Your ideas for spare parts & tools for a month long trip

maximuspc · Samba Member Joined: July 25, 2007 Posts: 1

I own a 1989 Westfalia van and will be making a long haul trip over a month from Utah to Anchorage, and back. Could you give me your ideas on:

1) Spare parts to carry for mechanical problems?

2) Tools I should have with me for engine/van mechanical problems?

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

Leave the Westy at home & rent a motorhome.

You won't have to take any extra parts along, & no tools. Laughing

_________________
T.K.

Bern · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:58 pm Post subject:

i'll copy and paste my response from another active thread:

"ya, i always bring an assortment of tools, almost everything i'd need to rebuild the van, and then a crapload of zipties, duct tape, random bits of hose, wiring, relays, string, metal cable, bungee cord, springs, hose clamps"

and of course, bolts, nuts, washers....

as for tool specifics: full set of metric wrenches, sockets, allens....crescent wrench, the triple square tool, breaker bar, big hammer, short and long screwdrivers of different sizes... needle nose pliers, vice grips (a couple different kinds, they can do many things in a pinch(no pun intended :-p)))
_________________
VR6 Vanagon. Yup, it vrooms and stuff.

tikibus · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 10:02 pm Post subject:

1) Fuel Pump.
2) 1 Meter of fuel line.
3) 4 quarts of 20W-50 oil.
4) 2 belts ( if AC equiped 3).
5) good selection of 7 to 24mm wrenches (cresent one end).
6) a F load of 100% liquor. It get cold up there at night!!!
7) Good maps ( Plus the ever good Air Cooled Interstate Rescue Squad) Get the list.
Cool

PM all of the folks here to get good campgrounds in their neck of the woods.
9) Bear spray. Anti- that is.
10) Tuned up engine that will make the Angels sing!

HAVE FUN Very Happy

_________________
Happy Trails!
Mark
______________
Founding member of the Empire State VW Camping Club.
http://www.empirevwcamping.org/
1984 Westy - Tiki
1997 Honda Civic -The Green Hornet
1971 Volvo P-1800E- needs TLC

Dogpilot · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 10:06 pm Post subject:

Phudd's Law of Perversity implies that any part you bring will never fail. Take some tools and a credit card. You can get most anything in a day or two from the fun van parts suppling type guys on the web. Of course in AK it may take a bit longer. If you have it as a spare, then it would imply you replaced it already. You can collect up lots of things, but predicting what will fail on a 20 year old car is a feat. If you suspect something, then replace it before you leave. It is a trip that requires ultimate confidence in your car.

As for tools, this thread covered it a few weeks back:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=238180&highlight=tool+kit
_________________
Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G

snowleopard · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 1:15 am Post subject:

Some German deity must be on my side because I've done several month and longer journeys in my ole 85, along with upteen week long trips (Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion in Winter, the Eastern Sierras more times than I can count, Yosemite mucho times in deep snow) and I've only had to replace tires, a muffler...well...that's it! Never had any other major incidents in the last ten years or so of Westy travel. (See...now I said that and I'm heading up to the Sierras again next week...and you just now I'll drop my tranny someplace) Crying or Very sad

_________________
85 Westy: The Green Machine
PCT Hiker: Mexico to Oregon on Foot
(It was faster than a Westy going up an incline)

POS · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 5:45 am Post subject:

Sounds like fun. Renting is for those with no sense of adventure. We seem to have some break-downs on our westy travels, but during them we have been greeted with amazing kindness from total strangers.

Traveling in a 20+ year old vehicle is always an adventure. We just had a marvelous 2500 mile round trip from Missouri to the Atlantic Ocean.

Take a bit of mechanics wire just in case you have to wire something back on that has fallen off!

Peace n'grease
Dave

"Many miles of Happy Motoring" Elson Nichols.

