Wish me luck , santa fe to san diego and back via grand cany

[yggdrasil]

Well, I've shaken her down pretty good. Two 600 mile trips to southern New Mexico and she is holding tight. So now its off on the real adventure.
Heading out to San Diego for some beach camping.
It just a tin top but we can camp just fine in there, we will be camping at the campland on the bay, one day at the zoo then back thru the grand canyon.
I figure its maybe 2000 mile round trip.
This van had a blown engine wich i replaced with a used engine that claimed to have 60000 miles on it. The thing im really worried about is the autoatic transmission, its my unknown.
I have alot of parts from the old engine that I will be packing on the roof, therm housing, alternator, alternator bracket, water pump, tempII sensor and belts. I think that anything short of a major engine problem or transmission problem i will be able to handle it. I will finish changin the fuel lines this weekend. I wish I had time to replace the tranny fluid and filter but I don't think its going to happen.
I'll make a list of Mechanics along the way and head out on the night of the 7th.
Hope I have a good adventure, knock on wood for me.

[DAIZEE]

Wishing you good luck, safe travelling fun times.
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[DAIZEE]

Sorry double post
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[Syncroincity]

Have a great trip! Try to hit the restored wooden roller coaster in Pacific Beach, 10-15 min north on 5 & get off 23a to Grand ave.. check out La Jolla ($$$) and Scripps Park while up there. Fish tacos at Rubios for lunch! Wish I were going.
_________________
'86 Syncro CHC Top AAZ Turbodiesel
'04 Passat Variant 4Mo 5MT

Vanagon Build: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=466866&highlight=

[syncrodoka]

Have fun. I am jealous.

[thummmper]

you wont have any problems, just go enjoy yourself. youlle be fine

[morymob]

Dropping the pan, changing the filter on these autos is very easy. I would do it as it may never have been done. Heading out with a partially plugged filter not good, and peace of mind worth it. Changing of diff oil a good idea also as BOTH oils need to be checked for any mixing of the oils as this will end up in a trans failure, my 2cts, good luck.

[campism]

Please take the time to change the trans fluid and the diff oil. If you don't do it and set out on this trip you won't enjoy it for the gnawing feeling you'll have every driving minute of the trip. If you do the change and still have trouble, you'll at least have the satisfaction of knowing you did all the prep you reasonably could.

[yggdrasil]

Saturday morning I placed the order for the new automatic transmission kit.
I ordered the right one I hope, like 13 bucks from van cafe ([/url]http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/smartlist_1010/service_kit.html[url]).
Also over the weekend I think my ignition switch started acting a bit funny so I put one of those on the order too.
I'm taking it in to the mechanic to check out my a/c and going to probably have him do a brake job as well.
you gotta love your van, money money money....
[/url]

[DAIZEE]

Yep, vanagons are just like boats, a hole in the ground/water into which you pour your money and the cheapest part of owning a Vanagon is the purchase price! Well unless its a Go Westy van!
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[yggdrasil]

Ok tranny finished. That was a bit more work and a little on the scary side. I stripped one of the pan bolts and had to go to the hardware store.
The 3.3 quarts back in was too much so I had to drain a lot out. Finally got it so that I'm just at the top dot.
Everything else seems in order.
Leaving thursday at 9 pm. The kids should sleep for the majority of the trip. Aiming for hitting the little hot springs on the east side of san diego by morning.

[DAIZEE]

Looking to hear about your trip. Oh and the other thing is if you want to keep the van you have to supply us with pics! Safe, fun trip
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[yggdrasil]

wtf. About to leave on our trip and my wife calls me and asks where the van is.
Stolen from in front of our house.
I will post pics of it.
if anyone in the new mexico area sees it, let me know, blue 87 tin top.

[peaceful warrior]

[Jon_slider]

> Stolen from in front of our house

Unbelievable! So sorry to hear that..

I hope there is some kind of silver lining to this story.. insurance buys you a new van maybe?

I hope you get it back in decent shape when the punks run out of gas..

My heart goes out to you

[funagon]

[DAIZEE]

OMG. that's terrible. Let us know if and when this is resolved. What happened to your trip? That takes my breath away!!!
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[danfromsyr]

This is terrible news..

[DAIZEE]

no no threat is only validated if trip taken and no pics. This is horrible. gad yet another reputation
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[Carver Dude]

So sorry to hear this. What a bummer! I hope it gets back to you real soon!!! Your trip sounded fun and I was hoping for pictures of your trip. Not your missing van!!
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83 Vanagon
69 Tin Top Camper
86 Vanagon
71 Westy
76 Tin Top Westy
70 Camper