What did YOU do to your van today?

[SlalomVan]

[quote="shadetreemech"]Had mine powder-coated.

The parts I painted on previous rebuilds had started to chip and flake over a relatively short period of time. The previous two rebuilds I decided to have them powder-coated instead. I am super happy with the results.

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1989 Vanagon GL - 2.1 (White - "Northlake" Totaled/Gone)
1988 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg (Orly Blue - "Poulsbo" - Sold)
1989 Vanagon G - 2.1 (White - "Kingston") - Full rebuild underway - Last on the road in 1997

[RicMcK]

Beautiful. I like the Red! Yes powder coating is great. It lasts for ever.

Today I removed the firewall insulation, wire wheeled as much as I could, treated the rusty spots with "Rust Mort". I used Rust Mort on my 1936 Ford, and 40 +years later no rust has returned. The rusted areas looked better than I thought they would. Hopefully the weather will cooperate on Monday so I can seam seal it and then spray it with under coating.
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Rick McK
Seattle
New to me 89 Westfalia
2006 TDI Jetta
1936 Ford Pick up

[4Gears4Tires]

That motor is so pretty. The only upgrade left is an aluminum thermostat housing.
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition

[Mark Lewalski]

Did this a couple days ago. I got the idea from the Texas Vanagons website but added tape to a few more areas for increased visibility. Tape came from Amazon.
I also applied this tape to the Bluestar my son now drives.

https://texasvanagons.com/deck-lid-safety-reflective-tape/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQY03NC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mark
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'89 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg "Bluestar" (given to and owned by my son now)
'87 Vanagon Weekender
'74 Thing

[brickster]

I finally replaced all of the propane tank parts with Jim's Vanavation kit. My intention was to drop the tank, but the AC lines made me do it in situ.

Not easy due to access, but I got it done on the ground. Used sealant paste instead of tape on all threads. Due to the longer regulator, I broke the old, integrated cover off of the skid plate. I've ordered a Camco regulator cover kit, and still need to mount the missing mud flap to keep it all happy.

After nervously pulling up to my local Ace, all went well. It took 3.1 lbs, which is more than I expected assuming an 80% fill. Maybe due to it being completely empty? I couldn't see how much came out of the bleeder, but 0.5 lbs seems like a lot.

Soapy water test passed, and stove/fridge are working. It always feels good to check something off the list.
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1984 Campmobile Automatic

[campism]

Put it on the trickle charger. The van has been "resting" recently and always started when asked until today. Need to drive it more.
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'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic

[shagginwagon83]

[CarstenR]

Hello, all, I'm happy to be able to share something I completed last night on the Opa Bus. My priorities may be a little whacked, since the Westy doesn't run, but at least now I have access to the space under the driver's seat (LHD) thanks to completing the installation of the Intrepid Overland Seat Tilt Kit. When I add the house battery I will mount the CTEK D250SE in this location along with the fuse block for my 'consumers'.

The kit is not plug & play, and required some cutting of welds with my trusty Dremel tool. I haven't had much experience doing this, but after taking some deep breaths I took cutting blade to metal and cut out the center of the seat base. This ended up being (in my opinion) fairly painless and a good confidence builder for me for some of the bigger projects yet to come. Plus, I now have access to the valuable space under the seat!

https://intrepidoverland.com/shop/seat-tilt-kit/

- Carsten
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Carsten Ramcke
Allen Park, MI
1981 Aircooled Westfalia: the 'Opa Bus'

[jimf909]

[jlrftype7]

Washed the dirt off all the windows/glass in lieu of an actual wash. Recent light snow had left dust streaks all over the place as it melted off the Vanagon.
Removed both front door switches and cleaned them. I was getting erratic performance out of the drivers side this Winter.
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'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto

[JIME82]

Finally got around to installing the self-made roofrack on the pop top. Pay special attention to the laser-cut VW logo's

Now I have a good reason to get a lift-assist-kit. Any recommandations?

[bobbyblack]

[harvgwen]

I got this from GoWesty and it works well
https://gowesty.com/products/pop-top-lift-assist-vanagon?_pos=17&_sid=25d8b51b2&_ss=r
They also sell a heavy duty one which you’d probably need with your great looking rack.
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1986 Westfalia Vanagon, 2.2 Subaru
British Columbia, Canada

[vanis13]

[Kdj]

Pulled my starter motor to take to the local rebuilder. Been having to give it a hit with hammer every now and then to get it to go! Seems to be the original Bosch unit so prefer to get it rebuilt then go with something of unknown origin.

[Atadloco]

The heater fan stopped working so before the spring season hits New Hampshire, best to get this fixed and replace all heater parts. Going to sound deaden the area, replace the wiper washer hoses and a general old wire clean up.

[4Gears4Tires]

You can't throw too much sound deadener at the nose. It helps a lot. My van went from "so noisy elevated voices are needed, normal convos aren't possible" to "noisy by regular voices are fine, normal convo." Get the best you can justify spending. Butyl sheets and mass loaded vinyl.
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition

[Atadloco]

[jlrftype7]

Finally got some money for new front rotors- installed those today- and installed a Time-Sert for the stripped oil drain plug. Threads gave out on me when I was changing oil to Winter weight weeks ago. I cobbled a repair to hold the plug in place till I could properly deal with it.
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'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto

[dhaavers]

(Yesterday)…heated up the garage & installed Bus Depot H4 headlights.

Beautiful kit…these things look fantastic!

- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
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