What did YOU do to your van today?

[WestfaliaMike]

Pretty simple thing. Removed the oil soaked, falling apart engine cover insulation and replaced it with "Fat Mat". Cleaned it, sprayed some undercoating, then the Fat Mat was tucked and rolled in place.The cover feels much lighter, I don't notice any issues with sound. We will see how it takes the heat.

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1981 Vanagon Westfalia
1983 Vanagon Passanger (Parts Vehicle)
2016 Passat TSI

[WestyWanter]

[B.O.B.Wanders]

Changed the transmission oil @ 30K miles per GoWesty tranny rebuild warranty. Nothing special there, but I ended up having to take it to the shop to get some help with the drain plug (Bobby's for you Atlanta folks). Filler plug was no problem but the drain plug was on like a son of a gun.

It is a 1.9L with 2.1L SS exhaust pipes. The cross pipe is too close to the drain plug to get a breaker bar with the 17mm hex in there. I found a 1/2" threaded bar connector (11/16" hex) cut in half just fits but still couldn't get enough umph on it. Two stout mechanics with a hex headed wrench (didn't know that even existed) and pry bar were finally able to break it loose in the parking lot.
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83.5 WBX 2WD Assuan Brown Westy, B.O.B.

"It feels good to be lost in the right direction” - unknown

[regis101]

* It is a 1.9L with 2.1L SS exhaust pipes. The cross pipe is too close to the drain plug to get a breaker bar with the 17mm hex in there. *

This sounds like a discussion in itself.
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Peace, Regis

[B.O.B.Wanders]

The exhaust upgrade was the first thing I did to BOB after I was accepted as Pilot. The J-pipe cracked at the collection end while driving home from purchasing and was not available/out of stock from any of the vendors I was aware of at the time. I have a much longer list now. JB Weld is like magic, but no match for a cracked J-Pipe.

The GoWesty SS pipes seemed like the way to go at the time and to be honest, I've had no regrets. The rest of exhaust system was pretty far gone and the 1.9 J-pipe is different, so I figured replacing the whole thing would be a good idea. I had to wrangle with them a bit to get them in there, but no major issues with fit on the GW rebuilt engine (2.2L on the 1.9L block). I don't remember exactly how the OEM pipes were set, but the #1 crossover pipe now sits about an inch or so from the drain plug and in-line with it so you have no room to work.

Longer story with the ad hoc support system and my first failed efforts to rig something up. (Pro tip: always carry a few metal coat hangers on-board)
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83.5 WBX 2WD Assuan Brown Westy, B.O.B.

"It feels good to be lost in the right direction” - unknown

[Paulbeard]

[campism]

These are handy in tight spaces. I made the larger one to get the oil drain plug out and the smaller one to adjust front camber. One of these compact items with a combination wrench (and maybe a cheater pipe) can get the job done.

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'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic

[B.O.B.Wanders]

I thought someone had already posted a similar issue, but here's the drain plug - exhaust pipe gap. It is a standard GoWesty rebuilt (by PO) 1.9L WBX engine (GW 2.2L version) with a GoWesty rebuilt 4-speed manual transmission and the GoWesty 2.1L SS exhaust system. (Yes, I have siphoned off a fair share of my earnings to Van Cafe and Bus Depot as well)

As you see, there is no room to get the rather long 17mm Allen head socket straight in to the recess on the plug. The fancy socket head worked great for the filler plug, but I was starting to bugger up the drain plug with my makeshift hex key and box end wrench (not shown). I did try Kroil and heat (not together!) and even got the bigger hammer out, but no joy.

So I guess this should really go in the "What did you try to do to your van today and fail?" thread since I finally gave up and sought help. I'm usually not that bright. At the shop they had what looked like a regular large wrench but it had an Allen head on one end (homemade maybe?). They had to use a short pry bar to hold the hex key in the plug while they both pushed/pulled. Lots of grunting involved until it finally broke loose.
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83.5 WBX 2WD Assuan Brown Westy, B.O.B.

"It feels good to be lost in the right direction” - unknown

[WestyWanter]

What I used was a socket one end and it was connected to a piece of allen, so I used a drill bit to pop out the allen piece from there I put that in the drain plug and used a wrench on the allen piece if that makes sense.

