay
short shift kit
-Jared _________________ No need to bear the weight of your worries, you let them all fall away...
Sector 9 longboard
Kona Kikapu Deluxe MTB
Novarra Big Buzz
Electra Cruiser
'01 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 |
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aguabonita Samba Member
Joined: November 27, 2005 Posts: 267 Location: Monterey, CA
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Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 5:15 pm Post subject: |
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Upgraded the headlights which has made a big difference. Good wheels and shocks have certainly helped a lot as well.
Kev _________________ '87 Westfalia, GW 2.2, and some other goodies
'90 Volvo 245 |
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wbx Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2005 Posts: 1254 Location: Monterey, CA
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Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 5:22 pm Post subject: |
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For me, it is two main things:
1) Ecode headlights and relay upgrade
2) improved sound system
I have the bigger engine and wheels and what-not, but it is those two that really make the van feel better. Hopefully I'll get the same feeling when i get the upgraded brakes installed.
And backcountrymedic/Jared, I just got a job in Monterey, so we should hook up when i get there in July.
-Damon |
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Captain Pike Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2003 Posts: 3343 Location: Talos IV, Piedmont Arizona
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Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 5:34 pm Post subject: |
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I 4 engine, gauge cluster(oil p-volt-water temp) ,dual bat, added poptop and 120V inverter(700W) _________________ LEARN TO SELF RESCUE
59 Panel bus, 1966 Single cab. 73' 181. 73 Westy. 91' H6 Vanagon 3.3L.
.....................All Current....................... |
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weinerwagen Samba Member
Joined: May 10, 2004 Posts: 1548 Location: Monterey, CA -Laguna Seca--Coats, Kansas
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Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 5:50 pm Post subject: |
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Bill W wrote: |
120V inverter(700W) |
I put 2000W on the big trucks, tore thru alt and batteries, had to remove them....Freightliner would no longer cover warrantee work if one was installed
now we use a pony engine anyways to keep the idle time down to min _________________ Retired attorney--Tort King. |
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jaco Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2005 Posts: 64 Location: York, PA
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Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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every mod has a time where it's the best. but i gotta say that the one that makes me smile the most and therefore is the best ...
Gene Berg Short Shift Kit! _________________ 91 Syncro |
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vwjedi Samba Member
Joined: November 29, 2005 Posts: 1463 Location: G-ville, FL - hopefully on a trail.
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Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 8:20 pm Post subject: |
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I have alot of the same but here goes:
#1-New BFG tyres!
2-New bilsteins and westy springs
3-XM radio and system
4-roof rack and Safari basket
5-Hella fogs
6-Headlight upgrade
7-Aux battery
8-Tinted windows a must in this glass house!
9-Kelty carport like Jared's.
10-Repaint bumpers and stuff
I really need one of those driver side grab handles, who sells 'em? _________________ 1987 Wolfsburg T25 still riding out. A bunch of other VW's passed on... |
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captainpartytime Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2005 Posts: 715 Location: Mission Viejo, CA
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Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 9:10 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry for the grungy looking pictures. I haven't had a chance to wash ol' Bonesaw after my mountain bike trip.
1. Rap steering wheel with weather stripping then a leather steering wheel cover (Ahh sooooo sweet!!!)
2. Paper Towel Holder/LED Cabin Lights
3. Fuel Tank Re-seal (No more dripping liquid gold at fill-ups)
4. Viton fuel lines (For running biodiesel @ $1.27/gal)
5. Cup holder for every passenger
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mr_vanagon Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2005 Posts: 589 Location: Southern Illinois (GO SALUKIS)
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Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:55 am Post subject: |
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Two words---AIR-HORNS!!!! |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6247 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 10:07 am Post subject: |
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Three Window Tent, Roof Rack, Fog Lights, AT Tires, 10" Sub Woofer!
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 11:31 am Post subject: |
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ALL OF THE ABOVE!
Plus good pre-emptive repairs.
-*ALL* new hoses, stainless pipes if you have plastic.
-seal the liguid gold fuel tank.
-clean all the engine grounds.
-injectors cleaned, balanced and all new fuel hoses.
-proper engine adjustment including valves.
-all new wear items like belts and ignition related
-new sensors.
-etc
I can not say enough about having good tires and brakes. To that end, I am going with 16 inch wheels and still plugging away at bigger brakes. If you can not safely corner or stop, the rest don't really matter does it?
All the stuff to make life simplier is great too, just as in all of the above. I have been remiss in all that stuff. Just too much other stuff to deal with. It is not our only home, you know!
Above all, have fun with it....... _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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