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64 ragtop volks
Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2012
Posts: 543
Location: EARTH
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 Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2023 4:26 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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new swampers, and some solar |
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64 ragtop volks
Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2012
Posts: 543
Location: EARTH
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| Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2023 3:35 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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added a dash tach |
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Slip356
Samba Member
Joined: July 26, 2006
Posts: 394
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2023 6:19 am Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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| What tach is that? Looks really good. Difficult to install? |
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64 ragtop volks
Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2012
Posts: 543
Location: EARTH
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2023 8:40 am Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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| its the 76-79 style from bus depot, easy to remove cluster and the red/ blue vent knobs to install... but putting cluster back in was not so easy, there are 4 clips that hold cluster to inside of the dash. if you have small hands might make it easier to hold them wile screwing down the 4 screws |
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Shonandb
Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2019
Posts: 1204
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2023 9:39 am Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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Bought and installed a new set of Bilsteins. My rear shocks were toast so it rides so much better now. However, the new rear shocks seem to be about 1.25" shorter than the spring plate travel and the old shocks. I had to jack from the lower shock point to attach them.
I sent an email to T2 Detectives who I bought them from and they said they've heard this from some users but have never had an issue. I may have to order a set of shock extenders as I have my rear torsion bars adjusted on the high side and I can hear the shocks topping out when I go over speed bumps.
_________________
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76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
Click to view image
Last edited by Shonandb on Mon Dec 11, 2023 10:50 am; edited 1 time in total |
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dodger tom
Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2013
Posts: 1272
Location: Central Coast, CA, but we're all still Ukrainian
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2023 9:59 am Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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| Shonandb wrote: |
Bought and installed a new set of Bilsteins. My rear shocks were toast so it rides so much better now. However, the new rear shocks seem to be about 1.25" shorter than the spring plate travel and the old shocks. I had to jack from the lower shock point to attach them.
I sent an email to T2 Research who I bought them from and they said they've heard this from some users but have never had an issue. |
hey db, some years ago i searched like crazy for bilsteins for my ‘78 ce2. i walked away from that thinking they didn’t make them anymore, soes i got koni’s. these t2 research folks are making me think i was right.
_________________
1978 Champaign Edition 2 Westfalia
Would never find the time to keep up another classic air-cooled. |
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Shonandb
Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2019
Posts: 1204
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2023 10:14 am Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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| dodger tom wrote: |
| Shonandb wrote: |
Bought and installed a new set of Bilsteins. My rear shocks were toast so it rides so much better now. However, the new rear shocks seem to be about 1.25" shorter than the spring plate travel and the old shocks. I had to jack from the lower shock point to attach them.
I sent an email to T2 Research who I bought them from and they said they've heard this from some users but have never had an issue. |
hey db, some years ago i searched like crazy for bilsteins for my ‘78 ce2. i walked away from that thinking they didn’t make them anymore, soes i got koni’s. these t2 research folks are making me think i was right. |
Hi Tom. I'm a bit disappointed as for the cost, I expected them to fit perfectly. Went for a test drive last evening and the Bus has never handled better but heard the rear shocks top out a couple times going over speed bumps at a reasonable speed which is a concern. I guess most people would have their torsion bars set for mid range so you wouldn't notice under those normal settings.
I think I will make up (or buy) extenders for peace of mind.
_________________
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76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
Click to view image
Last edited by Shonandb on Thu Dec 28, 2023 9:39 am; edited 1 time in total |
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dodger tom
Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2013
Posts: 1272
Location: Central Coast, CA, but we're all still Ukrainian
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2023 4:01 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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the bilstein site says they make shocks for the base and kombi transporters, but not the camper. this is news to me, cause, as i said, i couldn’t find any bay bilsteins when i went looking.
here’s the website.
https://cart.bilsteinus.com/details?id=22311271291...p;Pos=Rear
are these the shocks you got?
_________________
1978 Champaign Edition 2 Westfalia
Would never find the time to keep up another classic air-cooled. |
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Shonandb
Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2019
Posts: 1204
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2023 8:06 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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| dodger tom wrote: |
the bilstein site says they make shocks for the base and kombi transporters, but not the camper. this is news to me, cause, as i said, i couldn’t find any bay bilsteins when i went looking.
here’s the website.
https://cart.bilsteinus.com/details?id=22311271291...p;Pos=Rear
are these the shocks you got? |
Thanks Tom. I think that's it. They make the regular length one for the standard model and Kombi Buses but not for Campers. I let T2 Detectives know I have a Westy but they still sold and shipped them.
