Learn something new everyday

[syncrodoka]

[Tom Powell]

hey dogberry

they think they're smug in finding one of our secrets

in reality we are expanding the horizons for others and increasing the knowledge on the Samba

we have other secrets
ignorance is the lack of knowledge

good on us
Aloha
tp

[syncrodoka]

So tell us a good secret and "expand the horizons for others and increasing the knowledge on the Samba". Making others guess until you find someone that knows doesn't help

[Tom Powell]

making others guess at our secrets and posting their knowledge is our reward

Aloha
tp

[randywebb]

about what year did VW start putting the internal releases onto the latches?

[syncrodoka]

Last year run from what I know. '91 WESTY
Sorry TP, I should have waited longer and baited him more for maximum enjoyment.

[madspaniard]

my westy sticker is from September 1990 and it came with the factory rear hatch internal lock, I believe late 1990 westys are pretty much considered as 1991 in terms of equipment.
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali

[Tom Powell]

"Sorry TP, I should have waited longer and baited him more for maximum enjoyment."

jkidd152 is johnny appleseed
you and others are the good earth and rain
I am the fertilizer

this is the tree of knowledge
our roots and secrets are deep

Aloha
tp

[JunkYarDog]

I like this thread! I wish I had something that was new as far as secret stuff to share. If I thing of it I will...
_________________
I have never owned a VW I didn't like, but there have been a few Fords and Chevy's.
85' GL Sunroof
68' Beetle sedan
72' Chevy C10 (LWB Step)
(67' Volvo 122S pending)

[jkidd152]

[carterzest]

[McVanagon]

From the "Heated Mirrors" thread....

[Zero419]

[Perales]

[quote="hero419"]

[MootPoint]

[Dogberry]

Just returned from 800 mile shake down of the Zetec conversion with automatic transaxle so I've been away for several days. I will detail driving impressions in another report.

So ... I was just having fun in the spirit of the post... yes there is a trick to the rear hatch lock but it applies only to those with power door locks AND it is well documented on the Samba. My little tease is simply the orentation of the key guide when power-locking the doors. If the lock is oriented up and down the door locks... if it is sideways it does NOT lock with the rest of the doors. Intererestingly I have a viper alarm system with remote door locks. If the hatch is open and the key is up and down and I use the remote to lock it errors and does not lock any of the doors. If the hatch is open and the key is sideways and I use the remote all the doors lock without error except of course the rear hatch. Which is just what VW intended. NOW as to why they would intend such a thing in the first place is beyond my understanding.
_________________
91 Westy

[Home Team Van]

[Vanagonner]

The ventalation control that can be told
is not the actual control.
The name of the workaround that can be named
is not the eternal workaround.

tao de vanagon
_________________
Sage
'82 Westy 1.6 D
the mighty n/a

[Classicvibe]

I am not changing the world with this one, but I keep all of the bedding for the top bunk stored in the rear of the westy top. 2 pillows, a comforter and a couple of blankets fold up very nice back there. Be careful not to overstuff, you will hear your top making a racket when there is torsion in the body. Anyway, this frees up a ton of storage below, especially for those who never know when they might need to stealth it. It is also very convenient to just pop open, grab the softies and pull them up...along the lines of "everything in its place" if you follow that mantra.

There are other great trick storage opportunities up there as well. I stuff my TV back there (flat), fold the front bed piece over to secure it.

Hmm, others...
There is a huuuge bang for your buck to remove the curtains and cushion covers to wash them. It took one load in my washer, and it changed everything! Everything is very easily removed. While you are at it, clean up those cushions a bit, which may involve soaking them in your neighbors well-maintained swimming pool, or perhaps just a little spray on sanitizer.

Another storage area: Under the rear cabinet. I have seen this used for maps, sandals and slippers, tent poles. This is a great and seldom used storage area.

I realize mine are all unintended perks of the Vanagon, but they are all still inherent to all Vans, and useful! I don't mean to sound elitist, but all those cute and secret little Vanagon "to-knows" are work arounds for some engineering that didn't cut the mustard. I have years of restoration work behind me on eastern European scooters from the 1950s, and I find myself often repeating something I noticed from working on them. Just because you can do it (that way), doesn't mean you should. I think I last uttered that while tinkering with 16ft of cooling lines, or no, maybe it was the 18ft of power steering lines. Doh, my mistake, it was when I removed my VC after it had failed in the open position, 3 years after to PO had replaced it.
_________________
On a mission, the destination is just an excuse.

Syncro Solstice 2022...see you there!

1986.5 Wolfsburg Syncro Westfalia Poptop Weekender Transporter

[sc-surfer]

Has anyone mentioned the two secret storage spaces above the closet?
_________________
'89 Syncro Westy
Catalog of Vans at SDM 2010
Westfalia, Syncro & Tristar Reproduction decals here.
* * * Coming Soon: Washable seat covers for westy bench seat...keep the pets off the upholstery! * * *