What did YOU do to your van today?

[Paulbeard]

[Zeitgeist 13]

Here's a subtle mod I did today. Hint, it's not something new I added, but rather something I had previously removed and just added back again...albeit, in a slightly different location.

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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[porterbrown]

[Paulbeard]

[Pcforno]

Got around to grinding the seam off my trailing arm and welding a plate to fit larger tires. Coated with POR-15

[bretly]

Changed every single fuel line front to back. Minus the small plastic ones between the expansion tanks and the small ones between the tank and expansion tanks. Funny these don’t come with the reseal or replacement kits.
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84 Vanagon GL

[JCTahoe]

I sold my van
But glad to know its going to friends who will enjoy it.
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84 Westy - Jean Claude Damn Van

VW's from my past:
72 Bay
79 Campmobile
81 Vanagon

[AndyBees]

Re-doing all the front suspension that I did 6 years ago (82k miles).

Ball joints, control arm bushings, etc.

Although, I thought I was buying "good stuff" at the time, as it turned out, it was junk. Just because it's a company that got it's start in Germany doesn't mean the parts are made there.

While into this job, as an experimentation, I am going back with the OE style oil based hydraulic shock absorbers! Considering my 84 is a tin-top and much lighter than a Westy, I suspect the hydraulics will be less harsh. Or, am I making a mistake?
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'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI. 1989 Tin-top
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine. Seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003.

[bobbyblack]

[Paulbeard]

Partially installed an oil pressure gauge. The sender is in, after some difficulty in getting the plug/fitting out and sneaking it past the distributor. I thought I was going to need a tencentlife-designed standoff/adaptor but once I took the terminal nuts off, there was *just* enough room to get it there.

But it isn't working so well. The gauge is showing an optimistic amount of pressure.

On the plus side, it lights up with the light switch and the needle bounces (power on self test) when the key is turned. But as soon as the motor is running, the needle goes all the way. So back it goes.

Shoutout to SummitRacing for postage-paid returns. I'll hope the replacement is more realistic in what it sees. They verified that this sender and gauge are compatible.

And yes, the install is a little unfinished. Not sure where I am going to mount the gauge cup at the moment.
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Currently -> Frida: 87 Tizian Red (mostly) Vanagon GL Westfalia w/ 2.0L ABA conversion
Formerly -> Steward of a 73 Super Beetle (Beater) and 67 Beetle 1300 (Little Max) both names by POs

[AndyBees]

BobbyBlack, thanks for your input on my shock absorber decision(s). Yes, the replacements are Boge. I believe going back to the OE stuff is the best in my situation for sure.

PaulBeard

I installed several electronic oil pressure sending units on the TDI engine in my 84 Vanagon. None of them lasted over a month due to the vibes of the engine.

So, I used a 24 inch long grease gun hose to install the unit remotely suspended on a spring high above the transmission. Of course a ground wire is required. That solved the dying sending units. The grease gun hose has the same threads, suitable for oil and heat.

Sorry no pics here in the Samba.
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'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI. 1989 Tin-top
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine. Seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003.

[Paulbeard]

[Zeitgeist 13]

I have my VDO oil pressure sending unit mounted to an MB 124 front brake hose, so I think that mitigates the vibration issue. No problems so far.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[BCE56]

Last weekend: Waxed the Van. (Well, most of it. The roof will just have to wait....) Used Meguiars Ultimate polish. This is good stuff for new or like-new paint. Goes on and comes off easy, very little elbow grease required.

Recharged the AC w/ DIY 134a. Last recharged about a year ago so I suspect a leak. System is a low-budget, fittings only conversion. It took about a pound of refrigerant and is blowing cold again. Just in the nick of time- it's real hot here now.

Yesterday: Oil and filter change. Castrol Syn Blend was on sale at the FLAPS. While it was on the lift I checked for any problems. UV showed some slight leakage at the AC pressure hose crimp. Everything else looked OK.
Lubed the shift rod where it goes thru the mount bushings. Smoooth.

Almost ready for late summer road trip.
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=BCE56=

'86 Syncro tintop
EJ22, OBD II early SC adapter plate conversion

Side project: '69 Frankenbug "It's alive!"

[Make America Vanagon]

Finally got the urge to address my middle floor. Don't know whether I'm going wood or carpet, but, I've set my attention to start on the subfloor. Went to IKEA and found Item 001.602.15; a slatted bed base for a queen size bed. At $50 it's more than a sheet of plywood, but I figure it will be a half day project now with less cutting. There was some warping which is why it's not laying flat in the photo. The previous owner had a wheelchair lift installed and now I'll have to cut the supports and original padding out too.

[Paulbeard]

Went out to replace the valve cover gasket on my inline 4 to address some oil seepage and resulting smell. Discovered that the nuts were well out of spec, most of them loose and one almost finger loose. So with the aid of the world's smallest torque wrench I backed them all off and re-torqued them to 70 inch pounds/8nM. I won't really know if that helped, as the oil that had already seeped out will continue to burn off, some on the exhaust manifold shield that I can't reach to wipe off.

The gasket may well be toast. I probably should have gone ahead and R&R'ed the gasket but I waited too late in the day. This is full sun wrenching, not shade-tree.
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Currently -> Frida: 87 Tizian Red (mostly) Vanagon GL Westfalia w/ 2.0L ABA conversion
Formerly -> Steward of a 73 Super Beetle (Beater) and 67 Beetle 1300 (Little Max) both names by POs

[bretly]

Started the inside restoration. Its a slow process.

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84 Vanagon GL

[Alaskaberrys]

[bretly]

Stripping disc as it can get all the corners and then a wire brush/wheel to get in the pits or holes and seems. Skipping the POR-15 as I’ve read mixed reviews. Covering it with rust reformer in case any rust is lingering then white auto enamel paint over that. I think that’ll seal it pretty well. Going to look nice, all white shiney and fresh inside!
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84 Vanagon GL

[pbrown]

I am mostly done with the install of my new Small Car G60 brake kit.

The photo is just a test fitting. There are no pads in there and no hoses connected. I'm waiting for some Burley backing plates to arrive before I wrap it up.

I also replaced a leaking master cylinder and the tank.
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Patrick Brown

1986 Westy Syncro EJ25
Flickr --> https://flic.kr/s/aHsmQNUXEF