A lot of campers seem to have saggy rearends so most people wouldn't have an issue. I already installed them so too late to send them back unfortunately.
_________________
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76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
Click to view image |
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favguy
Samba Member
Joined: January 25, 2012
Posts: 237
Location: England
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| Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2023 5:39 am Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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| I run a set of these too, expensive, but give a really good ride. My bus is slightly lowered by about 2" so T2 Detectives sent a set tailored for this. Their focus does seem to be on lowered buses, so bottoming out is usually the concern, rather than topping out. I doubt they ever come across slightly higher than standard buses here in the UK. Sounds like the extenders you mentioned are your best option to resolve the issue. |
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Shonandb
Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2019
Posts: 1204
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2023 4:39 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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Made up a set of shock extenders using 1/4" walled square tubing. These should give me peace of mind using the new Bilsteins.
Installed the shock extenders and they work perfectly.
_________________
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76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
Click to view image |
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Shonandb
Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2019
Posts: 1204
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 6:41 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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Installed a Retrosound dual cone speaker in my dash and adding a ladder to the rear hatch. Still have to add the bottom mounts but will add a few more pics after it's done.
Finished the install and it works well. It'll make getting on the roof to tie down the SUPs so much easier.
_________________
*******************************
76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
Click to view image |
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Iguana
Samba Member
Joined: April 19, 2008
Posts: 922
Location: SOCAL
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| Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2024 1:48 am Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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| Shonandb wrote: |
Bought and installed a new set of Bilsteins. My rear shocks were toast so it rides so much better now. However, the new rear shocks seem to be about 1.25" shorter than the spring plate travel and the old shocks. I had to jack from the lower shock point to attach them.
I sent an email to T2 Detectives who I bought them from and they said they've heard this from some users but have never had an issue. I may have to order a set of shock extenders as I have my rear torsion bars adjusted on the high side and I can hear the shocks topping out when I go over speed bumps.
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What part numbers did they sell you ?
24-632805 - REAR
24-632799 - Fronts
The Kombi is eye / eye so you can get a heap of different lengths so you may find if its still an issue you can swap them out with Bilstein for a longer set , they have life time warranty.
I would check your old shock compressed and Extended lengths as the B6 range is pimped as OE replacements so if they don't match Bilstein are usually good to deal with |
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Shonandb
Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2019
Posts: 1204
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2024 10:43 am Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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| Iguana wrote: |
| Shonandb wrote: |
Bought and installed a new set of Bilsteins. My rear shocks were toast so it rides so much better now. However, the new rear shocks seem to be about 1.25" shorter than the spring plate travel and the old shocks. I had to jack from the lower shock point to attach them.
I sent an email to T2 Detectives who I bought them from and they said they've heard this from some users but have never had an issue. I may have to order a set of shock extenders as I have my rear torsion bars adjusted on the high side and I can hear the shocks topping out when I go over speed bumps. |
What part numbers did they sell you ?
24-632805 - REAR
24-632799 - Fronts
The Kombi is eye / eye so you can get a heap of different lengths so you may find if its still an issue you can swap them out with Bilstein for a longer set , they have life time warranty.
I would check your old shock compressed and Extended lengths as the B6 range is pimped as OE replacements so if they don't match Bilstein are usually good to deal with |
Thanks. I'll have to check the part numbers to be sure but when you go to Bilsteins's website (Tom included above in this thread) it shows a part number for a Late Bay Combi and Transporter but nothing is listed for the Camper/Westfalia.
Instead of spending time to try to find one that would work and then have to pay for shipping, the set of shock extenders I made up work perfectly for the set of Bilsteins I bought, so all good.