[Alaskaberrys]

I did the same recently, cut off the allen and used a socket and wrench.

These are from my syncro so slightly different but same problem. Was a workout for sure! Heat helped.

Edit; helpful thread with other suggestions https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=692642&highlight=changing+transmission+oil
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'91 Westfalia, Bordeaux Red Pearl 2.1L 2wd Auto
'91 T3 Syncro Doka, Escorial Green 1.9L TD AAZ “Gremian” (to provoke, irritate, exasperate, vex...)

[pinetreeporsche]

[WestfaliaMike]

Did my floors.. love the way it turned out...
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1981 Vanagon Westfalia
1983 Vanagon Passanger (Parts Vehicle)
2016 Passat TSI

[dhaavers]

Nice job!

- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[pinetreeporsche]

[kamzcab86]

[shagginwagon83]

[AZ Landshaper]

Picked up some rims from a local salvage yard. 16" Mercedes w ten spokes. Just waiting on a lower bj from Gowesty and I will begin assembly. Can't wait to roll 16" wheels and my new refurbished suspension. Gonna be sweeeet!

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Support Small Business.

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85 Weekender w/ EJ22
Previously
64, 71, 72, 73, 76, 81, 84, 85 & 87 Campmobiles and Westfalias
and a 67 bug.

[B.O.B.Wanders]

Last summer I got myself embarrassingly stuck in the mud out in the woods. Fortunately, Bo and his big ol' truck (with winch) got that sorted out, but ever since I have been working on a viable self recovery kit for minor "stuck" situations just in case.

BOB isn't a Syncro and I normally don't wander too far off road, but we do occasionally find ourselves on some sketchy trails. I figured a come-along and some good straps was really all I needed. But then there is the issue with front recovery points...or rather the lack of them.

I came across a set of recovery hooks on eBay for about 20 bucks and finally put them on today. They are basically 7/8" bar stock flattened on one end and curled over on the other. I'm not sure what they came off of, but they have 2 holes (3" at center) and M10 Class 9.8 x 1.5 bolts. Yes, 9.8. I thought there were only 8.8 and 10.9 classes available, but here they are. (seller's pic below)

They originally had a 1/4" [hardened?] steel backer plate with threaded holes for mounting, but it was a little too wide for the location I chose so I went with some Class 10 washers and nuts. I would like to replace that with a backer plate once I find the right stock. I would love to use the originals, but cutting them to fit the flange width would be a huge challenge. I considered just having them welded on, but I've heard welding on the frame is not a good idea unless you really know what you are doing.

I drilled holes and mounted them on the frame flange just behind where the long side frames and front frame meet. I figured if the flange is a good enough mount point for the mustache bar mounts, it should be strong enough for my purposes. Based on how much of a PITA it was to drill the holes, that is some decent metal. I tried to put the holes as far in to the flange as practical to leave as much metal as possible on the outside. I know the hooks are solid, but I would be more comfortable with some beefy back plates rather than nuts. I don't recall the shear strength for an M10 class 9.8 bolt but it is pretty stout. I may replace them with some standard Class 10.9 bolts anyway.

I looked at a lot of options and settled on this. I know I'll need some padding or something across the bottom of the front frame to prevent fraying the straps, but this is a start. At least the tow truck guys won't try to hook on to the the flimsy outer panels and rip them up any more that they already have.

Passenger side, next to the existing tow loop:

Driver's side, opposite the windshield washer fluid tank:

Front view:

And, of course, safety. I have no way of calculating an accurate working load limit and the last thing I want is heavy steel projectiles flying around. Any advice is welcome.

Cheers!
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83.5 WBX 2WD Assuan Brown Westy, B.O.B.

"It feels good to be lost in the right direction” - unknown

[Paulbeard]

[WestfaliaMike]

Silly, but a first. Got the Westy cleaned up. Going to my first VW club meeing tonight. Should be fun...

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1981 Vanagon Westfalia
1983 Vanagon Passanger (Parts Vehicle)
2016 Passat TSI