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Daniel G
Crazy Amish Guy
Joined: April 23, 2004
Posts: 828
Location: Central Alabama Amish Country
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 Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 12:00 pm Post subject: My '78 Westfalia Project |
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I just thought I would post a few pics of the project I just recently bought. It was once used as an escort vehicle for trucks hauling large loads. It has been all over FL and GA before it was brought to Alabama, and the PO parked it after it dropped a valve seat around 1999. I have another T4 in storage that I am going to clean up and drop in it, and I am going to go ahead and replace all the fuel lines and redo the brakes before I drive it.
Here are some pics before I got it home and cleaned it up...
And here it is after a little bit of clean-up...
Hopefully I can have some more progress soon...
Daniel
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1967 13 Window Deluxe
1966 Beetle
1971 Panel
1978 Westfalia Camper
Transmissions For Dummies |
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EZ Gruv
King of Plaid
Joined: December 10, 2002
Posts: 8544
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 12:11 pm Post subject: |
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That is quite a project!
Have fun with it, and post more pics as you go along!
_________________
Eric
1977 Deluxe Westfalia - 2.0L FI Type IV, Completely Original
Photographer for HotVWs, VolksWorld, AirMighty, VW Camper & Commercial, Hayburner, and more.
My Photography Page. |
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VWBusrepairman
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2004
Posts: 4726
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| Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 12:16 pm Post subject: Re: My '78 Westfalia Project |
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Good place for a crotch cooler!
You might want to wear a mask when working on this bus as it most likely has a ton of spores and you do not want to inhale them. I'd say the conditions of it's storage were ideal for aerobic and fungal growth. |
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dr8track
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2005
Posts: 500
Location: Seattle area
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| Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 2:00 pm Post subject: Re: My '78 Westfalia Project |
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| Daniel G wrote: |
I just thought I would post a few pics of the project I just recently bought. It was once used as an escort vehicle for trucks hauling large loads. It has been all over FL and GA before it was brought to Alabama, and the PO parked it after it dropped a valve seat around 1999. I have another T4 in storage that I am going to clean up and drop in it, and I am going to go ahead and replace all the fuel lines and redo the brakes before I drive it.
Here are some pics before I got it home and cleaned it up...
And here it is after a little bit of clean-up...
Hopefully I can have some more progress soon...
Daniel |
Well, I have to say, it gives me encouragement about my 78 Champagne Edition project, which seems like a piece of cake compared to what's ahead for you.  Good grief. You're an ambitious man.
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1974 Westfalia Deluxe Campmobiles - Lake Stevens, WA |
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Daniel G
Crazy Amish Guy
Joined: April 23, 2004
Posts: 828
Location: Central Alabama Amish Country
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| Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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Well, as long as I can limit myself to one part at a time, and not try to tear the whole thing down and rebuild everything, then I think I will be ok. First I just want to get the mechanicals in order, and then start tacking the body a little bit at a time. The interior is in pretty good shape, but I need to rent a carpet steamer or something to get the mystery stains out of the rear seat/bed...  , and get a replacement canvas for the pop-top before I can start camping in it...
Daniel
_________________
1967 13 Window Deluxe
1966 Beetle
1971 Panel
1978 Westfalia Camper
Transmissions For Dummies |
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jereandjess
Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2005
Posts: 563
Location: Massachusetts
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| Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 3:09 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Daniel, great job saving another one from sure destruction!
We found with the z-bed that it was well worth the effort with a flat head screwdriver to take the EVERY stupid staple out of the z-bed and wash the fabric in the washing machine. Gentle cycle, with woolite or something similar. Also same goes for the cushions, just unzip them and wash them. Make sure the zippers are zipped when in the machine and be VERY careful putting the foam back in that you don't push the zipper off the starting end and effectively ruining the zipper. (ask me how I know!  )
Also the foam is replaceable at an upholstery shop. Get the firmest you can. 4 inches thick for the seat.
Great work and do post pics of your progress!
Good luck!
_________________
~Jeremy (and Jessica)
77 Sage Green Westfalia 2.0 FI - since May 2004
78 Blue Landmark camper 2.0 FI - since April 1998
69 Beetle - In the family since new
86 Wolfsburg Vanagon Camper "Weekender" since July 25, 2015 |
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vwbusbusvw
Banned
Joined: December 07, 2005
Posts: 1337
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 5:31 pm Post subject: Re: My '78 Westfalia Project |
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| Daniel G wrote: |
I just thought I would post a few pics of the project I just recently bought. It was once used as an escort vehicle for trucks hauling large loads. It has been all over FL and GA before it was brought to Alabama, and the PO parked it after it dropped a valve seat around 1999. I have another T4 in storage that I am going to clean up and drop in it, and I am going to go ahead and replace all the fuel lines and redo the brakes before I drive it.
Here are some pics before I got it home and cleaned it up...
And here it is after a little bit of clean-up...
Hopefully I can have some more progress soon...
Daniel |
I think you accidentally posted more of the "before" pics instead of the "after" pics. 
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1994 Dodge Neon w/supercharged 1500dp
OMVWC
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cbr900racer
Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2005
Posts: 1360
Location: middle tennessee
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| Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 6:25 pm Post subject: |
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that sh*t will buff out  ..seriously, glad to see it is getting saved. good luck and post update pics
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71 Bay (1776 in process)
94 Sonoma
98 Suburban (bike hauler)
97 Blazer
07 Nitro
94 CBR900RR (runs 5.70s 1/8 mile) |
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Daniel G
Crazy Amish Guy
Joined: April 23, 2004
Posts: 828
Location: Central Alabama Amish Country
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| Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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No, they are "after" pics, but it was mostly just inside cleaning I did. I'll give it a wash and wax after I get it running again... 
