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HackAl Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2016 Posts: 338 Location: Bergen County, NJ
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Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2017 4:02 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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Repurposed old camping chair by hacking off the legs.
Stows away nicely.
_________________ 91 Westy.
Ever consider temporarily trading your van? Join the list. |
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61Scout Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2011 Posts: 1297 Location: Shoreline/Yakima WA
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Vanlife Geek Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2014 Posts: 285 Location: CO
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Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 4:49 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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My van is basically a total mod! It started life as a syncro passenger van and the PO installed all of the Westy interior, so that was already taken care of. I had a poptop installed, along with a ton of other stuff and I can't seem to stop!
My favorite mods to date are:
- Poptop, of course
- SA Grille and Lights (so much better!)
- Propex HS2800 Heater
- Jack Bombay Poptop Shocks (absolutely necessary with Baja Rack)
- Shurflo Faucet
- Porta Potty stored in the old fridge cabinet
- Pelican 45 Quart cooler
- New sound system with Focal 3-component speaker system (two in the doors and tweeters on the dash), 10" subwoofer, 900 watt amp, and head unit with 7" screen with GPS, DVD, etc.
- BajaRack found on Craigslist for $50
- Side ladder from Rocky Mountain Westy
- Rear tire carrier from Rocky Mountain Westy
Here's a recent picture showing the rack, ladder and tire carrier.
I also love this little mod for storing some tools behind the back cabinet. It is basically found space, so no loss of storage.
_________________ Vanlife Geek
Current:
1986 Syncro Westy
Previous:
1983 Westy
1981 Westy
1972 Bug (Last year you could buy a new one for under $2,000)
1965/66 Bug (2 bugs from a junk yard combined to make 1 functional bug)
1959 Bug (Pre Gas Gauge Era) |
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Kkinsch Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2015 Posts: 50
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Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 6:33 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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Epbiggs,
What straps are you using to mount your implements of destruction on the rear cabinet? |
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Vanlife Geek Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2014 Posts: 285 Location: CO
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Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 6:39 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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Kkinsch wrote: |
Epbiggs,
What straps are you using to mount your implements of destruction on the rear cabinet? |
I used a couple of different sizes of Quick Fist clamps. They seem to work great. _________________ Vanlife Geek
Current:
1986 Syncro Westy
Previous:
1983 Westy
1981 Westy
1972 Bug (Last year you could buy a new one for under $2,000)
1965/66 Bug (2 bugs from a junk yard combined to make 1 functional bug)
1959 Bug (Pre Gas Gauge Era) |
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Colorado Yeti Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2013 Posts: 356 Location: Ft. Collins, Colorado
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Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 4:24 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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1. Subaru 2.2 engine
2. Truckfridge - Cold beer AND ice cream sandwiches while camping
3. Auxiliary battery kit with 3 deep-cycle batteries
4. Torque reduction starter from Go Westy
5. Oversized anti-sway bar from T3 Techniques
6. Awning
All the other mods on my van are nice, but those have to be my top ones. |
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singletrackrod Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2011 Posts: 77 Location: Southern Oregon Coast
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Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:58 am Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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Here my list for the last couple of years.
New zero hours EJ25 engine conversion (many upgrades)
OBDII Gauge
Transaxle rebuild (4th gear switch/new R&P)
Wheels and tires (225/55-60 16)
Front Floor Mats (German)
Steering wheel cover (Wheelskins leather)
Audio player, speakers, amp and sub
Phone dock (hardwired w/ switch)
Replace window tint
Replace domestic water pump
Solar/controller/2 deep cycle batteries (210 AH)
Aux fuse block
Rear soft under-flooring
Reading lights (LED)
Koni Classic shocks (4)
Master cylinder (clutch)
Master cylinder (brake)
Rear wheel cylinders
Monza exhaust tip
Custom rear table/trim
Rubber matting rear/center/back
Interior LED lighting
Invertor (hardwired)
New outlet/breaker (w/ USB) & faceplates
Dometic CF-025 freezer/cooler console
Switch 100w Renogy flexible solar panel
Extended seat belt receivers
Skylight scissors
Pedal covers
Cutting board (GW)
Custom shifter knob (matches trim)
Silicone wiper blades
Replace speedo cable
Mud flaps (rear)
Tie rod ends/upper ball joints
AC rodo
Custom Wet Okole seat covers _________________ Ella '89 Full Camper - bit by bit I'm importing the pieces from my wrecked '87
Louise '87 Full Camper - bought her new - zero hours 2.5L subie conversion. She had more add-ons and mods than I could ever count. (lost in an accident 10/25/2020)
'08 Stage 2 STI (sold)
'04 Forester XT
'00 4Runner Limited (sold) |
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VanDwellerFeller Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2017 Posts: 18 Location: The Road
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Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 4:58 am Post subject: |
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EricD wrote: |
My favorite mods...