_________________
*******************************
76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
Click to view image |
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dodger tom
Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2013
Posts: 1272
Location: Central Coast, CA, but we're all still Ukrainian
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| Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:03 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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it was about time for tires. a bit early for me, as there were no steel belts showing. but, i figured better safe.....
hankooks have done well for me the last 10-12 years, so i reupped with vantras. took the opportunity to do something i've thought about for years: powder coating my wheels.
course, that meant taking the wheels off at home, taking them to dg tires for tony to take the old tires off, taking the wheels to full spectrum for the coating, and then back to dg for tire mounting, and back home to put them on the bus.
splurged and did the spare wheel, too. not sure why.
cleaned up my usa-made valve stems, as the new ones are all chinese.
shined up the hub caps.
(they're not going on until i'm done retorquing the wheels, as i've read about powder coated wheels having loose lug nuts.)
took the opportunity with the bus up on stands to do some routine maintenance.
all new brake fluid.
adjusted the rear brakes.
checked the konis for stiffness. (they were full stiff. might be time to get them rebuilt soon.)
lubed the front end.
(actually had to put that off since i'm out of grease. though there's enough on the gun and the plastic bag it lives in that i might've been able to do the job. yuck.)
the finished product while waiting for chacho's friday special (fried beef taco, chili reilleno, rice and beans for 8 bucks.)
_________________
1978 Champaign Edition 2 Westfalia
Would never find the time to keep up another classic air-cooled. |
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Shonandb
Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2019
Posts: 1204
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 6:09 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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| dodger tom wrote: |
it was about time for tires. a bit early for me, as there were no steel belts showing. but, i figured better safe.....
hankooks have done well for me the last 10-12 years, so i reupped with vantras. took the opportunity to do something i've thought about for years: powder coating my wheels.
course, that meant taking the wheels off at home, taking them to dg tires for tony to take the old tires off, taking the wheels to full spectrum for the coating, and then back to dg for tire mounting, and back home to put them on the bus.
splurged and did the spare wheel, too. not sure why.
cleaned up my usa-made valve stems, as the new ones are all chinese.
shined up the hub caps.
(they're not going on until i'm done retorquing the wheels, as i've read about powder coated wheels having loose lug nuts.)
took the opportunity with the bus up on stands to do some routine maintenance.
all new brake fluid.
adjusted the rear brakes.
checked the konis for stiffness. (they were full stiff. might be time to get them rebuilt soon.)
lubed the front end.
(actually had to put that off since i'm out of grease. though there's enough on the gun and the plastic bag it lives in that i might've been able to do the job. yuck.)
the finished product while waiting for chacho's friday special (fried beef taco, chili reilleno, rice and beans for 8 bucks.)
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Looks great Tom! Nice to finish it off with some good Mexican Food and a few cervesas.
_________________
*******************************
76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
Click to view image |
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notchboy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 22465
Location: Escondido CA
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wcfvw69 
Samba Purist
Joined: June 10, 2004
Posts: 13389
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2024 3:58 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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I grew up on Mexican food in S. Cal. Clearly you haven't eaten Mexican food in El Paso. It will change your life. 
_________________
Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc
Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.
**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours** |
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notchboy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 22465
Location: Escondido CA
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| Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2024 5:46 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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| wcfvw69 wrote: |
I grew up on Mexican food in S. Cal. Clearly you haven't eaten Mexican food in El Paso. It will change your life. |
Oh no, I have. Also lived in San Antonio. Best eats in San Antonio was a "Bertos" rip off. For the unwise - Robertos is an OG chain here in San Diego, invented the Carne Asada Burrito. Pair that up with another San Diego original - The Fish Taco, and forget about it. Like I did to TexMex. 
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| t3kg wrote: |
OK, this thread is over. You win. |
Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top |
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dodger tom
Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2013
Posts: 1272
Location: Central Coast, CA, but we're all still Ukrainian
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| Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2024 4:22 pm Post subject: Re: What did you do for your Bay recently? |
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as i’ve had no luck with either paper or aluminum hoses for my dump tubes, (they always fall apart in quick order, even the official vw from classic parts), i decided to try something different.
steve kent referenced aircraft vent tubes in a post some time ago, so, i thought, why not.
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/sceet.php
fiberglass-reinforced silicone. got the double-walled stuff, hoping for durability.
i wonder about that plastic wrap.
we’ll see how they perform.
_________________
1978 Champaign Edition 2 Westfalia
Would never find the time to keep up another classic air-cooled. |
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