Daniel
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1967 13 Window Deluxe
1966 Beetle
1971 Panel
1978 Westfalia Camper
Transmissions For Dummies |
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vwbusbusvw
Banned
Joined: December 07, 2005
Posts: 1337
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 12:06 am Post subject: |
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When I found my '78 Westy, the PO had the rear seat and cushions reupholstered in an ugly green canvas material. There was a small tear on the side of one of the cushions - I saw the original plaid peeking at me. A half hour later, armed with a staple remover, I had almost perfect original interior cushions.
Have you had a peek under your seat covers?
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1994 Dodge Neon w/supercharged 1500dp
OMVWC
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Daniel G
Crazy Amish Guy
Joined: April 23, 2004
Posts: 828
Location: Central Alabama Amish Country
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| Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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| vwbusbusvw wrote: |
When I found my '78 Westy, the PO had the rear seat and cushions reupholstered in an ugly green canvas material. There was a small tear on the side of one of the cushions - I saw the original plaid peeking at me. A half hour later, armed with a staple remover, I had almost perfect original interior cushions.
Have you had a peek under your seat covers? |
I haven't thought of that. I guess I need to go take a look and see what I have hiding under there.
Oh yeah, does anyone have any tips about freeing a corroded zipper on a bed cushion cover?
Daniel
_________________
1967 13 Window Deluxe
1966 Beetle
1971 Panel
1978 Westfalia Camper
Transmissions For Dummies |
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EZ Gruv
King of Plaid
Joined: December 10, 2002
Posts: 8544
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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| vwbusbusvw wrote: |
When I found my '78 Westy, the PO had the rear seat and cushions reupholstered in an ugly green canvas material. There was a small tear on the side of one of the cushions - I saw the original plaid peeking at me. A half hour later, armed with a staple remover, I had almost perfect original interior cushions.
Have you had a peek under your seat covers? |
The exact same thing happened to me!
_________________
Eric
1977 Deluxe Westfalia - 2.0L FI Type IV, Completely Original
Photographer for HotVWs, VolksWorld, AirMighty, VW Camper & Commercial, Hayburner, and more.
My Photography Page. |
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chrisradioman
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2007
Posts: 4873
Location: Swansea (Sunny Penllergaer) Wales UK
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| Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:15 pm Post subject: |
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I love these Westy's and its nice to see one saved from its grave! I have a 1977 Westy Helsinki I am in the middle of doing it up, if your interested you can look at the pics:-
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v129/Chrisradioman/ |
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Daniel G
Crazy Amish Guy
Joined: April 23, 2004
Posts: 828
Location: Central Alabama Amish Country
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| Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:53 pm Post subject: |
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Sweet...I still haven't torn into this one, about all I have done is cleaned it up some more and I put a new glass in the driver's side window. After I get my Beetle's brakes redone, I have a good engine I want to put in the westy and I am going to renew the brakes and all the fuel lines and clean the gas tank out. I just don't want to tear into it right now...Plus it makes a good tool box...lol...
I am actually getting another '76 westy minus the engine/tranny as a trade for a bus Auto tranny, so I will have another one soon. It needs a new front clip, but everything else is there and in good shape, so I plan to restore it to stock eventually.
My plans for this one are to build a front brush guard for it and a rear spare tire carrier, and I am going to lift it a couple inches and put some more aggressive tires on it. I also want to put a winch and some offroad lights on the front. I even thought about putting a locking differential in it one day. I know it is going to look like a redneck bus, but I want to use it for lots of camping, and I figured I might as well make it off-road worthy...
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1967 13 Window Deluxe
1966 Beetle
1971 Panel
1978 Westfalia Camper
Transmissions For Dummies |
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Mark
Samba Member
Joined: January 20, 2003
Posts: 1523
Location: Victoria, BC Canada
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| Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 8:55 pm Post subject: |
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Nice, another one saved from rusting back into the ground. Keep us posted on the progress.
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www.zwerks.ca |
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chrisradioman
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2007
Posts: 4873
Location: Swansea (Sunny Penllergaer) Wales UK
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Daniel G
Crazy Amish Guy
Joined: April 23, 2004
Posts: 828
Location: Central Alabama Amish Country
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| Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:37 am Post subject: |
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Just to update my progress, there hasn't been much for the past 2 years. I have cleaned some stuff up on it, and replaced the broken window, but that has been about it. I have had a lot going on since I got it, and plus I have gotten a '66 Beetle and a '71 Panel since then, so that hasn't helped things. I am about half way done with the panel, just need to do the front brakes and put new tires on it to have it roadworthy. So once that is done the westy is next. I dread fixing the wiring and FI, because the PO added cruise control to it, so I have no idea which wires they cut and spliced to get it to work. Plus the taillight wiring was all messed up too, and they added some fans and stuff to it, but I think those just ran off an extra battery. I will probably put a progressive on it until I can sort it all out all the wiring and get the FI fixed. But unfortunately, I sold all the progressive stuff I had a few months back...
What I really want to do to it is swap it to CIS or some good duals so I can fix it easier. I plan to do some back country camping in this bus, so I want something I can fix easily if it breaks...
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1967 13 Window Deluxe
1966 Beetle
1971 Panel
1978 Westfalia Camper
Transmissions For Dummies |
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baywndwjunkie
Samba Member
Joined: August 28, 2007
Posts: 336
Location: El Dorado Hills, Ca
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| Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:15 pm Post subject: |
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Good save man..you have some work to do for sure! The interior looks good considering it has been sitting out for so long. Once you get it rolling make sure to spend some time camping. The good experience it provides will help keep things in perspective when you are taking on such a project. Good luck!!
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1977 Chrome Yellow Westy aka "Charlie Brown" |
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