- Replaced the rear cushion with a bouldering crash pad. Perfect fit - bulky item now takes zero space.
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What pad do you use to make this work? Specific size and brand? I'd like to do the same thing. |
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Merian Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014 Posts: 5212 Location: Orygun
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Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 11:07 am Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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fav mod is to pull the auto. trans., fix the rust in the unit body and replace everything else _________________ .... |
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86scotty Samba Member
Joined: July 25, 2013 Posts: 223 Location: Tennessee
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Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 7:37 am Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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Impossible to narrow down one favorite mod but I did make a little cup holder mini table as others have. I really like it for restaurant cups or a split-window bus pint glass.
I didn't show the underside which actually takes the most thought and effort to get it to mount properly, so I'll explain.
I took about a 2"x1" piece of flat steel bar and drilled a hole in the center, then welded a nut onto it. I carefully drilled the center of the cupholder out with a 1" wood bit careful to not poke through the top of the 'table', then put the welded nut face up in the wood, not below, which keeps the plate and table flat on the bottom, which is necessary to snug the little table down so it is sturdy and doesn't wobble. The table is 3/4" birch ply with a few layers of polyurethane on it and arcade T-molding around.
_________________ 86 Vanagon Westfalia 87k
1998 Ford E350 4x4 camper build
Vans flip flops |
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Colorado Yeti Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2013 Posts: 356 Location: Ft. Collins, Colorado
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Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2017 2:30 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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I have to add this one after installing this new windshield washer nozzle from Forrest.whitmore this past weekend.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=664047&highlight=nozzles
Imagine a nozzle that actually washes off the windshield and doesn't clog after 4 sprays. I will need these next winter for sure. Great product. |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15129 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 7:58 am Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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found this pic on the net, anybody in here?
_________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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vanis13 Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010 Posts: 3083 Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 10:51 am Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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danfromsyr wrote: |
found this pic on the net, anybody in here?
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That could be a great idea. I wonder where it stores. I'm pondering if that is better than a horizontal surface on pulled out drawer.
Interesting they don't use the F table leg for support. wonder if they have it wedged under the back lid . _________________ 83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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vw4wd Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2011 Posts: 161 Location: Somerset, UK
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Posted: Wed May 31, 2017 9:35 am Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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Dropping back to earlier suggestions for a cup space for the user of the rotated cab seat, my kitchen design has an option which is similar to the board over the Westy drawer.
The drop flaps built for access to the underside of the sink & to the grille have chain restraints which hold them level.
Also, to provide extra worktop space when using the sink or hob I have drop flaps at each end -
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They probably won't help those with a standard Westy kitchen but may plant ideas for anyone designing their own unit. _________________ Garyd
1990 Transporter syncro camper with 2 litre AGG 'GTi' engine |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12103 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Wed May 31, 2017 10:42 am Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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This seems like a pretty trick mod...but the price, whoa!
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/pts/6155028976.html
_________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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mtnride1 Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2011 Posts: 194 Location: la quinta, CA
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Posted: Wed May 31, 2017 11:05 am Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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Just won one of these at syncrofest. very nice workmanship and great directions from the company to install it. _________________ 87 westy 2wd (NED) |
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The Carrot Samba Member
Joined: November 18, 2013 Posts: 173 Location: Ontario, Canada
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Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 5:48 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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This weekend I was fixing wiring on a non functioning power mirror and wondered if I could install the passenger side convex mirror on the driver side and if so what would that look like.....
The answer is yes you can, and it is a massive improvement in visibility. I have a line on a second convex mirror so that I will be able to run them in both side mirrors from now on. _________________ 1990 Orly Blue Carat |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15129 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2017 8:58 am Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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not mine but a mod I wouldn't mind seeing in my van.
_________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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figborg Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2015 Posts: 338 Location: Northeast
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Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2018 1:31 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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I miss seeing new posts in this thread. I have gotten so many good ideas from it.
Any new fave mods out there? _________________ -- PF
Providence, RI
1986.5 Westy camper (G year code, grey interior), 2WD, manual transmission, Subaru conversion by Vanaru. Spoiled rotten.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=662374 |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12103 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2018 1:51 pm Post subject: Re: What's your favorite Westy/Vanagon mod? |
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I gotta say that my newest and most favoritest mod is the elimination of the firewall just ahead of the engine. It makes access to the clutch slave and starter so so so much easier. I can almost install the starter completely from the top, and if I climbed inside and reached around from the front I think I could get that bottom bolt, too.
_________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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