82 diesel westy

kevinbassplayer · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:51 am Post subject:

I too am of the camp that if you carry a specific part said part is insured NOT to break. Call me a little paranoid but for spare parts I carry a water pump, fuel pump, and belts. I have a mess o' tools, assortment of electrical parts, volt meter, gallon of coolant, oil and filter, tire repair kit, small compressor, and a few things I'm probably forgetting. Haynes and Bentley manuals, roadhaus shop list for all of the areas I happen to be traveling in, AAA plus towing, and my cell phone. It all "fits" here under the bench seat.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

zippyslug31 · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 8:30 am Post subject:

Not sure if anybody else has done this trick, but my tools are in 2, short, custom boxes that fit strategically under the far rear cabinet. Check it out, there's a small void underneath this to allow the engine lid to pop up.
I have to slide out both boxes to open the motor lid (slight hassle) but it's a nice little hiding place for junk in an already tight space.

Even further off thread... another trick: I installed a double RV light over the engine area. Makes for a great reading light (your head pointing toward the rear) and an even better work light when you are in the engine bay. Definitely one of my better contraptions since it's great when you don't have a trouble light handy (and even when you do).
_________________
previous:
'80 westy
current:
'90 syncro westy 2.5L subi, triple knob, 16" wheels.
'84 sunroof van, 2.1L motor.

kevinbassplayer · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:27 am Post subject:

Picture of the boxes? I always thought this was wasted space. Would be a good spot for some of my spare parts maybe.

kevinbassplayer · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:27 am Post subject:

Picture of the boxes? I always thought this was wasted space. Would be a good spot for some of my spare parts maybe.

zippyslug31 · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 10:43 am Post subject:

I'll have to snap a few pics and then will figure out how to post them here. Will put that on my todo list.

I have 2 boxes, each aprox the size of a cigar box, spare belts (other spare parts are located elsewhere in the van), and rags/gloves stashed in this cubby hole. It's pretty much maxed out, but it works well for my uses. It's also nice that it requires me to take the tools out and have them sitting on the deck anytime I'm accessing the engine.
Hmmmm..... in retrospect, maybe that NOT such a good thing. Embarassed

_________________
previous:
'80 westy
current:
'90 syncro westy 2.5L subi, triple knob, 16" wheels.
'84 sunroof van, 2.1L motor.

Dogpilot · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 11:42 am Post subject:

You can go nuts on spares. I have this collection from various troubleshooting adventures and the fortunate acquisition of a Subaru converter's cast off engine and accessories. It would be hopelessly pricey to acquire them piecemeal.

The Tool Roll is from Home Depot ~$10

_________________
Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G

tikibus · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 10:17 pm Post subject:

Bucko and Kevin have it!

The point is, knowing the AGE of the parts is the KEY to the Vanagon.

Might not use the spare for X years, but, in that little voice that says " uh, better take that along, just in case..." you find a area to let it sit.

Going on a long and very happy journey to a land not known, better to have trusted tools/parts to bring a Happy Soul Home.

You'll do fine.

Happy travels.
_________________
Happy Trails!
Mark
______________
Founding member of the Empire State VW Camping Club.
http://www.empirevwcamping.org/
1984 Westy - Tiki
1997 Honda Civic -The Green Hornet
1971 Volvo P-1800E- needs TLC

zippyslug31 · Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 11:07 am Post subject:

kevinbassplayer · Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 11:15 am Post subject:

Thaks for the pic's, I'm going to have to make a set of those!

POS · Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 3:57 pm Post subject: spare parts

I like to carry my spare belts under the westy's rear seat in that few inches seperate from the underseat compartment. Every nook and Crany!!

I like those two boxes in the back!!

Dave

bucko · Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 5:30 pm Post subject:

Belts and simple hand tools yes. Some of these lists are downright crazy. If I was expected to bring along these for a trip, I'd leave the Vanagon behind and take a plane.

Good common sense in going through the vehicle before the trip is good enough. If you are unsure, then don't take it. You know your vehicle. You either trust it or you don't.

Acouple of Samba folks stopped by my house a few weeks back to pick up a trailer hitch. They stated they drive their Vanagons all over Florida camping. Now that's what it's all about. They know their Vanagons condition, and they trust their maintenance and service they have done.

These were made to enjoy and have fun with. Expect no more, expect no less.
_________________
Current VW drives: 1984 Westfalia

Past VW drives: 1967 Beetle, 1973 Beetle, 1977 Bus, 1971 Military Type 181


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